Marine compass

Object/Artifact

-

Waterperry Museum

Brass marine compass and wooden box

Brass marine compass and wooden box

Name/Title

Marine compass

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.220

Description

Small brass marine compass in the orignal box.

Context

No one is exactly sure who invented a compass but it is known that a Chinese explorer in the 1400s is recorded as having led a fleet of ships on seven voyages using a compass. The magnetic component of the compass responds to the magnetic fields of the North and South Poles. So when "the magnetic arrow in a compass is allowed to float freely it will point to the north and south, showing you in which direction you are going in relation to that axis" (Sea History).

Category

Marine

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Gordon Dempster

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Dimensions

Circumference

80 mm

Weight

148 g

Dimension Notes

measurements relate to compass not box

Material

Wood, Brass, Glass

Location

* Untyped Location

C6S3

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Web Links and URLs

Sea History