Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
Encyclopedia
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is a novel by Jean Lee Latham
that was awarded the Newbery Medal
in 1956.
The book is a children's biography of Nathaniel Bowditch
, a sailor and mathematician who published the mammoth and comprehensive reference work for seamen: The American Practical Navigator
. It is an epic tale of adventure and learning.
, but is forced by economic circumstances to quit school and begin working. Eventually, he ends up as an indentured servant
to a ship's chandler
, or outfitter. Still determined to continue his education, and compelled to work for the chandlery for nine long years, he begins to teach himself other languages by comparing translations of the Bible. After being granted access to a local private library, he continues to study and to master advanced mathematics in the evenings after work.
When his indenture is complete, he gets the chance to go to sea. There, he discovers that many of the navigation
al sources used at the time contain extensive and dangerous errors. He is prompted to compile a new book of navigational information. This book, The American Practical Navigator
, is still in use today. Under several captains, Nat learns how things work at sea. He invents new ways of calculating latitude and longitude, increasing the accuracy of calculations used to find ships' locations. He also teaches the crew on the ships about math. It took a while for the men to understand, but when they did understand, the men, such as Lem Harvey-the crew's troublemaker, felt smart and important. He also let Little Johnny look through a sextant
and search for Polaris
. Eventually Nat becomes a captain himself. In the course of the book, Nat receives an honorary degree from the school he always wanted to attend, Harvard.
method of navigation when, in fact, his contribution was a relatively minor technical improvement in mathematical calculations. A serious modern biography for older readers is Robert E. Berry's Yankee Stargazer, published in 1941.
Jean Lee Latham
Jean Lee Latham was an American writer. She was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Her father was a cabinetmaker and her mother was a teacher. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and received an A.B. in 1925. She also attended Ithaca Conservatory. While in Wesleyan College, she wrote plays...
that was awarded the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
in 1956.
The book is a children's biography of Nathaniel Bowditch
Nathaniel Bowditch
Nathaniel Bowditch was an early American mathematician remembered for his work on ocean navigation. He is often credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation; his book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, is still carried on board every commissioned U.S...
, a sailor and mathematician who published the mammoth and comprehensive reference work for seamen: The American Practical Navigator
Bowditch's American Practical Navigator
The American Practical Navigator , originally written by Nathaniel Bowditch, is an encyclopedia of navigation. It serves as a valuable handbook on oceanography and meteorology, and contains useful tables and a maritime glossary...
. It is an epic tale of adventure and learning.
Plot summary
The novel introduces readers to young Nathaniel "Nat" Bowditch, the son of a ship Captain who loves school, especially mathematics. He dreams of someday attending Cambridge, Massachusetts's Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, but is forced by economic circumstances to quit school and begin working. Eventually, he ends up as an indentured servant
Indentured servant
Indentured servitude refers to the historical practice of contracting to work for a fixed period of time, typically three to seven years, in exchange for transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities during the term of indenture. Usually the father made the arrangements and signed...
to a ship's chandler
Ship chandler
A ship chandler is a retail dealer in special supplies or equipment for ships.For traditional sailing ships items that could be found in a chandler might include: rosin, turpentine, tar, pitch , linseed oil, whale oil, tallow, lard, varnish, twine, rope and cordage, hemp, oakum, tools A ship...
, or outfitter. Still determined to continue his education, and compelled to work for the chandlery for nine long years, he begins to teach himself other languages by comparing translations of the Bible. After being granted access to a local private library, he continues to study and to master advanced mathematics in the evenings after work.
When his indenture is complete, he gets the chance to go to sea. There, he discovers that many of the navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
al sources used at the time contain extensive and dangerous errors. He is prompted to compile a new book of navigational information. This book, The American Practical Navigator
Bowditch's American Practical Navigator
The American Practical Navigator , originally written by Nathaniel Bowditch, is an encyclopedia of navigation. It serves as a valuable handbook on oceanography and meteorology, and contains useful tables and a maritime glossary...
, is still in use today. Under several captains, Nat learns how things work at sea. He invents new ways of calculating latitude and longitude, increasing the accuracy of calculations used to find ships' locations. He also teaches the crew on the ships about math. It took a while for the men to understand, but when they did understand, the men, such as Lem Harvey-the crew's troublemaker, felt smart and important. He also let Little Johnny look through a sextant
Sextant
A sextant is an instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects. Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon which is known as the altitude. Making this measurement is known as sighting the object, shooting the object, or taking a sight...
and search for Polaris
Polaris
Polaris |Alpha]] Ursae Minoris, commonly North Star or Pole Star, also Lodestar) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. It is very close to the north celestial pole, making it the current northern pole star....
. Eventually Nat becomes a captain himself. In the course of the book, Nat receives an honorary degree from the school he always wanted to attend, Harvard.
Deaths
Nathaniel's Grandma and Mother both die at the beginning of the book. Lizza, Nat's closest sister, died at a party when she tumbled down the stairs. Mary (Nat's oldest sister) was married to a seaman named David; David and his entire crew had died of fever during their voyage at sea. Nat's brother, Samuel, died of yellow fever. Nat married Elizabeth, and they spent happy times together. When Nat met another Salem captain in port during a voyage, he found out that Elizabeth had died of tuberculosis. Later in the story, he also found out that Hab and William were lost at sea because of book sailing. Then, when he was going to return his dowry, Elizabeth's mother invited Nat to stay with her and he married Polly Ingersoll, Elizabeth's well-trusted friend.Further reading
Intended for young readers, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch includes many dramatized and fictional components, including a chapter implying that Bowditch invented the lunar distanceLunar distance (navigation)
In celestial navigation, lunar distance is the angle between the Moon and another celestial body. A navigator can use a lunar distance and a nautical almanac to calculate Greenwich time...
method of navigation when, in fact, his contribution was a relatively minor technical improvement in mathematical calculations. A serious modern biography for older readers is Robert E. Berry's Yankee Stargazer, published in 1941.