The Discovery of Longitude
The Discovery of Longitude showcases the fascinating story behind one of the most important changes to nautical navigation.
Long ago, sailors risked their lives, cargo, and ships when traveling the seas. They followed the shoreline, navigating by recognizable landmarks and the stars, but often became lost or wrecked upon the rocky coast. Those who traveled the waters wanted more; they wanted to be able to consistently, and safely, navigate across oceans. To do so, they needed to know three things: latitude, longitude, and direction.
A good ship’s captain could use a sextant, compass, and certain stars to find direction and latitude, but he needed to know the time, both on the ship and at a reference point, to find longitude. Unfortunately, an accurate source of time measurement at sea did not exist.
In 1714, the British government decided to offer a large reward to anyone who could solve the problem. Learned men and great thinkers tried unsuccessfully to work out a solution. They declared it unsolvable!
Carpenter and clockmaker John Harrison was intrigued; he thought he might have a solution. For years he strived to design and construct a clock that worked at sea. Harrison’s solution enabled sailors to cross the oceans of the world safely. However, it took a king to make sure he received the prize he had earned.
- About the author: A prolific writer for all ages and relentless promoter of reading, Joan Marie Galat uses storytelling to connect with audiences. Her books for children explore engineering, space, astronomy, ancient myths and legends, light pollution, litter, volcanoes, history, nature, wildlife, ecology, and other topics.
