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The nocturnal (star dial or nocturia) was an instrument used by mariners from the 16th to the 18th century to determine local time at night and to establish the timing of the flood tide. It is an important artifact in the history of navigation and a tool which greatly facilitated the safe passage of people and goods during the first period of European settlement in Canada.

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Sharon Babian, 2001
Curator of Transportation
  Randall C. Brooks, PhD, 2001
Director, Collection & Research Division