Routes, rutters, navigational techniques and the development of navigational aids in traditional Chinese seagoing: The case of the compass
This paper will consider magnetic compasses as navigational aids in traditional Chinese seagoing in the light of the history and development of the science and technology of the magnetic compass. It will contend that in principle the magnetic pointers carried aboard traditional Chinese vessels (and...
Gardado en:
| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/artefact, |
|---|---|
| Autor Principal: | |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
| Publicado: |
Artefact
2019
|
| Sujets: | |
| Acceso en liña: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Résumé: | This paper will consider magnetic compasses as navigational aids in traditional Chinese seagoing in the light of the history and development of the science and technology of the magnetic compass. It will contend that in principle the magnetic pointers carried aboard traditional Chinese vessels (and equivalently equipped vessels elsewhere) before the late 17th century cannot have been reliable navigational aids and that no prudent mariner would have used them as such. The most widely accepted pre-17th century traditional seagoing compass water-bowl design will be evaluated according to the known, iron fastened, multi-cellular box girder structure of contemporary Chinese seagoing ships and to the waters in which they operated. A similar evaluation will be made of the post-17th century, dry pivot design. Both will be compared to the development of the magnetic compass, and of theories of geomagnetism and compass design between the 12th and 19th centuries in the west. Some conjectures will be ventured after the foregoing analysis as to the meaning and practical application of the “needle paths” associated traditional Chinese route maps and rutters. |
|---|