Kelvin – Wilfrid O White Skylight Binnacle

divisor line
divisor line

KELVIN & WILFIRD O. WHITE
SKYLIGHT BINNACLE

KELVIN & WILFIRD O. WHITE SKYLIGHT BINNACLE

Presented is a large size skylight or cathedral binnacle with an original Spherical Compass that was invented by Wilfrid O. White. The design dates to January 6, 1931 with number 2979. This is one of the later versions, and sold under the Kelvin-White brand name indicating the association White had with William Thomson, Lord Kelvin.

 

Dimensions:

Overall Ht -11″.    Width – 9″     Compass width – 5 3/4″      Compass Face – 4 1/2″

Weight: 14 lbs.

KELVIN & WILFIRD O. WHITE SKYLIGHT BINNACLE KELVIN & WILFIRD O. WHITE SKYLIGHT BINNACLE

 

Binnacles such as these became very popular starting in the 1920’s. Their popularity may have increased after one was seen aboard the motor vessel “Santana” in the movie “Key Largo” (1948) starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Bogie also had one in the cockpit of his famous yawl Santana.   And for those interested, we installed one on our ketch Bagheera which served us well during seven years of ocean cruising. PERKO discontinued making them about 1954, and Ritchie did the same. Thereafter, the only source of skylight binnacles was from Danforth priced at $3400.00, until they discontinued all compass production in December, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROVENANCE & BRIEF HISTORY: Wilfred O. White had a rich nautical family history, descending from a shipbuilding family that dated back to 1600 England. Born in Melbourne Australia, White came to the United States in 1898 and married Ruth Eldridge, the daughter of George Eldridge, who charted the first tide and current tables in the U.S.

Label of Maker                                                                 Showing Frosted Insert                                               Inside of top Cap with                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Electrical  bulb Inset

White had studied with the Scottish Lord Kelvin of compass fame for a year or more in Glasgow in the very early 1900’s. Kelvin’s work on magnetic compasses goes back to 1870, and the result was quickly adopted by the world’s navies. After Kelvin’s death in 1907, White was chosen to be Kelvin’s exclusive agent in the United States by Kelvin’s successors and partners, Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird. The Kelvin & Wilfrid O. White and Co. commenced operations in 1918. White, reportedly, had to pay a LIST price, in advance with his orders. This became a thorn in Wilfred’s side, and it ultimately led him to develop his own design improvements which were marketed under the Kelvin – Wilfrid O. White brand. He invented the spherical compass in 1931 and received his US Patent in 1935. His son Wilfrid Gordon later improved upon it’s design in the 1950’s.
The Wilfrid White company sold out to the Eastern Company in 1961 which consolidated its operations with Danforth’s Marine Hardware, first in Naugatuck, CT and then moved the Danforth- White Division to Portland, ME in 1961. Compasses continued to be produced under the Danforth – White label. In the 1970’s Danforth dropped the Danforth – White brand and marketed their compasses as Danforth. In 2009, Danforth ceased compass production entirely.

divisor line

Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

Our Unconditional 'No Nonsense' Guarantee

If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.

Established in 2003

Celebrating 18 Years of Exellence in Nautical Antiques

Join Our Mailing List


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Land and Sea Collection. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact