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The text explains the principles and practical construction of the gyroscopic compass in a non-mathematical manner, beginning with elementary gyroscopic behavior and the effect of the Earth's rotation. It develops how damping is applied to control vibrations and compares damping systems used by major builders, illustrating mechanical features and control mechanisms. Sources of systematic error, including latitude error, north-steaming error, ballistic deflection, and quadrantal error, are analyzed and methods for their correction are presented, with attention to centrifugal forces and ship motion. Numerous figures and device plans accompany descriptions of different compass mountings and complete instruments to aid understanding for practitioners and engineers.
Simple typographical errors were corrected.
When necessary, illustrations have been moved between paragraphs, so some of the page references in the List of Illustrations are off by a page or two. Links to those illustrations are correct.
Index not checked for proper alphabetization or correct page references.