Course correction in carriers’ future

Sign On San Diego ^ | 5/23/2010 | Jeanette Steele

[navyblue]

“How many folks on any vessels (military or commercial) at sea today know how to get a 3 star fix (with 2 mile accuracy) using a sextant, chronometer, and tables?”

Guilty sir!

[mad_as_he$$]

I think even the Vinson still uses a Ouja Board.

[mad_as_he$$]

Excellent analogy!

[Myrddin]

Paper maps with details of the sea bed are really good if you don't want to run aground. An accurate clock, sextant and star charts will get you by if the GPS satellites are wiped out. We are talking navy ships here that must be functional if forced into a war after EMP has knocked out critical infrastructure.

[Snickersnee]

This argument re GPS vs. “charts-and-darts” applies to the field artillery as well.

[gigster]

I’ve never known anyone who calls a navigational chart a “map”.
A proper sailor who navigates the oceans had better be able to take star-shots for dead reckoning. It may be one of the only choices he has in an emergency black-out.
One of the major flaws that bite people, here on the Great Lakes, is a over-reliance on GPS. They punch in a destination, hit go-to, and never consult a chart, which would show the rocky shoals that lie directly between them, and the destination, lakeside bar.
The ship I served on still had a quaint blow-pipe, a ships telegraph, a brass binnacle (complete w/navigators’ nuts), and a very large wooden wheel. No GPS. We were hi-tech with Loran, Radar, an intermitant Gyro, and charts.
The Captain was a crusty old Aussie (40), who would drink us young-uns under the the table, and then could circum-navigate us across the oceans with nary a care.

[USNBandit]

If you are talking about the flight deck model in Flight Deck Control, I heard they were coming up with an electronic version of that. Blasphemy, I tell ya.

They even got rid of Mr. Hand, the guy that used to move side numbers around the CCA pattern for Case III ops.

[AnAmericanMother]

I must go down to the sea again - to the lonely sea and the sky.
(I left my shirt and trousies there - I wonder if they're dry.)

. . . don't blame me, blame Spike Milligan (may he rest in peace.)

[ConorMacNessa]

LOL! Masefield, of course, is spinning in his grave!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[AnAmericanMother]

Dang, you had BETTER know how to use the charts or you are going to be in heap big trouble.

I heard about some non-navigating idiot in the Atlantic Race for Cruisers who accidentally programmed BOTH his GPSs at 700 kts instead of 7. Several days into the race he radio'd at large in a panic because the GPS said he was in the Sea of Japan somewhere.

[LonePalm]

I'm a bit out of practice but I can do it.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[AnAmericanMother]

Oh, Masefield was a good sport and probably would have a big laugh and a beer with Milligan.

Shoot, maybe they ARE having a beer in a celestial hole-in-the-wall somewhere.

[AnAmericanMother]

Geez, we used to make fun of pilots who went from VOR station to VOR station.

My CFI drilled old-fashioned navigation into my head very thoroughly. I was very grateful for that instruction when schlepping Cub Scouts around in the North Georgia mountains.

[70times7]

The pilot totally depended on his GPS avionics. He could not fly dead reckoning or a compass. This should be like spelling- you have to know the word to know what to answer spellcheck with...

Hear hear! Eye donut think its two much too ask. Their are to many weighs two screw up if ewe depend on gizmo's. I here much of hour equipment is nut hardened - subject two EMPs. Know won should depend exclusively on electronics. (this page spell checked!)

[pfflier]

It works doesn’t it?

[ASOC]

I’m sure that same bridge crew winds the chronometer in the drawer of the chart table every day at exactly the same time and then notes any error, the successive daily rate, with average daily rate.

When in danger
OR in doubt
Hoist all sail
and you know the rest.

[AlmaKing]

A vet ensign(?) explained that to us today on the Midway tour in San Diego.

The Reagan and 2 other carriers were sitting across the bay, and he pointed out that the same navigation and piloting skills are applicable on those carriers.

It’s wonderful having those vets explaining everything on the tours. I enjoyed the vet who explained how the carrier was steam powered and what it was like working in the engine room.

[gigster]

Well, you had me going for a second,there.

[gigster]

I must go down to the sea again-to the lonely sea and the sky.

And all I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by.

[70times7]

Mission accomplished! ;^)