The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-17

he abstract log kept the plummet timed are entitled to
consideration whatever Lieut. Bergman having been
detailed commander Of this vessel of felt himself
relieved from all the restrictions which Mr. Maury
fers. Opertng with instrument which Mr. Maury calls
machine, but which is nearly toics old as
the Iaw from which he seeks to deduce his authority
and taking soundngs in sean instead OF sailing
sell the regulations of the service which based upon
the old and now exploded system Of the Small line
and shot, had proper application TO him. and hence
Mr. Maury received among the records turned to the
Observatory just what be had right to expectnamey,
the identical faulty abstract log which Lieut. Bergman did
not pretend to keep with any view to accuracy because
he neither deemed it necessary do in aid Of the work
he specially detailed perform consistent with
the despatch in its execution which expected Of him.
The sounding machine which he used had been fully
tested several years previously and he was entirely
satisfied with the result Of former experiments in this re-
gard he did not consider it either necessary or proper 10
repeat them this occasion. Besides before sailing on
this expedition the machine for taking the stea depths
refined by thst skilfu and scientific machinst
of the Coast Survey Office and hence Lieut. D. had add
tiona ground to expect results from its operation which
would approximate accuracy than any that had
been formerly produced and certainly sufficiently near to
that desired point necessary for the purpose in hand
Independent of this fact the most important part OF the
sounding apparatus employed in its infancy was
considered and pronounced by the distinguished Admiral
/
their photographed bureau be very accuras and it s
therefore not be presumed that this distinguished hy
droRapher though he may have assisted in produ
cling the standard charts referred to- would concur with
Mr. Maury setting aside greatly as 1t has since been
improved to give place to the old fashioned line and lead
the results from which Mr.. Maury himself will eoncede
| abound in error.
This method then, of taking the deep sea soundings
SO much sustain recommend it, regard
ed superior to all Others and Mr. Maury will be left with his
small line and shot but little ground to stand upon in the
ungracous effort he is making to throw doubt upon the
work of the Arctic if not heavy cloud as some sup
pose over the professional reputation of noble and gal
liant brother officer This new machine them being
perfect than any of its predecessors and especially the
small line and shot, land still being further improved by
valuable additions suggested by Lieut. Berryman,) what
right had Mr. Maury to expect even his authority to SUI
admitted that the results produced by 1t would
at all compare with the old English and French charts
the American either when all of them made from
taken by the fashioned leadand-ine method
The soundngs of the Dolphin taken by the small
line and shot and OF course there is nothing wonderful
the discovery in regard to the glazing discrepancy be-
tween them and those of the Arctic That result was
necessary consequence.
But the browning act of faulty and vicious execution,
and which has called forth the deadlest shaft from the
culver of Mr. Maury be found in the sounding of the
aArcticn taken the lst Of August, o'clock, p m
The unucky of the lead that inauspcious day
has inflicted the fatal blow in Mr. Maurys estimation and
the garng discrepancies which have been revealed by
his scrutiny of that observation Of
satisfy the public that the soo surrey utterly vaueess
and unreliable But will it escape the attention of
the most casual observer that not to give outline and
color to this frighdul carcature Mr. Maury is obliged
to call again his aid the faulty o the record not recog
missed by Lieut. Bergman himself part of the data in
tended for the Observatory and by comparing that with
the imperfect and perfect charts which Lieutenant had
to the Navy Department he has umbed up and made
out case which would defy the skill of Philadelphia
LAWYER to unrave and explain But Lieutenant B. has be-
fore explained these apparent discrepancies Some of the
soundings from to six more were altered in posi-
ton by better navigation in returning to Newfoundland
and the necessity for such alteration produced by the
fops on leaving Newfoundland for Ireland preventing good
t observations for latitude and longitude Hence, when
nearing any those places regarded doubtful depth
or position new observations TAKEN and corrections
of course made Mr. Maury, however, determined
insist upon comparing admitted errors with the corrected
charts and these again with the discarded log and il
only matter Of surprise that he could produce after all
80 small an amount of n work of such magnitude
and difficulty In view of this attempt to odum upon
y the whole work by picking flaws in mmaterial part
might It be asked with great proprety could not this
sounding have been altogether omitted and still leave
enough of correct data behind to enable scientific men
and the telegraphic company In particular to form jus
idea both of the average depth of the and the orma
ton of its bottom for all the purposes requred2
Mr. Maury satisfactorily explain bis eagerness exhibit
the garng discrepancies of this particular sounding
The honorable Secretary of the Navy had Mr. Maurys
well as Lieut. Berrymans official report before him when
he was preparing his owr annual report and he
Missed that of Lieut. b. verbally explained az to hiu
in repeated interviews between hem paper proper
accompany it, and to be spread the files of the depart
men presumption that the objections of Mr. Maury
had no influence whatever his mind in regard either
the value of the results obtained from the survey Of
ocean, or the accuracy Of the work performed by the
"Arcticn Among the results obtained by this expedition
the following three may be noticed of the highest inn
porance the country and to the Geographic company
ls That specimens of the bottom of the sea were OBJ
tanned in sufficient quantities to supply all the literary
situations of the world for microscopic analysis and of
which plainly shows that telegaphic cable may
mbedded for ages therein without abrasion injury
j, from any disturbing corroding element
II Cd That the and well-adjused sounding
chnery furnished by the Coast Survey Office is the best
yet used for asceranng the vertical depth and
as it was checked with the marked line this expedition
and had been compared several previous surveys the
manner by Lieutenant B. when attached the Coast
Survey ground doubt the accuracy of the re-
i suits obtained by the Arctic.
3D. That reliable data have been obtained Gas before
stately from which the teegraphic company have been
enabled determine upon the size of the cable which
join Europe and America together in the bonds of the
magnetic telegraph rBp
Il FaoM NroARAeuA--We find the following telegraphc
L., tba palt an