~ Decagonal Telescope Tube – Captain Phillip Carteret – HMS Active ~
A late 19th century telescope in a decagonal (10 sided) mahogany tube belonging to a captain of HMS Active, Captain Phillip Carteret.
The turned brass eyepiece draw-tube is constructed from three brass barrels containing four lenses.
At the centre is carved “Active Phil Clark RYE 1805”.
~ HMS Active ~
HMS Active was a Royal Navy fifth-rate frigate launched on 14 December 1799 at Chatham Dockyard. Sir John Henslow designed her as an improvement on the Artois-class frigates. She served during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, capturing numerous enemy vessels. Her crews participated in one campaign and three actions that would later qualify them for the Naval General Service Medal. The ship returned to the UK under Captain Phillip Carteret on 30th September 1817. She paid off again on 11th October 1817 and went into the Ordinary at Portsmouth. She returned to service after the wars and finally was broken up in 1860.
~ Dimensions ~
The length of the telescope tube is 35 inches (88.8 cm), with the draw-tube adjustment measuring 9.7 inches (24.6 cm) long.
It has a diameter of inches (4.5 cm).
The total weight is 630 g.
~ Condition ~
The wood is cracked in areas, and worn, but remains in largely good condition considering its age. No lenses are included (other than the eyepiece draw-tube.
