The Use of the Lead and Line by Early Navigators in the North Sea?

This paper draws attention to the lack of information as to how early North Sea sailors navigated, particularly during the one thousand year period that followed Roman times. The lead and line was the only navigational aid available for most of this period, but there is little recorded as to whether...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: John Kemp
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Gdynia Maritime University 2014-12-01
Series:TransNav: International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.transnav.eu/files/The Use of the Lead and Line by Early Navigators in the North Sea,532.pdf
Description
Summary:This paper draws attention to the lack of information as to how early North Sea sailors navigated, particularly during the one thousand year period that followed Roman times. The lead and line was the only navigational aid available for most of this period, but there is little recorded as to whether it was used simply for ensuring a ship or boat had enough water to proceed or whether, together with the knowledge it provided of the nature of the sea bed, it was used as a more positive position fixing device. The author would appreciate any information relating to navigation techniques used during this period.
ISSN:2083-6473
2083-6481