Longitude (2000– )

Ian McNeice: Dr. Bliss

Quotes 

• John Harrison : It is 25 years since I first had the honor to address this board, under the chairmanship of Dr. Edmund 'Alley. And since that time I've worked with only one ambition: to satisfy your requirements as laid down by Act of Parliament, for the discovery of longitude at sea. It is with both great pride and honor, and humility, that I stand here today with my son, after his great triumph.

  Dr. Bliss : Thank you, Mr. Harrison, yes, thank you. Now. I have asked you here to inform you of the resolution of the Board: that, firstly, the *brief* calculations of Mr. William Harrison are to be sent for computation; and the instruments used in those observations are also to be sent for examination. The board will then consider these reports at a further meeting, the date of which will be announced in due course. That will be all for now, gentlemen.

  John Harrison : Sir, I am an old man, and an old man can sometimes find his senses unexpectedly weakened. There is perhaps an element of your argument that I have misunderstood, or even misheard. My watch lost... lost *one minute, 53 and a half seconds* after *81 days at sea*! As witnessed and signed in the, in the papers you have before you, which you seem so keen to put away. I have fulfilled the terms most exactly, as laid down in the Act of Queen Anne, and I demand that you consider the question of my reward.

  Dr. Bliss : Mr. Harrison, I am not a commissioner of the gaming board, here to settle some bet! I am a scientist bent on investigation of a most serious subject.