Bowditch's American Practical Navigator

[Humblebee]

Hi folks, I've come across a few references to this but never seen a copy. Anyone got it? Worth having a copy of?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[sarabande]

Quite fun and a good read for traditional technology. Pretty solid serif text which is hard work after an hour.


The best is the free .pdf, for reading on a laptop or Kindle.

http://geocenter.survey.ntua.gr/mai...ocumentation/american_practical_navigator.pdf

 

[requiem]

I have a relatively modern (2002) hardbound copy, but you can find newer and older versions online. I'd consider it the definitive text on navigation, and it has been kept updated since its first publication just over two centuries ago. The current 2019 edition may be found here: https://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=msi_portal_page_62&pubCode=0002. (The wikipedia entry briefly describes a few of the differences in recent versions.)

The older versions are interesting in their own right; they include chapters that teach basic arithmetic all the way up through the spherical trigonometry needed for celestial navigation. If ſerifs are troubleſome to read, you'll have even greater fun with the older editions' uſe of the 'long s'.

 

[zoidberg]

I have a relatively modern (2002) hardbound copy, but you can find newer and older versions online.

I'm pleased to have a 1962 copy on my 'nav bookshelf' beside one of HMQueen's 'RAF Manual Of Air Navigation' and a 1969 'Duttons', all four editions of Coles' 'Heavy Weather Failing' and feveral otherf authored by Adlard Coles himfelf. For someone interested in the mentally processes involved in successful navigation, I am pleased to be considered an Armchair Navigator.

The older versions are interesting in their own right; they include chapters that teach basic arithmetic all the way up through the spherical trigonometry needed for celestial navigation. If ſerifs are troubleſome to read, you'll have even greater fun with the older editions' uſe of the 'long s'.

I guess I'm one of those few 'fogeys' who can remember and - better still - even use my schoolboy arithmetic. The several calculus's were interesting, for a while, before girls supplanted rigorous and rational thought. I tried Principia Mathematica once, but got little further than the print on the cover. Now girls..... I had a tad more success there, and 'played to my strengths' thereafter.

 

[Humblebee]

Much obliged for the comments gents. I'll have a look at the free Kindle version before deciding whether to buy a copy or not. Thanks for the tip Sarabande.