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Why are gyrocompasses useful on ships with large amounts of metal?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
gyrocompass
gyrocompass The gyrocompass aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) ship Rainier. Gyrocompasses are navigational instruments that use a continuously driven gyroscope to accurately seek the direction of true (geographic) north.

A gyrocompass is highly useful on ships with large amounts of metal because it is immune to magnetic interference, unlike a traditional magnetic compass.1

While magnetic compasses rely on Earth's magnetic field to determine direction, they are susceptible to "deviation"—the deflection of the needle caused by local magnetic influences, such as steel hulls, engines, and other metal structures found on modern vessels.12

In contrast, a gyrocompass operates by using a continuously driven gyroscope to seek true geographic north through the combined effects of gravity and the Earth's rotation. Because it does not depend on magnetism, it remains unaffected by steel structures, ore deposits, or electric circuits, making it a reliable and essential navigational tool for ships and submarines.1