Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-18
RELIEF ALIDADES FOR
FIRE LOOKOUT STATIONS

Fire lookout stations Ill tHe 4hdllAe
woods are now equipped with an ade-
quate map of the territory covered by
each station.
The stations were mapped in the fol-
lowing order: Cooper Mountain, Wes-
lev Mountain, Lead Mountain, Bound
airy Bald Mountain, Mount Coburn,
Aziscoos Mountain. West Kennebago
Mountain, S a e b a C k Mountain,
Hedgehog Mountain, Three Brooks
Mountain, Norway Bluff, Williams
Mountain, Boarstone Mountain, Pleas
ant Pond Mountain, Mount Bigelow,
Schoodic Mountain, Tug Mountain,
Bald Mountain, Mount Kineo and Flag
staff Mountain.
The Relief Alidade
The device employed in the making
and perfection of lookout maps in
Maine is the same as is now in use
in New Hampshire. and was designed
by Frederick r. Coburn. Upon q
tripod a table 26 inches in diameter is
mounted The table is covered with
drawing paper and on this paper a
circle of approximately 10 inches ra-
dius is drawn from a point in the GEN.
ter of the board, leaving an outside
margin of three inches. The interior
of the circle is reserved for the draw
, ing of plane topographic map of the
surrounding country with the noun
tain as a center.
The alidade is then placed upon the
drawing board by locating the pivot
point, which projects from the base
of the alidade, in the hole in the CEN
ter of the board. The forward arm
then extends out to the three-inch mar
gin. After adjusting the forward sight
so that the front sight will cover the
highest mountain peak upon the hori-
ION, and at the same time the needle
point will fall within the outer edge of
the paper, the rear sight is adjusted
to include all the foreground possible
and still cover the highest peak. Then
the work is ready to begin.
The front sight is then adjusted to
coincide with the change of contour
along the mountain peaks, ridges and
| water lines. The whole panorama is
thus completed very accurately. Noun
tains in profile or relief ridges, lakes,
etc, are shown exactly as they ap-
pear from the station.
These maps will be found of great
value is accurately locating forest fires,
as the Waterman has the added adj
vantage of noting, in relation to the
ridges and hills. at about what dis
lance from the station the fire appears
to be.
Much interest has been manifested
in this work, during the season of field
work by tourists and sportsmen from
the fact that many mountains will ap-
pear upon these maps that do not ap-
pear on the ordinary maps.
Station Equipment
With the advent of the new maps, it
was found advisable to devise sons.
method to protect them within the sta
ton.
A new design of table has been Of
fered by Archie G.. Norcross instead Of
the wooden stand being used, galvan-
lied iron angle being substituted.
Mounted on the stand is a circular
wooden table 80 inches in diameter and
one and three quarters inches thick.
made up of two thicknesses Of planed
pine boards. Upon this table is placed
felt mat. the size of the table. and
covering the mat is one thickness of
drawing paper upon which is placed
the map. 4 plate glass cover one
quarter of an inch thick with beveled
edge fits over the map.
Around the outer edge Of the table
and extending one inch over the edge
of the glass is placed a galvanized iron
ring set in white lead and fastened be-
meath the table. This insures the map
from moisture and dust. thereby pre-
serving it for many years.
The design of the table stand. by rea-
son of, its having sufficient lateral mo-
ton. allows an nnobstructed view past
window castings. These tables ana
stands in conjunction with the new
maps will greatly assist in locating
fires quickly and accurately.