> On Feb 26, 2024, at 12:31 PM, Marvin Paisner  wrote:
> 
> Taking a long shot here, but it may be for holding the metal compensating
rods used to adjust a ship's magnetic compass that has been thrown off by the
vessels metal construction.
> 
I really like Marvin Paisner's guess!

If all the hardware is brass or bronze, that would support his hypothesis.

As I understand it, there are two sets of small holes, with the sets being at
right angles to each other.  That also supports Marvin's hypothesis.

John Ruth
Metuchen, NJ