Navigator: The Story Of Nathaniel Bowditch

by Alfred Stanford

1927. A biography of Bowditch, mathematician and navigator. Until Bowditch, ships found their way across ocean tracks with no exact calculation of their courses. Bowditch made it possible for them to sail in as nearly a straight line as weather would permit by the first workable system of navigation. It was his concept that gave American ships their fleetness, and it was the fleetness of American ships that so largely formed a country for so many years dependent on its maritime trade. The straight line has always been the shortest distance, hence the quickest course between two points. His simple achievement had far-reaching results that laid the foundation for the golden age of the clipper ship that was to follow.

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2004

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

Bowditch discovered many practical shortcuts to navigation including the important discovery of "The Line of Position"