The American Practical Navigator

by National Imagery and Mapping Agency

THIS EDITION IS THE 2002 EDITION. Nathanial Bowditch first published this encyclopedic work in 1802. During the last two centuries over 75 editions, almost 1,000,000 copies, of Bowditch have been published by the US Government. It has lived because it has combined the best technologies of each generation of navigator. This edition includes the latest advances in electronic navigation and digital charting technology. It also covers non-electronic navigation such as celestial, plotting and dead reckoning. Bowditch contains numerous tables which have been valued for years by practicing navigators. Bowditch is carried on the bridge of every U.S. Navy ship and should be the mainstay of any serious navigator's library.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

896 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1802

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly out of date but the calculation tables are handy.

[John Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the classic navigator's textbook and reference guide. It is revised every two years, and continues to summarize all of the essential tools a navigator needs. Indeed, the organization of the book is an education in itself; these are the important things. With the latest edition (currently 2019), the book is now available as a free pdf. Printing it all out, though, will doubtless set you back considerably more than just buying a copy. It's readable and meticulous.

[Daniel De Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gud

[for-much-deliberation ...]

... a comprehensive manuscript on the art of navigation, also serves as a handbook on oceanography and meteorology related to the field...

the contents include the following, (got this outline from wikipedia):

Part I
Fundamentals, includes an overview of the types and phases of marine navigation and the organizations which support and regulate it. It includes chapters relating to the structure, use and limitations of nautical charts; chart datums and their importance; and other material of a basic nature.

Part II
Piloting, emphasizes the practical aspects of navigating a vessel in restricted waters.

Part III
Electronic Navigation, covers the primary means of positioning of the modern navigator. Chapters deal with each of the several electronic methods of navigation, organized by type.

Part IV
Celestial Navigation, contains techniques, examples and problems and a chapter on sight reduction.

Part V
Navigational Mathematics, includes chapters relating to such topics as basic navigational mathematics and computer use in the solution of navigation problems.

Part VI
Navigational Safety, discusses aspects of the new distress and safety communications systems now in place or being implemented in the next several years, as well as navigation regulations, emergency navigation procedures, and distress communications.

Part VII
Oceanography, contains chapters on practical oceanography of use to the mariner.

Part VII
Marine Meteorology, incorporates weather routing and forecasting methods as well as color plates of the Beaufort Sea States.

[Aries · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible of the Navigators.

No wonder why this book laboured by the mathematician Bowditch become a must in every shelves on every ship. With almost a thousand of pages, of course it is not that handy. But nevertheless, every page is condensed to contain vital information that have practical application on navigation. This book is a recommended to every navigators who wanted just one reference in their study.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this book from cover to cover. Since it is unlikely I will ever be able to spend any length of time on an ocean going ship this book is my chance to live vicariously through those who put a reference work such as this to practical use. Sometimes I will put some music on and read a few pages, then skip ahead or back and read a few more. So much better than a cheesy nautical tattoo.

[William Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a ton of useful information in this huge book. I wouldn't use it as a starting point if you are trying to learn celestial navigation, unless you are taking a class. This is a great resource and adjunct to other references and is probably one of the most in depth available. This does not contain any of the tables of ephemera required to do sight reductions.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bowditch discovered the line of position.

[Amy]

Actually, this isn't the translation I'm reading, but its close enough :D

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

1938 edition.

[Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The navigator's Bible.

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A labour of love.

[Steve Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

The marine reference covering dead reckoning, celestial navigation, and weather clearly, thoroughly and concisely.