HEADLINE: Polynesian Navigation Techniques and the Voyage of John Williams AUTHOR NAME: Nicholas Thomas SUMMARY: Professor Nicholas Thomas introduces his book, Voyagers, discussing 19th-century missio

HEADLINE: Polynesian Navigation Techniques and the Voyage of John Williams AUTHOR NAME: Nicholas Thomas SUMMARY: Professor Nicholas Thomas introduces his book, Voyagers, discussing 19th-century missionary John Williams's encounter with Chief Rono Matani. Matani demonstrated that proper course setting required departing from a specific, knowledge-based point on an island, utilizing landmarks. Once out of sight of land, Polynesians maintained course using specific rising stars, compensating for currents and wind through subtle environmental understanding. 1899 FIJI