Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-17


is not yet, and has existed only in the
minds of those who lose themselves in
theorizing. Before confidence is re-
stored to its old standard, some prac-
teal demonstration of the unsuitable
ity of ships will be required. Yet, af-
ter all, how little does the travelling
public know of the working agencies
that are already tireless in their en-
deators to increase the security of life
and property afioat!
Amongst these agencies, have in
mind one whose maritime interests, in
50 far as ocean commerce Is concerned,
are comparatively small yet whose
work along the lines of scientific re-
search is equalled by none the hydro
era phic office of the United States
navy department. Only those who
plough salt water do or can appreci-
ate what this American institution has
done to tighten the burden and lessen
the risks of ocean travel. Almost with
out public notice. and certainly with
out public appreciation this bureau
continues to promote the security of
life and the safety of domestic and
foreign waterborne commerce. l ven
tur to say that the labors of the ny
Geographic office are more information
al in their character and l feel justi-
fed in asserting that the gratitude
felt and expressed by seamen is more
international than national. There is
scarcely crew afloat, irrespective of
nationality or upon which ocean or
sea they sail which is not in greater
or lesser degree indebted to this ser
vice. The debt may not always be
connected with the safety of ships, it
may bear on the subject of quick de-
spateh or the securing of fine weather
but this in itself is no small contribut-
ing factor to the success of q venture
or the welfare of a community. Even
in these days of steam, when vessels
are less at the mercy of wind and sea
than were the old-time wind TANNERS.
craft of low power cannot afford to
disregard the elements or the law of
storms.
But to the American travelling public
this t-of-the-limelight agency has
special significance. 1t is somewhat
generally understood that, along the
ocean routes followed by the great lin
ers dangers of a sort exist-how much
or how little the public knows of these
dangers matters little; the less it
knows the better-yet in all seasons
and under all weather conditions the
work of collecting meteorological data,
tracking derelicts and reporting the
movements if icebergs and icefields
goes ON. To the stay-at-home citizen
this may mean nothing; to the travel
Ter 1t means much, and to the seaman
1t IS a heavensent blessing. The free
dom from accident across the western
ocean is not altogether the result of
the skill and care exercised by the cap
tains and officers who navigate it.
While they, in a manner Of speaking,
carry out the plan of campaign which
ends successfully, they are armed,
nevertheless. with data such as it is
impossible for men who are continual
ly on the move to collect.
For the benefit of those who do not
know, l may say that the North At
lantic ocean is the worst ocean in the
world to travel Not taking into con-
sideration wind and weather. which
are not sources of danger to the mod
wo have as enemies fog extending al
most invariably during the late spring
and summer months over the great ice
zone, ice bergs and icefields whose po-
sitions are never stationary, and dere-
licts whose movements no human
hands control. To the seaman, who
is somewhat used to danger, these
enemies to safe navigation are appre-
eiated al their true value, but the ocean
traveller, who may be back woods
men or a country parson, is generally
apt to ignore their existence apart
from the spectacular view they afford.
SO long as all is we'll below decks and
the food and attendance are good,
passengers as rule devote little
thought to possible perils. 1t takes dis
asters Of the Titanic order to impress
the public mind that we must trust
less to the naval architects skill in
future or more to associations whose
researches carry them right into the
heart of the danger zone.
It is no small thing for the captain
of liner to know with a tolerable de-
gree of accuracy the latest movement
vi iCt, iio pcolblOiis
ture and quantity, and it's appearance
or disappearance. Such information is
supplied gratis by the United States
photographic office to all who care to
accept it, in the form of monthly track
charts and weekly pamphlets. Equip
ped with these and having plotted on
his chart the menaces to navigation,
the weight of a naYigators burden is
considerably ightened. AS is generally
known, the actual positions of ice
pergs, GROWERS and field ice cannot re-
main known quantity owing TO their
being subjected to the whims Of wind,
sea and currents. Only an approxi-
mate idea Of their whereabouts can be
ascertained through constant vigilance
and ones ability to make use OF scien-
tifc data. But to the men afloat the
work is made comparatively easy by
the splendid efforts of the photograph
ic department.
AS far as circumstances will permit.
the very latest information is supplied
to the commander and officers of ev-
cry liner leaving American ports. The
accuracy of the data is rather start
ling when one remembers that all the
known dangers are at the mercy of