The first manual for the use of chronometers at sea

Owen, William Fitzwilliam (ed.) & Richard. Tables of Latitudes, and Longitudes by Chronometer, of Places in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans; principally of the West and East Coast of Africa, the Coasts of Arabia, Madagascar. &c. resulting from the Observations of H.M.S. Leven and Barracouta, in the Years 1820 to 1826 inclusive [...]. To which is prefixed an Essay on the Management and Use of Chronometers by Richard Owen.

London, Duckworth and Ireland, for the Hydrographical Office, Admiralty, 1827.

4to. (2), 33, (3), 16, (36), 8 pp. Contemporary blue boards for the Danish Navy Library, later backed with cloth.

 2,500.00

First edition of this important work in the history of navigation: probably the first manual for the use of chronometers at sea. Based on observations conducted under the direction of Vice-Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen (1774-1857). The referenced places along the Eastern coast of Arabia include Ras Morebat, the Khuriya Muriya Islands, Ras al-Hadd, and Muscat.

Several contemporary handwritten corrections in ink. Stamp of the Royal Danish Navy Library on title-page. Binding a little loosened, corners or boards bumped, but internally fine; final 8 pp. of errata printed on paper of lesser quality and thus slightly browned.

References

OCLC 4878142.