Prototype Kater azimuth compass
Object No. H9918
This instrument is thought to be the first prototype of a 'Kater Azimuth Compass'. Henry Kater had joined the British Army in 1799 and was sent to Madras, India, where as an ensign he did surveying work with William Lambton. In 1811, while still engaged in the survey, he devised this azimuth compass, which incorporates a mirror that allows the reading of scales at the same time as observation of a distant object through the sighting vane. Kater produced this compass a year before Charles Schmalcalder invented the similar, but more successful, prismatic compass. In 1814, Kater was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London, where he took a special interest in the design of standard weights and measures. He also made a number of contributions to astronomy, including devising a method for graduating circles and inventing the floating collimator. He was widely acclaimed for determining both the best kind of steel for making compass needles and their optimal shape. This instrument remains of national significance due to its pioneering role in Australian science and its association with Australia's earliest astronomers. It is also of international significance due to its association with early nineteenth century astronomical instruments and their makers. References Holland, J., 'Pioneer of Precision; Captain Henry Kater, FRS', http://www.usyd.edu.au/museums/whatson/exhibitions/kater1.shtml Written by Erika Dicker, Assistant Curator, November 2007.
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Summary
Object Statement
Prototype Kater azimuth compass, wood / glass / metal / paper, designed and made by Captain Henry Kater, England, 1800-1811, presented to Sydney Observatory, Sydney, Colony of New South Wales (Australia), 1874
Physical Description
An azimuth compass in a wooden storage box with sliding lid that has a paper Observatory stock number label. The compass consists of a section of cylindrical brass tube with a brass bottom plate and glass cover. The compass has a paper card compass circle with a Jewel pivot in the centre. Around the edge of the paper card are graduations and degrees written in pencil with the makers name also written in pencil. The front sight is hinged and screwed to the side of the casing, the hinge allowing the arm to fold down on to the glass lid. The sight has a cotton hairline. On the opposite side to the front sight is a bracket for the rear sight to be attached. The sight consists of a metal frame, holding an eyepiece which looks through the angled two piece mirror, at the graduations on the compass circle. The line between the mirrors creates a pointer so the value of the graduations can be read, The wooden box is lined with a green baize. The lid of the box lid is made of wood.
PRODUCTION
Notes
This compass is the original prototype azimuth compass invented by Captain Henry Kater in 1811. The inscription 'H. Kater, Invt.' is hand written on the compass in ink. The scale is also hand inscribed, the numbers being reversed so that they can be read in the mirror. Subsequently 'Kater' compasses with printed cards were made by Thomas Jones. Thomas Jones was born in 1775 and by 1789 was working for one of the most respected scientific instrument makers of the eighteenth century Jesse Ramsden. Some time after his term with Ramsden he set up his own successful business in Charing Cross, London before going on to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1835 and assisting in the formation of the Astronomical Society. Jones also had a long association with Henry Kater as he constructed compasses and pendulums to Kater's designs. Jones was in turn helped by Kater who communicated his innovations in instruments to the Royal Society before he was elected a Fellow. References King, H., C., The History of the Telescope, Dover Publications, New York, 1955 Holland, J., 'Pioneer of Precision; Captain Henry Kater, FRS', http://sydney.edu.au/museums/exhibitions-events/kater.shtml [ Original link was http://www.usyd.edu.au/museums/whatson/exhibitions/kater1.shtml]
HISTORY
Notes
'H.Kater. inv.t' written on the numbered card of the compass body signifies that this compass was the original prototype devised by Henry Kater in 1811. As an ensign, Kater was stationed at Madras on the east coast of India in 1799. He assisted Lieutenant William Lambton in conducting a land survey between the Malabar coast and the coast of Coromandel. "While engaged in the Indian survey, Henry Kater worked out the principle for his first invention, Kater's Compass. This had a card which revolved with the compass and a vertical horsehair was set to show distant objects and thus show their bearing. This was the type of instrument which John Oxley, the Australian explorer, was using a few years later in 1813, and which he described in his journal as "a most valuable instrument, combining all the advantages of the circumferentor, without being so liable to be damaged and put out of order by carriage". Henry Katers son, Henry Herman Kater, arrived in Australia in 1839. He had inherited many of his father's possessions after the death of his brother Edward and this compass was one of them. He donated most of these objects, including this compass, to Sydney University and Sydney Observatory. This compass was presented to Sydney Observatory on 17 May, 1874, by Henry Herman Kater, son of Captain Henry Kater. Reference: Macmillan, D. S., The Kater family, 1750-1965, The Kater family?, Sydney, 1966 Holland, J., 'Pioneer of Precision; Captain Henry Kater, FRS', http://www.usyd.edu.au/museums/whatson/exhibitions/kater1.shtml Lomb, N., 'Earnshaw's Excellent Timekeepers', in Davison, G., Webber, K., 'Yesterday's Tomorrows; the Powerhouse Museum and its precursors 1880-2005', Powerhouse Publishing, 2005 Forwarded to H. M. Secretary of State by Despatch, No. 141, 1847, Federation and Meteorology, http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/fam/1541.html
SOURCE
Credit Line
Ex-Sydney Observatory, 1983
Acquisition Date
29 June 1983
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