A precision marine mercury barometer by F. Darton & Co. Ltd., featuring a gimbal suspension and a Gold’s correction slide rule, has been added to the collection.
We are pleased to announce the addition of a , manufactured in 1941 by the renowned London instrument maker
Designed for accurate atmospheric pressure measurements aboard ships, this professional mercury barometer incorporates several specialised features to minimise the effects of vessel motion, including a precision glass tube with capillary damping and an air trap, a stainless-steel cistern, and a brass gimbal suspension that allows the instrument to maintain a vertical position during rolling and pitching.
A particularly interesting feature of this example is its Gold’s correction slide rule, manufactured by Short & Mason and designated Mark IVa. This mechanical calculating device enabled observers to determine corrections for temperature, geographical latitude, and the instrument’s height above sea level without consulting separate tables. An original counterweight is mounted on the opposite side of the barometer to maintain its balance.
Dating from the Second World War, this instrument is a fine example of British precision engineering and the sophisticated mechanical solutions developed for maritime meteorological observations.
A detailed technical description and photographs are now available in our collection catalogue.
