Accession No

2684

Brief Description

compass, by J. and W. Newton, English, early to mid-19th Century

Origin

England; London; Chancery Lane

Maker

J. and W. Newton

Class

navigation; magnetism

Earliest Date

1814

Latest Date

1840

Inscription Date

Material

wood; glass; paper (cardboard and one other); metal (steel)

Dimensions

length 412mm; breadth 410mm; thickness 40mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Inscription

‘J and W NEWTON Chancery Lane LONDON’

Description Notes

Wooden frame and mounts with 2 wooden struts extending from compass (for attachment to instrument (?)). 32-point paper rose graduated 0 - 90˚ - 0 - 90˚ - 0, divided to 1˚. Blued steel needle. Fleur-de-lis for North. Cardboard lid.

NB Object appears to have 3 struts(?) (15/02/2013)

References

Events

Description
Magnetic compass
The magnetic compass consists of a magnetic needle attached to a compass card, graduated into angular points, and is used for navigation. The first known dry pivoted compass is dated as early as 1269.

The compass indicates the direction of the magnetic pole but there are problems caused by the difference between magnetic and true north (true north being the useful reading). The variation between the two must be calculated in order to obtain an accurate reading. True north was sometimes simply offset from the direction of magnetic north, but this did not allow for geographical variation. For this, charts were needed. The iron used in building ships during 19th century also led to problems because the magnetism of iron affected the compasses on board.
18/10/2002
Created by: Saffron Clackson on 18/10/2002

FM:42615