The Snapshots in Time Collection

Naval Officers Taking a Sextant Sight on the Bridge Wing, WWII

Naval Officers Taking a Sextant Sight on the Bridge Wing, WWII

On the open bridge wing, a navigation officer takes a sextant sight while a colleague records the reading. Celestial navigation -- using precise sightings of the sun, moon, or stars combined with accurate timekeeping -- remained a vital skill for naval officers throughout World War II, ensuring ships could determine their position accurately even far from land. Project: 218480