automatic course recorder
Date: circa 1875
Inventory Number: DW0601
Classification: Course recorder
Dimensions:38 × 42.5 × 51 cm (14 15/16 × 16 3/4 × 20 1/16 in.)
Accessories: envelope with lead shot
compass dial
unidentified papers
DescriptionInstrument is housed in a cubic walnut case, now badly warped. The top panel can be bent backwards part way or all the way with brass hinges. There are two doors with glass viewing panels on the front of the case that open with brass hinges along the right edges. There is a rectangular glass viewing window on each of the side panels of the case, each beneath a brass strip and handle. The handle has come off on the right side. There is also a rectangular glass viewing window on the back panel.
The top door on the front panel reveals a white clock face mounted on a brass plate. When open, the top of the case reveals a brass box with a glass window on top within which is housed the clock mechanism. There are also two copper colored alarm bells, one on the right and one on the left. The appropriate alarm will ring if the ship is traveling too far to Starboard or to Port.
The back, side, and bottom-front viewing windows all reveal a circular brass compass. Directions are printed in black on paper labels around the outside circumference of the compass. The compass mechanism consists of numerous thin brass sheets running from the circumference to a center brass post, creating several slots. Beneath the compass is a round brass tray with matching slot segments.
Accompanying the instrument are a paper compass with black printed rose and directions, four glass slides held in brown paper, and a small glass vial with black twist off lid containing tiny lead shots wrapped in brown paper.