Binnacle

Compass

On the deck of a ship, a compass is kept in a box or on a covered stand, protecting it from the weather. This is called a binnacle, and this example dates from about 1900. Attached to the box is a weather-protected lamp, which would have been very helpful on a dark, rainy night. This item, which is from a whaling ship, is part of the Museum’s maritime collection. Whaling ships from America, England and France worked the coast in the 1800s, and the Castle Rock Whaling Company operated from 1845 to 1872 along the coast off Cape Naturaliste.

Available at:

Busselton Museum

Take a step back in time

The Busselton Museum is the home of the Busselton Historical Society and its wide-ranging collection, cared for by a large team of volunteers. The factory building has been joined on this site by...

Address:

Old Butter Factory Precinct
76 Peel Terrace
Busselton WA 6280
Australia

Open Hours

Wed to Mon 10am - 4pm

More from the Busselton Museum

These metal labels carry the names of dairy farmers of the district. The label hung around the neck of the milk canister, and was essential for identifying the source of the milk when it came into the...

This handsome wedding dress is believed to have been worn by Scottish-born Mary Forrest at her wedding to Samuel Rose in Busselton on 13 December 1859. At this time, brides certainly expected to wear...

While you're in the area

Filter
ArtGeo Cultural Complex
Attraction
ArtGeo Cultural Complex
Discover Busseltons' Cultural Precinct - where creativity lives! It is a...
4-6 Queen Street, Busselton, WA 6280
Carpe Diem Vineyard
Food and Drink
Carpe Diem Vineyard
Taste handmade, hand-bottled Italian varietal wines at the winery-based...
Carpe Diem Vineyard, 213 Johnson Road, Wilyabrup, WA 6280
Beerfarm
Food and Drink
Beerfarm
Beerfarm is built on 160 acres of rolling green farmlands in Australia’s...
177 Gale Rd, Metricup, WA 6280
Casina Dunsborough
Food and Drink
Casina Dunsborough
Nestled amongst Dunsborough’s idyllic flora and fauna is a rustic cottage...
1842 Caves Road, Quedjinup, WA 6281