The daily union., 1856-12-27
For the Union.
DEEp-sEA souEDINas. 0''

1
The report of Lieut. Bergman published in the Union
Of the Gath instant like that of Lieut. Maurys report which
appeared in the National Integencer of the 18th instant
(Dec will doubtless attract large share of the public at
tention only of the interesting subject
treated of but especially because will correct the
Impressions produced by the criticism which
Maury has undertaken pronounce upon the accuracy
Of the soundings taken by Lieut. Bergman in his recent
survey of the North Atlantic The latter gentleman
smartng under the aspersons which he considers to have
been grauitousy cast upon his work, anxious to
accompanied the publication of his report and the
table Of soundings appended thereto with commentary Of
his upon the issue which has thus been forced upon
him but this could be done without violating WELL
settled regulation of the Navy Department be has been
compelled to content himself with the simple publication
Of his report and the accompanying abstract exclusively
relying upon the facts therein forth for his perfect vim
dcaon against what he considers the unprovoked and
an generous attack of Mr. Maury. r q .s.a, u.s..#
The publication Of Lieut. BIS report as am informed Is
made with the full sanction Of the Navy Department and
it therefore goes forth with the endorsement Office
the fact is fairly inerable that the report Of Mr. Maury
condemnng does the accuracy and value of the work
executed by Lieut. Bergman and Of course that extent
directly conflicting with the Secretary OF the Navy himself
found its way the public without the authority Of
that distinguished funcdonary IL will be borne in mind
that the Secretary of the Navy in his report
presses himself in relation to the survey of the
by Lieut. Bergman in the words following, viz:
DEEr-sEA soUNDRGs-sUBMARSE TKLEsRAPH, ETC.
In addition the duties performed by the vessels Of the
several squadrons above set FORTH there others
cuted in progress Of execution possessing sufficient in
terest to be worthy Of place in this report
The indefaugabe Superintendent of the Naval 0bseya
tory conent with aiding aud the untanght
mariner by pointing the safest and shortest
the where friendly winds and may be found
yet with the contributions the in,ellgen of the
country resulting from observing the stars OF the heavens
has for time past thought IL visionary urge
upon The pubic attention study, denOmnacd by
Baron Humboldt the Physical Geography OF the Sea-
He bad also been so bold to insist that whenever
vey could be made Of the bottom OF the betv
Newfoundland and Ireland II would be asceraiued that
such the moderate depths, such the peet repose
there and absence Of abradng disturbing currents that
teleaphc wires could be laid safely and successfully
upon land.
Lieutenant Brooke Of the navy had invented most In
genous yet simple contriSance In connexon with tho
shot used by which the II touched the bed Of the
became detached and carefully took up specimens
Of whatever in contact with and brought them up
safely the operator. Many Of enerprising country
men, very naturally desrous Of seeing accomplished
grand undertaking. were anxious that all doubts Of
pracca6iy should, II possbln, be removed by actual
observation and examination.
There passed 10 s49 giving authority TO the
Secretary Of the Navy national vessel for e1ting
routes and perfecng the discoveries made by Lieu
Msury in the OF his Investigations OF tho
winds and currents OF the ocean, confess felt seme
pride In having the science naval genius Of
oorntry continue foremost In these great surveys
ana n illustrating the praccaby OF grand concep
ton as harnessing the lightning ant making IL obedent
beneath the profound depths Of the great which Prov
dence has placed btween the Old and the New World
There difficulty In finding competent officer.
Lieutenant Bergman Of large experience and established
reputation in deepsea soundings full Of that enerprising
spirit Characteristic OF American ofcers not only
re, bu earnestly solctous and eager TO be perm 70
execute the taG assuring the department. that with
few officers and very small crew, be could accomplish II
in few weeks without TO the service The
small steamer Arctic was lying idle at the Brooklyn navy
yard and pronounced suitable The order issued and
Lieutenant Bergman, accompanied by Lieutenant Strain,
p,.a n,h'--rNn Mitchell and Thomas hidshiPman
Barnes and few men, left New York on the 18th July,
crossed the ocean, returned tie |4h II cc2b,,
bringing with hm abundant supplies Of cnrious and atb
esting specimens from the bed Of the ocean, and s tbs
same time beautiful charts mapp ng out i various depths
at distances Of thirty forty sixty and hundred miles.
In order 10 make bis sopndngs approximate eccuscv
nearly possible Lieutensnt Bergman returned 10 tho
latitude and reexamined points where he had doub
The length Of the surveyed IL about 600 miles the
greatest depth found 107O ftboms about al miol)
the average hoWeve being much less These charts snd
specimens have been turned the Naval Observatory
The Superintendent has already caused the specimens be
snayged and 10 tue hsnds Of learned professor whose
report before me- they are made to tell much Of the Char
cter and mysteries OF that ocean-coFeied regsn he
thinks tho Of the minerals Indicates thai they
have been quietly deposited from gentle currents aI
subsequently disturbedn
II Is affirmed that the Developments Of The surysv
coro6orate the suggestions Of scientific and
establish the practieaby Of laying wires successfully on
The bed Of the see.
viii leave II 10 Others cir 10 lift the veil Of the future
and to picture TO The mind Of the curious and speculative
The Influence 70 be exered by such an event upon com
merce and trade upon peace and war; and the relationship
of nations.
These deepses soundings-tis study OF the winds and
currents and temperature Of The ocesnhese gradual sp