Posted 7 years ago
cindyjune
(232 items)
This is made with wood and brass and is quite heavy for its size. A brass plate says "Sail Away Amsterdam" and there is a compass inside the glass viewing hole at the top. The compass lights up with the help of a 9 volt battery. I think the brass piece on the back resembles a telescope.
It is 8 1/4" tall and the base is 2 1/2" square. I am guessing it is from a homemade model. I would love to see a picture of the "Amsterdam" if that is the ship's name! Thanks for looking!
Thanks MacDadd, I didn't think of it like that!
Love the name of that boat, Pier Pressure!
The more I read the more I see the tern "sail away" as quite generic for going on a cruise or the tall ships coming in. Perhaps my item is a souvenir.
Whatever it is, I love it! And I can't wait for my grandson to see it!
Google "Model Binnacle"
https://www.google.com/search?q=model+binnacle&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7sIaX-K_WAhWD4SYKHUkJDQYQsAQIRA&biw=1024&bih=638
Thanks Uncle Ron, now I know what a binnacle is! I would love to have seen the model this was on, must have been something else!
Very loosely: in the late 19th century, when that style of binnacle was developed, a ship would be have been fairly large before it required a binnacle - let's say 125 feet or more - i.e. ocean-going. If that piece is over 8" tall and a real binnacle is about four feet tall, the model ship would be huge - roughly 20 feet long. It's more likely that it was just a stand-alone model binnacle.
The 2 short arms that stick out would have iron inside(most are exposed iron balls) that can be moved & secured to correct deviation of the compass.
bb2 - exposed balls and a deviate compass! What is the world coming to?
It gets worse Ron ! They get painted red & green ! No respect !