The Navigational Freak of a Lifetime

The passenger steamer SS Warrimoo was quietly knifing its way through the waters of the mid-Pacific on its way from Vancouver to Australia. The navigator had just finished working out a star fix and brought Captain, John DS. Phillips, the result. The Warrimoo’s position was LAT 0° 31’ N and LONG 179 30° W. The date was 31 December 1899.

“Know what this means?” First Mate Payton broke in, “We’re only a few miles from the intersection of the Equator and the International Date Line.” Captain Phillips was prankish enough to take full advantage of the opportunity for achieving the navigational freak of a lifetime.

He called his navigators to the bridge to check (and double check) the ship’s position. He changed course slightly so as to bear directly on his mark. He then adjusted the engine speed.

The calm weather and clear night worked in his favor. At midnight, the SS Warrimoolay on the Equator at exactly the point where it crossed the International Date Line! The consequences of this bizarre position were many:

·     The forward part (bow) of the ship was in the Southern Hemisphere and in the middle of Summer

·     The rear (stern) was in the Northern Hemisphere and in the middle of Winter.

·     The date in the aft part of the ship was 31 December 1899.

·     In the bow, it was 1 January 1900.

The ship was therefore not ONLY in:

·     Two different days,

·     Two different months,

·     Two different years,

·     Two different seasons,

·     But in two different centuries – all at the same time!

SKIPNOTE: Some of you purists may point out that the 20^thCentury didn’t start until 1 January 1901, so which I reply, “phhhfffffttttt.”

(via)