Quote:
Originally Posted by TenFour
I'm pretty sure that Naval navigators still learn celestial navigation.
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Yeah I agree they probably to learn the skill or at least introduced to it. I retired in 2003 on the USS Juneau with 22 years of sea duty. One rarely sees anyone practicing celestial navigation on the bridge any more. In fact paper navigational charts, while still in use are being replace by the electronic variety. While I was on active duty there was always a chart on the chart table on the bridge. Several years ago I paid a visit to a US Navy vessel (a friend was stationed on it) that happen to be in port where I live, I noted there was no chart table on the bridge. I asked about it, the still have to maintain current charts but no long use them (my friend was a Quarter Master. Clang! (Sound of my jaw hit the desk) We had to save them and turned them in as a matter of record, like our deck logs. Records are saved electronically now.
Oh, on mechanical watches. I've never been able to wear one. They always freeze up after a few days. Even tried resorting to a pocket watch, same issue.