Pirate Compass TY-001-015

X marks the spot!
Can you find your way?

Why didn't pirates get lost? How did they find their treasure? Success for pirates meant outwitting, outsailing, and outfighting a chosen victim. Navigation was primitive. Pirates had to position their ships along the routes taken by merchant or treasure ships relying on a combination of knowledge, common sense, and luck. They could estimate latitude quite accurately by measuring the position of the sun, but judging longitude was more difficult. The types of navigational instruments used by pirates were basically the same as those carried by other seamen of the day, particularly since pirates as robbers stole much of their equipment from their victims. However, fine instruments were usually sold; and the pirate made do with the cruder, cheaper instruments for his own use.

The compass was one of the most vital navigational tools of the pirate captain. The compass bowl swung in gimbals, or pivoting rings to keep it level at sea. The magnetized needle of the compass always pointed north, so seamen could use it to gauge their direction. On long ocean voyages, pirates and privateers estimated longitude, how far they had sailed east or west, by judging their direction from the compass and guessing how far they had traveled.

With the aid of the compass, pirates and buccaneers could plunder the riches of coastal areas. See what treasures you can find.

Fully functional compass in brass-hinged wood case. Meets CPSIA safety standards.

Minimum order quantity - 6