The Way of a Ship – Historical Math Problems

Why were sailing ships used to carry coal if steam engine-powered ships (that burn coal) were offered?
How effective does a steam engine need to be in order to make have the ability to carry sufficient coal to cross the Atlantic ocean while likewise being able to transfer extra freight? (Answer remains in the book. Or email me if you desire to know)..
What is the equivalent land distance of one minute of latitude?
Why was it harder to determine longitude than latitude?
How did ship captains represent the difference between magnetic north and real north?
How was speed computed? Whats the distinction in between 1 knot/hour and 1 mile/hour?
If a late 19th Century commercial cruising vessel wished to cover 300 nautical miles in a day, how strong of a tailwind would it need?.
Why was it cheaper for merchants to save coal on sailing vessels than in warehouses on coasts?

And early in the book theres a great explanation of why cruising vessels were used for transporting coal around the world when steam-powered ships were already in service. As I check out through those descriptions I couldnt assist but think of a list of questions based on the book, and 19th Century sailing in general, that could be brought into a mathematics class.

The Way of a Ship is complete of interesting truths about life on a 4 mast cruising vessel in the late 19th Century. And early in the book theres a terrific description of why sailing vessels were used for transferring coal around the world when steam-powered ships were already in service. As I read through those explanations I couldnt assist however think of a list of concerns based on the book, and 19th Century sailing in general, that could be brought into a mathematics class. The point is to get trainees thinking about how mathematics was used in business sailing and is still utilized in cruising today.

All of these questions have multiple possible answers. The point is to get students thinking of how mathematics was used in commercial sailing and is still utilized in cruising today. Its also fun for history instructors (as I was for many years) to bring some mathematics in a history lesson..

A couple of weeks ago I got an interesting book at my library. Its titled
The Way of a Ship and it follows the journey of Benjamin Lundy as he cruises around Cape Horn in 1885 in one of the last square-rigged business cruising boats..

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