The sun., 1898-06-05
NAVIGATION
Ofa War Vessel Involves a Responsf-,.
bility That Taxes The Capabilities
of an Officer.

VI lldN lGdpCI VI WAL. ne uuJItd
of this important station in former years
fell to officers OF the rank of master, but
with the abolition of that grade it's
affairs devolved upon the lieutenants
holding the highest numbers on the list.
Upon the navigator of warship de-
pends not only the task OF shaping the
vessels course for any point across the
seas Lo which her destines may direct
her, but also the responsibility of pilot
ing her in and out OF harbor and of
selecting safe anchorage for her in
every port visited during the period of
, her cruise. Hence it follows that,
combined with thorough nautical train
ing, the competent navigator must be
possessed of a vast fund OF geographical,
meteorological and hydrographical
knowledge.
While at sea he must know the ves-
sells position to degree, which necessi-
tates his taking frequent observations of
the celestial bodies and making solu-
tions of intricate problems in geometry
and trigonometry, such as constantly
arise through deviations brought about
by innumerabe causes from her given
course.
Unquestonably the most important
element in navigation, because of its in
talibility under ordinary conditions. in
determining the latitude, longitude and
error in the ships compass, is what is
known in maritime phraseology as ''nau-
tica astronomy"
for measuring the altitude of the heav-
| L. hou:vo,, tI,Ds,.
distance from each other, timepiece to
mark the instant of an observation, q
chronometer to show the time at the
first meridian, a nautical almanac and an
azimuth compass, the navigator can
readily determine his position with the
utmost exactitude, thus obviating uncer-
tainties resulting from the more simple
but less accurate method of dead reckon
ing.
The average voyage is more or less
characterized tby ierroneous estimates in
distances sailed, in varying currents,
careless steering, deviation in the COM
pass and numerous other obstacles, and
upon the navigator rests the respopsl-
bility OF adjusting such errors.
In long passages across the open sea
the navigator is governed by rather
complex combination of motives, which
may be summed up as follows: To cover
the required distance in the shortest
space of time, with the smallest expendi-
ture of fuel and the 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, provisions,
stores, ETC., and the inspection and ad-
justment 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 at sea,
exercise the keenest Judgment and fore
sight as to utilizing the same, for sail
used to good advantage is Il great saver
of coal, while otherwise, if used indis-
crimnately, it may entail much loss of
time.
The expert navigator draws the line
with exceeding tineness between a high
fair wind and Il gale, making the most
OF the former as long as his 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 warship reposes
the utmost confidence in skilled and
careful navigator, and rarely interferes
with his plans. Another of the numer-
ous details coming under the navigator's
supervision is the keeping of the ships
log This is commenced by him at the
t;n,, tbo ,-accn1 10 ylaool IN onp,p,icc;pr,
and its pages record the events OF each
succeeding day.
There is absolutely nothing which
tfanspires, officially, on board OF a man
of.war that is not written in the log, and
each day the navigator must carry it to
the commanding officer for his inspec-
ton. At the expiration of every six
months the ships log must be closed
and forwarded to the Navy Department
at Washington, where it is placed among
The records.
The navigator is provided with Il large
and varied assortment OF instruments
md appliances designed to facilitate his
work While in port he is often de-
allied to make surveys of portions of the
,oast lin? which may be detective upon
he charts, or to determine the exact
ocaton of rocks Or shoals which hither-
O have not been marked with sufficient
ccuracy.
The photographic office at Washington
s largely indebted to the scientific
of the navigating officers
+ the navy for the valuable data it is
nabled to furnish to the maritime
World, and too much praise cannot be
ccorded them for the infaliblity which
Invariably distinguishes their reports.
The navigator has charge OF all the
arious weather indicators OF the vessel
nd must render quarterly reports Of all
meteorological observations. These are
AIKEN at regular intervals by the quarter
lasters of the watch and fully entered
pon the ships log. The navigator
lust regularly inspect the steering gear,
)mpasScS, anchors and chain cables OF
~ ship, and daily report their con-
iti,n to the commanding officer.
He must also keep a separate book in
hi III are recorded all calculations re-
ting to the navigation of the vessel,
nd in which no erasrres ;lre permitted
he made. At the expiration of the
Mise this book l. forwarded to the Blu
au OF Navigation.
The duties of a navigating officer are
"A than f1 pinpt tn fnIlv pnnnpv n