The statistical analysis in the Institute Working Party's report on the accuracy of astronomical observations at sea (this Journal, 10, 223) is a fine piece of work for which we should all be most grateful to Mr. Sadler and the staff of H.M. Nautical Almanac Office. Indeed it is perhaps not out of place to recall the traditions by which the Royal Observatory supported by the Government of the day has always helped navigation, and to express gratitude to the Astronomer Royal for permitting and encouraging the work.