The Elements of Navigation: A Short and Complete Explanation of the Standard Methods of Finding the Position of a Ship at Sea and the Course to Be ... Instruction of Beginners (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

W. J. Henderson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0365288489 ISBN 13: 9780365288480

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Master the art of safe, confident navigation at sea with this compact, beginner-friendly guide.

This trusted manual introduces the core ideas of finding a ship’s position and plotting a direct course. It balances practical steps with concise explanations, helping new navigators move from basic concepts to real-world skills.

This edition brings your study up to speed with clear, terse instruction. You’ll learn how to combine dead‑reckoning with observation, use charts and the log, and apply practical methods for coastwise navigation. The text emphasizes steady, accurate practice, so you build reliable habits from the start. The book also explains how to read the Nautical Almanac, adjust a sextant, and correct for common errors, all in accessible language.

• Foundations of navigation: dead-reckoning and observation, plus when to use each method
• Practical tools: charts, the log, lead-line, sextant adjustments, and time/altitude concepts
• Step-by-step techniques for taking sights, calculating positions, and plotting courses
• Tips for coastwise guidance, from line-of-bearing to depth soundings and nuisance factors

Ideal for beginners, yachtsmen, and anyone wanting a clear, actionable path to mastering navigation at sea.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0365288489
• ISBN 13: 9780365288480
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 238