Longitude was a matter of life and death for sailors from "summary" of Longitude by Dava Sobel
The determination of a ship's position at sea was a formidable challenge for sailors in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The problem of longitude was particularly vexing, as latitude could be easily determined by measuring the angle of the sun or stars above the horizon. However, without an accurate means of measuring longitude, sailors were left to rely on dead reckoning, a method that was imprecise and often led to disastrous consequences. Without a reliable method of determining longitude, ships were at risk of becoming lost at sea for days, weeks, or even months on end. This not only resulted in delays in reaching their destinations but also posed a serious threat to the lives of sailors on board. Navigation errors could lead to ships running aground, colliding with other vessels, or succumbing to the perils of the open ocean. Inaccurate charts and navigational instruments only compounded the problem, making it even more difficult for sailors to accurately plot their course. The lack of a solution to the longitude problem was a source of frustration and concern for sailors and navigators alike. Countless lives were lost,...
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