Name/Title
CompassEntry/Object ID
2005.036.004Description
Boat wheelhouse compass. Large brass dome with glass enclose, black compass dial to magnify two large metal balls on each side of the brackets. One ball is painted red and the other green. A wheelhouse compass replaced most boxed compasses because it could be permanently mounted. The greater the vessel, the larger the compass. The red and green balls are magnetic compensators. Magnetic disturbances will be found on almost every boat regardless of construction materials. These balls neutralize the effects of local iron attractions on the magnetic needle.