NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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3.81 PORTABLE WOODEN BINNACLE. Rare,
second half of the 19th century American binnacle made by
the inventors of the liquid-filled compass, “RITCHIE, MADE IN
U.S.A. BOSTON” as marked on the compass float, and additionally
stamped “E.S. Ritchie & Sons, Boston” on the rim of
the compass body. The composition compass card is signed
under the North point “Ritchie, Boston, U.S.A.” and bears
the traditional compass rose, marked in points, down to ¼
points, with the cardinal and intercardinal points identified.
North is designated by a large fleur-de-lis. The compass body
is made of solid bronze in its original black paint as is the
matching gimbal. The entire assembly is mounted in its original
dove-tailed mahogany box having a glazed, hinged lid with hook and
eye closure. The top of the binnacle is equipped with a stout
brass carrying handle. The side retains it original oil-fired
binnacle lantern complete with font and burner for night
viewing. The wick advance knob is marked “National Marine
Lamp Co.” The lamp has folding bail handles and is easily
removed from the sliding track on the side of the binnacle. The
compass itself measures 7 inches in diameter. The binnacle
housing measures 13 inches high overall by 13 inches wide and 10
½ inches deep.
995
Edward Samuel Ritchie was born in 1814. In 1839 he established a hardware business in Boston, Massachusetts as a partner in the firm of Palmer & Ritchie. From 1842-1849 he ran a nautical chandlery in New Bedford. In 1850 Ritchie began his scientific instrument making career with Nathan Chamberlain as his partner. By 1862 the company was known as Edward S. Ritchie & Co. and in 1867 the firm name became E.S. Ritchie & Sons.
Ritchie is credited with inventing the first practical liquid-filled compass, circa 1860. In 1861 he made a compass for the famed Civil War iron clad USS MONITOR. Ritchie was awarded a patent for the invention in 1862 and a number of improvements and subsequent patents followed. Edward died in 1895 and his sons carried on the business.
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3.76 SAILING SHIP INCLINOMETER. Very handsome solid teak and brass shipboard clinometer faithfully copied after the original adorning the officers’ dining room aboard the famous sailing ship the STAR of INDIA. This high quality instrument is made from solid teak and brass with two “rope twist” limbs and an arc covered by a brass scale divided in 10’s from 0 - 40 degrees port and starboard. The heavy cast brass pendulum has a decorative fleur-de-lis at the top and a unique cut-out arrow which points to the individual degree of heel or list. When rotated, the brass pivot knob at the apex serves the dual purpose of locking the pendulum when not in use. The screws holding the brass scale on either side also function as the attachments to the bulkhead. This fine inclinometer measures 10 ½ inches wide by 8 ½ inches tall on the frame. The brass pendulum measures 11 inches long. Complete with an etched brass presentation plaque reading:
In pristine condition, this inclinometer is itself over ¼ century old, having been manufactured in 1983 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the ship. 79
The 3-masted bark STAR of INDIA is the oldest ship in the
world which still sails! She was built at the Ramsey Shipyard, Isle
of Man, England in 1863. With an iron hull, she was
state-of-the-art at the time, when most vessels were still being
built of wood. She was launched as a full-rigged ship,
christened EUTURPE, after the Greek muse of music and
poetry.
EUTURPE began her career on a turbulent note. During her
first trip she suffered a collision and a mutiny. On her second trip
she was caught by a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. With her
topmasts cut away she barely made port. Shortly thereafter her
captain died on board and was buried at sea.
After these ill-fated beginnings, EUTERPE made four
more voyages to India as a cargo ship. In 1871 she was purchased by
the Shaw Savill Line, London and embarked on a quarter century of
hauling emigrants to New Zealand, Australia, California and Chile. In
this capacity she circumnavigated the globe 21 times with many
voyages lasting up to a year!
In 1897 EUTERPE was sold to Hawaiian interests, then
again to the Pacific Coloional Ship Company of San Francisco in
1899. In that service she made 4 voyages between the Pacific
Northwest, Australia and Hawaii carrying lumber, coal and sugar.
In 1901, EUTERPE was sold to the Alaska Packers’
Association of San Francisco and re-rigged as a bark. In
1902 the newly overhauled vessel began the final episode of her
active career carrying fishermen, cannery workers, coal and canning
supplies from Oakland, California to Nushagak, Alaska. Each
fall she returned with a catch of canned salmon. In 1906,
she was renamed the STAR of INDIA in keeping with the names
of her sister ships in the Packers’ fleet. Finally
in 1923 she was laid up after 22 Alaskan voyages, having outlived her
usefulness in the age of steam.
