What Are The Reasons Behind The Battle Between Harrison And The Board Of Longitude?

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Longitude can be measured by comparing the Greenwich meridian to the coordinate which defines the east-west location of a point on the Earth’s surface. During the late 16th century the problem of longitude was a real struggle for sailors and explorers who sailed without the ability to calculate their position precisely. The problem wasn’t solved until the early 18th century, when John Harrison built the first working sea watch. However, albeit Harrison’s achievements, the Board of Longitude –a board which was created to motivate people and give prizes to those who solve the problem of longitude- did not think highly of him. This essay will look into the possible reasons behind the battle between Harrison and the Board of Longitude.

Harrison