John Pickard wrote: > of GPSs, and most of us guides had them as well. I suppose that > sextants are not even taught in naval academys anymore.
I once saw a sextant in short visit I did to Marble Head a few miles northeast of Boston, USA. I loved it but I decided I wouldn't pay US$ 700.00. It was just too expensive a toy. For more than one year I kept in my mind the fixed idea that I should have bought it, no matter how expensive it seemed to be. Next time I went to Boston I visted the same shop. I had the firm determination to buy it, if it was still there, that is. Well, the very same one was not there but they had another one. In good condition, I guess, but not as pretty as the other one. The sales person -- clearly a retired seaman -- asked me If I knew how to use a sextant. I answered I had two or three books that tought how to use them, but in fact I had never learned how to use them because I had never had one. He told me he had a brand new one, plastic made, for only US$150,00 He said it was good for practicing. I accepted his suggestion and bought the plastic one. I've been using it here and there, just for the fun of it, without any practical application. I do thinks like calculating how tall a tree or a building is, this kind of useless thing. Guess what? I am now longing to go to Boston again just to by the real thing! And, yes, when I was there admiring that fine instrument the old seaman told me the United States had decided to abolish the use of sextant in the Navy. No one was to be trained in its use. He said there was some reaction so probabily the Navy would postpone the enforment of that decision for a while. - fernando -- Fernando Cabral Padrao iX Sistemas Abertos mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pix.com.br mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Fone: +55 61 321-2433 Fax: +55 61 225-3082 15º 45' 04.9" S 47º 49' 58.6" W 19º 37' 57.0" S 45º 17' 13.6" W
