Chapter 13: The Second Voyage of Captain James Cook Summary and Analysis

Chapter 13 is the story of Harrison's ultimate vindication. He survives the attacks of the cruel Board of Longitude, and lives late into life completing a fifth clock. The fifth clock finally vindicates him as does the knock-off K-1 made by Kendall and used by Captain Cook. In this chapter we reach the climax of the book - the major conflict of the book is resolved - George III and Parliament help Harrison to vindicate his claims, although the Board of Longitude still refuses him the award. Harrison is ultimately satisfied and Maskelyne is largely thwarted.

The H-4 failed its ten month test at the Royal Observatory. Many argued that Maskelyne handled H-4 too roughly or that he deliberately distorted the trial. Maskelyne also developed a strange trial...