Episode 62: Gago Coutinho’s sextant
The arrival of Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho in Rio de Janeiro on board the “Santa Cruz” aircraft on 17th June 1922, marked one of the most important moments of the Portuguese 20th century. The success of this transatlantic flight was made possible thanks to the vision of Gago Coutinho, who adapted existing sextants and created the “Gago Coutinho’s sextant” in Técnico’s workshops, from 1920 to 1922. The instrument made it possible to create an artificial horizon, which allowed to fine-tune the orientation through innovative and rigorous calculations. It is possible that one or other specimen, built in Técnico’s workshops, lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean since 1922. However, it is more likely to see a copy of the sextant in the Lisbon Maritime Museum.
- Acknowledgements:
Comandante Carlos Valentim
Jorge Freitas Branco
Museu de Marinha
Episode only available in Portuguese in: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Anchor.fm
Further reading and additional audio in the Portuguese version of this webpage.