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

Tel:

(08) 9754 2166

Email:

secretary@busseltonhistoricalsociety.org.au

Open Hours

Wed to Mon 10am - 4pm

Return to collection to read more

Milk Canister Labels

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...

Captain Molloy’s Washstand

Captain John Molloy was born in London in 1786. After a distinguished career in the British military, he became one of the original settlers of Augusta and an influential public figure in Busselton...