The History of Navigation
Today travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus.

The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolobes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel.

Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind’s quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival.
1129348385
The History of Navigation
Today travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus.

The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolobes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel.

Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind’s quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival.
42.95 In Stock
The History of Navigation

The History of Navigation

by Dag Pike
The History of Navigation

The History of Navigation

by Dag Pike

Hardcover

$42.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 2-4 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Today travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus.

The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolobes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel.

Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind’s quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526731692
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 11/02/2018
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dag Pike first went to sea aged 16 on tramp ships and experienced his first shipwreck two years later. He became the youngest Trinity House lighthouse tender captain aged 29. He went to become an Inspector of Lifeboats responsible for some 50 RNLI stations.

He has participated in six Atlantic record attempts and, as a member of the Italian Destriero project, made the fastest crossing averaging over 53 knots.

He lives at Bristol.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

1 In the Beginning 1

2 Over the Horizon 9

3 Soundings 25

4 Heading in the Right Direction 39

5 Speed 51

6 Fixing the Position 61

7 Charts and Pilot Books 77

8 Buoys and Lighthouses 95

9 Making Landfalls 109

10 Electronic Navigation 123

11 Passage-Planning and Weather 137

12 Collision Avoidance 155

13 The New Stars in the Sky 173

14 The Human Element 189

15 The Future 195

Index 201

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews