Object Description
An ‘Admiral Fitzroy’ Barometer
The rectangular oak case, with a steeple top, houses an eight-day clock with a circular porcelain dial to the upper part; below, the Victorian Lozenge Registration mark indicates a registration date of the fourth of August, 1881; and tubes showing barometric pressure, temperature and the storm warning bottle; Fitzroy’s remarks on usage are incorporated in the text.
English, circa 1885
Admiral Fitzroy
Robert FitzRoy (5 July 1805 – 30 April 1865) achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin’s famous voyage, and as a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate weather forecasting a reality. He was an able surveyor and hydrographer and served as Governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845.