| Robert FitzRoy's Mariner's Compass | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Robert FitzRoy |
|
Type |
Mariner's Compass |
|
Effects |
Points to brewing storms. |
|
Downsides |
Increases depression, can lead to suicide with prolonged use. |
|
Activation |
Holding |
|
Collected by |
David Wolcott |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
January 23rd, 1904 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy FRS (5 July 1805 – 30 April 1865) was an English officer of the Royal Navy and a scientist. He achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage, FitzRoy's second expedition to Tierra del Fuego and the Southern Cone. FitzRoy was a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate daily weather predictions, which he called by a new name of his own invention: "forecasts". In 1854 he established what would later be called the Met Office, and created systems to get weather information to sailors and fishermen for their safety. He was an able surveyor and hydrographer. As Governor of New Zealand, serving from 1843 to 1845, he tried to protect the Māori from illegal land sales claimed by British settlers.
FitzRoy had been promoted to rear-admiral on the reserved list in 1857 and was advanced to vice-admiral in 1863. In the coming years, internal and external troubles at the Meteorological Office, financial concerns as well as failing health, and his struggle with depression took their toll. On 30 April 1865, Vice-Admiral FitzRoy died by suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. This took place at Lyndhurst, Westow Hill, Norwood. He died after exhausting his entire fortune (some £6,000, equivalent to £610,309 in 2021) on public expenditure.
Effects[]
The compass will point to areas where a storm is likely to appear or is in the process of storming. Not recommended from those suffering from depression, as it will increase depression in the user. Leads to suicide with prolonged use.
Collection[]
Collected by David Wolcott on January 23rd, 1904. Was originally on the HMS Avalon on their way to Warehouse 13 but taken by "Roaring" Dan Seavey and lost until recovered by Warehouse 13 agents. Still stored in the Ovoid Quarantine after collecting from the lost cache.
Artifact Manifest from the H.M.S. Avalon - Compass