TESTING CHRONOMETER.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 504, 17 January 1906, Page 6

TESTING CHRONOMETER.

Salicats Mm«pUo«s Kept on Im for

Soothe for Accurate Ad-

Each* year the chronometers of the United States navy are subjected to & test to determine their accuracy and to correct any irregularities. This operation commences in January and usually lasts until the middle of Jnne. and during that time these delicate timepieces are kept on ice at the United States naval observatory. It is not for any fear that they will spoil that they are subjected to this frigid experience, but it is necessary for the purpose of accurate adjustment that they should all be maintained in B constant temperature. -»« #■ The necessity of having a ship's clocks all absolutely alike will be realized by the layman when he is reminded that an error of four seconds in the chronometer means an error of a mile in calculating the vessel's location. The temperature varies at different times of the test from 50 to 90 degrees and the losing ob gaining qualities of the chronometer under these conditions are accurately kept. Thus with a chart expressing in curves just what he may expect from his chronometer under different conditions of olimate, and, with his thermometer and barometer close at hand, a sailing master may calculate to a nicety the correct time and get his location to a certainty. ,