Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-31
The photographic Bulletin.

The photographic Bulletin. a weekly
edition Of this daily paper, has circula-
ton of about 1000 cop.es. It's Importance
and usefulness has increased so rapidly
that from three-column sheet, contain
ing sixty inches of printed matter. it has
recently been enlarged to four columns,
with eighty inches of printed matter.
1t reprints the items of the Daily
Memorandum. and publishes additional
news of interest and value to mariners
concerning all the oceans. such as danger
GUS derelicts, and wreck Instructions. ice
bergs and foe ice, the use of Oil to calm
the sea, ocean currents, and has CO.
nundrum department, in which inquiries
from seamen and others relating to the
science of navigation are answered by
experts.
Last year the bulletin reported 132
wrecks and derelicts. seven COLI sions with
derelictS and wreckage, tWenty-three
dangers near the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts Of the United States. received from
wrecks and derelicts outside the marine
league of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
certified by the revenue cutter service.
Eighty-eight warnings were sent to wire
less telegraph stations regarding danger
Gus distractions at sea, which were
turned loose upon the electric currents
that flow in every direction and We're
doubtless caught by thousands of ships.
Pilot Charts Issued.
In addition to these daily and weekly
publications the photographic bureau is
sues monthly pilot charts-2.300 concern
ing the north Pacific and 1900 concerning
the north Atlantic, last year-for the in
formation of mariners sailing along our
coasts, and who find them OF very great
vaiue.
William Arlington Of London. an author
ity and prolific writer on nautical SUBJ
jects. says Of them:
Il think the pilot chart reprints are
very good. 1 have been agitating for just
that system for some time. Still, al
though we cannot now be first. this may
spur on England to be number two"
The bureau also issued a series of
pamphlets last year containing useful in
telligence to seamen. The first gave
fifteen pages of the latest information
concerning the port facilities Of seventy
different harbors; a second pamphlet of
port facilities contains similar informa-
ton of eighty-five other harbors; an
other of ten pages related the origin and
movements of icebergs in the north At
lantic, while a fourth gave sixteen pages
Of instruct ons for the use of oil to calm
the sea, with brief rules for applying the
oil and the results as reported by thirty
eight ship masters.
Eleven gunboats of the United States
Navy have been engaged during the past
year making surveys under the direction
of the photographic Office chiefly along
the coasts of ne ghboring countries which
have no facilities for such work. For
example. the Eagle has been plating the
coast of Haiti. the Hist the south coast
Of Cuba, the Rainbow the Philippine
IG1 nd IA Chester no ocf NJ her;
the Dubuque and the Des Moines the
coast of Honduras, the Yorktown and
the Washington the Galapagos Islands.
the Annapol the coast of Samoa and
the Wilmington the coast Of China.
The charts furnished by these vessels
are engraved and published for the bene-
fit Of seamen throughout the world. Last
yea forty-three new charts were pub
lished and fifty-six were under construc-
ton at the end of the year; 232 charts
were extensively improved by the incor-
poration of important data obtained by
recent surveys; PAT received m nor addi-
tons and corrections, and 174,1A charts
were printed during the year and deiiv-
cred for sale and distribution.
Similar work is done by other navies.
The British have contr buted the largest
amount Of information to navigators,
which is perfectly natural. because they
have the largest merchant marine of any
nation. The German and French navies
have done good deal.
There Is q general understanding among
the marine authorities Of the civilized
nations as to the division Of labor and
Localities SO as to avoid duplication and
unnecessary labor and expense.
Each of these charts is accompanied by
a book containing sailing directions; notes
which explain the signs upon the charts;
brief descriptions OF all the ports; the
topography OF the land that appears;
sketches of towns and villages; CONNER
cial conditions and advantages; informa-
ton concerning fuel. water and other
supplies. and variety Of information of
value to yachtsmen, sea captains and all
persons visiting that locality.