Chartroom

The chartroom is located on the 02 level, aft of the pilot house. The primary function of this space was to track the position of the ship on the surface of the earth.  Charts and navigational publications were stored in drawers in the chart table.  The three chronometers visible in the lower left played an important role in celestial navigation as it was imperative to note the exact time when celestial observations were made with a sextant. 

Above the chart table is the LORAN indicator, a successor to the radio direction finder used to locate the position of the ship electronically.  The device that looks like a rifle hanging on the aft bulkhead is a directional signal light gun for sending Morse Code to other ships and shore stations.

 As originally constructed, this space was utilized as the captain’s sea cabin.  The chart table and navigation functions were perform in the adjacent Combat Information Center.  When the dead reckoning tracer and horizontal plotting table were installed in CIC, the chart table was moved to the captain’s sea cabin, effectively robbing the captain of his sea cabin.

Continue Tour: Combat Information Center