Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-03-20
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sury. communicating a9report of the Superin.l
,.ndent of the Coast Survey, showing the pro- {
~ress of the work under his charge during the
year ending November, 1S45. From this doc
nment we make the following extract in rela-
lion 10 the Coast Of North Carolina I'll, So
~ear "SoUTHERN SECTION, No. ii. ,lza
"THe coast Of North Carolina. The work
here has been begun by the employment of
two parties as early 10 autumn as the weather
would permit; the one in preparation for
measuring base line, the other in a primary
trianguIation of Aibemare sound. The work |
is fairly begun. and will be followed up as
vigorously as the appropriation will admit.
81. AS there is no doubt but that. IN sur
veying the southeFncoast of the United States
the frequent measurement Of base lines wall
necessarily be resorted to, have been desi-
rous 10 supply an apparatus more portable Than
the one formerly used in the work, and COM
.binng certain other advantages. Among these
are, that the length Of the apparatus is enva-
rlably at different temperatures !; that the bars
have equal absorbent powers for heat, and are
in one single piece; that they are Supported
so as to be stifTened laterally as we'll as hori-
zontaly, while capable OF free motion; that
they are enclosed in way which prevents
sudden changes Of temp ature. while the cev-
eFing part Of the apparatus gives stiffness; that
ttIe apparatus is supported at two pointsSonIy,
and is easily movable in the different direc-
lions required for adj nstment in measuring
l expected also to apply Bessel's contact APP
paratus IN measuring, thereby TO render the
measurement, so easy and rapid that its Tepetl
ton, which is always desirable, CHight- be
made without expanding too much tine but
time has not snificed for this, and [ have been
necessarily, by the same circumstance, limited
TO the nse Of one set Of bars, instead Of Two,
which expected to have employed 10 Gacili-
tate the measurement. The general c0adl-
Mons TO he fulhl'ed by the apparatus, and gen.
eral description of its CONSTRUCTION, were Civ
en- 10 Mr.. William Wnrdeman, mechanician
10 the coast survey, to hli up the details
This was tisfactoriaIy done, and she work
g. commenced IN August last. With great eff
fort, the apparatus was prepared for use by
the 22d of November. The preliminary trI-
ais for the invariable length and for the COM
parlson of the length Of the bars (Six melies)
with the standard metre Of the French com
.nittee Of weights aud measures, were made
by me personally, with the assistance Of Lieu.
tenant A. A. Humphreys and Mr.. Joseph
Saxion.
I" Before the compietian Of my work at Blue
hill station in Massachusetts, assistant Bou'
!. telte was sent TO re-eXamine the site tOreihe
base. reconnaissance for which was made
IN l643. by assistant J. G. Nelson. under the
direction OF assistant Ferguson, TO determine
definitely It's location, TO run the line, to make
q series Of levels 80 as to determine the hes
grades for the work, to erect signals at the ex
'Femliios, TO make preliminary measurement
with chain, and in general to prepare for hi
final measurement Of the base. These opera
lions were nearly completed by the close o
November, when reached the side Of the base
10 examine the line and fix upon the termina
tons. The work Of Mr.. Boutelle. had beer
both diligently and skIIfuIIy executed.
1.-The very low state of water in the Dis
NAL Swamp canal, unprecedented at this sea
son OF the year, has nterposed difficulties am
delays in the Transmission Of the apparatus
but unless the season should prove unusualI
nnPropItlous, l expect to proceed at once wit
the measurement, of the base. The only Gil
cunstanc winch can cause the postponenlen
OF the measurement until the close Of WInieI
Will bp an unusually wet season covering IN
sand Il It's. over which The line passes. wit
rain water. Should This occur, the triangula
ton from tho ends Of the base will be made t
precede the measurement.
-" =. The primary main triun guin ION {
Albematle sound was commenced early i
November by assistant Nelson. A sma
vessel was hired for the use Of the party, i
"rder.to facilitate the WORK. This party wi
probably be able to keep the field until Jam
airy, and to recommence work in March; S
mat considerable progress may be expecte
"Hhlnethe present year.
"Ihere is no part Of onr coast the pecnlia
features or which render accurate and mimi
surveys more necessary than this. The broa
sounds are traversed by channels in whic
alone the requisite draught of water for We
sells even of Tnoderate size is to be had, ar
these are imperfectIy explored, out Of the ord
nary track. Any facilities Of navigation whit
#wousd open more readily the corn grown
region OF North Carolina 10 a market, wou
add much 10 the wealtheof the country. A
curate charts would thus, directly and ind
yrectIy, in'their bearing upon the improvement
required, be Of great advantage to this part
the country. 49,
at is therefore very desirable to follow I
The primary work already described by er
Pioylng secondary or territory trianguIatit
party and the typographical and hydrograp
aeaIPar:Ies required; and this will be done
Tar as The means put at eur disposal will Z
low. 1t would be manifestly improper
cease working on any of the sections of Il
survey which have been in progress, to tai
up new sections, for this would prevent 4
fruits OF the work from being soon realize
hut am sincerely anxious to diffuse the beI
hts OF the work over large extent Of q
county at very early day, and this can
done by small increase of the appropriate
in pressing this do so, not thai it will be
eft those engaged in the work, or will lead
the employment of others; but simply thai
may benefit the agriculture, commerce, a
navigation of the whole country, in which
whole country is directly interested; and II
stmay furnish, as fast as possible, means
prevent or diminish :he waste Of life and o
perry which now annually occurs upon
coast.