Norwich ➡ 1744 Enterprise

Posted by Albert Parker on Thursday 3rd of November 2022 05:29

Just this exchange. The longitude beginning July 23 is west from the last point of land sighted, presumably on July 22. The master's log or the captain's journal (wherever these positions are from) should indicate what that was, and the longitude can be tracked from the modern known longitude of that place. The Admiralty chart being used aboard ship might not have the right longitude for the port or cape being used as a refernce, but the longitude is most likely from dead reckoning and can be based on the modern known longitude.

Posted by Cy on Monday 10th of October 2022 12:45

No real idea, but is it possible that the later 1,2,3 etc are longitude from the port of origin? I know that ships sometimes changed their clock and therefore onboard time to match their last port, which would have had an established longitude.

Posted by Jeffrey Campbell on Sunday 9th of October 2022 22:26

I am currently digitally tracking Enterprize's journey on a map, from Cork Harbour, Ireland to Halifax, Nova Scotia, from 30 June 1757 - 29 August 1757, and encountering longitude problems just outside the Azore Island. Hoping someone can help explain. I realize the marine chronometer was probably not available until 1759/60.

Daily recordings in the captain's log as follows:

July 18: Lat: 30' 4" (39 degrees, 4 mins); Long: 27' 44" W, Distance: 60

July 19: Lat: 38' 04"; Long: 28' 0" W; Dist: 67

So far, the lat/long coordinates look fairly normal and put the ship at the Azores. But now things begin to change with longitudes.

July 20: Lat: 38' 24"; Long: ----; Dist: 89

July 21: Lat: 38' 29"; Long ----; Dist: 46

July 22: Lat: 38' 26"; Long ----; Dist: ----

Perhaps they were in port a few days? But I don;t understand the distance (traveled?) in in port. Now, the longitudes really begin to change. I have no issues with the latitudes in the follow set.

July 23: Lat: 37' 50"; Long: 00'56' W; Dist: 55

July 24: Lat: 37' 36"; Long: 01' 24" W

July 25: Lat: 36' 44"; Long: 02' 02" W; Dist: 56

July 26: Lat: 35' 44"; Long: 02' 32" W; Dist: 65

July 27L Lat: 35' 08"; Long: 3' 15" W; Dist: 50

Etc., etc.

I do not understand how the longitudes progress from 27 degrees to 28 degrees, then 00, 01, 02 03 04 degrees, etc. How do I chart that on the longitude changes on a map west of the Azores?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, either here or I can email you? I can send the page from the log if needed. Please advise.

Jeffrey