Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-02-15
THE COAST SURVEY.


We have been furnished by friend with the fol-
lowing comprehensive abstract Of Professor BAcHEs
report upon the Coast Survey This great and Inn
portant work (says the Boston Daily Advertiser) is
in very good hands, and making very satisfactory
progress, and we cannot but concur in the hope OF
our correspondent that Congress will continue to
sustain it by ample appropriations.
"We have before the report of the Superintendent Of the
Survey Of the Coast showing the progress Of the work during
the past year. 1t is accompanied by maps sketchng the va
fields Of operation and such detailed statement OF what
has been done, both Of doors and in the Office that the
careful reader may form correct estimate of the character
and progress Of this great national undertaking.
The report is divided into three parts the first gives an
account Of the nature of the work the second recounts the
abo the past year and the third exposes the plan Of ope
for the succeeding year The operations Of the survey
have during the present year, been carried into nine States Of
the Union and will soon be extended three others In
eight of these States all the divisional duties have been
formed simultaneously during the preceding summer; that If,
whilst the Superintendent and his principal assistants have
conducted the primary anguaon the secondary triangu-
ang parties have furnished the necessary points for the topo-
grapher who in their have supplied the naval officers
with the requisite means of making the soundngs observing
the direction and velocity of currents, &c.
Astronomical observations have been made at five sta
tons, meteorological at still greater number, and magnetic
observations demanding the EXTREMIST accuracy and patience
have been repeated the haror of New York and the pn
cpa harbors Of Long Island Sound Two bases verify the
work of former years have been measued-one Kent
Island in the Chesapeake about five and half miles long,
and another in Massachusetts, about eleven miles long
SIN addition the above observations and calculations for
the determination of longitude going at all times at the
principal astronomical stations Of the country, including the
Observatory Cambridge We have abundant evidence here
that neither the time the Of the Survey have been
wasted misdrccted We not omit however, to
ce the abors Of the office, which great and ncessan
through all of the year. The best exponent Of the
latter the chart Of New York bay and habo which has
lately been issued from the office Of the Coast Survey It has
been equaled approached in this county in
and accuracy Of DETAIL and beauty and ceaness
of execution ggs N
Even this, however, is limited praise The importance
Of this and the charts Of other great harbors better be est
mated by reading Dr. BAcHEs report, from which learn
that channels before known and dangerous mpe
dmens navigation entirely unsuspcced have been disco
vercd largest commercial depo New York and
Philadelphia
"The Superintendent has presented plan Of operations
for the ensuing year which very comprehensive embracing
in its field thirteen States of the Union, and also exceedingly
interesting the mercantile community, proposing to give
the public the valuable information which has been
accumuatng for years. We have trust and
indeed assurance, that misplaced of economy the
part Of Legislators will interrupt delay the execution of
this plan Whatever adds to the security Of
increases wealth and the former liberal appropriations
be redeemed by such additional expenditures will lead
the immediate diffusion of the valuable information in the
Office Of the Coast Survey waiting the sanction of Congress for
its publication.
cit is with the highest pride and qualification that
the scandaous reproach passing away from Of being ndeb
ed English and French surveys land those very incomplete
ones) for knowledge of our own shores.
ssThs pride is not little increased by the fact that this
great work conducted by Of our counymcn
though heartily join him in his graceful eulogy upon hi
predecessor Mr. HAssLER, whose memory will always be
gratefully cherished amongst for having first introduced in
to this country and practically illustrated important branch
Of physical science" sA
We cannot conclude this notice (says the Daily
Advertiser without calling attention to the enlarged
and magnanimous spirit with which DIR. BAcHE has
called to his aid some of the most distinguished sci
enti6c men in the country. He has thus impressed
national character upon this greatwork, and nobly
responded to the unanimous voice of American
science in favor of his appointment. We trust that
this voice will be heard in the halls of Congress,
and uniting with those of commerce and navigation,
will demand sufficiently liberal appropriation for
the successful and most economical progress OF the
Coast Survey.