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| >Home >Compasses >Survey >Aqua Survey |
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| [Aqua Instructions] [Aqua Survey] |
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Aqua Survey compass |
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Click on any of the thumbnail images to start the image gallery. The "Aqua Survey" compass is an example of a 'dip needle' or 'dipping needle' compass. It is used to detect iron pipes, or magnetic subsurface survey marks. These compasses are still being manufactured today, by the AquaLocator company, Cedarville OH. They will also adjust and/or repair older units. They were kind enough to supply me with an instruction sheet which I have reproduced here. This compass looks a bit odd because it has two viewing windows oriented at 90 degrees to each other. The compass needle itself is in the face of the large side. The smaller window on 'top' is used for sighting down, through the 45-degree mirror and looking at the backside of the 'face'. The back of the compass face is printed in reversed writing just for this purpose. It is used first by holding it horizontal, and aligning the compass so that the red needle points to the "North" cardinal point on the face. The compass is then rotated so that the plane of the compass face is aligned vertically along the North-South line, as indicated by the cardinal points shown through the top window. In operation, the user is supposed to hold the compass by laying the strap across three fingers, and dangling the compass just above the surface of the ground. In this position, the weighted S needle, painted black, will drag the needle into a vertical position, and the red-painted North end of the needle can be seen through the top window. When brought into proximity to a subsurface ferrous metal object, the red needle will swing around and point downward, bringing the black South needle into view in the top window. By systematically covering an area of ground in sequential lines about a foot apart, and noting the point of maximum deflection, subsurface metal pipes can be located. Full Description: Exterior: This compass has a black plastic body, with two flat glass windows inset with chromed brass frames. The window on the front is 1 1/8" X 2 17/32" (measured at the outside of the frame). The window on the top is 1 15/32" X 2 17/32". A folding metal handle is attached to the top of the compass body, hinged at the right. The vertical corners of the case have a decorative fluting, with three flutes on each corner. A black plastic cover is inset into the base of the compass, held by four slotted screws. A white painted serial number is on the base: 570129. Compass Face: The face of the compass is white, with black lettering. The face covers the tip of the needle when the compass is viewed through the front window. Only the top half of the face is shown through the front window, and only the cardinal point "N" and intra-cardinal points "N.W." and "N.E." are shown. In addition there are two 'star' points between each intra-cardinal point and "N". A double black line surrounds the points, and a thick black line underscores the points, covering the face up to the semicircular cutout. A mirror is set at a 45-degree angle in the interior of the case, so that the back of the compass face is viewed through it when looking through the top window. In the reverse side of the face are the maker's marks: "AQUA SURVEY AND INSTRUMENT CO., INC." "CINCINNATI, OHIO", "PATENT No. 2775736". The reverse side of the face has a white background, marked with black and red. The cardinal points "N" and "S" are rendered in red, superimposed on arrows, indicating the orientation of the compass during operation. The reverse side of the face is marked in black with a double-line, surrounding incremental marks, with 90 at the top (East as viewed through the top window) and decrementing to 70 by 10s at the North and South sides. These marks do not appear to be calibrated in degrees. The Needle: The needle appears to be magnetized steel, painted red on the north end, black on the south end. The south end of the needle is also weighted with a small metal band. The compass works are accessed through the bottom cover by removing the four screws. The works consists of the compass needle, pivot, mirror and painted faces. The works are held in a metal frame, which is press-fit into the body. Case: The original leather case is with the compass. The case consists of a hard leather case with a wrap-around lid, held by two snaps. In the closed position the case covers the entire compass. With the lid of the case open, the compass is operable without removing it from the case. The case is marked with gold lettering on the inside of the lid. A North-South arrow is marked on the lid, aiding in correctly orienting the compass for use. There is also a manufacturer's mark: "SURVEYS AQUA INSTRUMENTS CINCINNATI.O." with lines separating the words. Below the orienting arrow are the words "Top Grain Cowhide". In addition to the marks above, on the reverse side of the case lid is "JOSEPH G. POLLARD CO, Inc." "NEW HYDE PARK,N.Y.". Damage: The compass was subjected to a crushing force diagonally across the body. The interior metal frame is slightly bent (not visible from the outside) and the plastic body is cracked near the base at one end. This damage does not appear to affect the operation of the compass. Specifications:
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