The purpose of having a compass installed on an iron ship is to navigate and determine the direction of the ship. This is important for safe and efficient travel on the open seas.
The presence of iron on the ship can cause interference with the compass, leading to inaccurate readings. This is due to the magnetic properties of iron which can disrupt the Earth's magnetic field that the compass relies on for accurate navigation.
To minimize the interference from iron, the compass is usually placed in a location on the ship that is as far away from any iron objects as possible. Additionally, the ship's structure may be designed to reduce the effects of iron on the compass. Regular maintenance and calibration of the compass are also important to ensure accuracy.
Yes, there are alternative navigation methods that can be used on iron ships. These include using a gyrocompass, which is not affected by the presence of iron, or using electronic navigation systems such as GPS.
Yes, the use of compasses on iron ships has evolved over time. Modern ships are often equipped with more advanced navigation systems, but compasses are still an important backup and reference tool. The design and placement of compasses on ships have also been improved to minimize interference from iron and other metal objects on board.