National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-26
THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY.
Commodore Belknap Urges Its Re
moval out of the Malaria and Fog
The Astronomical Work of the Year.


moval out of the Malaria and Fog
The Astronomical Work of the Year.
Commodore Geo. T.. Bolknap, superin-
tendent of the naval observatory, in his
annual report to the chief Of the bureau Of
navigation, Navy Department, says that,
finding everything pertaining to the organ
i2ation Of the institution in as good work
ing condition as the present means and
force admit, no change has been made
either in system or detail. The superin-
tendent gives detailed account Of work
prosecuted since the last report. He states
that the number of clocks of the Gardner
system In the various public offices In
Washington has increased from twenty to
eighty.four. The total number of time
balls now dropped by the observatory is
eight.
lie refers to the necessity of taking daily
sun photographs, and says they cannot be
begun too soon. But the observatory lacks
means and equipment for printing and
making Photographic positves that can
properly he used for purposes Of exchange
with other institutions, which Is desired.
Much work Is desired to be done in photo
graphing star clusters, ncbulr, and the
spcctra of sun-spots, stars, &c, and In the
production of star maps by photography.
The staG should be drilled In such work.
For these purposes an appropriation of
Sl,CCO Is needed,
lie reviews the recommendation for the
removal at an early day of the plant of the
observatory to the new site selected and
purchased for such purpose in 1881. In
anticipation Of removal to the new site no
money of any amount has been expended
at the present location for repairs and i'm
provcments for several years. A dilnp-
idated condition is the consequence, and,
unless the new plant is provided for,
reasonable sum should be appropriated for
the purpose of improving the condition Of
things at the old point. The sum required
for the new observatory is 1886, ,l3S. lie
adds that the present location is unhealthy
in the extreme, and those called upon for
night service suffer more or less from ma
laria. FOgs also gathering over the Po-
tUmac at certain seasons Of the year, fire.
queutly obstruct observers, and many
desired opportunities for astronomical
work are lost in consequence.
lie says to the foresight and energy of the
officers of the navy is due the inception and
development Of the institution lie renews
the recommendation that board OF visitors
/ lie appointed annually to visit the insttu-
tion and inquire into its working and to
suggest methods OF Improvement.
| y total eclipse of the sun will occur on
the 2Gth Of August, 1856, the line Of :Otality
passing over the equatorial portion of the
| Atlantic ocean and reaching the west coas t
of Africa, near Bengucla, in latitude 12o
south. If 1t is finally decided to send out
an observing party, he recommends that u
! special application be made to Congress, as
the funds ought to be available by Feb. l.,
| 1856.
During the year the names Of ,40s visi-
tors have been recorded and ,l3T permits
were issued for night visitors. The records
show that only about one night in eight is
| good for observing, while an exceptionally
| good night for Astronomical work cannot
be reckoned upon much oftener than once
month. The status Of the assistant as
tronomers at the observatory is very un-
satisfactory one These gentlemen are not
| properly compensated.