The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-01-14
BOXING COMPASS ANEW
OFFICE PRO
POSES NEW SYSTEM

Would Do Away With Points" and
Describe Courses by Degrees Only.
The New System Described.
The United States photographic
office has decided that a simplitied COM
pass is a necessity of the new century.
1t considers the points superlluOus
and suggests a much simpler COntriv-
ance, which it claims will give better
results. In order to obtain the opinion
Of shipmasters the world over it has
issued circular accompanied by dia-
gram of the new compass and copy Of
each has been furnished or will be fur
nished to every ship captain in United
States ports. Every captain will be
asked to forward his opinion on the
proposed change, and if the majority
are favorable to it, then Uncle Sam
viii adopt the new compass for use on
all American vessels.
The circumference of the card is divi-
ded into the usual $50 degrees and
marked continuously to the right, from
o. at north to 80 at east 1870 at south
270' at west and 800 at north.
The card is subdivided as follows;
(a) Into divisions of 10 degrees, ac-
centuated by heavy lines on the gradu-
ated rim, and by suitable geometric
sion of the card being indicated in fig
ures by it's appropriate number from
o. or north.
CD Each 1O-degree division of the
card is further subdivided into half and
quarter divisions and appropriately
marked.
Co Every fifth degree line of the
graduated circle between the 10-degree
divisions is marked in figures, indicat-
ing its appropriate number from o. or
north.
cd The cardinal and intercardinal di-
rections are emphasized on the card in
geometric figures.
The present card contains points and
degrees. The conversion of one into the
other is a natural result of the pres
ence of both, but is not a necessity, as
would speedily be recognized We're the
points omitted. Accuracy requires eX-
preston in degrees for courses, bear
ings and compass errors, and not in
points, the use of which is but a dupli-
cation of work.
A comparison of a few leading fea-
lures of the present system with that
proposed is given below:
PRESENT CARD.
36Oo=32 points.
point=1L25o.
% points,. 625o.
"A piont=2. S125o.
Graduated circle is marked in degrees
in each quadrant, from o. at north and
south to 90 at east and west.
The fifth point is NE. by e. or n. Sc
a E.
The thirteenth point is Sc. by S. or
$50 q f.
The course is S. 1So E. or S. by E.
Is e.
Easterly deviation is addtive in the
NE. and SW. quadrants; subtractive
in the Sc. and NV. quadrants, to COM
pass course to get magnetic.
Westerly deviation is subtractive in
NE. and SW. quadrants; additive in
Sc. and NV. quadrants, to compass
course to get magnetic.
PROPOSED CARD.
5000 divisions.
l division=100:
| ~ diVision=50.
"a diVision=2.5o.
Graduated circle is marked in degrees
continuously to the right from o. at
north to 360oat north again.
The fifth division is So, multiple
of 1O0.
The thirteenth division is 1902 null
tiple of 100.
The course is 1922.
Easterly deviation is always additive
to compass course to get magnetic.
tive from compass course to get mag
netic.
In line with the proposed card, the
compass rose on the chart should be
marked from o. at north continuously
to the right to 1907, emitting the pres
ent system of points. The sailing di-
rections should give courses and bear
ings in degrees, and not in points. The
azimuth tables would require only a
| few changes i'm the rules.
1t is believed that the proposed mark
! ings of the compass card would result
in greater accuracy in navigation IN its
relation to the compass. Courses would
| be laid in degrees and more accurately
noted, as the approximate course OF
| SW. by w. 4 W. "a little westerly
for example, would be replaced by the
exact course of 240o, Chances of error
in the application of the deviation tC
compass courses would be lessened
| Conversion of points into degrees and
| the reverse would be eliminated from
the problem. Boxing the compass would
| be a matter of a few minutes instruc'
ton to the layman of average intelli'
gence. Sailing directions would be sim
| plfied All work in relation to the
| compass would be facilitated.
Note Heads. Bill Heads, Statements
and Fine Commercial Printing at the