Rare, exceptional, early 20th century lighthouse ship's binnacle, displayed for years in the 1980's at the Maritime Museum that was located at the Virginia Beach, Virginia oceanfront (now the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum). This British made binnacle features a teak flaring "lighthouse" pedestal with brass maker’s plate mounted on the front that states "F. SMITH & SON, SOUTH HAMPTON." A working inclinomter is mounted above that is marked "SOLE MAKERS, KELVIN BOTTOMLEY & BAIRD, LTD., REGISTERED" A second brass plate is mounted on to the pedestal brass collar that stated "HAZZENITH PATROL STEERING BINNACLE." The brass collar is also marked '971", the part number and the binnacle hood front hinged cover is marked "71." The removable brass hood features a front porthole viewing window with hinged brass cover with sliding viewing doors. A brass rod is set on the front pedestal to adjust the interior compass light by pulling it in or out. A removable brass binnacle light with wood handle is mounted on the starboard side of the hood. The hood has five viewing / light openings including the top glass window. The gimbaled liquid-filled compass was made by "KELVIN & WILLFORD O' WHITE, CO., BOSTON, NEW YORK, U.S.A." as printed on the inside ring of the compass. Mounted on the back is the brass flinder’s bar to house weights for magnetic field compensation. Heavy cast brass side brackets hold the adjustable painted iron compensating quadrantal spheres “navigator's balls". A brass ring is attached to the bottom of the teak pedestal with three feet for mounting to the ship's flooring. Survives in wonderful condition and this IS a museum piece!
DIMENSIONS:
Height overall: 54 inches to the top viewing porthole
Maximum width including brass side brackets: 26"
From the Edward Greenwood Maritime Museum Collection.
Due to the size and weight of this item the shipping cost will be determined upon shipping destination.
It can be crated and shipped on a pallet by our local packaging company (at cost) or picked up locally here in Round
Pond, Maine. Please email or call us for a creighting and shipping estimate.
