Much has been written from time to time about the disaster which befell the fleet under Sir Clowdisley Shovel (or Shovell) among the rocks of the Scilly Islands on 22/23 October 1707. Although many writers have discussed the cause of the catastrophe I have come across no one who has examined the D.R. positions of the various vessels involved, and it is these which I propose to consider here.

It may be as well to recapitulate the story of the disaster. (At this time, it should be noted, the day at sea was measured from noon to noon and began twelve hours earlier than the civil day. Consequently, the afternoon at sea had a later date to that ashore. Noon positions logged were those at the end of the sea date.)