Reasons for Exploration: new navigation methods

Introduction Hi! I’m Miss Holly. Today we’re going to talk about new navigation tools explorers used on the seas during the 16th century.

new navigation methods The explosion of trade opportunities in Europe and the discovery of riches in the New World prompted the development of better navigational tools.

new navigation methods For years mariners determined their latitudinal direction by following the east to west advancement of the sun and by tracking the movement of the stars at night.

new navigation methods When land was out of sight, navigators could only refer to the speed of the ship and the time it took to reach a particular destination to estimate how far east or west they had traveled.

new navigation methods As the voyagers traveled farther distances, they relied on a variety of both new and existing navigational tools to help them reach their destinations safely.

new navigation methods The most popular equipment used by seafaring explorers of the Middle Ages included:

new navigation methods Compass – The compass had been used for centuries to determine direction.

new navigation methods Early versions were simple and not always reliable.

new navigation methods Mariners typically used the compass only when it was cloudy because they did not get readings they could trust. They changed too often.

new navigation methods Astrolabe – The astrolabe was also a common instrument used for many years.

new navigation methods It was used to measure the position of the sun, moon, planets, and stars.

new navigation methods Navigators measured the angle of a celestial body above the horizon to determine their latitude positioning.

new navigation methods Cross staff – Mariners used the cross staff to measuring the height of objects above the horizon.

new navigation methods This information helped them to determine how far north or south of the Equator they were.

new navigation methods Quadrant – The quadrant was also used to determine positioning north or south of the equator.

new navigation methods Gathering accurate readings on a moving ship was difficult so many navigators waited until they reached land before using the quadrant.

new navigation methods Chip board – The chip board measured the speed of the ship.

new navigation methods The small board, tied to the end of several hundred feet of rope with knots at specific intervals, was thrown overboard.

new navigation methods Sailors counted the number of knots to determine their speed.

new navigation methods Hourglass – The hourglass was one of the most commonly used navigational instruments.

new navigation methods Depending on its size, the hourglass could be made to measure any amount of time.

new navigation methods Sailors used it to track how far they had traveled or how long they had been on duty.

Video Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y9LcLveKbw

In conclusion… The development of better navigational tools was prompted by the explosion of trade opportunities in Europe and the discovery of riches in the New World. The new tools included the compass, the astrolabe, the cross staff, the quadrant, the chip board, and the hourglass.

Extension activities First read Ghost Ship of Captain Sandovate. Then complete at least five of the reader’s response prompts.

Good bye! See you next time!

References http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/the_ghost_ship_of_captin_sando.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y9LcLveKbw