The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-09-21
NAVAL NAYIGAT0RS.
trey HAVE Navy VERY SERIOUS or
TIES TO sERFol.d.

)ac Who -'s igt .cs y a-o -wnr
Must Sc Possessed Of vast un, os
eel.'l seize tia Emo t.,t.
At is doubtful if any office in the
wy, aside rom . absolute comm nd,
involves so vast a responslbilit- a tha
Of navigator Of "a man of war The du.
ties of this important station in former
years -ell TO officers Of the rank o. mas
to- but with the abolition of hat
rad its affairs devolved upon the
lien euants holding the highest nrm.
hars on tho list Upon the urvig. tor Of
o waiship depends not only he task Of
shaping the vessels course Tor any
point across the seas TO which her dcs
tinios may direct hcr, but also the re-
spunsibility Cf plotting her in and out
Of harbor and of selecting safe anchor.
age for her in every port visited during
the period OF her cruise Hence. it fol-
lows that, combined with a thorough
nautical training, the competent navi-
gator must be possessed UL vast fund
of geographical. meteorological and nv.
biographical knowledge. While at sea.
ne must know tho vessels position to a
degree, which necessitates his taking
frequent observations of the celestial
bodies and making solutions Of intricate
problems in geometry and trigonometry,
such as constantly arise through devia.
tions, brought about by innumera BILE
causes, from her given course.
Unquestionably the most important
element in navigation because Of its
infallibility under ordinary conditions,
in determining the latitude, longitude
and error IN the ships compass is what
is known in maritime phraseolOgy as
nautical astronomy With the aid of
a sextant OF quadrant for measuring the
altitude of the heavenly bodies above
the horizon or their distance from each
other, a timepiece to mark the instant
Of an observation, a chronometer to
show the time at the first meridian, u
nautical almanac and an azimuth COM
pass, the navigator can readily deter.
mine his position with the utmost ex-
actitudo.
The average voyage is more OF less
characterized by erroneous estimates in
distances sailed, in varying currents,
careless steering, deviation in the com
pass and numerous other obstacles, and
upon the navigator rests the RESPONSE
bility of adjusting such errors. In long
passages across the open sea the navi-
gator is governed by a rather complex
combination Of motives, which may be
summed up as follows: To cover the re-
IA st. .. pI
time with the smallest expenditure Of
fuel and tho least wear and tear of the
vessel that is possible
With these objects in view the navi-
gator must prior to sailing superintend
personally the slowing Of the hold, the
arrangement Of ballast, water, provi
sions, stores, etc, and the inspection
and adjustment Of the motive appliances
of the ship, all Of which features, sever
ally and collectively greatly affect her
speed and seaworthiness.
If his vessel possesses the facilities
! for making sail, he must while at sea
exercise the keenest judgment and fore
sight AS to utilizing the same, for sail
used to good advantage Is a great saver
of coal, while otherwise, If used indis'
| crimiuately, it may entail much loss OF
time The expert navigator draws the
| line with exceeding fineness between q
high tair wind and a gale making the
most Of the former as long rs his vessel
! is not loupardized. heaving her to al
! Just the proper period and getting under
way again at the first sign Of moderation
in the weather The commander of q
warship rcpOses the utmost confidence
in "A skilled and careful navigator anC
rarely interferes with his plans. Anoth
er of the numerous details coming undel
the navigator supervision is the keep
| ing of the ships log This is commenced
! by him at the time the vessel is PLACED
| IN commission, and its pages record TIN
events of each succeeding day. There i
absolutely nothing which transpires of
ficially ON board of "a man of war tina
is not writton in the log, and each da.
the navigator must carry it to the com
manding officer for hls inspection. A
the expiration Of every six months tn
ships log must be closed and Forwarded
TO the navy department at Washington
where IL is placed among tho records
Tho navigator is provided with
large and varied assortment Of instru
meuts and appliances designed to faoili
tate his work While in port he is ofte
detailed TO make surveys of portions @
the coast line which may be defectiy
upon the charts OF 70 determine the eS
act location of rocks or shoals whic
hitherto have not been marked wit
sufficient accuracy.
The navigator has charge of all tn
! various weather indicators Of tho Vesst
: and must render quarterly reports {
? all meteorological observations Thes
/ are taken at regular intervals by ii
quartermaster Of the watch aud full
g entered upon the ships log The nav
gator must regularly inspect the stee
ing gear oompasses. anchors and ohai
I cables Of the ship and daily report the
= condition to the commanding Office
He must also keep a separate book
which are recorded all calculations r
lating 10 the navigation of the vess
and in which no erasures are permittt
TO be made. At the expiration Of q
i cruise this book is forwarded to q
2 bureau of navigation
The duties Of "A navigating officer a
, more than sufficient 20 fully occupy b
e time, but, notwithstanding this lac
q he frequently stands his watch at 80
While in port be is ex oilicio the exec
i tive officer during the iatter's absen
from the vessel