PREFACE TO PART I. While there are many excellent works on navigation and seamanship, it is a fact that up to the present time there has not existed a book written for, and especially adapted to, the needs of yachtsmen. It was the recognition of this want which induced the author to publish "The Yachtsman's Guide." By reference to Part I, it will be seen that the book starts from a rudimentary point, that article succeeds article in proper order, so that when the first section is intelligently disposed of, a substantial foundation for the reception of practical navigation has been prepared. Part II treats on practical navigation. In addition to this, Part III of the volume is devoted to yacht organization, handling of steam and sail yachts under various circumstances, seamanship, valuable rules, etc., forming, the author believes he can consistently claim, the strongest possible combination to rely upon for the success of a yachting work. As each part is prefaced separately and fully, repetition will be avoided by not anticipating anything further in relation to the second and third sections of the book. THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS.- PART I. Preliminary Remarks Geographical The Mariner's Compass-its construction, how it is "boxed," and the relation and value of points and angles to Short Treatise on the Compass-Explanation why variation is not considered when shaping a course by the parallel The Ecliptic and Declination—why and how the latter is cor- The Quadrant-how to read it and adjust it The Patent Log-when and how to set it-to allow to it for Leeway-manner of determining it and allowing it to a course PAGE. 11 18 23 25 27 28 Drift when Hove-to--how to find it and apply it PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Before we entertain the question of navigation, it is necessary to refresh the memory with a few salient features of geography: The earth is practically a spherical body, and revolves on its axis (an imaginary line running through the centre of the earth) from west to east, making a complete revolution in twenty-four hours. The extremities of the earth's axis are at the north and south geographical poles, and the latitude of the poles is 90° north and south respectively. A great circle, or imaginary line, surrounding the earth, equi-distant between the two poles, is called the equator, and this is the circle of no latitude; but counting north and south from this circle latitude increases, until, reaching the poles, it receives a value of 90° and ceases. The equator is called by seamen the Line. That part of the earth which lies on the north side of the equator is called the northern hemisphere, and on the south side the southern hemisphere; and any place in the northern hemisphere is in north latitude, and any place in the southern hemisphere is in south latitude. Latitude is reckoned in degrees (°), minutes ('), and seconds ("). Sixty seconds make one minute (1'), and sixty minutes make one degree (1°). A minute of latitude and a mile of latitude are one and the same. The lines, or parallels, of latitude are drawn across the surface of the globe, running east and west, being parallel (hence their name) to the equator. Circles perpendicular to the equator, and extending from pole to pole, are called meridians. All meridians meet at the poles, and there the longitude is nothing, for, although the latitude of the poles is 90°, there can be no longitude, because the poles are the extremities of the earth's axis, and at those points there is neither east nor west, and a ship at the north pole can only sail a south course until she has gone far enough away from the pole to |