In the early days of sailing and navigation, sailors had to stay close to the coast. They looked to the shore for landmarks to guide them. Hills, cliffs, churches, and windmills could all give a navigator key clues to his location. As local knowledge grew, and more people navigated coastal waters, books showcasing the horizon and specific landmarks regarding your route became available for purchase. A sailor knew as long as he could see land, he wasn’t truly lost. By keeping an eye on the coast, you had that rough idea of your location.

 

SHOW NOTES:

:58 Sir Cloudsley

1:40 Why Sailors Look Up

2:15 Red Sky at Night

4:05 Mackerel Sky & Mare’s Tails

6:06 Dead Reckoning

9:00 Celestial Navigation

9:10 Astrolabe

9:35 Cross Staff

10:00 Back Staff

10:20 Quadrants

10:30 Octant

10:55 Sextant

11:20 Determining Longitude

11:40 Chronometer

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Mackerel & Mackerel Sky

Mare’s Tail