European longitude prizes. 4: Thomas Axe’s impossible terms

Although governments across Europe had realised the need to incentivise the development of practically viable longitude solutions as early as the late-sixteenth century, the English Government was late to the party. A sense of urgency among the scientific community and maritime navigators led to the establishment of a number of longitude awards by private donors. The first private British award was bequeathed in 1691 by Thomas Axe, parish clerk of Ottery St. Mary (Devon). Despite the absence of an expenses component and the onerous and costly nature of its terms and conditions, the Axe Prize attracted a number of optimistic claimants. Although the award was never disbursed, it may have contributed to the instigation of the Government-supported monetary reward associated with the British Longitude Act of 1714. It is likely that the conditions governing the British ‘Longitude Prize’, specifically the required accuracy and the need for sea trials and of disclosure of a successful method’s theoretical principles, can be traced back at least in part to the Axe Prize requirements.