Bowditch's American Practical Navigator
The American Practical Navigator, originally written by Nathaniel Bowditch, is an encyclopedia of navigation. It serves as a valuable handbook on oceanography and meteorology, and contains useful tables and a maritime glossary. In 1867 the copyright and plates were bought by the Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy. As of 2019 it is still published by the U.S. Government and is available free online from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the modern successor agency to the 19th Century Hydrographic Office. The publication is considered one of America's nautical institutions.
Frontispiece of 1802 first edition
Nathaniel Bowditch
In celebration of Nathaniel Bowditch and his work writing the American Practical Navigator, in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts there is the Salem ferry, named after Bowditch, a high speed catamaran takes people to Boston and is pictured as it is approaching its dock off Blaney Street, Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Title page, first edition
Nathaniel Bowditch was an early American mathematician remembered for his work on ocean navigation. He is often credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation; his book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still carried on board every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel.
Bowditch is often credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation.
Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838), last and unfinished painting by Gilbert Stuart.
Dedication page by Nathaniel Bowditch in "Mécanique céleste"
Portrait of Mary Bowditch in Volume 1 of Pierre-Simon Laplace's "Mécanique céleste" (1829), translated by Nathaniel Bowditch
