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Posted

I've been on a historical fiction kick for a while now, starting with the Aubrey/Maturin series and now i'm on the Thomas Kydd series.  Both have been pretty educational for me and inspired me to learn more about that time period.  Even got to take a trip up to Boston to see Constitution, but there is one term i haven't found a solid answer for and it's bugging me.  Whenever another ship is spotted, they will say something like "3-points off the starboard bow" meaning it's in front of them and off to the right side i get, but how far is a point?

Posted

From the Merrian Webster dictionary for point:

 

 one of the 32 equidistant spots of a compass card for indicating direction

Posted

Hi everyone;

 

One point that some may not be aware of:  the picture posted by Jud shows what is known as a 'Compass Rose'.  This was the name of the (fictional?) corvette in Nicholas Monserrat's WW11 sea novel,  and it wasn't until many years after I first read it that I realised what the name meant.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

Previously built models (long ago, aged 18-25ish) POB construction. 32 gun frigate, scratch-built sailing model, Underhill plans.

2 masted topsail schooner, Underhill plans.

 

Started at around that time, but unfinished: 74 gun ship 'Bellona' NMM plans. POB 

 

On the drawing board: POF model of Royal Caroline 1749, part-planked with interior details. My own plans, based on Admiralty draughts and archival research.

 

Always on the go: Research into Royal Navy sailing warship design, construction and use, from Tudor times to 1790. 

 

Member of NRG, SNR, NRS, SMS

Posted

That Compass Rose might be printed in reverse image, if the Lubbers Line were on the Helmsman's side of the binnacle. On the far side it would be as shown with a magnifying device set on the top glass when steering by degrees became the norm.

jud :pirate41:

Posted

Slightly on a side topic.  A square rigger can not sail closer than about 6 points to the wind.  For example, with the wind from the North the ship could sail no closer than ENE or WNW.

 

Regards,

Henry

 

Laissez le bon temps rouler ! 

 

 

Current Build:  Le Soleil Royal

Completed Build Amerigo Vespucci

Posted
10 hours ago, probablynot said:

And if you can "box the compass", you can recite all the 32 points of the compass in their correct order.

When i did my ticket the examiner got me to do it backwards, in half points !

 

Mark

 

Mark D

Posted
14 hours ago, Mark P said:

Hi everyone;

 

One point that some may not be aware of:  the picture posted by Jud shows what is known as a 'Compass Rose'.  This was the name of the (fictional?) corvette in Nicholas Monserrat's WW11 sea novel,  and it wasn't until many years after I first read it that I realised what the name meant.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

A very clever use of words. Remember Compass Rose was a 'Flower' Class Corvette.

Jim

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