The morning call., 1893-03-26

capital; yet should more moderate and uni
form depths be discovered, the advantages
would still remain in its favor.
The Navy Department ordered the Alba.
tross TO run the line, but . n the eve of sail
Ing an emergency arose which caused her tC
be diverted from the cable survey, and the
United States steamer Thetis, Commander
George c. Reiter. United States navy, was
directed to complete the work.
Point Conception, from which the Thetis
line started. marks the northern limit OF
Santa Barbara Channel, and is one of the
points on the California coast nearest to the
Hawaiian Islands.
"The Thetis commenced her survey on the
Goth of April, 1892, under the most favora-
bic auspices. Gradually increasing deptbs
were found from the shore line to the
normal ocean bed, with remarkable uni
tormity In the soft and yielding bottom OF
black and green mud.
The 100-fathOm curve was reached six
miles from land, 1000 fathoms at forty
seven miles, 1000 fathoms at eignty-fOur
miles. and the normal depth of 24OO soon
followed, and was carried 116 miles to a
mountainous region about twenty miles in
extent. over which the soundings varied
from 255S TO 22l6 fathoms, showing eleva-
tons of nearly 2000 feet.
Thence for 100 miles or more uniform
depths not exceeding 2500 fathoms were
found, but they soon began tie ascent of a
submarine mountain, which they carefully
explored to its summit, 1883 fathoms or
1928 feet above the ocean bed. the wire
showing depth of 976 fathoms over its
crest, with bottom of sand, pebbles and
ooZe.
1T will be remembered that sand and
pebbles were mentioned among the COM
ponent parts OF the bottom soil, and being
debris from the bedrock, possible out
groupings might prove destructive to a sub
marine cable, but detour of a few miles
would doubtless avoid 1t entirely.
This was the greatest elevation found,
and it lies on the great circle 405 miles rom
Point Conception and go miles from the
BeIknap rise.
"At a point 93S miles from Hilo maxi
mum depth of 2S28 fathoms was found
Getting nearer to the islands, the Thetis
found the depths increasing, and $50 miles
from Hilo the lead marked 5000 fathOms,
and 230 miles from the shores of Hawaii
3228 fathOms, which is the maximum dis
covered or any of the routes approaching
the islands.
"Thirty-eight miles from Hilo the depth
was 3OS2 fathoms. and, with gradual rise,
the 1OOO-tathom curve was reached at eigh-
teen, and 800 fathoms at ten miles fr0m
Paukaa lighthouse, the terminus of the
line.
"The grade from the ocean bed to the
shore platform. although rather steep, pre-
sents no unfaVorable features until it ap-
pTOaches the immediate vicinity Of the
Z
a sandy bottom.
steel armor would have to be used to
protect the cable against seIious Injuries
from coral at this terminus
Now the four lines surveyed foI the pur-
pose OF laying Il submarine cable between
California and the Sandwich Islands have
been described; 1t need only be added how
they compare with each other In the matter
OF length.
Tine lengths of the various routes are as
follows:
The Tuscarora's line from San Francisco
to Manna Loa Bav. near the east end of
Oahu island. is 2093 nautical miles; the A /
baross great circle line from Salinas Land
Ing, Monterey Bay. to Mauna Loa Bay is
N9l miles. The Albatross thumb line to
and from the same points is 2107 miles
Seven miles should be added to these lines
If the terminus be made at Waikiki.
Tine Thets' line from Point Conception
TO Hilo is 2050 miles in length.
Inc existence OF great central plateau
between the coast of California and the
Hawaiian Islands seems to have been estab-
llshed beyond question. II is shown by the
Iuscarora's line from San Francisco 10
Oahu and by both of the Albatross' lines.
Enough has been said tn show that care
ful surveys have demonstrated the practic-
ability of establishing telegraphic communi-
cation between the United States and the
Sandwich Islands
There need be no further anxiety regard
ing the unprecedented length OF time since
the recent announ cement OF the successful
opening OF Geographic communication be-
tween Brazil and the coast of Africa through
cable 2l03 miles in length.
Tile work Of the surveyor Is finished
ard the completion of telegraphic c0mmu-
nicatiOn between San Francisco and Hon
oulu now rests with the electrical engineer
and the capitalist"