Admiralty Plotting Sheet 5015: Diagram to Facilitate the Obtaining a Ship's Position by Sumner's Method

An official Admiralty Plotting Diagram, printed on demand on quality, watermarked chart paper directly from the UKHO's latest digital files. This specialised diagram facilitates celestial navigation using Sumner's method, a revolutionary technique that transformed maritime navigation.

About This Navigation Tool

Admiralty Chart 5015 is a plotting diagram designed for obtaining a ship's position using Sumner's method. This specialised chart features a large compass rose for degree measurement and latitude scales from 0° to 60°. The longitude scale remains unnumbered, allowing navigators to designate meridians according to their estimated position. Developed by Captain Thomas Sumner in 1837, this navigation technique revolutionised celestial positioning at sea by establishing that a single celestial observation creates a line of position on which the observer must be located.

Key Features of the Sumner Diagram

• Large Compass Rose: Enables accurate measurement of degrees for plotting position lines.
• Unnumbered Longitude: Allows adaptation to any position worldwide.
• Multiple Latitude Scales: Covers 0° to 60° latitude range for broad applicability.
• Traditional Design: Historic format unchanged since 1904, preserving proven navigation methodology.

Chart Presentation

• Chart Dimensions: The stated dimensions refer to the actual diagram size, which is printed on paper up to DE size (1070 x 715 mm) with a white border surrounding the image. This border can be trimmed if desired.
• Presentation: The chart will be printed from the latest file available. Sometimes this may be more up-to-date than the sample image on this page. If this is of concern please get in touch and we can check the latest thumbnail image.
• Official Markings: Charts will include an official agent's stamp and a line of authentication data in the margin.
• Folded or Unfolded: By default, charts are folded up to three times to a standard size suitable for a ship's chart drawer. If you require an unfolded chart, please select this option when ordering. Both folded and unfolded charts are then rolled for shipping in a tube.

Shipping and Handling

• Printed to Order: Please note that Admiralty charts are not off-the-shelf items. Each one is printed on demand by an official UKHO Print-on-Demand distributor and prepared individually, a process that involves printing, trimming, quality checking, folding, official stamping, and applying a chart number label to the back of the chart. Please check for messages regarding current handling times during the ordering process.
• Urgent Orders: If you are in a hurry, please get in touch with us directly and we will do our very best to accommodate your needs.
• Packaging: Your chart will be shipped rolled in a sturdy cardboard tube. Charts are produced to professional navigation standards where minor creasing, if it occurs, does not affect navigational use. If shipped with Royal Mail we use a standard round tube. If shipped with DPD we use a long rectangular box which carries a slightly higher risk of creasing. Minor creasing can usually be flattened easily with a few hours under some heavy books.
• Returns: Because every chart is printed to order, it is non-returnable unless faulty or damaged. Please ensure the chart you have selected meets your needs before ordering. We are very happy to help with any questions, so please get in touch if you need assistance.