Posted by Peter Ceresole on September 11, 2003 at 17:28:19 from 80.177.22.49 user PeterC.
In Reply to: Re: Survey Problem-QBASIC answer posted by Jon on September 11, 2003 at 16:06:34:
the base map had both the kraal and the landing place marked. That would give them the necessary two known points. I don't recall seeing bearings to the landing place
Looking at the "Rough Map with Bearings" SW p.75 in my 1947 edition, they didn't use the landing place as a fixed mark, probably because it wasn't easily visible from elsewhere. They used the Kraal as their reference point, and their base line was the dyke at the western end of Swallow Island,upon which they had pitched their camp.
It wasn't a real baseline. They didn't measure it. The only length indication they seem to have had was the "one mile" drawn by their father on the rough map- and for direction they had his compass rose that they copied onto the other roughs they made. At first glance (it's years since I read the whole book) they didn't measure any distances on the ground, just took bearings. It's clear that they didn't have time to do it properly, so relied on the rough map for a great deal.
Reading it again, it is such a beautifully written story with such rounded characters and descriptions that put you right there... Golly, AR was good...