In 1926 the STAR of INDIA was sold to the San Diego
Zoological Society with the idea of featuring her as the centerpiece
of a museum and aquarium. To this day, she continues to fulfill
that role as the prime attraction of the San Diego Maritime
Museum.
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3.73 NAVIGATIONAL QUADRANT. Early
19th century English mariner’s quadrant, alternatively known as
an octant, made by “Walker, Liverpool” as
stamped into the ivory maker’s plate inlaid on the frame.
This traditional instrument was made on an18th century design as
evidenced by its larger size, existence of a backsight,
interchangeable filters, and non-optical peeps. The classic
isosceles frame is made with limbs and arc of ebony inlaid with an
ivory scale engraved from 0 to 99 degrees in 20 arc minute
increments. The braced brass index arm bears an ivory vernier
scale which allows a reading to an accuracy of one arc minute.
It is equipped with a knurled brass thumb screw stop and fine adjust
tangent screw. All of the brass furniture is present,
comprising both peeps, index mirror, full set of interchangeable
filters, innovative single swivel filter, both horizon mirrors; with
mirror box adjustment features and all three brass “feet”
on the reverse. It is fully complete and totally original even
down to the rarely found ivory pencil in the cross brace and ivory “note
pad” on the reverse. This quadrant is housed in its original
stepped, keystone oak box with hook and eye closure and original
lock. Inside it bears the very decorative and informative trade
label of “D. McGregor 38 Clyde Place, Glasgow.” The
box is quite sturdy. It does evidence expected shrinkage with
some cracks, but no abuse. The instrument itself measures14
inches tall by 11 inches wide, while the box measures 15 inches long
by 13 ¾ inches wide. A very nice example of an early
navigational instrument having all the bells and whistles.
1495
By 1820 the backsight feature on such instruments had become obsolete.
John and Alexander Walker began their trade at 47 Bernard Street, London as opticians, mathematical instrument makers, and chart engravers. In 1823 they moved to 33 Pool Lane, Liverpool where they continue work until 1836. No doubt this early instrument was one of the first they produced at their Liverpool location.
Duncan McGregor (w. 1844-1855) was located at 38 Clyde Place in Glasgow in 1855. He was known to have sold barometers, octants, sextants and telescopes. He died in 1867.
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3.68 ROYAL NAVY NAVIGATOR’s RULES. Genuine, World War II vintage rolling rules made of heavy solid brass for service in the British Navy as indicated by the Broad Arrow ↑ impressed with “PATT. No.160100” the top. This precision navigational instrument was designed to be used on the chart table to plot parallel lines relative to the compass rose. To accomplish this two ribbed wheels on a single axle engaged the chart surface while the mass of the rules prevented them from slipping. This provided the Navigator with a long, precise straight edge on which he could plot his ship’s course or its L.O.P.’s (lines of position). Stout knurled knobs on each end allowed him to easily position the rules. This lovely example measures 18 inches long by 2 ½ inches wide, 1 inch tall and weighs 3 1/2 pounds! It is housed in its original hinged mahogany case with brass fittings, measuring 19 inches long, 4 ¾ inches wide and 2 inches thick. Good original condition showing age and spotting to the original lacquered surfaces while exhibiting careful use. 245
The Computer History Museum located in Mountain View, California (Silicon Valley) has an identical set in its collection, catalog number B105.80.
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3.66 EARLY SHIP’s “HARPOON” LOG. Mid 19th century ocean-going ship’s taffrail log made by the patentee, “T. WALKER’S PATENT HARPOON SHIP LOG A.1 London” as signed on the porcelain register. This all brass, finely-made navigational instrument was crucial to shipboard navigation in the 1800’s when “dead reckoning” was still the key. Such a log allowed the ship’s navigator to determine the actual distance that his ship had traveled in a given amount of time. To accomplish this the log was trailed off of the stern of the vessel. The built-in rotating “fish” with 4 canted fins and a stabilizer is connected internally through a series of reduction gears to the brass pointers on the register. The 3 dials on the register are calibrated in quarters, whole and tens of miles up to 100. The sum of the three dials indicated the number of nautical miles and fractions thereof that the ship had traveled. In addition to being signed on the register plate, each of the rotor fins is impressed with the maker’s mark “T.W.” and the distinctive anchor logo. To protect the all important register a built-in brass cover slides over the dials. For reading it revolves open with a simple twist. State-of-the-art for its time, this ship’s log is in fine original condition showing actual use at sea, exhibiting verdigris on all surfaces. Fully functional, circa 1865. Significantly, it still retains it original old sailor-worked rope attachment with leather reinforcement! The instrument itself measures 19 ½ inches long exclusive of the line. 695
Thomas Walker was born in London in 1805. In his early career he was a clockmaker who began manufacturing ship logs under Massey’s patent in 1850. Walker patented his own "harpoon" log in 1861 and an improved version the “A-1,” of which this is an example, in 1863. (M.V. Brewington, “The Peabody Museum Collection of Navigating Instruments, 1963, Peabody Museum, Salem, Mass.)
