Talk:Backstaff

Question

how many people used the backstaff?

It was one of the main instruments in navigation from the early 17^th century to the mid-18^th century, when it was replaced by the octant (instrument) and sextant. It was widely used. Michael Daly 22:15, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Davids staff?

The Oxford English Dictionary famously lists the word davids staff as one of its most egregious own goals. Supposedly the name is simply davis' staff translated to german, and mistranslated back to english from german, by someone unaware of the english term. Should the article mention Davis' staff and/or Davids staff and/or the OED spurious entry? I don't see Davis' staff or Davids staff being redirects into this article... -- Cimon Avaro; on a pogostick. (talk) 04:51, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

Connection with the Back observation quadrant?

What is the relation of Backstaff to the Back observation quadrant? I am not pro on this subject,but am trying to understand. Can this be clarified in some way? LasseS (talk) 11:29, 8 April 2008 (UTC)

There's not much of a relationship really. The Back observation quadrant is a simple quadrant where shadows from the sun are used to measure the angle. The other backstaves all have a staff as part of their design. Those with a staff will be lighter and less affected by wind than a solid plate quadrant of the same general size.--Michael Daly (talk) 20:33, 8 April 2008 (UTC)

Backstaff vs. cross staff

Backstaff and cross staff are two completely different instruments (see:Willem Frederik Jacob Mörzer Bruyns; Richard Dunn (2009). Sextants at Greenwich: a catalogue of the mariner's quadrants, mariner's astrolabes, cross-staffs, backstaffs, octants, sextants, quintants, reflecting circles and artificial horizons in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Oxford University Press. pp. 72–. ISBN 978-0-19-953254-4. Retrieved 16 September 2011.) All the beatifull aported portuguese references "A balestilha" deal completely about pt:balestilha K. M. Mathew (1988). History of the Portuguese navigation in India, 1497-1600. Mittal Publications. pp. 16–. ISBN 978-81-7099-046-8. Retrieved 16 September 2011. --Mcapdevila (talk) 11:29, 16 September 2011 (UTC)

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External links modified

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