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On Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 6:11 PM, Fred Hebard  wrote:
> lunars for sure.  Connaissance_des_Temps was started in the 1680s or so.

For sure?  Are there ship logs or other records that show how often
French navy navigators used lunars in 1780?

My doubts are based in part upon examining American navy logs of a
generation later that showed that several senior captains were relying
upon noon sights and dead reckoning for navigation.  I have to wonder
if the French of 30 years before had adopted more advanced techniques.
The officers of that era were generally selected from the aristocracy
with less concern for their experience and merit than their English
counterparts (in France, the army drew the best and the brightest).
The French maritime interests were also more centered around Europe
and the Mediterranean, with less overseas commerce than the English.

Perhaps Frank has some insights?

Don Seltzer

   

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