Evening star., 1898-07-23
A RESPONSIBLE POSITION.
importance of the Navigator of a YES
sci and His Duties.

importance of the Navigator of a YES
sci and His Duties.
From the Philadelphia Times
1t IS doubtful if any office in the navy
aside from an absolute command, involves
SO vast responsibility as that of naviga-
tor Of man-of-war. The duties of this
important station in former years fell to
officers of the rank of master, but with
the abolition of that grade its affairs de-
VoiVed upon the Heutenants holding the
highest numbers on the list. Upon the
navigator of a warship depends not only
the task of shaping the vessels course for
any point across the seas to which her
destinies may direct her but also the re-
sponsibility of plotting her in and out of
harbor and of selecting a safe anchorage
for her in every port visited during the
period of her cruise. Hence it follows that,
combined with a thorough nautical train
ing, the competent navigator must be pos
sessed of vast fund of geograp phical,
meteorological and photographer knowl-
edge. While at sea he must know the ves-
sells position to a degree, which necess-
tates his taking frequent observations Of
the celestial bodies and making solutions
OF intricate problems in geometry and
trigonometry, such as constantly arise
through deviations brought about by in
Vulnerable causes from her given course.
Unquesuonably the most important ele-
ment in navigation, because of its infalli-
bllfty under ordinary conditions, in deter
mining the latitude, longitude and error in
the ships compass, is what is known in
maritime phraseology nautical astron-
omy. With the aid of a seXtant or quad
rant for measuring the altitude of the
heavenly bodies above the horizon or their
distance from each other, a timepece to
mark the instant of an observation, chro-
nometer to show the time at the first meri-
dian. a nautical almanac and an azimuth
compass. the navigator can readily deer
mine his position with the utmost exacti-
tude, thus oDviating uncertainties result
ing from the more simple but less accurate
method of dead reckoning.
The average voyage is more or less char
acteriZed by erroneous estimates in dis
tances sailed IN varying currents, careless
steering, deviation in the compass and
numerous other obstacles, and upon the
navigator rests the responsibility of ad-
JuStlng such errors. In long passages
across the open sea the navigator is gov
ernsd by a rather complex combination of
motives, which may be summed up as fol-
lows: To cover the required distance in the
shortest space of time, with the smallest
expenditure Of fuel and the least wear and
tear of the vessel that is possible.
With these objects in view, the navigator
must, prior to sailing, superintend person
ally the slowing of the hold, the arrange
ment of ballast, water, provisions, stores,
&c, and the inspection and adjustment of
the motive appliances of the ship, all OF
which features. severally and collectively,
greatly affect her speed and seaworthiness.
If his vessel possesses the facilities for
making sail he must, while al sea, exercise
the keenest Judgment and foresight to
utilizing the same, for sail used to good ad-
vantage is a great saver OF COAL while
otherwise, If used indiscriminately, it may
entail much loss of time. The expert navi
gator draws the line with exceeding fine
ness between a high fair wind and a gale,
ma king the most of the former as long as
mis- vessel is not jeopardized, heaving her to
at just the proper period and getting under
way again at the first sign Of moderation
in the weather. The commander of a war
ship reposeS the utmost confidence in a
skilled and careful navigator and rarely
interferes with his plans. Another of the
numerous details coming under the navi-
gators supervision is the keeping of the
ships log. This is commenced by him at
the time the vessel is placed in commits
sion, and its pages record the events of
each succeeding day. There Is absolutely
nothing which transpres, officially, on
board of a man-of-war that is not written
in the log, and each day the navigator
must carry 1t to the commanding officer
for his inspection. At the expiration of
every six months the ships log must be
closed and forwarded to the Navy Depart
ment at Washington, where 1t is placed
among the records.
The navigator is provided with a large
and varied assortment of instruments and
appliances designed to facilitate his work.
While In pert he is often detailed to make
surveys Of portions of the coast line which
may be defective upon the charts. or to de-
termne the exact location of rocks or
shoals which hitherto have. not been mark
ed with sufficient accuracy. The hydro
graphic office at Washington is largely in
debted to the scientific achievements of the
navigating officers of the navy for the val
liable data 1t Is enabled to furnish to the
maritime world, and too much praise can
yonf hn dad fnr fhn Inf fixr
which invariably distinguishes their re-
ports. The navigator has charge Of all the
various weather indicators Of the vessel,
and must render quarterly reports of all
meteorological observations. These are
taken at regular intervals by the quarter
masters of the watch and fully entered
upon tho ships log. The navigator must
regularly inspect the steering gear, COM
passes, anchors and chain cables of the
ship, and daily report their condition to
the commanding officer He must also
keep a separate book in which are record
ed all calculations relating to the nayiga-
ton of the vessel and Ia which no erasures
are permitted to be made. At the expira-
ton of the cruise this book is forwarded
to the bureau of navigation.
The duties of navigating officer are
more than sufficient to fully occupy his
time, but, notwithstanding this fact, he
frequently stands his watch at sea, while
in port he is ek-off1cio the executive officer
during the latter's absence from the YES
sci.
The illustrious Dewey was, during the
earlier period Of his career, an acknowledg
ed expert as a navigator, and to his ex-
ceIient ability in maneuvering may be
largely accredited his recent splendid VIC
tory at Manila
A Clouded Life.
From the New York Weekly.
Mrs Biiffers: your old friend has such
a sad aace. Why is it?"
Mr.. ,3liffers: Years ago he proposed to
very beautiful girl, and"
Mrs. Bliffers: And she refused him?"
MIR. Buffers: NO; she married him."
In the School of War.
From the Chicago Record.
Strange what good fighters society men
turn out to be-
mot at all; wearing high collar makes