Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Tags
Related Content
Topic
  • Equipment
  • Exploration, Expeditions and Voyages
  • Navigation
Document Type
  • Artifact
Wars & Conflicts
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials

J. Sewill Sextant, 1871, Liverpool  


Metal Sextant in case circa 1871

Title: Sextant, John Sewill, Liverpool, 1871
Accession #: NHHC 1967-415-AA
Circa: 1871
Size: 13 x 14 x 6"
Medium: Metal, Wood, Glass
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

The sextant is comprised of a telescope mounted to a wedge-shaped frame with a scale along the arc of the frame. A series of mirrors mounted to the frame allows the user to take measurements of the angle between two objects. The copper alloy frame of this sextant is painted black. The arc is polished brass. The arc scale measures degrees from 0 to 130. Below the scale, the arc is marked // J. Sewill 61 South Castle St. Liverpool & 30 Cornhill London / Maker to the Admiralty // Next to the maker’s information is an engraving // U.S. Navy 12451 // 

The sextant is housed in a wedge-shaped wood case with a hinged lid. There is a metal plate on the exterior of the lid engraved // Thomas Strong / 1871 // The interior of the case is lined in blue velvet. 

The basic design of the sextant has been unchanged since they first came into use in the early 18th century. The name is derived from the shape- the arc is one sixth of a circle. Aboard ship, they are used to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon. The measured angle and the time the measurement was taken can be used to calculate a ship’s position on a nautical chart. 

 

Published: Tue Mar 17 13:39:50 EDT 2020