Sextant

Also known as the W Gerrard Sextant

"A 19th Century Brass Sextant, with Ebonised Handle, stamped to the frame. Made by W Gerrard, Liverpool

This is a typical sextant, which would have been used by ships’ captains and deck officers for navigation by shipping companies operating out of Liverpool. During the latter part of the 19th century, ships' sextants would have been brought to Bidston Observatory for setting accurate Greenwich Mean Time and rating. Rating included checking the temperature response of the sextant using the 'hotbox' developed by the Obsevatory