NavList:

   

Reply

Dear Geoff,
Thanks for collecting the data.

I do not think that 1' difference is  important for the question, though it may be interesting why the
master mate memorized the number 49'. Or the author. Perhaps some manual said this.

To me, another aspect of the matter is even more curious. Of course the story is made up.
The question is how plausible it is.

Let me put is this way: how many members of this group, if suddenly asked, and not permitted to use any
external sources can  tell the Sun-Moon distance at some given time today, say within a degree?

I certainly cannot do this now. But there was a time when I practiced Lunars, 
almost every day when the Moon
was available, and at that time I could:-)

Alex.

   

Reply