Posted by Ed Kiser on October 27, 2007 at 16:46:03 from 64.12.116.198 user Kisered.
In Reply to: Re: Longitude, was Time Ball, was Signal Stations posted by David Bamford on October 27, 2007 at 12:20:42:
Imagine calculating the Longitude before the availability of portable timepieces. One gets to the desired latitude and then continues on a level course until he hits his target. No wonder Columbus was a bit off in his estimates when he thought he was hitting islands off Asia, being unaware of an entire continent between himself and Asia. The invention of a proper timepiece certainly opened the door to proper exploration and navigation with a bit more awareness just as to where one was.
Not that it was needed for navigation, but John certainly treasured his chronometer. Actually it was just his watch, but as master of his ship, that made it officially the master's chronometer.
Ed Kiser, Kentucky