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Hi,

I'm brand new to this site so thanks for having me!

As a bit of an amateur I am keen to learn the more basic aspects of 
astro navigation.  I was lucky enough to serve as an assistant officer 
of the watch on a Frigate and although I didn't get my ocean nav ticket 
(a long story how I came to be there etc etc)  I did get a good 
grounding in astro.  I recently bought a Hezzanith vernier sextant from 
e bay and I have a couple of nav manuals, (1784 Mariners Compass 
Rectified and 1842  Navigation by Raper and some modern ones too!)  the 
second is a complete course in the subject, starting at how to do the 
maths and moving on to the instruments and tables for 1842 to 1845.

The first question I have is:  I live on a hill overlooking the ocean 
but dont know my elevation to set the dip.  Given I know where I am and 
can see some islands offshore is there a way I can determine my 
altitude?  I have a chart and can accurately place my house and the 
islands so there must be a way....I just cant figure it out.  I can get 
off my bum and go down the beach and take sights but it is kind of fun 
to be able to do it from the backyard...

Secondly, a number of you managed to extract Margetts tables from  a 
site but it seems to have been shut down.  Is there anyway we can still 
get access to that site?   It sounds excellent for a whole pile of 
stuff so it is a shame we get it now.  As an aside, there was comment 
on whether Margetts  would have been used contemporaneously.  I found 
this from Mathew Flinders which given his abilty as a navigator might 
be indicative:

  I am not able to give you precise information of the books and 
instruments you wish to purchase, but think they may come to near £80 
sterling. I do not know much of Heather's charts: we reckon those of 
Arrowsmith of Faden to be the best. Of  the use of Margetts' tables I 
have no great opinion, but Mendoza's are excellent. I would recommend 
you to apply to Mottley, bookseller in High Street Portsmouth for both 
books, charts, and instruments; believing that he will procure for you 
what may not be kept in the shop; but I rather think you will not stay 
long enough to receive what may be required from London.

Matthew Flinders - Private letter books, Nov. 1810 - May 1814 (Vol. 3)
  To Mr Antony Roux, Sept. 26, 1811

  cheers

Roger Puttman

32.46 S 115.75 E  (decimal lat and long, my god what a dogs breakfast)



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