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3.33 TELLTALE COMPASS. Rare, totally
original first half of the 19th century sailing ship captain's cabin
compass. This exceptional example is all brass with the engraved
paper card signed around the center "John Campbell, 7 South Castle
Street, Liverpool." The North point is designated by a fancy
fleur-de-lis with the cardinal and intercardinal points identified.
The pivot has an agate cap and the card is divided to 1/4 points of
the compass with single degrees on the periphery. The all brass
glazed housing is slung in its original gimbal which is suspended in
a magnificent cast brass mounting bracket with floral designs! In
use, this compass would have hung from the overhead in the captain's
quarters allowing him to monitor the ship's heading from his bunk or
desk -- hence the name "tell tale." Outstanding original condition
with a fine, rich patina. Definitely the finest example of its type
we have ever seen. The compass card is 6 1/4 inches in diameter. The
compass housing is 7 1/2 inches in diameter. The overall width of
this presentation is 10 inches.
2495
John Campbell was listed as a chronometer and nautical instrument maker at 17 Warren Street in Liverpool from 1845 - 1855. (Gloria Clifton, "Dictionary of British Scientific Instruments Makers 1550-1851".)
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3.34 AMERICAN WOOD BOWL COMPASS.
Genuine, early 2nd quarter of the 19th century American compass
made by the noted compass maker "Robert Merrill, New York." as signed
around the central pivot. The nicely engraved dry card is divided to
1/2 points of the compass, with the cardinal and intercardinal points
identified and North marked by an elaborate fleur-de-lis. The central
brass pivot has an agate cap. Indicative of its early origin this
compass has a decorated East point, a traditional holdover in early
compass making since the Crusaders traveled East during the Middle
Ages. Even more remarkable, the compass housing is of turned
wood! The compass card measures 6 inches in diameter
and is housed in its original green-painted bowl with glazed cover
slung in gimbals within the hand-dovetailed pine box measuring 10
inches square and 7 inches high. It appears that the box originally
had a hinged lid. Overall condition is excellent. The compass is
functional and it gimbals properly. A very nice example of a scarce
American wooden bowl compass by the most famous American compass
maker of the 19th century. Given the wooden bowl construction and the
decorated East point on the card, this compass most certainly dates
from the beginning of Merrill's career, circa 1835.
995
Robert Merrill was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on April 19, 1804. He was first listed as a "mathematical instrument" maker in the New York City directory of 1835-1836 with a partner, William Davis. Shortly thereafter, in 1838 Merrill struck out on his own as a compass maker at the address 141 Maiden Lane. In 1865 Merrill took his sons into the business. He died in 1876. (Charles Smart, "The Makers of Surveying Instruments in America Since 1700," 1962, Regal Art Press, New York.)
