The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-15

From he New York Times
The Coast sursey-Its Progress and Prospects
twas Thomas Jefferson who irst proposed complete
and extended survey OF the coast OF the United States
The early years OF the present century the only
claims which that enterprise possesses Tor antiquity
Barely fifty years have elapsed since the project hrsl be-
gan be considered, and but little than half thai
period has passed away since the hfst really effective
movement was made toward the accomplishment OF the
design. From The days when Albert Gallain drew up
his magnificent scheme 10 The hours that Alexander Dial
las Bache assduoasly devoes to the development
great principles in mathematics, is but short lifetime
yet IN spite OF Endrances aud iDpedlments which have
been hlcky sIewn around the path OF the work. IL has
gone steadily forward, aad is thoroughly organized
prosperous. and efficient The shoals have been sounded
and measured and mapped out the currents timed and laid
down in charts prepared by skfu hands the differences
OF longitude have been adjusted by The aid OF electricity
force OF scientific observers is scattered along the ene
coast. tIom Maine 10 the gull, and from tho sihmus TO
Oregon. That the ELECTS OF these dlllgent observations
and the records faithfully kept aud published should
be highly sauiafy proposition TOO seevideh 70 te
quire comment Ii may be somewhat instructive TO trace
the progress OF this work and notice what u mas fea
accomplished,
In the year 1876 the survey commenced under the
care OF Mr. Frederick Hassler Swiss by birth, and a
gentleman of enlarged intellect and great industry II
proceeded for two years. and stopped Revived IN 1892
by oil Congress, II was prosecuted with consldera
BILE vigo and the and of careful Observes, navy and
army officers of talent and education, and others compe
tent TO the work, invoked In 1914 the enterprise
again suspended by the sudden demise OF Mr. Hass-
Ii was a, this time ,ha, Prof Alex D Bache was call
ed TO the supernlendency OF the work. During the nine
years that have since ansped his labors have been
cessan,, CAREFUL and productive Less than decade has
added very largely to our stock OF information respecting
the conformation and pecuiari,ies OF the coast.
tury previous combined such sources OF information
condensed into few volumes, maps and charts
Able assistants have been detailed 10 the work
eastern and western coastwaers The survey vessels
now bnslly engaged III the ern habors and the
East has already bad It's share OF information be-
fore attained and now become quite Indispensable " The
scence OF the county, says Prof Bache in paper read
by him some years since al meeting OF the American
Association In Cambridge, was altogether upon dit.
feent level IN ls45 from what II was when the survey
was proposed IN 1907, or when 1t was commenced in
1916. So that II ouly necessary to fad OF
acceerating the work in accordance with legitimate SCI
en,ic principles and 10 obtain the means. for the
were no, wanting" With these aids the enterprise has
been placed upon firm and reliable footing and few
OF steady perseverance and government encourage
ment will insure its final and complete The ad
vanlages which commerce and navigation derive from
the results OF the past hive years significant guarantee
OF the value OF the work.
The method OF operations in the prosecution of the
survey is exceedingly simple. series OF separate
tres has been established BY the superintendent with bases
OF angua,ion varying in length from six 10 ten miles.
Advantage is taken OF the prominent, points upon the
primary and secondary angles are formed, calculations
instituted, and the sections finished with remarkable
rapdty and equal certainty The Autographed survey
proceeds simultaneously with the typographical; the
suits OF each recorded and carefully engrossed and
thus series OF charts is formed for the OF navgaors
The annual report OF the superintendent for the year
1851 Indicates rapid progress OF the survey. The coast
divided into nine sections; the first extending from
Passamaquoddy bay 10 Point Judith the second, from
Point Judith to Cape Henlopen. including The coasts OF
New York and Pennsy wanna and the NINTH embracing
California and Oregon. The Iianguation ia continuous.
The second section. comprising the coas, OF this Stale,
nearly completed in 1874, and the charts in
tensve circulation The work section IN the Pacific,
put under way in 1850. and is progressing list of
geog aphca positions 2i0 in number accompanies the
report. Eight notices TO mariners published IN
ls5i The number OF original Typographical maps pub.
lished at the Coast Survey Office, up 10 1851, 3ol
consisting Of 4S3 sheets; OF Autographed maps, 73s
and Of reduced maps and charts, $40. The OF
shoyeine surveyed, 10 the of 1884, was
IL ,s73 miles.
These results, briefly indicated, show a great industry.
The superintendent has the thanks of the commercial
community Tor the substantial benefits he has been n.
abled TO confer upon Them and science him last
ing wreath for the energy and with which
he has baed against the obstacles that have from time
10 time obs,rucied the progress OF the work We hope
the ad OF government Will be so literally extended that
he enterprise may have ending worthy of The dill
gence OF Its prosecution.