Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-05
THE CARNEGIE.
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

Early this month the magnetic
yacht the Carnegie will arrive at the
Island OF Tristan de Cuna, in the Attain
tic ocean, little more than half way
between South America and Africa. TINS
yacht was built expressly for the pur-
pose of oceanic magnetic observation in
the great terrestrial-magno survey of the
earth undertaken by the department OF
terrestrial magnetism of the Carnegie In
stitution Of Washington, D. c. The Car
ngie left Buenos Aires February Is. and
has proceeded across the ocean in the
course ordered for her making nautical
observations each day. She will stop
at the island several days to check up
the variations of the compass which
have been observed in the passage. iris
tan de Cuna Is a small island, unimpor-
tant in Itself, but of scientific value from
its situation and the fact that on 1t Is
located one Of the terrestrial magnetic
stations which are lately being establish
ed in various parts of the world.
From Tristan de Cuna the carnegie VIII
proceed to Cape Town. South Africa
where her stair will be Joined by DR..
Henry M. w. Edmunds OF the Carnegie
institution, who sailed from New YORK
the latter part Of February, ana oy
Prof j. c. Beattie of the department Oh
Cape Town, and Prof. J. $. Morrison OF
Victoria College. Stellenbosch, South Al
RIGA Tie British government has DeeI
SO impressed with the Importance anu
yalue. Of a complete terrestrial masho-
survey of the earth that it desires 10
cooperate in securing it. These two pro-
fessors, who are recognized English au-
fhorities upon terrestrial magnetism,
have been granted a years furlough from
their respective colleges in order tnat
they may assist with the great work
being done.
Under the direction of these English
professors large portion OF central
Africa al
Land Magnetic Surveys ss e a o MAS mas
!: of Large Importance. by a. terres-
trial magnetic survey and line of ter
restrial magnetic stations extended
through the interior from Cape Town al
most to Cairo. The results of this over
land observation, together with. the
oceanic observations made by the staff
of the Carnegie. will be checked up and
properly recorded and reported upon next
IIlOutu.' w ullc Tie OCcduiC iuo5hStiS Soi
vey seems more important because of
its bearing upon navigation. the overland
survey is really of equal value. All the
original land surveys of America were
made FROM the compass. The changes in
the ea-th's conditions have caused many
discrepancies in boundaries and direc-
tons. The knowledge of the compass Is
required i'm surveying and exploring, AMI
the effect of the earth's magnetism upon
its dir ection should be understood.
II one desires to know the magnetic
forces and what causes the magnetic
poles to change, it is necessary to have
complete magnetic survey of the world
covering the land as well as the sea.
During the past year great progress has
surveys have been conducted and ter
restrial magnetic stations established in
British North America, central North
America, the West Indies, Colombo,
Ecuador. British, Dutch and French
Guiana. Africa, Persia, Turkey, Asia
work is still going on after systematic
plan which will probably require five
years more to complete.
While not a new science, terrestrial
magnetism is comparatively an unknown
force, but
Science Dates Back its value
-. and utility
to Thirteenth Century.are indis-
putable; especially to the mariner. Pere-
grjnus in the thirteenth century. under
stood something of the magnetic attrac-
ton of the earth. The irregularities of
the compass recorded during the first
voyage of Columbus were promptly at
tributed by him to the magnetic condi-
lions or forces which vary at different
parts Of the earths surface. While the
compass is commonly supposed to point
direct north it does not really do SO, and
the position Of the earth's magnetic poles
in relation to its entire surface changes
frequently. In 1900 DR.. William Gilbert
published in London his famous work
de Magnetic He spent $4,000 sterling
Examining many matters taken out of
the lofty mountain. Of the depths of the
sea. OF the deepest cavern and the hid
den mines, in order to discover the true
substance of the earth and it's magnetic
power
The vastness of the subject and the cost
Of its development have heretofore pre-
vented; much practical work being done.
although scientists always have had 1T
in mind But to be Of value observations
must be practical and scientific, and only
through the generosity Of an American
phtanthropist was the establishment Of
properly equipped department of terres-
trial magnetism made possible. Every
nation in the world will benefit by its
work.
The discrepancies in the nautical charts
Of the world and the impossibility of
taking absolutely correct observation from
. vessel where the presence OF steel or
iron united with the magnetic forces Of
the earth in affecting the position of the
needles of the compass resulted in the
building of 1.-The most curious craft
afiost. the absolutely non-magnetic yacht,
the Carnegie. 4.
In the construction OF the Carnegie
every effort was made to avoid the use
s Of steel or
Little Steel and Iron iron. The
Used in Construction. built Of
white oak, yellow pine. Oregon pine and
teak wood. Its fastenings are locust tree
nails, copper and bronze bolts and COM
position spikes. It's four anchors are of
manganese bronze, eleven inch hemp
cables 120 fathoms long being used in
stead of anchor chains Its sailing power
comes from q brigantine rig, including
t.. 900 square feet of sail with rigging of
special Russian hemp. It's auxiliary power
Is furnished by $50 indicated horsepower
producer gas engine built practically OF
non-magnetic metal-chiehy bronze, cop
per and Manganese steel All the meal
work upon spars, rigging and blocks is of