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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A letter from Canton, China, dated January 31, 1783, reports the arrival of a simple instrument invented by French engineer Sorney from the Isle of France, enabling easy determination of longitude by observing the sun at noon, comparable to finding latitude.
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"The longitude is at last hit on, and, I am sorry to say by a Frenchman, of the Isle of France, an engineer, his name Sorney--a name immortal. An imperial ship from the Isle of France bro't the instrument here: but I am not astronomer enough to describe it, or comprehend its principles. It is not much larger than a common quadrant; and what makes this instrument valuable, is, a child may make use of it, and the longitude is found with as little difficulty as the latitude. The longitude is found by observing the sun at noon. This great discovery must resound through Europe,--and the name of Sorney will eclipse that of all former astronomers."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Canton, In China
Event Date
January 31, 1783
Key Persons
Outcome
invention of a small instrument, similar to a quadrant, usable by a child, for determining longitude by observing the sun at noon with ease comparable to latitude.
Event Details
A Frenchman from the Isle of France, engineer Sorney, has invented an instrument brought by an imperial ship to Canton, allowing simple longitude calculation; the writer lacks expertise to describe it fully but notes its simplicity and potential fame.