Marked William Thomson’s Patent No. by J. White of Glasgow. This binnacle meant for a smaller vessel like a trawler or yacht. The brass upper section with a double flap cowl and lamp house includes its original Mobilite spirit lamp. Inside is a five inch dry card compass on gimbals marked G.H. M… Co., Cowes, Isle of Wight. The brass section is fitted to a fine and polished mahogany plinth.

William Thompson (1824-1907) was the first Baron Kelvin (Lord Kelvin). Duringthe 1880s, Thomson worked to perfect the adjustable compass in order to correct errors arising from magnetic deviation owing to the increasing use of iron in naval architecture.