The Ship’s Compass

July 14, 2026June 14, 2026 by Erica

Antique ship's magnetic compass mounted in a wooden binnacle box, showing the traditional compass rose and cardinal directions.

The Ship’s Compass

A ship’s compass is a navigational instrument that points towards magnetic north. By knowing where north is, sailors can determine every other direction and steer a consistent course, even when land, the sun or the stars are not visible.

Mercator Maps

February 17, 2026April 18, 2017 by Erica

Mercator Maps: The Projection That Changed Navigation Forever

Gerardus Mercator was born on 5 March 1512 in Rupelmonde, Belgium. A brilliant cartographer, geographer, and cosmographer, Mercator would go on to create a map projection that permanently changed the world of navigation.