The influence of the Museo Matemático de Bilbao (1742) and the Lecciones Náuticas (1756) of Miguel Archer, in the Transit of the “Art of Navigation” to the “Astronomical Scientific Navigation” in the formation of merchant navy officer

Abstract

This article tries to show the impact that the Museo Matemático de Bilbao [1742] and the Lecciones Náuticas [1756] of Miguel Archer had, in the transit of the “Art of Navigation” to the “Astronomical Scientific Navigation" in the formation of Spanish merchant navy officer. To do this, the elements that constituted the transition are first addressed. Once established, the curriculum followed at the Colegio de San Telmo in Seville, dating from 1552 to 1748 that the Ordenanzas Generales de la Armada was promulgated, was confronted with that of the Museo Matemático de Bilbao devised by the merchant navy officer Miguel Archer. Finally, through the analysis of the curricula and the texts used in both institutions, it is determined that the Museo Matemático de Bilbao y las Lecciones Náuticas [1756] of Miguel Archer meant the beginning of the “Transition of the Scientific Astronomical Navigation” in Spain.