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3.26 TAFFRAIL LOG SET. Fully complete, fourth quarter 19th century American taffrail log set by "John Bliss & Co" as marked on the fired porcelain dial. The dial bears 4 patent dates, the latest being July 21, 1885. It has three mechanical indicators registering 1/8, single, and tens of nautical miles respectively, from 0-100 miles. This all brass "nautical odometer" is fitted with a glazed zinc cover over the register. The cover is embossed "Bliss Taffrail Log" on one side and " Bliss. New York, U.S.A." on the other. The log features a pivoting bail bracket which retains a portion of the original hemp suspension line spliced onto its eyelet. The rotator end is equipped with a brass hook which was secured to the long line trailing the rotator or "fish." The 4-bladed brass rotator is also marked "John Bliss & Co." and is attached to approximately 50 fathoms of 1/4 inch cotton line in perfect, unused condition! As shown, the log itself measures 10 1/2 inches long and 3 inches wide. The end of the log is serial numbered "250." It is in excellent condition with a highly polished lacquered finish. A well preserved example of this early type of log, the majority of which were corroded by sea water. 795
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3.10 COMPASS. World War I vintage American pocket surveyor's compass made for the Army Engineers by the Herschede Clock Co. as engraved on the silvered brass dial, "U.S. ENGINEER DEPT. HERSCHEDE 1918" This fine quality marching compass has a double-ended needle with a jeweled brass pivot. The raised chapter is finely marked in single degrees on the periphery. The major points of the compass, with North designated by a fleur-de-lis, are on the bottom. A brass retaining ring holds in the glazed cover. This diptych compass is of lovely mahogany with all brass fittings including a piano hinge and sliding case lock. It is also equipped with a caging device which engages the needle, securing it into position when the cover is closed. Slightly over 3 inches square by 1 inch thick. Excellent original condition. 250
The Herschede Clock Co. was founded by Frank Herschede, who apprenticed to Charles Cook as a watchmaker in 1873 at the age of 16. In 1877 Herschede opened his own shop with an emphasis on fine jewelry and time pieces. By 1885 he noted the success of Walter H. Durfee, of grandfather clock fame, who imported English tall case clocks. Herschede began by importing Elliot movements himself and putting them into cases that were popular in the U.S. In 1902 he began to produce his own tubes and install them in Herschede clocks. His son Walter joined the company that year and they incorporated as the Herschede Hall Clock Company. The company's reputation grew and by 1909 they decided to make their own movements. Electric clocks were introduced into the line in 1926 and by 1929 their sales had reached an all time high. But the onset of the Great Depression caused business began to falter. The company continued to struggle for market share during for the next 30 years, but never regained the popularity it enjoyed during the early part of the century.
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3.89 EARLY AMERICAN BINNACLE. Very
scarce mid-19th century or earlier ship's binnacle made by the famous
Boston maker who was the grandson of Paul Revere. The beautifully
engraved dry compass card is signed around the center, "F. W. Lincoln
Jr. & Co. * Boston, Mass. *" It has a brass agate pivot and shows
the cardinal and intercardinal points of the compass divided down to
1/4 points, with an elaborate fleur-de-lis at the North. The weighted
and gimbaled brass bowl is housed in its original mahogany binnacle
of hand dove-tailed construction with glazed and hinged slant front
lid with hook and eye closure. This early binnacle retains
both of its original brass side lights with fonts and
burners. Telling of its age, the burners are the early "pick wick"
type used before the advent of the wick advance knob during the time
of the Civil War. This fine example of an early wooden binnacle
measures 11 1/2 inches tall, 15 1/2 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
The compass measures 5 1/2 inches in diameter. Outstanding original
condition throughout. Only the left castellated top of the burner is
missing. The exterior wood and brass surfaces remain untouched
through over a century and a half! The compass is pristine.
Frederick W. Lincoln was born in Boston in 1817, grandson of Paul Revere. He apprenticed to the famous early American nautical instrument maker, Gedney King in 1830 and set up his own business in 1839. In 1858 one of Lincoln's apprentices, Charles Hutchinson, was made a partner and the firm name became Frederick W. Lincoln, Jr. & Co. Lincoln was mayor of Boston during the Civil War. Hutchinson bought out the firm in 1883 and Lincoln died in 1898.
A nearly identical example, with compass signed "F.W. Lincoln Jr. & Co. Boston, Mass.", catalog number M2459, dated circa 1860, is held in the collection of the prestigious Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. The museum example is somewhat later as evidenced by the later style rounded lamp tops vs. the early form castellated type offered here.
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3.82 IMPORTANT IDENTIFIED EBONY SEXTANT.
Extremely rare late 18th or very early 19th century ebony and
brass sextant made by the famous English nautical
instrument makers "Spencer, Browning & Rust, London" as engraved
on the ivory maker's label. It was sold by the American instrument
maker and nautical chandler, "Gedney King, Boston" to the famous
American ship Captain Larkin Turner. This rare instrument is
state-of-the-art for its time, incorporating many innovative features
for a wooden frame instrument. It has full set of index and horizon
filters and a braced brass index arm with ivory vernier. The inlaid
ivory scale is marked in 20 arc minute increments from 0 to 137
degrees and is signed in script "SBR" indicating it was calibrated on
the firm's dividing engine. The tangential fine adjust knob in
concert with the vernier allows a reading to an accuracy of 30 arc
seconds. This instrument has a sculpted rosewood handle and is
equipped with an height adjustable eyepiece with pivoting peep, which
accepts interchangeable sighting tubes. Both interchangeable tubes
are present in the original large hand-made "keystone" oak box with
original lock, fancy brass escutcheon and hook and eye closures.
