Sea Queens and Desert Ants: Celestial Navigation with David Barrie

In this episode, Jerry meets master navigator, sailing expert and award-winning author David Barrie. Together, they discuss a British Admiralty chart of the North Atlantic Ocean that tracks David’s incredible 1973 Transatlantic voyage aboard a 35-foot yacht named Sæcwen, from Halifax in Nova Scotia east across the Ocean to Falmouth in Cornwall, UK

We learn about David’s fascination with celestial navigation and the remarkable optical instrument called a sextant that he and his crew mates used during the 24-day adventure to find their positions at sea. A sextant is an extraordinary optical instrument that identifies the angle between the horizon and a celestial body - such as the Sun, the Moon or a star - to assist in the determining of latitude and longitude at sea. 

During the episode, we also hear about David's transition from the field of experimental psychology to his exploration of animal behaviour and wayfinding, and a glimpse into the world of supernavigators. 

From historians, scientists and writers, to creatives and cultural custodians, people have used maps as a source of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration for centuries. 

Join us as map historian Jerry Brotton invites each guest to share a map close to their heart - and unfurl the ideas, inspirations, and personal stories behind it.

If you’re fascinated by history, art, adventure and culture, why not become part of a global community of fellow explorers as we ask - what’s YOUR map?

The award-winning What’s Your Map? is brought to you by Oculi Mundi (‘eyes of the world’), the online home of The Sunderland Collection of antique cartography.

For a fully immersive experience, visit Oculi-Mundi.com/podcast to explore each of the maps as you listen, and find more information and rabbit-holes about each guest.

Image courtesy of David Barrie.

All views and opinions expressed by guests on the podcast are entirely their own and do not represent those of The Sunderland Collection or Whistledown Productions.