ION Navigation
Museum
Pocket Compass
Item Details
Model Number: Lewis and Clark Compass
Manufactured: 1803
Period of Use: Lewis & Clark expedition
Description:
Silver-plated pocket compass with mahogany box. Brass rim graduated to degrees. Two small brass sight vanes. Leather carrying case. Purchased from Thomas Whitney for $5.
Silver-plated pocket compass with mahogany box. Brass rim graduated to degrees. Two small brass sight vanes. Leather carrying case. Purchased from Thomas Whitney for $5.
Item History:
Purchased by Meriwether Lewis for the Corps of Discovery expedition. Used to explore northwestern North America. Survived the entire expedition. Given by William Clark to Capt. Robert A. McCabe.
Purchased by Meriwether Lewis for the Corps of Discovery expedition. Used to explore northwestern North America. Survived the entire expedition. Given by William Clark to Capt. Robert A. McCabe.
Location/Ownership: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Submission Author: Carlene Stephens, National Museum of American History MRC 629
ION Museum
Advancing Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
© 1995-2026, The Institute of Navigation, Inc. Privacy Policy and Terms of Service