Friday, October 13, 2006

What is a binnacle lamp?

binnacle - a nonmagnetic housing for a ship's compass (usually in front of the helm)

Helmet Compass


Most ships were equipped with a magnetic compass that was kept on deck in a binnacle that could be illuminated at night by means of a lamp burning olive oil.


(I no longer remember where I got these quotes from, or the pictures either, which shows why you should never try cutting and pasting from web sites at 6 in the morning.)

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