New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
GREAT LAKES SURVEYS .OMITTED.
PROVISION STRICKEN OUT OF THE NAVAL
APPROPRIATION BILL.

Washington, May u (SpeciaD.-In the Naval
Appropriation bill submitted to the Senate the
usual amount of 100000 for photographic surveys
was restored after having been reduced to $4,000
by the House in the interest of economy, but the
language is modified to omit the deep water sur
veys of the Great Lakes. which will compel the
mariners of those fresh water seas to depend on
Army maps for navigation purposes. Admiral
Bradford in a memorandum on the subject calls
attention the fact that the Revised Statutes re-
uuire the Hydrogra phic Office to publish accurate
charts for mariners generally, and 70 this end, be-
fore the Navy years ago began the publication of
lake charts an examination of those published by
the Army made, and they were found not TO
be accurate for the of navlgators on the Great
Lakes by reason of a lack of soundings, especially
along the northern shores, and certain other data
that deemed essential for purposes or naVlga-
ton. 1t also discovered that many obstacles
and dangers to navigation existed that were not
shown these charts.
Hydrosraphic Once. brought up to date by the de-
velopment of shoals and other obstacles tnat had
there being close Communication with the Canadian
photographic Office the Navy Department G W. was
ern shores so far as the work had proceeded Other
charts more desirable for the use Of the lake
mariner: and evidence OF their usefulness was
of these charts were annually used on the lakes
has "a
to the development Of reported dangers and nd ac %
Of such m angeF IS eeg hag
pense TO the Government other than the purchase
necessary material to drag for or remove bowld-
mas worked in conjunction with the Lighthouse
Board 10 expedite all work of this character that
has been reported. from Ontario TO Superior There
are now on file in the Navy Department appca-
tions for the development and location Of four
different localities-one in Lake Ontario. two in
Lake Michigan and in Lake Superior-with the
probability of additional reports before the expra-
ton of the fiscal year. When the obstruction was
reported in Ontario instructions issued to esti
the cost Of developing the same in order that
the Lighthouse Board might be informed and the
danger buoyed. But ii found that the existing
appropriation did permit of the hiring of tug,
and therefore the Bureau of Equipment was com
tender could do at the convenience of the inspector
district. This. of course. meant great delay,
and the danger lay directly in the path of yes
sells IL deemed of great Importance 10 designate
position quickly. But the appropriation not per-
hitting it, the only thing that could be done to
inform mariners Of the existence OF the place.
In past years a great deal Of this work has been
done by the Michigan and the lighthouse tenders
when they could be reached, and various sums have
been expended for the purpose; but no attempt has
ever been made was it intended 10 be made, for
a general survey of the lakes or in any way to con-
ct with the prerogative of the Engineer Corps, as
II now exists under the law. But the naval Of
locate and let it be known where dangers are re-
ported, this quick temporary work has been deemed
stand as passed by the House all such efforts in
the future must cease. From the informn tion re-
ceived from various points along the lakes, these
efforts have been greatly appreciated by the lake
ma vigators realizing they did the utmost I'm
portance o them OF prompt action in the premises
A casual examination OF the charts published by
show any seafaring man the value of the former
AZ compared TO the latter. All the work that has
been done by the Navy the lakes under the
annronria ton for and lake surveys has been
wholly in the interest of the mariner and In com
plance with existing law II only few
thousand dollars. but saves hundreds OF thousands