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In his May 24 post, Peter summed up some thoughts with:

"As Conrad said, the true peace of God is only
known a thousand miles from land."

Trevor commented:

"Conrad's wisdom, as Peter quoted it, may be as solid guidance for
non-electronic navigators as any of the more technical stuff that keeps
this list busy."

It also justifies Nathaniel Bowditch's attitude. He thought it best to spend
more time
taking observations and less time trying to get the last bit of precision out
of each one.

In those days a navigator wasn't so much concerned with his precise location.
He just wanted to know
whether the course was well shaped and the sea-room sufficient. Plenty of
experience
taking and working observations, and in keeping the reckoning, was the best
insurance. Rather
than work one observation to the greatest precision it was better to check it
with other observations.

On the other hand, surveyors on land often did have reason to work for the
last bit of accuracy.

Bruce

   

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