That's a common misconception. See here: http://www.idialstars.com/eot.htm

Low-tech backups as a good idea:

Seeing stars, again: Naval Academy reinstates celestial navigation

Allready another thread on the subject: http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=277030&gonew=1#UNREAD

I'm glad. Having the Navy teach Celestial navigation is like the Army teaching their land navigation course with a standard compass. In practice, I'm sure a standard compass is rarely used but if the GPS is somehow out of commission, it is good to know how to navigate without one

So, when do they re-implement the original technology for determining speed across the water?

Most ships are already equipped with piton type instruments similar to what aircraft utilize.

Yep, Pitot tube. I didn't know that ships had pitot type systems. Thanks.

The Engineers had to lower ours down once we got into i certain minimum depth of water. It would always be retracted before we got into shallow waters.

Sorry guys, I was going for knots on a rope.