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Brad:

 

I've applied 20/20 hindsight and have again uttered, "Why didn't I think of this before?"

 

I have blindly applied the sight taking rules for the equal altitude method, where the object is to determine the time of highest altitude. But that time is no longer needed. So, for "Unequal Altitudes" the two sets of altitude measurements should be centered around meridian transit. Then I have to accommodate George's Paradox: DWT is needed to get the time of transit, and the time of transit is needed to get DWT. I propose to use the time of transit estimated from the DR Longitude to schedule the sight takings and to get DWT, and then use that data to get the more accurate time of transit. Much simpler. And I no longer have to sin by extrapolating.

 

Historian Arnold Toynbee observed that creativity is enhanced by "The right amount of hardship." Thank you George for providing that right amount of hardship--not so much that the task is impossible, but enough to jar me loose from my complacent ignorance.

 

Now, I have to re-write the damn book. A nuisance.

 

Jim Wilson