Images(12)

azimuth compass

Datecirca 1765

Inventory Number0095

ClassificationCompass

Subject

Maker Edward Nairne 1726 - 1806

Maker Daniel Scatliff (I) fl. 1760 - 1767

User John Winthrop 1714 - 1779

User Samuel Williams 1743 - 1817

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Place of Use

Dimensions23.5 x 32 x 28 cm (9 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 11 in.)
bezel and gimbal ring diam: 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)

Material

Bibliography

The Apparatus of Science at Harvard, 1765-1800

DescriptionThis compass is mounted in brass gimbals and installed in a Wainscott box on a short post allowing the bowl and sighting vanes to move together. The azimuth with slit and hair sights rotates on the compass rim. The compass card is printed with a fleur-de-lys pointing north and is decorated in the east direction. The outer edge of the printed card is marked in degrees, by increments of tens. The card is held in place by a silvered brass circle, marked every 30' and numbered in tens.
The paint color and lead weight on this instrument are identical to another one by Nairne in the collection (# 0094). The compass and its gimbals may be removed from the box and mounted on a post or railing to facilitate the use of the azimuth sights.

In Collection(s)

Signedon gimbals: E. NAIRNE LONDON on compass card: Made by Daniel Scatliff Near Old Stairs Wapping

Inscribedstamped on box: 8-21 painted on box: MA9

Curatorial RemarksThe following information helps in dating this instrument: on 2 October 1760, Daniel Scatliff received a patent (#752) for a Quadrant for taking observations at sea.

FunctionMarine or azimuth compasses determined the sun's azimuth in order to correct for magnetic declination of the compass. They were used for steering the ship on course.

Historical AttributesAn "Azimuth Compass best sort in Wainscott box ... 5.15.6" appears directly below the mariners' compass (# 0094) on Joseph Mico's August 1765 invoice of apparatus purchased by Harvard College from Edward Nairne. Professor Samuel Williams may have taken this azimuth compass on his expedition to observe a total solar eclipse in October 1780 behind enemy lines in Penobscot Bay, Maine.