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Re: Transcript Of Worsleys Navigational Log Book
From: Brad Morris
Date: 2017 Feb 8, 17:04 -0500

Robin

I do believe, quite strongly, that one of his references should contain the coordinates of Cape Belsham.

One very well known method of calibrating our chronometer is to compare it to a known bit of land when ashore.

Whilst Worsley is undoubtedly a master navigator, it's incredulous to think that he has accurately memorized the latitude and longitude of multiple landmarks in the Antarctic. Further, prior to being trapped in the ice, Elephant Island was not intended for landing. Cape Belsham would have been an entirely obscure reference. Why bother memorizing it at all?

Yet Worsley specifically mentions Cape Belsham in his log book. He specifically uses it to calibrate his chronometer. One cannot do that without reference to the coordinates of that known geographic location.

It follows then, that an epitome, a table or a chart in his possession must have Cape Belsham and it's coordinates. The requirement of coordinates for chronometer calibration drives the issue.

In checking both the Epitome and the Tables, the Norie tomes that I have examined do NOT contain such a reference. Which leads me to suggest that the reference to the "epitome" may very well NOT be Norie. That's a much weaker assertion than the requirement that SOME reference must contain Cape Belsham. He could have had Norie AND another Cape Belsham reference. Surely two books isn't out of the question. It just begs the question, why two, when one would do, in a small boat, in extremis when meandering about the Southern Ocean.

Brad

On Feb 8, 2017 4:35 PM, "Robin Stuart" <NoReply_Stuart@fer3.com> wrote:

Brad,
What makes you think that the book that Worsley refers to as "epitome" should contain a mention of Cape Belsham?
You wrote: "Why do you think the reference to be Norie?"
It's because I can't imagine him writing "A Complete Epitome of Practical Navigation, and Nautical Astronomy" in the log!
Worsely must have had some tables with him. He mentions the epitome and Nautical Almanac together and it appears that they were both being opened frequently. I doubt that he would have been too concerned if his Sailing Directions got soggy mid voyage.
Are there any other sets of tables in use athe time that might get the moniker "epitome". There's Bowditch but it was a British expedition. As Lars notes he could have had an edition that combined text and tables. Maybe he just thought of the tables as the epitome volume 2,
Regards,
Robin

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