What is a binnacle boy?

Answer 1

A binnacle is the housing for the compass of a ship. The Binnacle Boy is a "character" from the story, "The Binnacle Boy," by Paul Fleischmen. The housing for the compass was a held by a wooden figure of a boy thus was called the binnacle boy. It was a great short story and I think would be classified as a psychological thriller.

Answer 2

A binnacle boy was a young sailor who was responsible for polishing the brasswork on the binnacle, a stand on the deck of a ship that houses the compass. This term is not commonly used today as modern ships use electronic navigation systems.