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Aboard HMS Beagle during the Darwin Expeditions of 1831-36, Captain Robert Fitzroy developed and refined the 18th century storm bottle. This involved much testing and observation of crystal formations, and resulted in him being able to make a number of weather predictions with a fair(ish) degree of accuracy. Then, as now, no one is quite sure how the storm bottle works. Is it atmospheric pressure, temperature, electrical disturbances…? Keep your own records and see if you can confirm or improve upon Fitzroy’s observations.
N7686
Decorative solid brass harbour clock on a wood plinth, height: 400 mm, width: 275 mm.
N7245
Straight out of Treasure Island, but this one says whatever you just said twice. Whatever you just said twice. Whatever you just said twice. And flaps its wings while doing so. Immensely enjoyable irritating fun. Takes four AA batteries.
N92091
Nauticalia distinctive ornamental (but functional) thermometers utilise 17-th century astronomer Galileo Galilei's discovery that the density of liquids varies with temperature. Carefully weighted glass globes are suspended in a liquid-filled tube, where they sedately sink or float as the surrounding air gets hotter or colder. Temperature is indicated by the engraved brass tag on the lowest floating globe. Temperature is shown in Celsius. Termometer height: 62 cm.
N7094
DECORATIVE SHIP`S WHEEL, 40 cm
Ship wheel is made in the time-honoured way, from are-shaped sections of wood laid up in overlaps around turned spokes to form a circle. The cast brass centre bosses are individually tested for stress faults before assembly. Measurements are tip to tip 40 cm.
N7133
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