Navigation Contents

Introduction | Glossary | First Chapter >>

In which we list what advice we offer to Navigators.

The Introduction describes why Navigation is essential knowledge in this age, what is involved in Navigating, and what manner of person should become a Navigator.

The Glossary introduces and defines a number of useful terms that every Mariner must be familiar with.

1. The First Chapter shows what the 32 points of the compass are, and to what uses they may be put.
2. The Second Chapter treats of the golden numbers of Saros, showing the Epact, and thus the age of the Moon.
3. The Third Chapter teaches how to know by the age of the Moon what the time is, or when High Tide is at any place where you know what delay that place causes on the Tide.
4. The Fourth Chapter treats of the Sun and the Moon's course in the Zodiac, and how you shall know at what hours the Moon shall rise and set, and at what point of the compass, with other necessary things.
5. The Fifth Chapter is of a table of declination, commonly known by seafarers as the Regiment of the Sun, which will serve for every day of the month.
6. The Sixth Chapter shows how to take the height of the Sun with the Cross-staff or Astrolabe, and also how to find the true Meridian, with other necessary matters.
7. The Seventh Chapter shows how to handle the declination of the Sun, to know the altitude of the Celestial Pole above the Horizon, whether you are in normal climes, near the Equator, in the southern ocean, or near the Poles of the World.
8. The Eighth Chapter shows how you shall know the length of the day, and to know how much the day is shortened or lengthened by the Sun's declination.
9. The Ninth Chapter concerns the North Star
10. The Tenth Chapter shows you by using your compass, how far you sail to raise a degree, and how much you depart from the Meridian, etc.
11. The Eleventh Chapter shows how to know the distance of any land to you, if you know the distance between any two places, whether you run alongside the land, or directly towards the shore, or otherwise, with other necessary things.
12. The Twelfth Chapter treats of Longitude, etc.
13. The Thirteenth Chapter shows how many miles are in one degree of Longitude in every Latitude between the Equinoctial and the Poles, and also the diversity of aspects of the Moon.
14. The Fourteenth Chapter treats of the Longitude and Latitude of Certain of the most Notable Towns in the Baronies, and around all of Alusia; along with the different timing of the change of the moon, and the different lengths of the longest day in summer.
15. The Fifteenth Chapter shows how to sail by the Globe, and to know how much the water is higher than the level between any two ships on the sea, which grows by the roundness of the earth.
16. The Sixteenth Chapter is concerned with Charting, and of the three necessary things contained in all good charts, along with their uses.
17. The Seventeenth Chapter is of Longitude and declination of 32 notable fixed stars for Navigation, with tables of their shining, and at what point of the compass they do both rise and set; with tables for every month of the year, for mariners out from Seagate Port.
18. The Eighteenth Chapter shows you the making of a general Instrument, to know the hour of the day throughout the world.
19. The Nineteenth Chapter wishes to treat of the soundings of every major port, safe harbour and set of shoals from Novadom along to Destiny; with other necessary matters for those that occupy or deal amongst sandbanks.
20. The Twentieth Chapter touches on the variation of the compass, called the Northeasting and Northwesting, and how to give a guess to know the Longitude.
21. The Twenty-First Chapter explains the importance of a good Ships Log, including examples from an actual log.
22. The Twenty-Second Chapter shows the making and use of a Sun Compass, for those navigating on a vessel powered with Cavorite.
23. The Twenty-Third Chapter touches on some of the theories of the Behaviour of Planets, including which elements may concern Navigators, and which may safely be ignored.
24. The Twenty-Fourth Chapter lists some of the Navigational numbers for Alusia, along with comparisons to two other worlds explored by the author.
25. The Twenty-Fifth Chapter is a speculative work raising matters for consideration in Navigating through the Void of space when travelling to other worlds.

The First Exercise details how to find your latitude from three different measures.

The Second Exercise details how to locate where the Sun will be at any time and place.

The Third Exercise details how to locate where the Moon should be at any time and place, ignoring the effects of Saros and the Auge.

The Technical Appendix contains a collection of configurable tables that will save the casual Mariner much calculation.