US Navy pelorus in wooden storage/carry box.
-Yellow metal plate on outside of box:
BUREAU OF SHIPS
U.S. NAVY STANDARD PELORUS
7 1/2 INCH ILLUMINATED DIAL
Mark III, MOD. 0, SER. NO 3009
CONTRACT NO NOs-88774 1941
KELVIN & WILFRID O. WHITE CO..
BOSTON
-#3009 written on top lid of box
-Box has two metal handles on either side
-Compass has black metal cover
-Compass white w/black lettering
-Sight valve clamp attached
-Power cord attached at bottom
-Set up instructions stapled on inside of box
A pelorus is a magnetic compass with a vane for measuring the bearing to an object. It is used on the deck of a ship to quickly measure the true bearing (angle from north) or relative bearing (angle off the ship's bow) to a line of sight. It can be used in pilotage, or navigation by sighting landmarks when within sight of shore.
