Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-09-14
NAVAL NAvIGATORS.
THEY HAVE MANY VERY SERIOUS DU-
TIES TO PERFORM.

Must he Possessed Of . Vast Fund Of
Technical Scientific knowledge.
1t is doubtful il any office in the
navy, aside from an absolute command,
involves 8 vast q responsibility as that
OF navigator of q man-of-war. The du-
ties OF this important station in former
years fell 70 officers Of the rank Of mas.
Ger, but with the abolition Of that
grade its affairs devolved upon the
lieutenants holding the highest num-
bess ON the list. Upon the navigator Of
. warship depends not only the task Of
shaping the vessels course for any
point across the seas to which her des-
TIMES may direct her, bat also the re-
sponsibility Of plotting her in and out
Of harbor and of selecting a 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 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.
PROFESSIONALLY the most important
element in navigation, because of its.
infallihility 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 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
of an observation, a chronometer to
show the time at the first meridian, a
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 Altering, deviation in the COM
pass and numcrous other obstacles, and
upon the navigator rests the response
biiity of adjusting such errors. In long
passages across the open sea the navi-
gator II governed by o rather complex
combination Il motives, which may Be
summed mp - follows: To cover the re-
| quired distance In the shortest space OF
time with the smallest expenditure Of
fuel and the ioast wear and tear Of the
vessd that \ possible.
With these objects in view the navi-
gator must prior TO sailing mperintend
personally the slowing Of the hold. tho
arrangement Of ballast. water, provi-
sionaI stores, etc, aud the inspection
md sdjnssu,sst Of thnpQtiys APPLIANCES
&sasS alp. N d w8szk AHHss, svvp.
ally and oollectiS aay. greatly affect her
speed and seawoythineaa4
II his vessel possesses the facilities
Tor making saii. he must while At sea
exsrcise the keenest Judgment and fore
sight ~ 70 utilizing the same, for sail
used 20 good advantage 10 q great saver
q coal. while otherwise. IL used ipdis-
oEiminately, it may entail much loss Of
time. The expert navigator draws the
line with exceeding fineness between .
high fair wind and q gale, making the
most 0( the former rs long as his vessel
is not ~jeopardized. heaving her to at
jest 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 q skilled and careful navigator and
rarely interferes with his plans. Anoth-
er of the numerous details coming under
the nayigator'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 a Elan-of-war that
is not written in the log, and each day
the navigator must carry it to the com
manding 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 a
large and varied assortment Of instru
ments and appliances designed TO facili.
tate his work. While in port he is often
detailed 60 make surveys OF portions OF
the coas line which may be defective
upon the charts or to determine the OK.
act location of rocks or shoals which
hitherto have not been marked with
sufficient accuracy.
The navigator has charge of all tie
various weather indicators of the 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 a separate book in
which are recorded all calculations re-
lating TO the navigation Of the vessel
and ia which no erasures are permitted
e.. l.o r,,oAA ~ tLx .v.t-~ts,-x - H.