Nathaniel Bowditch (nicknamed "Nat") was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1773. He is the main character and subject of Jean Lee Latham's biography Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. From a young age, Nat demonstrated a natural aptitude for mathematics; because of his aptitude for mathematics and school, more generally, Nat dreams of attending Harvard so that he could further his studies. But a wrench is thrown in his plans because of his parent's financial struggles. In fact, because his family's financial situation deteriorates even more, those dreams are dashed, and he is taken out of school so that he can work in his father's cooper shop.
Sometime later, due to further financial strains that are placed on his family, Nat becomes an indentured servant, working as a bookkeeper for a ship chandler (someone who provides supplies to boat people). Despite not being involved in formal education, Nat's thirst for knowledge endures. Whenever he has the time, he borrows as many books as he can and teaches himself about a wide range of topics, including mathematics, French, and Latin.
His burgeoning skill base doesn't go unnoticed by people around him. The ship captains and businessmen in Salem begin to seek out Nat so that he can help them with their navigational calculations and his innovative approach to problem-solving.
When Nat completes his period of indentured servitude, he goes to the sea, where he hopes to apply all of the knowledge he learned from books practically. It was during these voyages that he identified numerous errors in the existing navigation manuals, particularly in what was considered to be the gold standard in John Hamilton Moore's Practical Navigator. These errors often lead to shipwrecks, costing lives and valuable cargo. Nat set out to change that.
To that end, Nat meticulously begins the process of correcting the errors in Moore's work. Despite the otherwise positive feelings towards him, Nat is met with skepticism and resistance from many sailors and captains who have relied on traditional methods and teachings for years. Undeterred, Nat continues to test and refine his methods, putting them into practice on his voyages.
Eventually, as he hones his skills and knowledge, Nat rises from being a sailor to a captain of his own ship. He earns respect from his crewmates not just for his navigational skills but also for the humane way he treats his crew. He believes in educating them and teaching them to navigate using his methods. This approach stands in stark contrast to the often brutal and unkind treatment sailors were known to receive at the time, making him incredibly popular.
In addition to his sailing adventures, the narrative also touches upon Nat's personal life. He endures tragic losses, including the death of his first wife and several children. Despite these challenges, Nat perseveres and continues with his work.
His unrelenting efforts culminated in the creation of his magnum opus: The American Practical Navigator. Unlike Moore's work, Nat's book is found to be thorough and reliable. His book simplifies the otherwise complex mathematics of navigation, making it accessible even to common sailors. As a result, shipwrecks and other maritime accidents have decreased substantially. This work eventually replaces Moore's book on ships across America and "Bowditch's Navigator," as it comes to be known.
The story concludes with Nat's return to Salem, where his contributions to navigation are celebrated and revered by people in his town and across the country. Although he's offered esteemed positions, including a teaching post at Harvard, he chooses to stay true to his passion for the sea and navigation.
