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We were taught to move the eyes in a shallow ellipse, making perhaps four or 
five ellipses in a 90 degree horizontal sector.  Across the horizon, then on 
diagonals from below the horizon to above the horizon.

This was our "primary" method at night on a destroyer type, as normal steaming 
didn't include radar - the other guy can easily find you if you're radiating 
(radar or radio).

The moon was the big wildcard.  Masthead lights "pop" over the horizon on dark 
nights, but tend to get lost in the moon's shimmer when the moon's out.  "Oh 
h*ll!  Where'd he come from?!" wasn't uncommon on hot humid moonlit nights 
with an easy swell running, nights when a tired lookout's eyelids gain 
weight.  Solution was to put him on sound-powered phones and make him report 
to the bridge every five minutes, which meant he couldn't hear the sea.  
Which meant, to satisfy international requirement for a "continuous sight and 
sound lookout," the Junior Officer of the Deck got the job of running from 
bridge wing to bridge wing, listening for bells or horns or whatever.  We 
hated moonlit nights, and were envious of merchies with their navigation 
radars.

Joe



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