The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-06
SCANNING THE OCEAN.
The Work of the United States Hydro
graphic Bureau.


vanuah, in charge of Ensign A. H. Scales,
United states navy, is doing an effective
work.
The photographic office, which is a
branch of the bureau of navigation of the
navy department, has for eleven years
taken cognizance of matters pertaining to
o-ean wrecks and derelicts and has pub
Tshed on its pilot charts and hydro
r-raphic bulletins, information relative to
tbrse menaces to navigation. The hydro
rraDhic Office has eleven branch Offices
siruated in the principal maritime cities
nj the United States, for the purpose of
collecting and distributing photographic
and meteorological information under di-
rartion from the main Office.
An important duty of the branch Offices
is the collection and investigation of re-
norris relative to wrecks and derelicts
Each Office is in charge of a naval officer,
+Ta. Savannah Office beingin charge of En-
sim Scales, and is supplied with very
couulete outfit of charts, nautical books
and nautical instruments. Each in its
own ueighborhood can readily form such
connections as will enable it to investi-
g1te reports thoroughly. Reports are re-
ceiyed from every available source, es-
neriaIly from shipmasters, and are for
corded daily to the main Office Reports
received at the main Office are at once
sent to the meteorological division, which
has charge of matters relating TO ocean
meteorology, oceanOgraphy and also to
shining interests. so far as nautical prac-
tice relates to the latter.
In the meteorological division the posi-
ti0us of these dangers are plotted upon
charts and attached also to a large black
hoard chart. The latter exhibits, always.
the pOsitiOns Of wrecks and derelicts in
the North Atlantic ocean according to the
All g
derelicts is shown upon the pilot chart of
the North Atlantic Ocean, monthly
notification of the photographic Office.
Additional information relative to wrecks
and derelicts is given in weekly publ
cation STYLED photographic Bulletin. The
uiiot charts and bulletins are circulated
freely among masters of vessels who are
voluntary weather observers for the Office,
and among those who are otherwise
actively interested Ill the work of the
Office At short intervals tabulated state
ments of the existence of wrecks and
degeicts dangerous to commerce are sent
by special messenger to the chief of the
bureau Of navigation, navy department.
If the case is urgent special reports are
made The chief of the bureau of navi-
cation then refers the reports to the Sec
rotary of the Navy who oftentimes di-
reefs that the wreck or derelict be de
suoycd by some available naval vessel.
In % case Of special urgency the order for
the destruction of a danger is sent by tel
egaph
The photographic Office has nearly
1900 voluntary observers of the weather
at sea. The majority of these are mari
uers who traverse the North Atlantic
ocean They provide, therefore, an eX-
ceucut patrol of the waters of that ocean,
and are. in a sense, voluntarily under the
control of the photographic Office for that
purpose From what has been said it is
seen that the navy department of the
United States has fairly well organized
system leading to the discovery and de-
struction of wrecks and derelicts in
waters reasonably near the North At
lautIc coast of the United States.
The subject of wrecks and derelicts
came before the international marine
conference organized in Washington on
oct. rs, 1859. The conference adopted the
following resolution:
That the different maritime powers inter
ested IN the navigation Of that portion of the
North Atlantic ocean bordering the Ameri-
Fan coast aid situated westward from a line
drawn from the Bermuda Islands To Cape
Race Newfoundland, be invited 10 come to
an agreement respecting the removal OF dere-
lets IN these waters under due official super
vision.
The following Joint resolution, having
passed both houses of congress, was ap-
prOFcdDy the President Oct. 81, 1898:
Resolved by the Senate and House OF Rep
res natives of the United States Of America
IN CONGRESS assembled, Z hat the President of
the mtcd states be, and he is hereby,
authorized to make with the several govern
Iu.lt- lnteres ted in the navigation Of the
N'rlh Atlantic ocean international agree
Meut providing for the reporting markiny
anu removal OF dangerous wrecks, derelicts,
anu oIuer meIaces to navigation in the North
Atlantic ocean outside the coast waters of the
respective countries ordering thereon.
This action by congress mas increased
he interest felt in the question of wrecks
ana derelicts and has done much toward
Inc work Ofthe service. To form an idea of
MS work of the bureau there We're re
ceNe1 daily during 1893, five reports of
wrecks and dangerous distractions to
nallSauon thirty-two reports weekly,
-- reports monthly and ,5S4 during the
year The branch Office here during the
U'ae 1t has been in charge of Mr. Scales.
ana 10 fact since it was established, has
collected and disseminated a most valu-
ao-e lot OF information relative TO mari
Time matters. The bureau has just issued
aH10lcation on wrecks and derelicts of
inc >or,h Atlantic, 1887 to 1858, showing
t,.r location, destruction, etc containing
charts and a good deal of valuable infor-
nation to shipping men
INT