A Cased Mahogany Pocket Surveying Compass relating to HMS Bounty, English, 18th century.

7.5cm diameter dry compass with blued steel needle marked “N” & “S” and printed card, marked in cardinal points and degrees by quarter, fitted with a brass locking ring, the mahogany case with hinged lid (9x9x2.5cm).

Bearing inside a paper label inscribed in ink:

 “Mutiny of the Bounty This compass given to me by the daughter of Admiral Bligh was used by the Admiral in finding his way to land, when he was turned adrift in the Pacific Ocean by the mutinous crew of the Bounty J.B.Toogood”

William Bligh (1754-1817) married Elizabeth Betham on the Isle of Man in February 1781 and had by her six daughters.

On the 28th April 1789, when cast adrift by the mutineers in Bounty’s launch, Bligh managed to secure, mostly by the actions of his Clerk, John Samuel, the basic means of navigation to guide the vessel safely to land; a quadrant, a compass, nautical tables and his pocket watch. There is no description in any of the printed works of the type of compass that was employed, but a compass is recorded as part of the instruments that he was allowed to leave with and it is likely to have been this portable one. The pocket watch stopped on the 2nd June, but Bligh successfully navigated the 3618 nautical miles to Timor in 47 days, with the loss of only one crew member.

Provenance
Jack.B.Toogood and family by direct descent.