Nautical instruments
This part of the collection includes mainly navigational instruments from the early sailing period, the time when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel.
Beautiful complete Stuart distance meter made by Hughes in mahogany box. The distance meter was used in convoy sailing or to maintain a safe distance from a hazard. For detailed information on how to use the distance meter, see https://sextantbook.com/2012/07/13/a-stuart-distance-meter/
Catalog: NM.5-01
Date: ca. 1910
HWL case: 5x20x12 cm
Signed: Hughes & Son Ltd, London Nr. 7155
Origin: England
Condition: in good and working condition, wear consistent with age and use
Bliss log with four blade propellor and 200 feet line. Taffrail type with sling pattern leg. Tibular register with three dials on porcelain face, stamped 38 under the dials. Rotator with four blades and stamped John Bliss & Co. Patented in 1876. Wooden box with label on the front site and instructions for use on the lid.
Bliss had his shop at 120 Front Street, later at 84 Pearl Street in New York.
For more information about Bliss see: https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/52160ab619403a17c4ba2357
Catalog: NM.5-02
Date: 1910 – 1920
HWL case: 10x50x18 cm
L log: 27,5 cm
Signed: John Bliss & Co, end plate stamped nr 339
Origin: USA
Condition: unused but with corrosion spots, see pictures
Improved Taffrail Log with integrated flywheel, made by T.S. & J.D. Negus, Pearl Street, New York. Gray painted brass body with enamel dial reading up to 100 miles and subsidiary dial reading up to 10 miles. With a four bladed, brass rotator stamped with initial N and Negus New York. Incorporates short length of log line, a spinner and a mounting shoe. All fitted in the original wooden box with paper label on the outside and directions for use under the lid. Patented 1892. This log is almost identical to the Lionel type T.L. log but much earlier. Made around 1900.
Catalog: NM.4-52
Date: ca. 1900
HWL case: 22x22x57,5 cm (8.6×8.6×22.6 in)
Signed: T.S. & J.D. Negus, Pearl Street, New York Origin: England
Condition: very good, wear consistent with age and use
Graphometers were used by cartographers and hydrographers to measure horizontal angles. This large graphometer, 38 cm wide, with compass is in a very good condition. The main directions on the compass are fully marked with Nord, Sud, West en Ouest. The two scales are engraved by hand. The instrument is made by Etienne Lenoir (1744 – 1832) who had his workshop in Paris. In his time Lenoir was considered as the best designer of nautical and observation instruments. See also the reflectingcircle of Lenoir NM.3-24 in this catalog.
The wooden standard is of the 19th century.
Catalog: NM.1-52
Date: ca. 1780
HWD instrument: 22x38x18 cm (78.7x15x7.1 in)
Signed with elegant letters: Lenoir A Paris
Origin: France
Condition: perfect
Octagonal deeplead of 6 lbs (Davis, London) with leadline on a reel to find waterdepth and type of soil. The length of the line is 25 fathoms. At equally distances, every fathom, small tarpaulin flags – white, blue, red and leather. Every five fathom a little markline with one, two, three, four or five knots.
The bottom of the lead is provided with a hollow to put in some fat. Adhere soil gives an indication of the structure of the seabottom. At the end of the line a wooden handle useful when ejecting the lead and to facilitate the cleaning of the lead in the water.
The reel is made of oak.
Catalog: NM.4-50
Date: ca. 1900
LD reel: 60×22 cm (23,5×9 in)
Signed: DL
Origin: England
Condition: perfect, working and wear consistent with age and use
Massey taffrail log number 1193 with universal action bracket and tube shaped register. The dial registers up to 100 miles on a porcelain face. The instrument could be boomed out amidship or from the bridge or secured to the taffrail. The production was ceased in 1903.
The universal action bracket, called a Looped Stand Arm and Joint was patented by J.E. Massey in 1876.
The log is also described in Distance Run, page 123 (see cat.nr BK.1-14)
Catalog: NM.4-42
Date: ca. 1890
HWL: 5×9,5×39 cm (2×3.9×15.2 in)
Signed: Edwd Massey’s, nr 1193
Origin: England
Condition: very good condition, chip on dial
Catalog: NM.4-42
The Decca system was an American invention but developped in England in WOII and put into use just before D-day in 1944. After the war it was implemented around the UK and in many other coastal waters among which in Australia, Canada and the Red Sea. The system has become obsolete since the introduction of GPS. It was shut down around 2000.
This instrument is sold together with 10 Decca charts around the UK and Ireland.
Catalog: NM.4-39
Date: ca. 1960
HWL: 35x43x30 cm (14x17x12 in)
Signed: The Decca Navigator Co. Ltd. London
Origin: England
Condition: in good condition, wear consistent with age and use
Catalog: NM.4-39
Special and very solid made brass bridge clock with an eight inch dial and an Admiralty broad arrow, ecured on a wooden wall plaque. Movement with a platform escapement. Dial with an inner hour dial and a outer minute track. The glass cover can be unlocked with the same key as when the clock is wound. The hands can be moved with an adjustment knob on the side.
Catalog: NM.4-38
Date: 1920-1930
HD: 10×25 cm (4×10 in)
Signed: with Admiralty Arrow, Great Britain and the number 0552 / 461-9413
Origin: England
Condition: very good
This is a remarkable sea-sounding instrument or depth meter. It’s based on atmosheric pressure and invented by Wigzell, London. The instrument is put away in a pine box together with a fathom scale. The instructions for use are stuck on the inside of the lid.
The instrument exists of a clear tube mounted inside a brass housing. The housing is fixed at a lanyard. The top end of the lanyard will be fixed to a sling and with the lead on the other side it will be dropped into the water.
Pressure forces water into the tube depending on the the depth. Back on deck the water column indicatest the depth to be read at the fathom scale.
Catalog: NM.4-37
Date: 1900-1940
HWL case: 5x66x8 cm (2x26x3,1 in)
Signed: WIGZELL’S PATENT (ATMOSPHERIC TYPE) SEA-SOUNDING INSTRUMENT
Origin: England
Condition: very good