OUR RETIREMENT SALE HAS BEGUN: ALL SALES ARE FINAL!
  CURRENT SALE: 10% OFF ALL INVENTORY, code: NET.
- Compasses -

We carry binnacles, box compasses, and lifeboat binnacles as well as the occasional pelorus and handheld piece.
Like most ship salvage these days, these instruments are getting harder to find; we are only able to source a few each year.
Pieces that are available for purchase will read "available" under the image; those that do not read "available" have been sold. Order over the phone Thurs.-Sun.; prices listed do not include shipping and are subject to change;
see the FAQ section on the homepage for shipping info.  No returns or exchanges on any items shipped.

The binnacle houses the main magnetic compass on a ship which is mounted in gimbals to keep it level while the vessel
 rocks with the motion of the water. Magnetic compasses point to magnetic north instead of the geographic North Pole.

Sometimes there was an oil lamp or, later, an electrical light source, mounted under the compass. 

 Gyrocompasses are more accurate as they are based on the geographical North Pole but require electricity to work. 
Binnacles:
Pieces that are available will read "available"; items that do not read "available" have been sold. 
 A brass hood sits atop the compass and has a viewing port through which you can see the direction.
The green and red balls (aka quadrantal spheres or "Kelvin's balls") on either side slide to adjust the compass to
compensate for the magnetic skew of the iron on the ship.   Order over the phone Thurs.-Sun.;
prices listed do not include shipping and are subject to change;
see the FAQ section on the homepage for shipping info.  No returns or exchanges on any items shipped.



Kelvin & Wilfrid O. White Co,
Boston - New York,
 Type "K" Binnacle with Compensating Coils,
Cassens & Plath compass.
gimbal #11131, binnacle #7999
appx 42" tall to compass, 36" widest width
including compensating balls,
21" depth including Flinders bar
1 available ($3,800)
Copper and brass salvaged
binnacle w/original compass,
Type MR No. 36115
by John Lilley & Gillie Ltd.
Nautical Instrument Makers,
North Shields England.
appx 23" tall to top of compensating balls,
28" to top of Flinders Bar x 26" widest
width, 15" body diameter,
20" deep including Flinders bars
compass w/glass etched service
dates of 1964, 1975, 1989,
gimbal stamped with 23063, 11322, 17056
1 available ($2,000)


salvaged brass ship's compass on stand (ROUND)
by Nunotani. base appx 18" diam, face 9 3/4" od, appx 33 lbs. *sold out*
  Lifeboat binnacles / Lifeboat compasses:
Pieces that are available will read "available"; items that do not read "available" have been sold. 
Sold pieces remain pictured to give an idea of the uniqueness and range of designs and types.


A smaller version of the main binnacle, a compass was always stored in each lifeboat in the event you needed to use the lifeboat and,
of course, once aboard, navigation was very important to a chance of being rescued and /or communicating your location.
 Some had the side housing for a oil burner to illuminate the compass, some did not.		  

salvaged large Japanese ship's lifeboat binnacle compass; brass housing.
 株式會社東京計器製作所 昭和210 月
by Tokyo Keiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd 1946.  (INV#48/1)
appx 11" base, overall 15" wide including side light housing,
 14" tall, appx 18 lbs.
 1 available ($695)   		   
salvaged Russian / Soviet / CCCP
aluminum lifeboat compass / lifeboat binnacle / gyroscope.
aluminum housing, in box #N954 (12"x12"x12").
Type: KM100-M3. Serial # N936. box date 1986.
appx 11 1/2" wide, 10" tall, appx 18 lbs/each. 1 available ($300)


salvaged Soviet /Russian / CCCP
aluminum lifeboat compass / lifeboat binnacle / gyroscope
aluminum housing, in box #N333 (12"x12"x12").
Type: KM100-3. Serial # N211. box date 1982.
appx 11 1/2" wide, 10" tall, appx 18 lbs/each. 1 available ($300)
Peloruses:
A pelorus is a reference tool for maintaining a relative bearing of visible objects relative to a
vessel at sea, often called a "dumb compass" and were used with a compass until gyro-repeaters were available.
 Order over the phone Thurs.-Sun.;
prices listed do not include shipping and are subject to change;
see the FAQ section on the homepage for shipping info.  No returns or exchanges on any items shipped.

salvaged ship's instrument:
brass ship's pelorus on stand #3.
by John Lilley & Gillie Ltd. North Shields.
new wood base appx 10" diam,
17" total height,  appx 12 lbs. 1 available ($475)


salvaged ship's instrument:
brass ship's pelorus on stand #5.
by Kompas, Genova.
new wood base appx 10" diam, 12" tall to face, 18" w/arms extended.
 appx 12 lbs. 1 available ($475)


salvaged ship's instrument:
brass ship's pelorus on stand #6.
by F. Fuselli, Genova.
new wood base appx 10" diam, 10 1/2" tall to face, 16" w/arms extended.
 appx 12 lbs. 1 available ($475)
Repeater compasses:
sold out
 Non-magnetic gyrocompasses are widely used for navigation on ships. 
They find true north (versus magnetic north) as determined by
Earth's rotation and are unaffected by metallic materials which can skew the magnetic field
- most hulls of ships are steel.
Order over the phone Thurs.-Sun.; prices listed do not include shipping
 and are subject to change; see the FAQ section on the
 homepage for shipping info.  No returns or exchanges on any items shipped.		   
salvaged aluminum & brass repeater compass
by Anschutz Kiel (Germany)
appx 49" tall, 18" diameter
www.PiecesOfShip.com - 409.539.5469 - PiecesOfShip@yahoo.com - 2202 Mechanic, Galveston, TX 77550