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Well George, I must confess to being amazed at finding the article both 
enlightening and good reading. The author apparently is/was a co-author of 
"Dutton's" which is a famous text here. (I haven't read that, no.)

I expect the list would be very interested to read it if we could get permission to post it online.

It may be worth asking our ONR for a release of the original full report, 
although I'm sure they will wonder why on earth someone is only now asking 
for an obscure 40-year old report. If the ONR actually published the 
report here, then that publication would be in the public domain. Does anyone 
here have a contact at the US Office of Naval Research?

I didn't see a date on the journal article but it appears to be circa 1960, 
soon after the report, which makes the references to a dekstop computer, 
electric computer [sic] and electronic computer somewhat odd since none of 
those would have been available for civilian or commercial use at sea until 
the mid-80's at least. Assuming the journal article is then at least from the 
1980's rather than the 1960's I wonder what else got quietly edited along the 
way.

The references to air/water temperature differences and the poor horizon from 
a land site are totally news to me, I don't think they are taught or even 
mentioned in most "civilian" circles here. The same for the mention of 
"Japanese" tables to correct for them, I was unaware there were tables of any 
kind to correct sextant sightings for air/water temperature differences, 
although I am familiar with thermal mirage and similar problems on a larger 
level.

Likewise a web search for "Garvisheff dip-meter" returned no hits, whatever 
these gadgets are they apparently are as common as hens' teeth although a 
Cmdr. Gavrisheff has won some recent USN engineering awards. Perhaps other 
members of the list could shed some light on these.

Interestingly, and somewhat contrary to the spirit of this list, the author 
does suggest the use of electronic devices for sight reduction and gently 
condemns the use of the Nautical Almanac as being simply too crude a tool for 
good positions.

overall a very interesting report from what can only be regarded as a highly qualified author.

   

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