Even So Late As The Date Of The Periphes Of The Erythraean Sea, Which Dr. Vincent Has Fixed About The Tenth Year Of Nero's Reign, Only Eight Points Of The Compass Are Mentioned; These Are The Same As Are Marked Upon The Temple Of The Winds At Athens.

The utmost length to which the ancients arrived in subdividing the compass, was by adding two intermediate winds between each of the cardinal winds.

We have noticed these particulars relative to the winds and the constellations, in order to illustrate the duty which the pilot had to perform, and the difficulty and responsibility of his office, at a period when navigators possessed such a small portion of experience and knowledge.

Besides the chief pilot, there was a subordinate one, whose duty it was to keep a look out at the prow, to manage and direct the sails and rowers, and to assist the principal pilot by his advice: the directions of the subordinate pilot were conveyed to the rowers by another officer, who seems to have answered to the boatswain of our men of war. The rowers were enabled to pull all at once, or to keep time, by a person who sung and played to them while they were employed. During the night, or in difficult navigations, the charge of the sounding lead, or of the long poles, which were used either for the same purpose, or to push the ship off, when she got a-ground, was committed to a particular officer.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 40 of 1007
Words from 10774 to 11025 of 273188