Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-05-26
NAVAL NAVIGATORS.
THEY HAVE MANY VERY SERI-
Gus DUTIES TO PERFORM.
Beside, Thorough Nautical Training the Off
Ger Who Navigates Mar. .of.war Must be
Possessed Of a Vast Fund Of Technical Scien
tific knowledge.
Philadelphia Press.

IHllduelpNld frcss
1t is doubtful if any officer in the
navy, aside from an absolute com.
mand, involves so vast a responsibility
as that of navigator of a 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 devolved upon
the lieutenants holding the highest
numbers on the list. Upon the navi-
gator 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 responsibility 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
thorough nautical training, the COM
petent navigator must be possessed OF
vast fund of geographical, meteoro.
logical and photographed knowledge
While at sea, he must know the ves-
sells position to a degree, which neces.
states his taking frequent observa'
tions of the celestial bodies and max.
ing solutions of intricate problems in
geometry and trigonometry, such as
constantly arise through deviations
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 phraseol.
ogy as nautical astronomy" With
the aid of q sextant or quadrant for
measuring the altitude OF the heaven.
ly bodies above the horizon or their
distance from each other, timepiece
to mark the instant of an observation,
. chronometer to show the time at the
first meridian, q nautical almanac and
an asmuth compass, the navigator can
readily determine his position with
the utmost exactitude.
The average voyage is more or less
characterized by erroneous estimates
in distance sailed, in varying currents,
careless steering, deviation in the
compass and numerous other OBJ
stacles, and upon the navigator rests
the responsibility of adjusting such
errors. In long passages across the
open sea the navigator is governed by
a rather complex combination OF mo.
tives, 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 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 appli-
ances of the ship, all of which features,
severally and collectively, greatly af-
feet her speed and sea-worthiness.
If his vessel possesses the facilities
for making sail, he must while at sea
exercise the keenest judgment and
foresight as to utilizing the same, for
sail used to good advantage is great
saver of coal, while otherwise, if used
indiscriminately, it may entail much
loss OF time. The expert navigator
draws the line with exceeding fineness
between a high fair wind and gale,
making the most of the former as long
as his vessel is not jeopardized, heav-
ing 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 nu'
merous details coming under the navi.
gators supervision is the keeping ol
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 transpire.
officially on board of a man-of-wal
that is not written in the log, and
each day the navigator must carry il
to the commanding officer for his in
spection. At the expiration of every
six months the ships log must bt
closed and forwarded to the navy de
partment at Washington, where it il
placed among the records.
The navigator is provided with
large and varied assortment of instru
ments and appliances designed to ia
cilitate his work. While in port he i:
often detailed to make surveys OF por
tions of the coast line which may b'
defective upon the charts or to deter
mine the exact location OF rocks o
shoals which hitherto have not beer
marked with sufficient accuracy.
The navigator has charge of all TIN
various weather indicators OF the YES