PROCEEDINGS— APPENDIX A A -29 



APPENDIX V. 



Paper Suhniitting the Opinions of British and Foreign Shipmasters in 

 Respect to Reform in Time Reckoning at Sea. 



THE rNIFICATION OF TIME. 



By Mr. W. Xelson CtReenwood, of Lancaster, Englaxd. 



Extracts. 



In order to test the feeling- in regard to the j^roposed change from 

 Astronomical to Civil Time and the ado])tion of one prime meridian, 

 four questions have been addressed to shipmasters in active employ- 

 ment, and their fellows holding responsible and representative apjioint- 

 ments on shore. 



It was* particularly requested that the unfavourable as well as the 

 favourable should give their opinions on the four questions under 

 consideration. The questions are considered to be sulîiciently far 

 reaching, and the replies speak for themselves. In submitting the four 

 questions to shipmasters it was thought advisable to abstain from express- 

 ing any opinion, or to offer any explanation of the advantages or other- 

 wise of the contemplated change, other than what is contained in the 

 circular letter, thus leaving it to each person to form an unbiassed 

 judgment on " Unification of Time," and its relationship to their own 

 particular science or profession. 



In two cases, which form the exception, and the only cases where 

 •èhovt ex]3lanatory letters were written, in answer to inquiries, the result 

 was the means of obtaining some dozen answers which otherwise would 

 not have been given. The fact seems to point conclusive]}^ to the idea 

 that shi]imasters are fully alive to anything that is to their advantage 

 when it is ])ut plainly before them, although for want of time, possibly 

 they are inclined to look askance. 



The following is the circular letter and questions referred to : 



" Dear Sir, — Having been asked by the Astronomical and Physical 

 Society of Toronto to write a short paper on 'The Unification of 

 Time,' giving my views and those of shipmasters, I feel that I am not in 

 a position to do this without taking them into my confidence. My 

 views are favourable and my answer ' Yes ' to all four questions ; but I 

 should like to obtain the opinion of shipmasters who are still following 



