POINTING
, in Artillery and Gunnery, is the laying a piece of ordnance in any proposed direction, either horizontal, or elevated, or depressed, to any angle. This is usually effected by means of the gunner's quadrant, which, being applied to, or in, the muzzle of the piece, shews by a plummet the degree of elevation or depression.
Pointing, in Navigation, is the marking on the chart in what Point, or place, the vessel is.——This is done by means of the latitude and longitude, after these are known, or found by observation or computation. Thus, draw a line, with a pencil, across the chart according to the latitude; and another across the other way according to the longitude; then the inter-| section of these two lines, is the Point or place on the chart where the ship is; which is then marked black with a pen, and the pencil lines rubbed out. From the Point or place, thus found, the chart readily shews the direct distance and course run, as also yet to run to the intended port, &c.
