Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-04-28
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

Gov. McLane of Maryland has received
from First Lieut.. F. '. Abbot, corps of en-
gineers, USA, detailed report of the sur
vey just completed Of the boundary line be-
tween Maryland and Virginia, to the east of
the Potomac river, running from the Allan
tic ocean to the Pocomoke river, which was
made for the purpose of finally marking
Abbot makes the following explanations: In
Pocomoke sound the depth of water is slight
and nothing prevents the placing of proper
beacons on the angular points, but to locate
them would have required somewhat ex-
tended trangulation along the shore. The
work accomplished OIL this line may be sum-
med up as follows: All the land points have
been finally marked. The portions of the
| line where it leaves the shores Of Smiths
and Great Fox Islands are definitely located
| Tor about ! J miles out from the beach Be-
yond these limits the line is defined only by
compass bearings 10 prominent objects on
shore or bouys in the water. Enough of
the appropriation remains uneypended to
satisfactorily mark the line in Pocomoke
sound, but in Tangier sound the great depth
| seems to prohibit more than has been already
| DONE The monuments used were the Same used
/
range poles were 2ib-inch gas pipes, 20 feet long
| projecting about Ii feet above the ground. To
| plant them hole about foot square and four
| feet deep was dug. The pipe next raised in
il, carefully put in exact position and then forced
| down about two feet into the mud at the bottom
1t was then filled with oyster shells. sand and
marsh sod. the whole being most thoroughly
ramned and compacted with each shovelful Of
| filling.
Smiths Point-It was impraclicable to place
f1,o fi,,, Of Il t1,n1sn
tower which had been used a station of the
| United States coast survey in 1S49, no soil hav-
ing been found there except shifting sand. The
nearest point that could afford stable foundation
| was selected, and a granite monument placed
there. This stone is $40 80 feet north and
AGA 40 west of the true initial point of the line
1t is GIL feet from the centre Of the old tower.
| As this is an angular point the score the top
of the monument cannot be made parallel to the
boundary line This stone is placed simply SO
that the M (Marylandl shall be toward the
north and the ~" virginia. toward the south.
Smiths Island.--As solid ground for as
Economical station could be found near the line a
station was selected across Sharps creek. AT
| Horse Hammock two range poles were erected.
These poles be seen by the naked eye for
about IL, miles. These should be replaced by
iron tripods, surmountcd by prominent objects
like hollow spheres, about two feet in diameter
| 10 make them of real value in marking the line.
Great Fox lsland.-Aftcr passing the angular
point in Tanger sound the line crosses the north
crn end of Great Fox Island, where two range
poles were erected The coast survey stations in
this marsh washed into the sound some years ago.
| ;. station was established north 1O' 10 east. a
distance of 3,S1j Feet rs this was point OF the
defined line.
Watkins Pont.-It was found that Watkins
Point had cut away since the survey of 1919 to
such an extent that the boundary line does not
| touch its shores. monument was placed 50 feet
hack from the water. This stone 80 feet north
of the line, aud was only put in as reference
point from which the true boundary could be
found by simply measuring. This monument aud
the at Smiths Point the only granite
stones that are not accurately on the line.
The expenses Of the expedition amounted TO
Il ,4O4.27. The Legislatures of Maryland and
Virginia each appropriated 81 500 for the bound
ury commission.