The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-12
COAST AND cEopErIc SURVEY
Too Much Topography and Too Little
Hydrography In the Service.
boston Herald.l

To the Editor ofthe Herald: After reading
the editorial in the New York Marine Journal
of the 18th inst. on the "Coast ard Geodetic
Survey" and also the note in the same edition
about the fact that our own national vessels
are dependent on other than the coast survey
for some charts of certain portions OF the
coast line of the United States, l ana prompt
ed to .'put in my oar" and say few words
ON the subject with the hope that the more
the subject is ventilated and discussed and
brought home to the understanding OF those
who may be interested in maritime ahalrs, SO
much the sooner will the desired end De
brought about-and that is, the coast survey
should be cut adrift from the geodetic part
and placed under the control OF the navy de-
partment and incorporated with one OF its
branches.
detic survey large sum of money has been
expended in the workings of that office, ana
very nearly one-half of all the appropriations
used on topography and but very. small
proportion on hyaregraRny tie iaIret "
will be understood as referring to those
portions of the charts to be used as guide by
nayigaters. Viewed in this light, it must
seem that the greater part OF the sum expen-
ded on the former has been thrown away
Especially is this case with many OF oar
harbor charts, by far the greater part OF the
work and expense of construction going into
the representation of extent and kind OF heids
roads, ETC., and in cities New YORK ZOE m
stance) the streets and buildings, when OF
course, are of no earthly use to the mariner,
except so far as few prominent ana IN
changeable land marks may serve him 1or
bearings. -,
Geodetic surveys are very proper and I'm.
portant in their way, but they should noI
stand in the way of the completion OF tne
careful and thorough survey of our coast,
which has already gone much too long unlil-
ished. There is one portion OF our coaSs me,
that of the coast of Maine from Petlt Mana1
to the eastward, which has been surveyed
and resurveyed, but for some reason unknown
no chart of that section has been issued, az
though constantly promised next SPRING
but next spring like tomorrow never comes.
The same may be said of other sections OF our
coast line
In the matter of sailing directions l am
tempted to say few words. The Atlantic
Coast Pilot issued by the coast and geodet1c
survey, while being an admirable publication
and well worthy Of a place on the shelves of
all libraries as book of reference, is alto
gether too elaborate and too bulky for use on
board ship. In addition to this objection, it
has the serious disadvantage of being finished
only as far as Savannah, Ca. with no assur-
ance as to when we may expect its compile
tion. In the mean time, for want of gov
eminent publication, the navy department
is Obliged to purchase private individuals
work for our national vessels
All these facts indicate to my mind the
necessity for a thorough and speedy change,
nutting the survey of the coast. into the
hands, hands Of those who are actually interested
in its completion, and who no will viii work. well
and faithfully to secure TINS end. e..
"ii Hnother thing. notwithstanding the fact
that ali chart makers, both government and
GATOR projection, the coast and geodete sur
yey persist in using the polyconlc proJecnoni
which sailors do not like ana can heFei so'
The public interests, and above a an the
welfare and safety of our mariners demand
that an immediate change be MAGE,
Bath, Me-, April 20, 1886.