PRESENTED is a magnificently made display
of a navigation instrument called a pelorus which is used to take relative bearings of terrestrial objects in determining
a vessels position. This pelorus, and its brass cover or hood, is magnificently held between two vintage bronze
dolphins. They possibly are cast in the style of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. Both are mounted on a thick
Pine wood block. The word pelorus comes from the name of the guide who directed
Hannibal’s army from Carthage to Rome in 218 B.C.
The instrument consists of a compass rose with North in the form of a Flur
De Lis as the zero indicator with the cardinal points having directional coordinates “lettered as N, S, E,
W” that are further subdivided by diamonds shaped markings which further divides the circle into NE, SE,
SW, NW. The outside ring is in the customary Navy increments of one degree, with a notation each ten degrees. The plastic
compass rose is set inside a bronze ring on gimbals and is weighted so that it remains level during the ships movements. Originally,
it would have been mounted in a pedestal on the vessel’s conning tower or bridge wings or housed in a case. It has been
mounted in an elaborate way between twin dolphin which allows it to be displayed with magnificence in almost any setting.
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There are two sighting vanes which are aimed at a terrestrial object with the bearing
read off the compass card. These bearings are compared to the vessel’s compass heading which then gives the magnetic bearing
to the object. Bearings of two objects, taken sequentially, will fix the vessel’s position. Similar observations of a
rising or setting sun when on the prime vertical allow for determining compass error. A third arm, with a polished
black glass reflector, allow similar sights to be taken of celestial bodies when on the horizon.CONDITION: Except the lock for the sighting vanes
not engaging, some minor dents in the brass hood and on the lower black shroud, and some loss of paint in a few
spots, the item is in like new condition and may be considered of exceptional quality. In the base is a lead weight
and receptacle with light bulb.DIMENSIONS PELORUS:Diameter of outer ring
10 1/4 inchesDiameter of compass card
7 1/2 inchesMinimum height on stand 16
inchesWeight
30 /2 LbsDIMENSIONS DOLPHINS:12″ H x 5 1/2″ D x 2 1/4″ W Add
1 1/2″ for small baseDIMENSIONS OF BASE:PROVENANCE: From an Estate in Wiscasset, ME. The
maker’s plate, under which is a faint Navy Inspector’s stamp, i.e. U with anchor in between S, reads:U.S. Navy Standard Pelorus7 1/2 inch illuminated dialMark III Mod 0 Serial N 2241W.M. Welch Manufacturing Co. ChicagoInternational buyers welcome, but inquire first.
We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark,
England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova
Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE:
If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in
its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return
is required. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless due to our
error.ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier’s
check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted
on big ticket items.This
is an outstanding find for a serious collector who is seeking only the most unusual and best quality nautical instruments.
Copyright 2007 by Land And Sea Collection, All rights reserved
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