Reciprocal Bearings

A process employed in compass adjusting. One observer is stationed on shore with a compass set up in a position free from magnetic disturbances, and from which an unobstructed view can be obtained of the standard compass (over which a conspicuous mark is placed) on board ship. As the ship's head is brought to each one of the 32 points of the compass, mutual bearings are taken simultaneously by the observers on shore and on board.