This 18th century pocket compass is probably the most historical item we have every had. It belonged to Admiral James Burney who accompanied Captain James Cook on Cook’s last two voyages to the Pacific and was witness to the killing of Cook at the hands of the Hawaiians.

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This is a typical 18th century portable pocket compass that was commonly carried by naval officers. It houses an unsigned engraved paper compass rose, a magnetized steel needle pivoting on a central pin. Mounted under glass in a mahogany case with hinged lid and brass catch. An early manuscript label attached to the underside of the lid reading “Belonged to Admiral James Burney who went round the world with Capt. Cook”. An ornate silver initial “B” was attached to the outside lid at some point in the 19th century.

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Provenance

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​This compass descended through the Burney family: James Burney (1750-1821) was the son of Dr. Charles Burney (1726-1814) and brother of novelist Fanny Burney. His elder sister, Esther, married her cousin Charles Rousseau Burney (1747-1819) whose family the compass was passed down to James Henry Guy Burney (1914-1982), three-times great-grandson of Charles Rousseau Burney, which was then passed on to Simon Fraser, RN. four-times great-grandson of Charles Rousseau Burney.

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Biography

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James Burney was an English explorer and writer born 1750. He began his service in the Royal Navy at the age of ten as a “Captain’s Servant” on board HMS Princess Amelia. After serving in several ships and promoted to midshipman, he began the great adventure with Captain James Cook on his last two voyages to the Pacific. Afterwards Burney served aboard HMS Cerberus blockading Boston during the American Revolution. After his retirement from the Royal Navy he wrote several books including the 5 volume set, Chronological History of the Voyages and Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean (London, 1803–1817). Note that the compass comes with Volume II which covers the early expeditions in the 16th and early 17th centuries. This includes the exploration by Sebastián Vizcaíno of California.

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Cook’s Voyages

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On the second of Cook’s voyages, Burney was promoted to lieutenant aboard the Adventure, the consort ship of the Resolution. He served as interpreter and friend of Omai after returning to England. On Cook’s third voyage to discover the fabled Northwest Passage, Burney served aboard the Discovery. He was witness to the death of Captain Cook at the hands of the Hawaiians. He took command of the Discovery upon the death of Captain Clerke and returned to England. His personal journal records in detail the third voyages with Captain Cook and his death.

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James Burney certainly carried this compass with him while he was on the voyages of discovery with Cook. He surveyed and made charts while serving aboard the Adventure and Discovery.

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