Surveying without Instruments . %&& 
NO. 52. 
A simple and accurate Method of Surveying on Shore, 
lvith such Instruments only as are in every one’s Pos- 
session . By Captain John Mortlock.* 
(With an engraving.) 
SIR — Almost all our treatises on nautical surveying 
begin with the explanation and description of what are 
called the necessary instruments, which are described so 
numerous, and the price so considerable, that very few 
can procure them : Thus discouraged, they abandon eve- 
ry idea of making plans of such ports as they touch at, 
for want of what they conceive to be the necessary in- 
struments. 
To obviate this difficulty, and to render nautical sur- 
veying more general, I have, in the annexed paper, at- 
tempted to shew the mariner how to survey any port or 
place he may touch at, with great accuracy, little trouble, 
and without any expense for instruments. Should you 
find this simple method deserving of a place in your valu- 
able Journal, I shall feel myself honoured by your in- 
serting it. I am, &c. 
J. Mortlock, 
To Mr. Nicholson. 
January 7* 1805. 
FIRST make an eye-sketch of the place to be sur- 
veyed, as the annexed figure, numbering all the points, 
bays, rocks, shoals, &c. Choose two stations, as A and 
B, (fig. 4, plate 7,) whence all the rocks, points, &c. may 
be seen from, and so situated from each other, that the 
bearings of the points, &c. as taken from A and B, shall 
* Nicholson, vol. 10, p, 103. 
