Curiosity Corner #184: Some Fob watch!

The chronometer featured in this story was constructed in 1771 by
Larcum Kendall (from a Harrrison original). It is six inches in
diameter, with three dials on its face, one for the hours, one for
minutes and one for the seconds. It has a massive outer silver case
made in the style of pocket watches of the period so that it has the
appearance of a giant watch.

The chronometer was carried by Captain Cook on his last two great
voyages of discovery. When the "Bounty" was being fitted out for her
voyage in 1787 it was installed on her at Bligh's request, and
remained on the "Bounty" after the mutiny.

The chronometer and other possessions were taken ashore at Pitcairn
before the "Bounty" was scuttled. When Captain Mathew Folger in
the "Topaz" discovered Pitcairn in 1809 John Adams presented him
with the chronometer and the azimuth compass from the "Bounty".
Six weeks later, Folger called at the Island of Juan Fernandez
(legendary home of Robinson Crusoe) where the Governor took the
chronometer from him. The Governor allowed Folger to keep the
compass and Folger forwarded this to the British Admiralty in 1813
with his rather belated report on the discovery of the Pitcairn
settlement.

The Governor of Juan Fernandez subsequently sold the chronometer
in Chile, it was later acquired by Alexander Caldcleuch of Valparaiso
who in 1840, sold it for forty guineas to then Captain Herbert R.N.
(later Admiral Sir Thomas Herbert). Herbert who at that time was in
command of the "Calliope", had the chronometer repaired in
Valparaiso before taking it to China. In 1843, when in command of
the "Blenheim", he brought the instrument back to England. In 1844
it was exhibited in the Royal Institution in Albermale Street. Herbert
later presented it to the United Service Museum, Scotland Yard.

You can find this chronometer on Pitcairn stamp SG95 (1969) Type 52 2c

Source: 1976
THE PITCAIRN ISLANDS STAMP CATALOGUE published by
Review Publications Pty Ltd of Dubbo (Retail $4.50) contains a
tremendous amount of background information about the designs of
Pitcairn Island stamps.

Kendall's K1 is also on a Samoan stamp of 1970 - see
http://www.100megsfree3.com/glaw/cook/artefacts.htm


"Rodney" wrote in message
...
The chronometer featured in this story was constructed in 1771 by
Larcum Kendall (from a Harrrison original). It is six inches in
diameter, with three dials on its face, one for the hours, one for
minutes and one for the seconds. It has a massive outer silver case
made in the style of pocket watches of the period so that it has the
appearance of a giant watch.

The chronometer was carried by Captain Cook on his last two great
voyages of discovery. When the "Bounty" was being fitted out for her
voyage in 1787 it was installed on her at Bligh's request, and
remained on the "Bounty" after the mutiny.

The chronometer and other possessions were taken ashore at Pitcairn
before the "Bounty" was scuttled. When Captain Mathew Folger in
the "Topaz" discovered Pitcairn in 1809 John Adams presented him
with the chronometer and the azimuth compass from the "Bounty".
Six weeks later, Folger called at the Island of Juan Fernandez
(legendary home of Robinson Crusoe) where the Governor took the
chronometer from him. The Governor allowed Folger to keep the
compass and Folger forwarded this to the British Admiralty in 1813
with his rather belated report on the discovery of the Pitcairn
settlement.

The Governor of Juan Fernandez subsequently sold the chronometer
in Chile, it was later acquired by Alexander Caldcleuch of Valparaiso
who in 1840, sold it for forty guineas to then Captain Herbert R.N.
(later Admiral Sir Thomas Herbert). Herbert who at that time was in
command of the "Calliope", had the chronometer repaired in
Valparaiso before taking it to China. In 1843, when in command of
the "Blenheim", he brought the instrument back to England. In 1844
it was exhibited in the Royal Institution in Albermale Street. Herbert
later presented it to the United Service Museum, Scotland Yard.

You can find this chronometer on Pitcairn stamp SG95 (1969) Type 52 2c

Source: 1976
THE PITCAIRN ISLANDS STAMP CATALOGUE published by
Review Publications Pty Ltd of Dubbo (Retail $4.50) contains a
tremendous amount of background information about the designs of
Pitcairn Island stamps.

Thanks Gary,
I was not aware of that issue or the GB stamp.
So there was no patent protection then, it seems.


| Kendall's K1 is also on a Samoan stamp of 1970 - see
| http://www.100megsfree3.com/glaw/cook/artefacts.htm