Within the lid is the trade label of Gedney King, Boston. The
instrument itself measures one foot high on the index arm with the
same dimension across the large arc. The early engraved Gedney King
trade label is a thing of beauty, and represents a rare form of early
American advertising which is extremely valuable in its own right.
The instrument and its box are in a remarkable state of original, as
found, preservation. They have not been cleaned, modified, or
repaired in any way and are in the same state as manufactured over
200 years ago! The sextant does show good signs of its years of being
in a marine environment, exhibiting rich verdigris and patina to all
surfaces. In the box is a small envelope which reads "The "Tag" and
the Gift Card of Capt.n Larkin Turner's Sextant." Inside it are two
original old hand-penned documents. The first is a small stiff label
reading "Capt L. Turner". The second reads "By Capt L. Turner
purchased of G. King in the year 1804 & Presented by him to
T.L.T. July 1839." Another larger document reads "Observations of
Capt. Larkin Turner" dated "Sept 21, 1832." This is an incredibly
rare early navigational instrument by famous makers with documented
provenance from a famous American sea captain! A true museum piece!
Capt. Larkin Turner
was an illustration of the force of character. Born in Grafton,
Massachusetts in 1781, at the age of fourteen he was "put out" to
learn the trade of shoemaker. Soon however he conceived the idea of
entering into something more active. His ardent temperament suggested
to him the sea. His uncle, John Drury, was in the practice of
medicine at Marblehead, Massachusetts, so he migrated there. At the
age of sixteen he began his new career as a seaman with his uncle's
support. After passing through all the grades of an arduous seafaring
apprenticeship he gained his first command of a vessel from the
counting house of the merchants, William Gray, Esq., at the tender
age of 22.
A strict disciplinarian, severe on occasion,
he was a cautious manager on shipboard, but generally kind to his
crews, treating them with parental anxiety. During his 40 years at
sea, there were few parts of the world he did not navigate,
experiencing fewer accidents than would normally be expected.
After an eventful life as a sailor, he
retired in 1832 to the town of Lexington, Massachusetts. His modest
and gentlemanly bearing gained him friends, and in the years 1836 and
1837 he was twice sent to the Massachusetts Legislature to represent
his adopted town of Charlestown. He died in 1854. (Recounted by
Thomas Larkin Turner, son, circa 1850. Abstracted from the original
journals now in the library collection of Mystic Seaport, Mystic,
Connecticut).
Those journals indicate that Captain Turner
served on the following vessels, for a minimum duration of the dates
shown:
Ship CALUMET,
January 31, 1804 - August 30, 1805
Ship PRINT, April 19 - August 9,
1806
Ship PACTOTUS, March 15 - August 21,
1807
Sloop NABBY, September 10, 1810 -
November 28, 1811
Brig TRIM, August 20 - September 24,
1819
Brig PALESTINE, February 3 - November
20, 1832
Ship HENRY, October 13 - November 4,
1834
M.V. Brewington in "The Peabody Museum Collection of Navigating Instruments," Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, 1963, notes that "The firm, Spencer Browning & Rust, first appear in the London Directories between 1780 and 1784 at 327 High Street, Wapping, London. Clay and Court in the History of the Telescope state the firm was at 123 Wapping in 1791, but if so, it was back at 327 High Street in 1797 according to the London Directory of that year. In 1798 they moved to 66 High Street Wapping, and remained there until 1840.
In the same reference, Gedney King is reported as being born in Salem in 1777. He was apprenticed to his uncle Benjamin of Salem. By 1800, he was an instrument maker first on Fore Street and in 1805 at 10 North Row, Fish Street, Boston. In 1832 the firm name changed to Gedney King & Son, 7 Broad Street, Boston.
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3.57 THERMOMETER. Lovely late 19th century wall hanging thermometer with a milk glass scale. This functional instrument reads in degrees Fahrenheit with a large, bold scale hand painted onto the milk glass which is bordered by a clear beveled edge. The graduations are in two degree increments from -28 to 120. The huge bulb is filled with blue alcohol making the entire presentation very colorful and at the same time easy to read. The scale measures nearly one foot tall and 2 1/2 inches wide and is complete with its original small brass suspension loop at the top. 199
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