I was just looking for compass stuff in some nautical clip art I have (we used it a lot when I edited Reed’s). I came across this image and must say I don’t know for sure what this fellow is up to. I see what seem to be a telescope on what may be a pelorus, an earphone, a microphone, a booklet, and maybe a control box with cables or tubing headed off somewhere. What is this gent doing?
Posted by: bilbo at September 17, 2005 7:47 PM | Reply
Surely, that's a Pocket PC in his left hand!
Posted by: Richard Stephens at September 18, 2005 3:15 AM | Reply
In the early 1900's certain lightships were equipped with a fog horn, an underwater bell and an RDF signal. The differential time of arrival between the bell and fog horn sound gave distance off. The navigator is listening to an underwater microphone, nulling an RDF meter and taking a visual bearing. A busy guy, not to mention all the traffic.
Posted by: Walter Guinon at September 18, 2005 11:57 PM | Reply
I have to admit to being dubious, Walter, but found some backup for your theory here:
http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/ultrasonics_history.html
Thanks! What's the saying---"you learn something every day." Now I can go back to bed.
Posted by: Ben at September 19, 2005 6:39 PM | Reply
I'd guess he's calling out ranges and bearings to a gunnery below deck during a battle.
Posted by: Patrick at September 20, 2005 3:58 AM | Reply
I wondered about gunnery too, but here's more evidence for the 'Walter' theory:
Posted by: Ben at September 20, 2005 3:21 PM | Reply
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Testing NMEA 2000