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• Passports and Sea Letters
  • George Washington 1795
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  • Martin Van Buren 1840
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  • John Tyler 1844
  • James K. Polk 1847
  • Zachary Taylor 1849
  • Zachary Taylor Unissued
  • Millard Fillmore 1851
  • Millard Fillmore Unissued
  • Franklin Pierce 1856
  • James Buchanan 1859
  • Abraham Lincoln 1863
  • Andrew Johnson 1868
  • Ulysses S. Grant 1875
  • Rutherford B. Hayes 1877
• Maritime Artifacts
  • Bronze Ship’s Bell
  • Kelvin–Hughes Ship’s Binnacle
  • Ship’s Head
  • Original Ship’s Telegraph
  • Mahogany and Brass Ship’s Wheel and Steering Station

Kelvin–Hughes Ship’s Binnacle

Serial Number 612, Type – Cabrun

A binnacle is a waist-high case or stand fastened on the deck of a ship. Generally, it was mounted in front of the helmsman and contained navigational instruments that were placed there for protection of delicate instruments and for easy access and reference.  This binnacle is designed by Kelvin Hughes, a British company founded in 1947. Still in existence today, they specialize in the design and manufacture of navigation and surveillance systems. This binnacle is 48 inches tall and 24 inches wide, with a depth of 14 inches. The compass card is 6½ inches in diameter, and the compass bowl is 9 inches in diameter.

[Description provided by J. Revell Carr, former President and Director, Mystic Seaport: The Museum of American and the Sea]