There was
another and independent course which might have been
adopted--that is, by observation of the moon, which is constantly
moving amongst the stars from west to east. But until the middle
of the eighteenth century good lunar tables were as much unknown
as good watches.
Hence a method of ascertaining the longitude, with the same
degree of accuracy which is attainable in respect of latitude,
had for ages been the grand desideratum for men "who go down to
the sea in ships." Mr. Macpherson, in his important work
entitled 'The Annals of Commerce,' observes, "Since the year
1714, when Parliament offered a reward of 20,000L. for the best
method of ascertaining the longitude at sea, many schemes have
been devised, but all to little or no purpose, as going generally
upon wrong principles, till that heaven-taught artist Mr. John
Harrison arose;" and by him, as Mr. Macpherson goes on to say,
the difficulty was conquered, having devoted to it "the assiduous
studies of a long life."
The preamble of the Act of Parliament in question runs as
follows: "Whereas it is well known by all that are acquainted
with the art of navigation that nothing is so much wanted and
desired at sea as the discovery of the longitude, for the safety
and quickness of voyages, the preservation of ships and the lives
of men," and so on. The Act proceeds to constitute certain
persons commissioners for the discovery of the longitude, with
power to receive and experiment upon proposals for that purpose,
and to grant sums of money not exceeding 2000L.
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