Octant

Description:

Octant with a rosewood frame, flat brass index arm, and ivory name plate. The ivory scale is graduated every 20 minutes from -5° to +95° and read by vernier to 2 minutes of arc. The inscription reads "Made by Thos Ripley London For Frans Earle July 21st 1784." Thomas Ripley was in business from 1765 to 1790, offering mathematical and optical instruments. Caroline Bates, the widow of Major General Alfred Elliott Bates, gave this to the Smithsonian in 1916.

Ref: Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 (London, 1895), p.233.

Date Made: 1784

Maker: Ripley, Thomas

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United Kingdom: England, London

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Navigation, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Caroline E. Bates

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.290534Catalog Number: 290534Accession Number: 59652

Object Name: OctantOther Terms: Maritime; Navigation

Physical Description: wood (case material)Measurements: overall in case: 4 5/16 in x 14 1/2 in x 17 1/8 in; 10.95375 cm x 36.83 cm x 43.4975 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-553d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1167874

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