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Marine Timekeeper
Item Details
Model Number: Bond chronometer
Manufactured: 1812-1815
Description:
First American-made seagoing chronometer. Solved critical maritime navigation challenge of determining longitude at sea. Inspired by John Harrison's marine timekeeper innovations. Used to calculate ship's position by comparing local time to a known port's time.
First American-made seagoing chronometer. Solved critical maritime navigation challenge of determining longitude at sea. Inspired by John Harrison's marine timekeeper innovations. Used to calculate ship's position by comparing local time to a known port's time.
Item History:
Unique weight-powered design (vs. typical spring mechanism). Mounted on gimbals in wooden box to remain horizontal. Created during War of 1812 when British steel was unavailable.
Unique weight-powered design (vs. typical spring mechanism). Mounted on gimbals in wooden box to remain horizontal. Created during War of 1812 when British steel was unavailable.
Additional Images
Chronometer dial
Chronometer advertisement
Location/Ownership: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History
Submission Author: Carlene Stephens, National Museum of American History
ION Museum
Advancing Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
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