Re: Charles Cotter's "History of Nautical Astronomy"
Subject: Re: Charles Cotter's "History of Nautical Astronomy"
From: Aubrey O'Callaghan (ocallaghan@XXX.XXX)
Date: Tue Mar 25 2003 - 05:00:36 EST
George,
Cotter also wrote: "Elements of Navigation and Nautical Astronomy"
Do you know anything about this book ?
Thanks,
Aubrey.
At 09:20 25-03-03, you wrote:
>Bill Allen said-
>
> >Hi guys,
> >
> >A while back several of us were trying to get hold of a copy of Charles
> >Cotter's classic book on celestial navigation techniques, entitled "A
> >History of Nautical Astronomny." I have arranged to get copies of this
> >book and if anyone is still interested in a copy, they should contact me
> >privately on my email address:
> >
> >allen@XXX.XXX
> >
> >It really is a fantastic book and puts into perspective all of the
> >different techniques of celestial navigation.
> >
> >Bill Allen
>
>==================
>
>Comment from George-
>
>That's really interesting news. I agree with Bill Allen's evaluation of the
>book. It's long out of print, and very hard to find now on the secondhand
>market. It goes deeply into its subject, so readers have to be prepared to
>cope with some trigonometry. Most satisfying as a book to have on your
>shelf. Mine gets taken down often, and has no time to gather dust.
>
>However, it's somewhat marred by a prevalence of errors and misprints. With
>Jan Kalivoda's help I have listed those errors I know about in a posting on
>this list dated 8 Jan 03, subject: "Errors in Cotter's book, updated",
>which should be findable on the list's archive. If anyone asks, I will
>repost it. It lists some passages that are obviously wrong, and others that
>the reader should treat with suspicion.
>
>I have discovered no more errors since, but I understand that Jan has, and
>I hope that between us we can agree on posting a further update to the
>Nav-Llist before very long.
>
>Because we have found such a number, I have little doubt others must
>remain, lurking undetected, so far. I urge any reader discovering or
>suspecting further errors to contact me, or Jan, or post directly to the
>list.
>
>Certainly, these problems detract from the usefulness of Cotter's book, and
>it's a shame that he wasn't more careful. It seems to have been put
>together in rather a hurry. However, such errors are neutralised once
>they're known about, and I suggest to any owner or reader of Cotter that he
>prints those pages off and slips them into the book, as I have.
>
>In spite of these faults, Cotter's book is a wonderful compilation of stuff
>you won't find anywhere else, and I urge readers of this list to take up
>Bill's offer.
>
>To avoid confusion, be aware that Cotter wrote several other books,
>including a history of the navigator's sextant, coastal navigation,
>oceanography. We are referring here to "A History of Nautical Astronomy".
>
>George Huxtable.
>
>================================================================
>contact George Huxtable by email at george@XXX.XXX by phone at
>01865 820222 (from outside UK, +44 1865 820222), or by mail at 1 Sandy
>Lane, Southmoor, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 5HX, UK.
>================================================================
