Marine Chronometer by Parkinson & Frodsham, No. 2349

Captain Charles Wilkes spent a small fortune acquiring navigation equipment for the U.S. Exploring Expedition. He outfitted the expedition with 28 marine chronometers, 12 sextants, a library for each vessel, and many other astronomical and meteorological instruments.

The chronometers Wilkes purchased came from the finest English makers, and their work is represented here in timepieces similar to those used on the expedition. The actual instruments used on the expedition were returned to the U.S. Navy and dispersed.

Caption:
Chronometers like this one by Parkinson & Frodsham were used on the U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842).
Type: Artifact
Image Date: 2012
Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Origin: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Creator: Jaclyn Nash
JN2012-1293

Related Resources
Topics
Navigators & Inventors
Innovations
Navigation Methods
 

jn2012-1293.jpg

Chronometers like this one by Parkinson & Frodsham were used on the U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842).

jn2012-1294.jpg

Chronometers like this one by Parkinson & Frodsham were used on the U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842).