On Jan 28, 2016, at 3:10 AM, kops-and-robs via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

My father said it was a tool, maybe a type of drill? I can't remember, unfortunately. 

Sarah
A set of gimbals (rotating supports) are used to support a compass on a goat so that it remains horizontal no matter how much and in which direction the boat is rocking.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbal