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American Practical Navigator: Volume 1 & 2
Navigator, first published in 1802, was billed as the "epitome of navigation" by its original author, Nathaniel Bowditch. The text has evolved with the advances in navigation practices since that first issue and continues to serve as a valuable reference for marine navigation in the modern day. The publication describes in detail the principles and factors of navigation, including piloting, electronic navigation, celestial navigation, mathematics, safety, oceanography and meterology. It also contains various tables used in typical navigational calculations and solutions, including the formulas used to derive the tabular data. - NGA
- GenresNonfictionReference
446 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1802
43 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Bowditch
89Ìýbooks3ÌýfollowersNathaniel Bowditch was an early American mathematician remembered for his work on ocean navigation. He is often credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation; his book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still carried on board every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel. In 2001, an elementary and middle school in Salem was named in his honor.
Father of:
Henry Ingersoll Bowditch
Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch
and grandfather of:
Henry Pickering Bowditch
Charles Pickering Bowditch
Father of:
Henry Ingersoll Bowditch
Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch
and grandfather of:
Henry Pickering Bowditch
Charles Pickering Bowditch
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 15, 2022
Slightly out of date but the calculation tables are handy.
December 5, 2020
This is the classic navigator's textbook and reference guide. It is revised every two years, and continues to summarize all of the essential tools a navigator needs. Indeed, the organization of the book is an education in itself; these are the important things. With the latest edition (currently 2019), the book is now available as a free pdf. Printing it all out, though, will doubtless set you back considerably more than just buying a copy. It's readable and meticulous.
Want to read
September 25, 2011... a comprehensive manuscript on the art of navigation, also serves as a handbook on oceanography and meteorology related to the field...
the contents include the following, (got this outline from wikipedia):
Part I
Fundamentals, includes an overview of the types and phases of marine navigation and the organizations which support and regulate it. It includes chapters relating to the structure, use and limitations of nautical charts; chart datums and their importance; and other material of a basic nature.
Part II
Piloting, emphasizes the practical aspects of navigating a vessel in restricted waters.
Part III
Electronic Navigation, covers the primary means of positioning of the modern navigator. Chapters deal with each of the several electronic methods of navigation, organized by type.
Part IV
Celestial Navigation, contains techniques, examples and problems and a chapter on sight reduction.
Part V
Navigational Mathematics, includes chapters relating to such topics as basic navigational mathematics and computer use in the solution of navigation problems.
Part VI
Navigational Safety, discusses aspects of the new distress and safety communications systems now in place or being implemented in the next several years, as well as navigation regulations, emergency navigation procedures, and distress communications.
Part VII
Oceanography, contains chapters on practical oceanography of use to the mariner.
Part VII
Marine Meteorology, incorporates weather routing and forecasting methods as well as color plates of the Beaufort Sea States.
the contents include the following, (got this outline from wikipedia):
Part I
Fundamentals, includes an overview of the types and phases of marine navigation and the organizations which support and regulate it. It includes chapters relating to the structure, use and limitations of nautical charts; chart datums and their importance; and other material of a basic nature.
Part II
Piloting, emphasizes the practical aspects of navigating a vessel in restricted waters.
Part III
Electronic Navigation, covers the primary means of positioning of the modern navigator. Chapters deal with each of the several electronic methods of navigation, organized by type.
Part IV
Celestial Navigation, contains techniques, examples and problems and a chapter on sight reduction.
Part V
Navigational Mathematics, includes chapters relating to such topics as basic navigational mathematics and computer use in the solution of navigation problems.
Part VI
Navigational Safety, discusses aspects of the new distress and safety communications systems now in place or being implemented in the next several years, as well as navigation regulations, emergency navigation procedures, and distress communications.
Part VII
Oceanography, contains chapters on practical oceanography of use to the mariner.
Part VII
Marine Meteorology, incorporates weather routing and forecasting methods as well as color plates of the Beaufort Sea States.
June 13, 2011
The Bible of the Navigators.
No wonder why this book laboured by the mathematician Bowditch become a must in every shelves on every ship. With almost a thousand of pages, of course it is not that handy. But nevertheless, every page is condensed to contain vital information that have practical application on navigation. This book is a recommended to every navigators who wanted just one reference in their study.
No wonder why this book laboured by the mathematician Bowditch become a must in every shelves on every ship. With almost a thousand of pages, of course it is not that handy. But nevertheless, every page is condensed to contain vital information that have practical application on navigation. This book is a recommended to every navigators who wanted just one reference in their study.
January 10, 2008
I haven't read this book from cover to cover. Since it is unlikely I will ever be able to spend any length of time on an ocean going ship this book is my chance to live vicariously through those who put a reference work such as this to practical use. Sometimes I will put some music on and read a few pages, then skip ahead or back and read a few more. So much better than a cheesy nautical tattoo.
October 16, 2015
There is a ton of useful information in this huge book. I wouldn't use it as a starting point if you are trying to learn celestial navigation, unless you are taking a class. This is a great resource and adjunct to other references and is probably one of the most in depth available. This does not contain any of the tables of ephemera required to do sight reductions.
January 21, 2008
Bowditch discovered the line of position.
Want to read
November 18, 2009Actually, this isn't the translation I'm reading, but its close enough :D
July 16, 2010
1938 edition.
August 3, 2011
The navigator's Bible.
January 8, 2013
A labour of love.
September 15, 2016
The marine reference covering dead reckoning, celestial navigation, and weather clearly, thoroughly and concisely.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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