Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-14
NAVAL NAVIGATORS.
THEY HAVE MANY VERY SERIOUS OU-
TIES TO PERFORM.

L -
Must Be Possessed OF . Vast Fund OF
Technical Scientific knowledge.
It is doubtful if any office in the
navy, aside from an absolute command,
involves so vast responsibility as that
OF navigator of a man f.war The du.
ties of this important station in former
years fell to officers Of the rank Of mas.
ter, but with the abolition of that
grade its affairs devolved upon the
lieutenants holding the highest num-
bers on the list. Upon the navigator of
a warship depends not only the task of
shaping the vessels course for any
Tpoint across the seas to which her des-
TIMES may direct her, but also the re-
sponsibility of 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-
lowe that, combined with thorough
nautical training, the competent navi-
gator must be possessed of a vast fund
OF geographical, meteorological and by
biographical knowledge. While at sea,
he must know the vessels position to q
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 innumerable
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
q seztant or quadrant for measuring the
altitude of the heavenly bodies above
the horizon or their distance from each
other, a timepiece to mark the instant
| or an observation, u chronometer to
show the time at the first meridian,
nautical almanac and an azimuth COM
pass, the navigator can readily deter
mine his position with the utmost ex-
| actitude.
| The average voyage is more or 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 rather complex
combination of motives, which may be
summed up as follows: To cover the re-
quired 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 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 great saver
of coal, while otherwise, if used indis-
criminately, it may entail much loss of
time. The expert navigator draws the
line with exceeding fineness between q
high fair wind and 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 a
warship reposes the utmost confidence
in skilled and careful navigator and
rarely interferes with his plans. Anoth
er Of the numerous details coming under
the navigator's 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 the
events of each succeeding day There is
absolutely nothing which transpires Of
ficially ON board of man of war that
ia not written in the log, and each day
the navigator must carry it to the COM
handing officer for his inspection. 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 {
large and varied assortment of instru-
ments and appliances designed to facili-
tate his work. While in port he is often
detailed to make surveys of portions of
the coast line which may be defective
upon the charts or to determine the ex-
act location OF rocks or shoals which
hitherto have not been marked with
sufficient accuracy.
The navigator has charge of all the
various weather indicators of tho vessel
and must render quarterly reports of
all meteorological observations. These
are taken at regular intervals by the
quartermaster of the watch and fully
entered upon the ships log. The navi-
gator must regularly inspect the steer
ing gear, compasses, anchors and chain
cables of the ship and daily report their
condition to the commanding officer.
He must also keep separate book in
which are recorded all calculations re-
lating to the navigation Of the vessel
and in which no erasures are permitted
to be made. At the expiration of the
cruise this book is forwarded to the