The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-12-01
The Tug Iroouois Nm Be Sent TO En-
anime the Reefs About Mid
way island.


ing the practicability of the enterprise
by the adoption of Honolulu, Midway
and Guam as relay stations on the
long line and by the discoveries made
from the naval survey ship Nero as to
the character OF the ocean bed between
those points. The sounding instru-
ments of this ship disclosed an abyss
in the Western Pacific over five miles
deep, but a slight divergence from
straight line fortunately developed a
route avoiding this insuperable OBJ
stacle to laying working cable. At
another point, on the same stretch be-
tween Midway and Guam, a submerged |
mountain over 1900 feet in height |
was discovered, and a reasonable level |
road around this was found.
A QUESTION FOR CONGRESS.
The physical practicability of the !
line being now assured beyond doubt, |
IL only remains for Congress to weigh
the military necessities and the COM
mercial advantages to accrue from the
construction and operation of the sys-
TEN. 1t was represented to Congress
at its last session that the revenue to
be expected from Pacific cable would
not attract private capital unless 1t
had a connection with Australia, Japan
and China, as well as with San Fran
cisco. Honolulu and Manila. For that
reason 1t was deemed indispensable
that the United States should own Ku-
sale or Strong's Island. in the Caroline
group, or q cable landing right there
to insure the working of loop to
Australia. The absence OF this may
deter any corporation from underta-
king the operation OF a cable across
the Pacific without heavy subsidy.
The disposition to have an American
cable line to Manila has probably be-
come too strong for Congress to re-
sist, and purely as military safe
guard. aside from the enormous busi-
ness that must come with the further
growth OF American trade in the East,
it is believed that the new line Of COM
munication will be established under
Government ownership before the end
Of another year.
ADMIRAL BRADFORDS ACCOUNT.
In his annual report to the Secre-
tary of the Navy, which was made
public today. Rear Admiral Bradford,
Chief of the Bureau of Equipment,
having charge Of naval cable matters,
says on this subject:
A practical route for submarine
telegraph cable was established be-
tween San Francisco and Honolulu
some years ago. In order to continue
the survey Of the route from Honolu-
in to the Philippines, the United
States steamer Nero. under Command
er Charles Belknap. United States
Navy. was very thoroughly fitted out
and equipped for deep-sea exploration
at the navy yard. Mare Island, during
the early part of the present year. The
Nero is large steam collier purchased
for use during the late war. and on
account of her great steaming radius
was admirably adapted to make the
survey. After a careful consideration
0f the subject 1t was decided that the
best route westward from Honolulu to
the Philippine Islands was by way OF
the Midway Islands and Guam. land
ing the cpbie at a convenient point on
the east coast of Luzon, as near as pos
s.ble to the latitude of Manila. 1t was
also decided as desirable to survey a
route from Guam to Yokohama. Elab-
crate instructions for the survey were
prepared. The plan Of the survey
which Is represented on the accom-
panying chart, consists in carrying di-
rect lines of soundings. taken at alter
nate intervals of ten and two knots.
from Honolulu to the Midway Islands,
thence to Guam, and thence to LuZon.
and also from Guam to Japan. The
return course TO be pursued Is a zigzag
line passing back and forth to equal
distances on each side of the route, fol-
lowed In going to the westward. with
s0undings at intervals of twenty knots
at the turning points.
The Nero sailed from San Francisco
for Honolulu on April 22. She sailed
from Honolulu to commence her work
ON May @. On May 22 she had com
pleted q single line OF soundings TO the
Midway Islands: by July to Guam,
and by August ] to Luzon,
Along this route, which Is +,sl2 knots
In length, S53 soundings We're taken
The characteristlcs OF the bottom soil
and the temperature OF the surface
water were observed at each sounding
station, and these, together with the
meteorological record Of the frequent
observations of specific gravity, hot
Tom temperature. ana currents ~ the
ocean, besides their value In laying q
submarine cable. will form an lmpor'
iant contribution 20 the physics Of The
i'acihc ocean,
Two oiiseis from the projected grea
circle route between the Midway Isl
ands ana Guam were found to be nee
assaIy ~ order 90 avoid obstacles Il
u successful laying ana operation ~
tslasfaph cable, Tho hrni nf these oh
sis'les encountered 10 Hubmarinl
moDniaib situated q sbpri dlsiano
westward ~ the Midway Islands. ani
rising iIonl lhs n0Oi Df the olsan
vhleh here sipks "a q depth of gsO
tsiLoms, 10 within NJ ialboms NJ "a