Nauticalia

Storm bottles first made an appearance in the 1750s, to help predict changes in the weather at sea. Consisting of a hermetically sealed glass tube containing water, alcohol and camphor, in brief the crystals fall to the bottom when conditions are improving and rise up when things are getting worse. Here, Admiral Fitzroy's (captain of Darwin's voyages) more detailed instructions are printed on the mounting below the bottle, with decorative code flags either side. Frame measures 12.5 x 5".