Presented is a fine E.S. Ritchie, Boston, binnacle is
in good to excellent condition considering its age and use at sea. This wonderful piece is of a very early design. 
The brass hood has a very large hinged viewing oval port in front that is flanked by twin  burners with a circular port
on top. In back, there are two sliding doors which open with difficulty as a third viewing point. The hood and casement
show the normal wear of service at sea with some minor dents and abrasions  which are mainly on the back side’s sliding
door viewing port, but nothing of significance. The unit has just been polished and lacquered for your enjoyment. The appearance is very striking compared to the binnacles which are most prevalent today. Both burners
are present, but are not believed to be original, and the cylindrical base may also be of more recent vintage.

 

THE COMPASS: The fully gimbaled antique compass is of one of Ritchie’s
earliest designs. It measures 8 3/4″ in diameter and is fitted with a 6 1/4″ card being the largest of this style that
we have seen. The card has a curved ring which is hung by “X” central point. This type mounting is in the form of
two crossed bananas is unique to this design  and very rare. Stamped on the outer ring is Serial Number 6449 and
three patent dates, Apr 7, 1863, Sept 9, 1863 and July 19, 1870. There is a bubble and some minor sediment
in the light blue colored solution. Some chipping of the paint on curved surface of the card exists, but that is the only
imperfection.

 

The subdivisions are in Cardinal Points, N.S,E,W, and quarter points, NE,SE,SW,NW, then 1/2
points, 1/8 points and finally 1/16 points. There are 32 points on the compass card, each being 11 1/4 degrees.

 

DIMENSIONS: 

Casement 16 3/4″ H x 19
1/4″ W x 14″ D

Compass                      
8 3/4“ diameter
Card                               6
1/4“ diameter

Estimated Weight          25 pounds

 

Large 6 1/4” compass in 8 3/4“ bowl

North Pointer,No degrees

E.S. RITCHIE, BOSTON: In 1850 physicist Edward S. Ritchie began developing the first U.S. manufactured marine compass. He had received a contract to repair foreign-made compasses from the Boston Naval Shipyard, and he soon realized most of the problems he encountered could be eliminated. So when the US Naval Observatory put out a call for American Manufactured navigational instruments in 1861 it was no surprise who they contacted first. Ritchie completed and sent samples of his work (including the first ever liquid filled compass) in June of 1861 and by August he received an order from the US Navy for 26 compasses, 10 of which were liquid filled. At this time Ritchie began selling compasses under the name E.S. Ritchie & Co., which was later changed to E.S. Ritchie & Sons in 1867. To this day E.S. Ritchie & Sons continues to produce marine navigation instruments. A model of Ritchie’s first liquid filled compass is on display today in the Museum of Science in London, England; the only foreign product so honored. In 1951 the company was purchased by Marine Compass Company. Louis A. Sherman founded the Marine Compass Company in 1910 and concentrated on producing smaller instruments for commercial and fishing vessels as well as the emerging yachting markets. The two companies consolidated all operations under the name E.S. Ritchie and Sons and is still owned by the Sherman Family.