The US Bureau of Ordnance
has decided to bring "Big Mamie" (USS Massachusetts, BB-59) out of
mothballs for one last firing of her big 16" guns. They have
selected an isolated target on Prudence Island, that represents a
typical target for these massive weapons. The fire control officer
has been given the following targeting information for her aft gun
mount:
Range: 11.41 statute miles
True Bearing: 224.14 degrees
Starting from the latitude and longitude of the
center of the aft gun turret on the USS Massachusetts, where
she is currently moored (in Fall River, MA, in the shadow of the
Braga Bridge), you must determine the target coordinates. The
geocache will be located at point of impact.
Tips:
* Be sure to use statute miles
* Be sure to use True North vice Magnetic North
* Use the Lat/Lon of the center of the aft turret, to the nearest
100th of a minute: i.e. N 41 30.10, W 71 30.10
* Use Great Circle calculations
* You do not have to physically visit the USS Massachusets; There
are other ways to determine the necessary starting coordinates.
The coordinate checker will verify a correct response if you are
within ~100' of the actual coordinates (2700 lbs of high explosive
yields a pretty good sized crater after all!). 100' accuracy will
get you close enough that the hint will make sense and zero you in
on the target.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.
For some additional history on Big Mamie, visit the Battleship
Cove website.