A1 Type Harpoon log nr T3380 by Walker
A1 Type Harpoon log nr T3380
Type of object:
Other instruments
Time period:
Britain rules the waves + France
Place:
Walker & son Ltd Oxford st. Birmingham UK
Date:
1862
Maker / Author:
Thomas Walker (WT)
Publisher / Printer:
Dimensions:
HWL case: 17x59x17 cm (6,8×23,2×6,8 in)
Material:
Brass
Graduation:
On the log there are three dials, the first registers the miles up to 100, the second registers the units up to 10 mile, the third registers quarters of a mile.
Inscription:
T 3380 and trademark ‘ Anchor WT’ on every vane
Provenance:
Archipel-maritime Gallery; bought by International Maritime Gallery from a fisherman from Zieriksee, who’s grandfather used it on his fisherboat.
References:
Literature: see Scientific instruments Harriet Wynter, page 89, idem box with same inscriptions, from 1759
Distance Run
Description
From the 17th century onwards people had made many attempts to devise a mechanical log which would automatically record the ships distance done. Edward Massey invented a mechanical log in 1802 with four blades which was used by the Admiralty from 1807-1815. As the rotator was dragged behind the ship then the log rotated and the revolutions were transformed in miles on the dials, to be read after the rotator was brought on deck. The design of Massey was further refined by Thomas Walker and Son, including the stabilizer. Walker took out a patent for the A1 Harpoon Log in 1861.
The earley serial number 3380 suggest manufacturing around 1862 – 1863.
Additional information
