The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-08
From the Alta California.
Coast Survey and Light IA uses I'm California


tional and world wide in its bearings. The great
extent OF the coast, the immense amount of pro-
perty upon the ocean, III the shipping and goods
with which they freghted, that is continual y
afoat along our borders. bound in or out of our
ports; and, more than all the rest, the number OF
lives whose safety is dependent upon clear and
certain navigation of our harbors and the adj
joining, makes it especially
Ii is well known that the entire coast OF Caifor-
MIA has, until the recent survey last summer by
Capt. Macarthur, OF the Ewing, been very indef-
nitely understood That survey has made known
to the public partially, and will fully, when pub
lished with the accompanying maps ard charts,
the nature OF the coast It's appearance Landmark
roadsteads, depth of water, and general appear
ance, for almost the entire distance between this
port and Astoria on the Columbia river But that
ID not enough. The whole coast between this and
Panama requires thorough survey, especially
that part extending from the southern point of
Capt. McArthur's survey to the boundary line be-
yond San Diego. The old charts, covering this
portion OF our coast, very imperfect, and II Ia
quite wonderful that 80 few accidents to shipping
have occurred among 80 many as have navigated
these waters within the three last years.
Perhaps much Of this safety thus far has been de-
pendentin a measure upon the generally bold ma
ture of our shores We know of Instances where
the safety of ships and their crews attributable
alone to that fact-the towering mountains, dfny
seen, giving notice of danger before any shallow
ness Of water indicated very close proximity to
land. But this almost entire freedom from ship
wreck and loss OF life heretofore, cannot be cacu-
lated upon with any certeinty for the future,
less the proper guards of life and property be put in
requistion. There is not lighthouse the
coast. We believe that some steps have been taken
towards erecting Point Conception but if
30 its progress has been tritling. The bill referred
to seems 10 glance at the main points OF the whole
question, and will undoubtedly, if passed, tend to
the great and permanent good of this State, and all
the interests connected with its present and pro-
spective business.
The bill contemplates the appropriation of 4 So
200 for the construction of lighthouses fog signals,
buoys, &c, at certain points and an equal amount
for the further survey of the coast The latter point
Is OF equal Importance with the former Most, If
not all, OF the charts now in possession OF ship
masters, are not to be depended upon. On some
Of them islands are laid down which do exist;
Others which in existence, not laid down
at all; and in some instances where they given,
they are hall degree out Of place. their real posi-
ton differing i'll certain parts at least thirty miles
from their site by latitude and longitude on the
chart Every one can answer Tor himself how dam
gerous would be confidence in such guides, and
how necessary it lie that good survey and good
charts should be had as soon possible.
Happily, we have upon the coast sufficient
corps OF survey, under active and conscientious Of
hcers, who are entitled to the gratitude of the pub
lie and OF the Government for what they have al
ready done II the right kind Of bill pass Congress,
with ample appropriations and specifications,
have every reason TO believe that the duties thus
devolvlng upon the Superintendent Of the Coast
Survey, and those under his direction, will not only
be faithfully performed, but also with despatch,
and in manner very much conducting to the in
terests OF navigation and commerce. The world
has an interest IN this matter Eastern Asia as
nent of islands, South America-all have deep
interest in this matter; and, therefore, apart from
California particular claim, Congress should act
upon great national question.
There is not upon the shores of the whole cont
nent 30 great distance any where else with 80 few
harbors that which stretches from the mouth OF
the Columbia river TO Lower California. Along
this the business by means OF sail and steam
ships is immense, and constantly increasing. 1t
will not be long steam lines from China will be
established, in common with countless Others which
q
forth. Congress should, therefore, delay action
upon this subject not u moment beyond the time
actually necessary to fairly understand its merits,
and to frame the bill, il its present form needs
amendment, that it shall meet the question III de-
tail and in full, and at early com
mencement of the necessary preliminary opera
tions here.
LIeHrHousEs.-4We cannot but be pleased with
remark referred to in the communication be-
low not that 1t may have lnJurlously affected the
party engaged in the very important duties of sur
veying-for that, of course, was not intended-but
because it has brought before the public. 80 far a
very interesting and reliable account OF their pro.
gress at Point Conception. Our remark was based
entirely upon what noticed last July while pass
ing that point where the lighthouse is TO be erected,
and we were not aware that the party were 80 re-
Gently on the ground, had been obliged to enter
into extensive and ab initio series of observations
and calculations. We have no fears that the Coast
Survey will be badly neggently done. Our
opinions respecting the officers attached to that
branch of the United States service have been free
ly expressed before. All that Is needed is liberal
action by Congress, and the Work will be efficient
ly and speedily done
SAN Francisco, Nov. 20, 1850.
MEssRs. EpIToRs: have just had my atten-
ton called to editorial in yesterday paper up
on sThe Lighthouse Bill )" and, some of the re-
marks affect the party under my charge, would
respectfully call your attention TO them
You say, eve believe that some steps have been
taken towards erecting "a lighthouse) on Point
Conception; but if So its progress has been tri-
faeIr ceI hat fb.sa Inya vyaa Iyri
ten without knowledge of the facts, as the opera
tions of the party have not yet been made public,
and by law Of the Treasury Department cannot
be, unless authorized by it,
In June last arrived here under orders to
make survey of the harbor of San Francisco and
its approaches, with, however, discretionary power
TO would be most advantageous to the com
merce of the Pacific, should the scar ty appropria-
ton passed by Congress be inadequate for a sur
vey of this harbor. That this was really the case
few figures will convince you. To bring the party
out here, equipped for active operations-paylng
their transportation from the States their salaries
and subsistence for fourteen months hire OF cook,
hands, and means of transportation for the same
time, and all the contingencies OF held party
the srtrapagdnHy iarsh appropriation OF $l0OOo
was allowed Such being the case, it de-
termined to proceed to Point Conception, the posi-
ton of which was VIGOROUSLY in error in longitude
and by an elaborate series OF observations, fix 1t
with precision, For this purpose the party had the
beat instruments that have ever been on this coast
All that is expected required from land party
has been accomplished satisfactorily the observa
tons through three months and included
large number OF moon examinations and occulta-
tions for longitude, transts of stars for time, mi
crometer differences of the zenith distances OF north
and south stars for latitude observations with the
theodoto magnetorneter Tor magnetic variation,
observations for the heights OF different points,
res of meteorological observations, n Typographical
sketch, including Point Conception proper, with
the shore line between two and three miles above
aud below IL. and inland to the range of mountains,
the peouliartes of the immediate vicinity, &C. &c.
The amount OF computation necessary to reduce
tins "trilng" progress will keep four computcrs
basily employed for three months. There is not
the shadow Of a doubt but that the labor, when com
pleted. will meet the approval of the Superlntend-
.nt II the Coast Survey Every quirement which
may to locate a lighthouse there has been
anticipated, and all that remains to be done is the
bydrogr6 ply about the Point. What is wanted
10 follow zap tina beginning, which Superintendent
Bachc calls good thing, ooy good thing" is a
liberal allowance by Congress.