binnacle and magnetic compass for large ship
Date: circa 1915
Inventory Number: 5335a
Classification: Magnetic Compass
Dimensions:148.5 x 51 x 92 cm (58 7/16 x 20 1/16 x 36 1/4 in.)
DescriptionCompass housed in binnacle with magnetic correctors, electric lighting from below, and solid teak base. Diaphragm for dimming. Oil lamp is missing (a modern oil lamp made in Taiwan in the correct style was added in February 1983). Two round port holes open on the top element to reveal the compass. The instrument contains no steel so as not to disrupt compass accuracy.
Description and specifications from HUSUN catalogue:
"BINNACLE WITH SOLID WOOD BASE / SPECIFICATION / COMPASS. "Dead-Beat" Filament Card, 61/2-in. diameter, in 10-in. bowl with oil bottom stabiliser. / AZIMUTH MIRROR of latest improved design. / SUSPENSION. Four-point Husun Torsional suspension with double gimbals and knife-edge trunnions. / The suspension springs are adjusted so that the action of one pair damps out the vibrations of the other / pair. The construction is such that the Compass remains steady under all the varying motions experi- / enced in a ship. / LIGHTING from below by electric light with off and on-switch, and diaphragm for dimming. Also oil / lamp. / CORRECTORS. 8 1/2-in. iron spheres correcting magnet with heeling bucket and Flinders bar. / THE BINNACLE STAND is made of teak, extra stout. / Cat. No. 1975. Code Word: "Bachique" "
Signedpunched around circumference of brass disc screwed to instrument: REGISTERED TRADE MARK / HUSUN / HENRY HUGHES & SON LTD. / LONDON
stamped in gold around circle on black dial plate: REGISTERED TRADE MARK / HUSUN / GT BRITAIN
stamped in white around circumference of compass frame: DEAD-BEAT / C.B. PATENT / REGISTERED TADE MARK / HUSUN / GT. BRITAIN / COMPASS / C.B. PATENT / No 7667
printed in black on white oil lamp: SHERWOODS / TRADE MARK / SOUND / LIMITED
stamped in black on catalog cover: INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHICAL / EXPLORATION / HARVARD UNIVERSITY / DIVINITY AVENUE / CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
FunctionNavigation and course correction. Standard for merchant service. Instrument would have been mounted on a ship for navigational purposes independent of the ship's movement.
Primary SourcesHenry Hughes & Son, Ltd. HUSUN Dead-Beat Compass, date unknown, see p. 8. (copy in instrument file)
newspaper article about binnacle with photo (in instrument file): Ellsworth American, "On the Market," Thursday, July 16, 1981..
ProvenanceInstitute of Geographical Exploration, Harvard University. Acquired by David Wheatland in 1957.