Compass, in wooden case (G. Adams, Fleet Street)

Compass, in wooden case (G. Adams, Fleet Street)

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Compass, in wooden case (G. Adams, Fleet Street)
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Compass, in wooden case (G. Adams, Fleet Street)

George Adams was a prominent 18th century maker of mathematical instruments in London. This magnetic compass is thought to date from about 1800. It is housed in a substantial wooden box, which suggests that it may have been intended for use at sea or for travels over rough country on land. Three separate sets of graduations are marked on the perimeter.

The compass needle is 4 1/2 in. in length. The inner circle on the card is divided in 128 equal parts, the names of the 32 principle cardinal points being indicated. The outer circle on the card is graduated in degrees from 0 to 360 in a clockwise direction starting from the N. point, while the outer brass circle is similarly graduated but in the anti-clockwise direction.

Details

Category:
Navigation
Object Number:
1932-593
type:
compasses (direction indicators)
credit:
Miss Althea M. Wollaston