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Last fall,
In various discussions in the fall 2004,
I frequently mentioned a Russian manual that I read
in my youth (in the late 1960-s) and then lost.
Now I found the second edition of the same manual
in the Library of Congress. So I can cite precisely
some places relevant to our past discussions.

1. On artificial horizon observations from a ship:
"Sometimes, when the Sun is clear but the horizon is
covered by fog, and the circumstances require
an observation, one can use an artificial horizon.
For this one has to stop the main engines, and also
all auxilliary mechanisms that cause vobration of
the deck at the place of observation.
As an artificial horizon one uses a plate with machine oil,
which the assistant holds in his hands...
.....
Similarly, an artificial horison is used in the ice navigation.
For increased precision, one performs obcervations from the ice".

(I am glad, my memory is not so bad, after all:
I think my citation of this last October was very close:-)

2. I have not re-read the book yet, but already noticed
the differences between the first edition (1960-s) and
the second one (1971). The author writes in the intro
to the second edition:
"When revising the book we followed the general modern
tendency in development of Marine Astronomy:
gradual rejection of various special methods and
concentration of attention on the basic most universal
methods."
(From my point of view this is a sign of decline of the
art-A.E.:-)

For example, the chapter on Latitide from the Polar star
and the chapter on singularities of Arctic navigation
were removed:-( But a new chapter on navigation in
the Tropics was added:-)

This might reflect somehow the deep changes in foregin policy
of Soviet Union in those times:-)
:-)

Alex.

   

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