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Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 7:53 pm
by studentforever
My problem was that the log didn't give any real idea of where it was. Greenport, li did not really give me any initial clues. A dig on Google hinted that li might be Long Island but I've never really got on with obscure names with Geonames unless I have a secure local reference and then I can go onto the map as you suggest. However, I didn't have a secure local location at this stage of the editing although one might turn up later so I went back to an old friend and Google so I leave it to you whether to add it and which location reference link to use.

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 8:23 pm
by Michael
I have the same frustration with GeoNames as you do. Enough so that I downloaded their database and I search it on my PC. It's not a solution for everyone, but it works for me.

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 8:25 pm
by Randi
I don't know if it always works, but I just keep zooming in ;)

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 8:33 pm
by Michael
That helps, but you have to know where to put the centre of your view. Also, the US has so many locations listed in Geonames that it gets tricky. For example, within 10 miles of that location there are 295 positions listed. If I remember correctly, you have to zoom in enough that it pulls up only 100 names before the search will guarantee to find what you're looking for.

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:25 pm
by Randi
Where's your sense of masochism?!

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:36 pm
by Michael
It's buried under a huge pile of laziness... :lol:

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2022 1:33 am
by Randi
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:44 am
by Matteo
Yeah geonames can be pretty difficult to handle at times!

To avoid it redrawing the places at every zoom you can edit place position (dont move it, ofc, just start a "move" and then abandon it is enough), the places should stop being redraw then and you can zoom in and out, and pan around manually asking a redraw, more easily.

If you have the name and a general idea at least of the state you can just search here: http://www.geonames.org/search.html?q=G ... t&country= adding eventually the country to the name, the search is not too horrible.

With the ship log at hand (no ship can move more than a few dozen nm in a certain time, so knowing the noon position - or any other - will more or less restrict the area of your searches) and a couple of other placenames i usually manage to narrow searches enough... maybe the find place tool in our owtools site (https://owtools.scienceontheweb.net/owt ... dplace.php) can help locate nearby items and therefore the place you're looking for.
Also for US places the noaa historical maps archive is just priceless (ofc you'll need to know where to look as well).

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2022 10:50 am
by studentforever
Coasters Harbor, part of the Newport Complex, is at Lat 41.51371, Long -71.32394

https://www.geonames.org/5221505/coasters-harbor.html

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2022 6:47 am
by studentforever
There is another Long Island off Boston Navy Yard as well as the more famous one off New York

https://www.geonames.org/4942412/long-island.html

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2022 9:16 pm
by Randi

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:32 am
by Matteo
All added to db, will update reference thread soon!
Thanks Randi!

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:11 pm
by Randi

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:49 pm
by pommystuart

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 12:12 am
by Michael
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 3:56 pm
by Matteo
Randi wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:11 pm Just when you thought you were done for awhile...

Brook Islands now https://www.geonames.org/5854942/midway-islands.html
https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 07-093.JPG
I've added the alias, but kept it with the Midway Entry in the China Station, Japan, Pacific and Indian Ocean -- Reference... i've put Hawaii in the US thread (and in the china station one), but for now wasn't planning to do it for other US territories (US Virgin Islands and Guantanamo are in Latin America reference for example).

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 4:03 pm
by Randi
:D

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 1:11 am
by Randi

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2023 1:14 pm
by Matteo
All added to db, thanks Randi!

Re: US (non-Alaskan) Place Names -- Discussion

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 9:34 am
by studentforever
Came across a reference to Portland Light as Pioneer was heading for Seattle in 1924. I think she may be referring to North Head Light
https://www.visitlongbeachpeninsula.com ... ighthouse/
which is on the database.
Pioneer has been doing hydrography and topography in Alaska and is on her way south for the winter.