Transportation & Infrastructure

British Naval Disaster Leads to Longitude Act

Four British naval vessels, including the HMS Association, ran aground on the Isles of Scilly due to navigational errors stemming from inaccurate maps and poor understanding of longitude. The wrecks resulted in the loss of over 1,400 lives and highlighted the urgent need for effective marine navigation techniques. In response, the British Parliament enacted the Longitude Act, aiming to improve navigation and prevent future disasters. The Act offered a reward for the development of a reliable method for determining longitude at sea.

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