The whys and wherefores of navigation

"The Whys and Wherefores of Navigation" by Gershom Bradford is an educational book from the early 1900s about the science of maritime navigation. The book teaches experienced people more about navigation, explaining ideas, methods, and how things work. It starts by talking about how important it is to know about direction, using a compass, and calculating position even when things go wrong. Bradford says that good navigation means really understanding different ways of doing things, like using degrees and points of direction, and also doing math to figure out where you are when things like wind and waves push you off course. He also says it's important to get good training and use reference books, suggesting this book will build on what people already know and help them understand the reasons behind the navigation methods they use on ships.