How do you solve problems?
Well, a long time ago in 1675, King Charles II was losing money because the ships he sent off with cargo to trade kept getting lost or crashed. The crew did not know where they were. Charles liked to have parties, but he needed money to host. The shipping losses affected his party plans. He decided to have a competition and whoever could solve the shipping problem and discover an accurate system to determine longitude would get 20,000 pounds for the prize…..
Cast of Characters
King Charles II – Reigning king at the time
John Harrison – Clockmaker
Man – Gentleman with an idea
Commodore – Kiwi man
King Charles II: “What are you doing just sitting there?!”
Man: “Nothing, why your majesty?”
King Charles II: “You should be looking to find out why my ships and cargo are getting lost, how to find them, and stop this from happening!”
Man: “How do I do that?”
King Charles II: “That is what you are supposed to find out, unless you don’t want the 20,000 pounds.”
Man: “Yes your majesty, I will get right to it now.” (Both walk away)
Time passes and some people with ideas came to King Charles but none of them were good enough for the prize.
Man: “Your majesty, I have come up with something.”
King Charles II: “What is that?”
Man: “So, there is a wounded bandaged dog. A person at home takes the bandages off the dog and the captain takes the dog on board his ship.”
King Charles II: “I see.”
Man: “Then the captain goes out to sea with his crew.”
King Charles II: “Yes – go on.”
Man: “At noon the person at home would touch the bandages with a magical potion and the dog will howl. That is how the captain will know it is noon.”
King Charles II:”No, that is not fit for the prize!”
Man:”But your majesty…”
King Charles II:”No … Next!”
Commodore: “Your majesty” (bows)
King Charles II: “What is your idea?”
Commodore: “I was raised by kiwi birds and they taught me how to speak in the kiwi language. When I went out to sea, I would bring all of the kiwi birds who would then speak to the mackerel fish. They always know where they are and they would tell the kiwi birds our location and the kiwi birds would tell me. So that is my idea for the captains to try.”
King Charles II: “Ha, ha, ha you amuse me!”
Commodore: “I am serious your majesty.”
King Charles II: “Okay you can go and test that out.”
Commodore: “Thank you your majesty.” (bows)
King Charles II:”Next!” (Harrison walks in and bows)
King Charles II: “Ah, Harrison the clockmaker.”
Harrison: “Hello your majesty, I have an idea.”
King Charles II: “What is that?”
Harrison: “I think a precise clock could help sailors determine their exact longitude.”
King Charles II: “How is that possible?”
Harrison: “We know the earth is a circle and measures 360 degrees and there are 24 hours in a day. If you divide 360 by 24 your answer will be 15 degrees per hour. So if a ship sails east for two hours, they will be at 30 degrees longitude. Now your ships will know where they are and can get home safely. But they will need to bring one of my clocks along.
King Charles II: “Okay, you can go test that out.”
Time passed….the Kiwi Commodore did not return but Harrison did and won the prize.
King Charles II: “Congratulations Clockmaker!”
Harrison: “Thank you your majesty!”
The End.
Epilogue
In 1884 the world decided on Greenwich, England to be the Prime Meridian which means it is 0 degrees longitude and the dividing line between East and West.
There are 24 time zones in the world. I have learned that Toronto is GMT -5. This is important to me so I can Skype people at the correct time!
I also know the exact time with seconds included because I am synched with GMT!
Comments
8 responses to “A Play about Problem Solving Longitude”
Hi Zoe,
This was very interesting and I enjoyed your cartwheel!
Hi!
I had so much fun cartwheeling from the Eastern hemisphere to the Western hemisphere over 0 degrees longitude better known as The Prime Meridian!
Wow Zoe
I love your post … melding facts in a creative style…to make learning fun. You have your mom’s (and I’m sure your dad’s) gifts. I just happen to have known your mom a bit longer. Keep learning and having fun. This is an experience not many people get to have. It is nice to see you are really making the most of every minute. We have a blog of when my family lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. Not sure if you are getting to Scotland in your travels. If you are have a look and it will tell you about some fun things to do there. . We also really liked to present educational info in our blogs and visited a lot of historical sites. My husband Phil and I did all of the writing on the blog…I’m so impressed with you and your sister taking part in writing some of the posts yourselves. Keep up the great work. I’m really enjoying my virtual trip around the world!
Harriet
Hi,
I really enjoyed your post! I cant wait to check out your blog and see what fun things we can do next week in Scotland!
Hi Zoe
You are really teaching all of us reading your blogs, lots of great information. I too, loved your cartwheel! Now if I could only Skype I could use the information you are sharing!!!!
Love Teta Doreen
xoxo
Hi,
I really enjoyed your comment! You should get Skype and Skype us!
Hi, Zoe, just catching up on all the postings, and I really enjoyed this blog. And as always, I learned something and will read up on this. Love the cartwheel photos. You sure do and see, and learn a lot. Have a great Sunday, Love Oma and Opa
Hi!
Thank you for the awesome comment! I am trying to do a cartwheel in every country we go to just for fun! I am glad you are enjoying our blog! 🙂