REVIEW: THE SHIP'S CHRONOMETER, by Marvin E Whitney, The AWI Press 1991

One of my many interests is horology - the study of clocks and watches.
Recently I reviewed Henry Fried's WATCH REPAIRER'S MANUAL.  AWI Director
Milton Stevens sent me a copy of THE SHIP'S CHRONOMETER to look at in November 
and I have been perusing it ever since.

A Chronometer is an extremely accurate mechanical clock used on board ship
for navigational purposes.  Marvin Whitney states in the very first paragraph
that ..."a ship's chronometer is an exquisite timepiece and because it demands
the highest degree of skill and craftsmanship, it is undoubtedly the pride of
the horological world."

Whitney should know!  He served as an apprentice in watch/chronometer making
at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington D.C. and worked there as
a chronometer maker.  He is still active at his watchmaker's bench and has
been called upon numerous times to do work for three presidents as well as
clock repairs in the White House.  While serving his apprenticeship, Whitney
quickly realized that there was little material on this instrument and
began collecting it since as a chronometer maker and repairer at the Naval
Observatory he was in a postion to do so.

Much of this material is the basis for THE SHIP'S CHRONOMETER, which includes
the history, inner workings and lore about the marine chronometer.  Marvin
Whitney has attempted to explain the principles of operation and construction
of the chronometer so that the more capable watch/clockmker can repair one.
There are numerous photographs and detailed drawings and explanations to
provide an excellent working and repair guide to this highly precision
instrument.

I should state emphatically I am not a watch or clock maker or collector.
I have one good clock (a nice military Chelsea ) - but, alas, not a marine
chronometer.  They are pretty pricy and I don't expect I'll ever find one
at a reasonable enough price.  THE SHIP'S CHRONOMETER is an excellent
substitute however, and I have learned a great deal about the subject, thanks
to Marvin Whitney's years of experience.  This is an important book on the
subject - and a search of the Boston Public Library catalogue (one of the
largest in the country) reveals little else on the subject.

Definitely for the serious horological student or collector!

%T      The Ship's Chronometer
%A      Marvin Whitney, CMW, CMC, FAWI
%I      American Watchmakers/Clockmakers Institute
%C      701 Enterprise Dr, Harrison  OH  45030 (513) 367-9800
%D      1985, revised 1991
%O      $75.00
%G      ISBN: 0-918845-08-4      
%P      499 pages, hardbound
%K      Chronometers, clocks, watchmaking, collecting


(C) 1996
Michael Crestohl
Nahant Massachusetts  USA
mc@shore.net

DISCLAIMER:  I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the success or 
failure of the book or materials reviewed herewith, nor have I received any 
compensation (other than a review copy requested by me) from anyone who has.  
All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Other Internet and Aviation book/software reviews by me can be obtained 
by anonymous FTP from:  x2ftp.oulu.fi in the /pub/books/crestohl directory.