sea-astrolabe

Updated: July 2, 2025

But no master-mariner," he adds, "dares to use it lest he should fall under the imputation of being a magician." By the end of the 13th century the compass was coming into general use; and when Columbus sailed he had an instrument divided as in later times into 360 degrees and 32 points, as well as a quadrant, sea-astrolabe, and other nautical devices.

William Oliver Stevens - A History of Sea Power