12 OVER THE BOW - Spring 2016
19th-century English mariners found their longitude on long voyages by comparing the time when the sun crossed their local meridian (local noon) with the exact time at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich (GMT).
Captains and navigators set their clocks at the beginning of a voyage by watching for the drop of the time ball on the roof of the Royal Observatory.
Milford CT is a Long Island Sound, shore line city of approximately 50,000 and is "home town" for Flotilla 24-03. We have our building located on Milford harbor and our Vessel "73" on the harbor at Milford Yacht Club.
The special program was prepared for presentation at the three Middle School, for seventh grade mathematics students. We worked directly with students in their schools, using the mathematics they are currently learning in practical applications.
The students plotted courses, read nautical charts, determined compass headings and calculated distance, speed, and time. We discussed the history of latitude and how important longitude was to the navigation equation.
The students, teachers and administrators were impressed with our program, and with the Auxiliary.
When the third trimester is complete we will have taught almost 100 students. We have been asked to continue the program in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Stephen Perrone, Flotilla 24-03 ADSO-PEE
Milford City Hall
Photo by Jason Farrow