Since antiquity the seafarers used to determine the position of their ship in the open sea through the measurement of the angles that the celestial bodies formed with the horizon. The first instruments used for measuring these angles were the astrolabes. In most cases when using the astrolabe, simultaneous targeting was necessary both of the star and of the horizon, from the deck of the ship, thus often leading to inaccurate calculations. The application, which replaced the astrolabes was the octant, which was invented in 1731 by the British astronomer and mathematician John Hadley (1682-1744).

The octant consists of a fixed 45 degree arc, meaning one-eighth of the circumference of the circle, which is graduated per one-tenth of a degree, by a rotating arm and by a system of mirrors. One of the mirrors is on the movable arm and can rotate in terms of the fixed graduated arc, giving an image of the celestial body, the arc of which is measured when this image coincides with the zone of the horizon. When measuring the angle of the sun with the horizon, meaning its height, during its «meridian passage», that is when the sun is on the highest point of its orbit, that angle corrected by simple tables according to the time of the year, gives the latitude of the observer, which is observed directly in the determination of latitude. This angle is used in determining latitude.

In order to find longitude, precise time and complex calculations are needed using tables.

This octant comes from Cameron's workshop in Dundee. Cameron was known for his role in the manufacture of marine instruments, particularly octants. More specifically, the Cameron family and their company were notable for producing high-quality octants and other navigational instruments during the 19th century. Their products were used by sailors and sailors, contributing to safer sea travel.

Instruments produced by Cameron and similar manufacturers are often valued by collectors and historians today, as they represent significant advances in navigational technology during their time.