Final answer:
The committee set up by Britain's admiralty in 1837 aimed to ensure the accuracy of marine chronometers aboard ships, which were vital for navigation by allowing sailors to determine longitude at sea.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1837, Britain's admiralty set up a committee to ensure the accuracy of marine chronometers aboard iron ships. The issue of measuring longitude at sea had been a significant problem since the age of great navigators. In the 18th century, it became known as the problem of longitude and offered a considerable sum for anyone who could find a reliable solution to this navigational challenge. John Harrison, a British clockmaker, spent decades perfecting his chronometers. It wasn't until the advancement of radio technology in the early 20th century that the reliance on these precision timepieces for navigation decreased. Chronometers were crucial for navigation because they allowed sailors to calculate their longitude at sea.