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I've put myself out front on compass issues, so I best stand and deliver.

 From no sources or my experience do I find any reference to using
glycerin and water as a compass fluid.  I've talked to the old guys and
checked every compass reference known and nothing on glycerin/H2O.  And
I've never seen a compass come across my bench in almost 20 yrs that
contained same though I've seen some strange home-brew concoctions.  My
concern is that glycerin and water will freeze.  Historically, there
have been only two compass fluids: alcohol/H2O and petroleum
distillate.  And all modern compasses use petroleum derivatives.  That's
it.  If others have references, I would like to review them 'cause this
is an unknown technology to me.

Ritchie was the first to develop the "wet-card" compass; previous to
that all compasses were "dry-card" compass of the British type.
Kelvin-White (later Danforth)  was the first to develop the spherical
compass as against the Ritchie flat-top.

I would like to hear more.  This is a good time of the year for me to
respond;  "Schoooools, OUT for summer!"
Thanks.  -- Bob Peterson


Courtney Thomas wrote:

> I'd appreciate your information regarding the proper mixture for a
> compass fluid.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Courtney Thomas
>
> Henry C. Halboth wrote:
>
>> It was my understanding that, starting from scratch, compass fluid was a
>> proper mixture of glycerin and distilled water (my notes give the
>> correct
>> proportions if anyone is interested) - lacking that a good grade of
>> Vodka
>> was always recommended as the fluid to get rid of a bubble. Many years
>> ago there was always a problem with sailors tapping the compass for a
>> surreptitious drink.
>>


--
Robert S. Peterson
31 N Alfred, Elgin IL  60123  USA
847/697-6491
Compass Adjusting & Repair for Lake Michigan Navigators Since 1985
Physics @ Bartlett HS
e-mail: rspeterson(at)wowway.com

   

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