NavList:

   

Reply

Peter, you wrote:
"This is something that I have heard/read again and again although that, of
course, does not make it true.  It certainly sounds unlikely, particularly
to anyone from long-established and well-mapped places.  My understanding is
that this applies particularly to parts of the north west (the 'top end' of
the state of Western Australia) coast that have always been and remain
particularly isolated and barely inhabited.  As well, the coast is a
complicated one with many off-shore islands and reefs, plus the tidal range
is comparatively great.  So all in all a good place to avoid."

Yes, I can imagine. It would not surprise me at all if Flinders' positions
were still the best available, let's say, fifty years ago. But I would bet
they've been superceded. Similarly, there were some positions measured by
Cook in the South Pacific that were the best available until some time in
the middle of the 20th century. I can imagine one possible exception:
soundings. There's no real replacement for direct depth soundings, and it's
very possible that there are some from the 18th/early 19th centuries still
present on Australian charts today.

And:
"Did I mention the crocodiles? "

LOL. No. But I bet they're friendly and cute.

 -FER


--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com
To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

   

Reply