The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-09
New Government Chart
 of Long Island Sound

t
 The Department of Commerce at Washington announces the publica- ton by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey of a new chart, No. 1918, the Western Part of Long Island Sound, scale 1-sO, 900, or S-IO to the nautical mile which should prove of value to yachtsmen and naotor-boat owners.
 The new chart replaces chart No. 116, and differs from the latter in several important particulars. Tt is Ioriented with the meridian, that is, the meridians are parallel with the border; there is but one depth unit feet; the topography has been simpli- fled by leaving off some minor de- tails unimportant to the navigator, and it's limits have been extended back from the shores the printing is done by Photographic methods which afford the opportunity for using col ors to bring into relief the more inn portantt features, thus the land area is tinted buff. the shoal water blue, and the red sectors of lights and red buoys are tinted with that color.
 With its companion chart, No. 1s- PIP, the new chart is especially adapt ed as a. guide for the through traffio of Long Island Sound for vessels en route between New York and New England.
 Although it is not on a. scale large enough 10 De used 9Ng6IIuB e4AH numerous harbors and anchorages in denting the shores of the Sound. it serves as a convenient diagram for indicating their general characteTis- tics and in making an intelligent se- lection of the larger scale charts which should be used for intricate inshore navigation.
 Its importance as a new addition to the series of coast charts will be un- derstood when one considers that with 0 presents a large body of water which affords unequalled facilities for both business and pleasure.
 Since the larger part of the traffic leaves New York witty, or has that port as its destination, some idea Of the Sound can be obtained from the arrivals and departures of vessels at Hell Gate, which were 120, ,749 in 1914, the value of freight transport ed $126s255,851. and the number or passengers carried 1,222,532- This commerce will be increased in She future, when the proposed improSfe- ments in Hell Gate and the East RAv- CT are realized. improvements which will allow vessels of the deepest draught to reach New York by this route.
 This commercial fleet is rivaIIed by the fleets of pleasure craft which in fair weather can be seen everywhere SWarn1ng over the surface or the wa ter, and in foul weather crowdtng every sheltered anchorage.
 To meet the needs of both Of these large interests, an elaborate system of lights and buoys has been astab- lished, and more than 200 of these navigationaI safeguards are shown on the new chart. Among this number there are constant Changes in posi- ton and characteristics, and these nu- merous changes. make but one item in the work of maintaining the chart up to date.
 Other changes occurring from time to time in the details shown on the chart are due to improvements above and below water. On shore. the tr- dustrial and residential development involves new roads, wharves and breakwaters, and demands increased facilities for transportation by water; hence new channels are dredged and old ones wfdened and 6eepened.
 New Photographic surveys also add their quota. of new details Co be shown on the chart