The North-Carolina standard., 1846-03-04

tY, from Fasquotank, ,dreetng decree Tor Palntln
Also, in Howell and others D. Hooks, Admit, In |
Equity from Wayne, directing decree foe Rlains
tiff. Also, In Williams .. AIexanders sin E9 1y.l
from Meckienburg, dismlssing the bill with c0S.sa
THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.
We. are indebted to friend at Washington for
the Reportfrom the SecfttaFy Of the treasury,
communicating report of the Superintendent of
the Coast Survey, showing the progress of the
work under his charge during the year ending
November, l845.a From this document we make
the following extract in relation to the Coast of
North Carolina SO 500 ss
"SouTHERN SECTION No. H.
1.-THE coast of North Carolina. The work
here has been begun by The employment of two
parties early in the autumn the weather
would permit the one in preparations for meas
urng base line. the other in the primary triangu
lation of AIbemare sound. The work is fairly be-
gun, and will be followed up as vigorously the
appropriation will, admit. ..--..
l. AS there is no doubt but that, in surveying
the southern coast of the United States, the fire.
quent measurement of base lines will necessarily
be resorled to, have been desrous TO supply
apparatus more portable than The one formerly us
ed IN the work, and combining certain other ad-
vantages. Among these are, that the length of the
apparatus is nVariable at different temperatures;
that the bars have equal absorbent powers for heat,
and are in one single piece that they are sup
rizontally, while capable Of free motion that they
are enclosed in way which prevents sudden
changes Of temperature, while the covering part OF
the apparatus gives stiffness; that the apparatus
| is supported two points only, and is easily
moveabe in the different directions required for
| adjustment In measuring. | expected also TO ap-
ply Bessels contact apparatus IN measuring, there
| by to render the measurement so easy and rapid
that its repetition, which is always desirable,
might be made without expending too much time /;
but time has not sufhced for this, and have EN-
ployed the microscopes used by Mr.. Hassler, with
the modinc tions made last year by Mr. Blunt,
and other changes. / have been necessarily, by
the same circumstance, limited to the use of one
set Of bars, instead of two, which | expected to
have employed to facilitate the measurement.
! The general conditions be fulfilled by the appa-
ratus, and general description OF lis construction.
were given to Mr.. William Wurdeman, mechani-
clan the coast survey, fill up the details. This
was satisfactorily done, and the work commenced
! in August last. With great effort, the apparatus
was prepared for by the 22d of November.
/ The preliminary trials for the inVariable length,
i and for the comparison of the length OF the bars
(six meues) with the standard metre of the French
committee of weights and measures, were made
| by me personally with the assistance of Lieuten-
ant A. A. Humphreys and Mr. Joseph SaxtOn
"Before the completion of my work at Blue hill
station in Massachusetts, assistant Boutelle was
sent to re-examine the site for the base, recon
nossance for which was made in 1S43 by assist
ant ]. G.. Nelson, under the direction OF assistant
Ferguson, 10 determine definitely its location, Ic
run the line, make series of levels so as TO de-
termine the best grades for the work, to erect sig
mails the extremities, TO make preliminary meas
urement with chain, and In general 10 prepare
for The final measurement Of the base. These op
eraions were nearly completed by the close o.
/ November when reached the site OF the base, to
examine the line and fix upon the terminailons
The work of Mr.. Boutelle had been both diligently
and skilfuliy executed.
"The very low state of water In the DISma
Swamp canal, Unprecedented at this season OF tht
IL 4 fbs
transmission of the apparatus; but unless the sea
son should prove unusually unpropltIous, expec
10 proceed al once with the measurement OF th
base. The only Circumstance which can caus
the postponement of the measurement until TIT
close of winter, will be unusually wet season
covering the sand fats, which the line passes
with rain water. Should this occur, the trianguia
ton from The ends of the base will be made TO pre-
cede the measurement.
"2 The prin,aru or main tridnguLdtion O
AIbemare sound was commenced early in No
vember by assistant Ferguson, aided by asSlstan
Nelson. A small vesse! hired for lh
; use of the party, in order TO facilitate the work
This party will probably be able 10 keep the helt
until January and 10 recommence work IN March
I so tha. considerable progress may be expected
within the present year.
There is no part of coast the peculiar fea
lures Of which render accurate and minute surveys
more necessary than this. The broad sounds arr
traversed by channels in which alone the requisite
draught of water for vessels even OF moderate
size is to be had, and these are lmperlecuy e*PoT
, ed, out Of the ordinary track. Any facilities o
5 navigation which would open more readily tn
growing region oil North Carolina 10 mar
ket, would add much to the wealth OF the country
Accurate charts would thus, directly and indirect
ly, in heir bearing upon the imp povements requII
ed, be of great advantage 10 this part ot the coun
r try.
ut is therefore very desirable TO follow up th
S primary work already described bY employing
secondary tertiary rriangulation party, and IN
typographical and hy autographed parties required
and this will be done as far as the means put q
{ our disposal will allow. 1t would be manIestl
improper TO cease working any OF the section
of the survey which have been in progress, TO tax
up ne W sections, for this would prevent the fruIi
of the work from being soon realized out al
sincerely anxious to diffuse the dement's OF IN
, work over large extent of our country at yer
early day. and this can be done by small Increas
of the appropriation. In pressing this, do so, nc
: that it will benefit those engaged IN the WORK,
will lead to the employment OF others out slmpi
l. that it may benefit the agriculture commerce, an
l. navigation of the whole country, in which IN
: whole country is directly interested; and that
: may furnish, as fast possible means 10 PreVet
: or diminish The waste of life and property Wnlc
! now annually occurs upon our coast"
n A1Gany Cultivator. We are indebted to ii
:, Editor, Mr. Tucker, for the January and Fe
= ruarv numbers of this excellent work. III