After the collision, both Titanic and Californian turned slowly clockwise, due to current. As a result, the relative bearings between the two ships kept changing - some theorize that this resulted in confusion leading observers to see movement of the other ship when none existed.
Modern ships, at least early in my lifetime, have a pelorus on each bridge wing to take true bearings from the ship. This is essentially a gyrocompass repeater with a sight. That way, the true bearing can be measured directly independent of your own ship's heading.
Of course, neither Titanic nor Californian had a gyrocompass. But, would either ship have had a pelorus built from a sight mounted on a magnetic compass card? It seems like such a pelorus would have been useful for general piloting - not just during the Titanic wreck.
Modern ships, at least early in my lifetime, have a pelorus on each bridge wing to take true bearings from the ship. This is essentially a gyrocompass repeater with a sight. That way, the true bearing can be measured directly independent of your own ship's heading.
Of course, neither Titanic nor Californian had a gyrocompass. But, would either ship have had a pelorus built from a sight mounted on a magnetic compass card? It seems like such a pelorus would have been useful for general piloting - not just during the Titanic wreck.
