The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-05
NAVIGATION OF A wAa VESSEL.
Importance of the Position of Navi.
gator and It's Duties.


From the Philadelphia Times.
1t is doubtful If any Office in the navy.
aside from an absolute command, involves
so vast a responsibility as that of naviza-
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 it's affairs de-
volved upon the lieutenant 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
destiniee may direct her, but also the res
possibility of plotting her in and out Of
harbOrs and of selecting safe anchorl ge
for her in every port visited during the
period of her cruise. Hence il follows
that. combined with a thorough nautical
training, the competent navigator must be
possessed of a vast fund of geograp hical,
meteorological and photographed knowl-
edge. While at sea he must know the YES
sells position to a degree, which necessi-
tates his taking frequent observations of
the celestial bodies and making. solutions
of intricate problems in geometry and tri-
gonometFy, such as constantly arise
through deviations brought about by in
Vulnerable ca uses from her given course.
Unquestionably the most important Gle
ment in navigation, because of its infaili-
bility under ordinary conditions in deter
mining the latitude, longitude and error
in the ships compass is what is known in
maritime phraseology as nautical asIron-
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 tmepiece to
mark the instant of an observation,
Pb n me "a FIR
meridian, nautical almanac and an All
muth compass, the navigator can readily
determine his position with the utmost
exactitude. thus obviating uncertainties
resulting 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 nu-
merous other obstacles, and upon the nav
igator rests the responsibility of adjusting
such errors. In long passages across the
open sea the navigator is governed by a
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 navigator
must, prior to sailing, superintend person
ally the slowing of the hold, the arrange
ment of ballast, water, provisions, stores.
etc, 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 at sea, exer-
else the keenest judgment and foresight as
to utilizing the same, for sail used to good
advantage is d great saver of coal. while
n II nj,
entail much loss of time. The expert nav
igator draws the line with exceeding fine
ness between a high fair wind and a gale
making the most of the former as long as
his vessel is not jeopardized heaViDar her
to at just the proper period and getting
under way again at the first sign of moder-
alton in the weather. The commander of
a warship reposes the utmost condolences
in skilled and careful navigator. and
rarely interferes with his plans Another
OF the numerous details coming under the
navigator's supervision is che keeDjng Of
the ships log. This is commenced bv him
at the time the vessel is placed in com
MISSION, ana ITS pages record the events of
each succeeding day. There is absolutely
nothing which transpires, officially on
BOARD OF man-of-war that is moi written
IN the log, and each day the naVie9tor
must carry it to the commanding officer
for his inspection. At the expiration of
every six months the ships log must he
closed and forwarded to the navy DEPART
meht al Washington where it is placed
among the records.
The navigator is provided with a 1aro.
and varied assortment of instruments and
appliances designed TO facilitate his vvorl,
While in port he is often detailed to maxi
surveys of portions of the coast line wb1Cb
may De defective upon the charts, or 10
determine the exact location of roclIs ~
which hfthartn havr
ca with sufhc'ent accuracy. The hydro.
graphic office at Washington is largely in
debted TO the scientific achievements of tbo
navigating officers of the navy for the val
uabie data il is enabled to furnish ia tho
maritime world, and too much praise cannon
pe accorded them for the infanibilitv
which invariably distinguishes their ro
ports. The navigator has charge of al,
The various weather iudica tors of the YES
sci ana must render quarterly reports or
all meteorolostcal observations These are
token al regular intervals by the quarter
masters of the watch and fully entered mn
on the ships log. The navigator mus,
regularly inspect the steering gear, com
passes, anchors and chain cables of tba
snip, 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 naviga
ton of The vessel, and in which no eras-
urSs are permitted 10 be made. Al the
expiration of the cruise this book is for
warded 10 the bureau of navigation.
The duties of a navigating officer arc
more than sufficient to fully occupy his
time, but, Notwithstanding this fact ne
frequently stands his watch at sea. whiI.
IN port he is eX-officio the executive Off
Ger during the latters absence from the
vessel.
The illustrious Dewey was, during the
earlier period of the career, an acknowl-
edged expert as a navigator, and to his
excellent ability in manoeuvering NAV he
largely accredited his recent splendid vic
tory at Manila