Record

Octant (detail)

< 1 of 1 > Back

probably made in London

Postcard of Octant (detail).
000-190-002-051-C
© National Museums Scotland

Octant (detail)

An octant is a navigational instrument used for measuring angles necessary for determining a ship's position at sea. This is a detail from an octant made in 1744, probably by Edward Nairne (1726-1806), a scientific instrument maker based in London.

The detail shows the arc and, at the top, an ivory plate inscribed 'Thomas Hellyer [the owner] 1774/ NAIRNE LONDON'.

Until around 1780, a central zero was common on the vernier of octants, as seen here; after this date the vernier had the zero to the right.


Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID: 000-190-002-051-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1909.9
Date: 1774
Material:
Dimensions:
What: Octant
Subject: 9. NAVIGATION (Departmental Classification)
Who: Nairne, London (Maker)
Where: England, London
Event:
Description: Octant made by Nairne, London, dated 1774
References:
  • Bennett, J.A. The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987, pp 132-4 
  • For Nairne, see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, p 196 
Translations:
Related Records:
< 1 of 1 > Back
 
Powered by Scran