The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-05
A HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE.
Branch Of the Service Established Mt
Port Townsend.

Port Townsend.
PoRr TOWNSEND, Dec. Especial. i
Lieut.. Henry F. Mayo, U. S. n, has ar
rived here under orders from the secretary
OF the navy to establish branch of the
photographic Office here. Quarters are
being prepared in the new custom house
for the reception Of charts and instru-
ments belonging to the Office. In CONVEX
sation with Capt. E. Biondi regarding the
duties of such officer. Lieut.. Mayo said:
1t is a wonder to all conversant with hydro
graphical work that, with such large tonnage
plying to and from the Sound, the government
has not established such an Office before. The
loss OF several vessels, both American and for
eign, within the past few years has been credited
to imperfect charts.
photography is the art of surveying and de-
scribing charts the seas, lakes and rivers. and
the coast lines OF such, giving all particulars
garding depth of water, shoals, currents and
dangers OF all descriptions. Every year navi-
gators find new dangers and report them. Those
engaged in photographed work in nearly all
commercial nations also discover numerous OBJ
structions to navigation. being constantly on
the alert for them. All these distractions are
duly noted on the charts and notice given to the
various branch offices and shipmastecs.
1t frequently occurs that vessel runs onto a
rock or shoal not previously discovered, and
master. The British warship Warspite, for in
stance. few months ago ran into sunkep
reef in Discovery passage near Victoria. This
is the first that was ever known of such an OBJ
struction. 1t is the duty of every master, be-
fore proceeding out on a voyage, to take the
charts he is going to use to the branch hydro
graphic Office. compare them with those on file
there, note all changes. and, ii necessary secure
such charts as he may need on his voyage
These the officer will provide at government
prices.
As the United States coast survey and the
trigonometricsl and Typographical labors are
carried on together, 1t Is an undertaking OF the
highest character and Importance. The United
States has an extensive and dangerous sea
coast. She has foreign commerce of $500 900 600
yearly, in pursuit Of which nearly 20000 vessels
manner by 100000 seamen, annually enter and
leave her ports, while half rs many more vessels
and men are engaged in her coasting trade
Vast numbers Of passengers arrive and
leave on these vessels. 1t is therefore
plainly the duty of our government to provide
every means which science and practical skill
can devise to point out the dangers to which
this commerce is exposed, and to furnish every
facility for so doing.
To accomplish these objects the coast survey
aud photographic offices were founded The
latter IN particular is designed 10 furnish accu-
rate maps OF the whole coast; to point out the
mails; 10 determine the character and course of
the currents OF the ocean along the shores; to
develop and determine the laws OF the tides: TO
ascertain the prevailing courses OF the winds
and the general laws OF atmospheric influence:
10 note the changes which take place at the en-
frances of the different harbors; to ascertain the
Character of the bottom OF the sea within the
limits OF soundings, ana all other matters
which contribute to a thorough knowledge of
our coast ana its adj waters. 1t has also
the further object OF distributing this know!-
edge throughout the world, so that all nations
may partake of its advantages
Lieut.. Mayo entered the navy from the
state of Vermont in June, 1872. He was
appointed midshipman in 1876, promoted
to ensign in 1873. TO master in 1883. lieu.
tenant. Junior grade, IN 1885 and received
commission rs lieutenant in 1890. His
total sea service has been fourteen wears.