Binnacle

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Binnacle (before 18th century bittacle, through Span. bitacula, from Lat. habitaculum, a little dwelling), a case on the deck of a ship, generally in front of the helmsman, in which is kept a compass, and a light by which the compass is read at night.

In the 1880s a compass and binnacle were patented by Lord Kelvin that greatly advanced marine compasses. His design included two magnets to counter the deviation created by iron-clad hulls.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.