Evening star., 1921-08-21

cope with the menace of the sub
marine. In connection with the de-
vice known as the magnetic loop,
which involved the laying of con-
siderable length of cable. requiring
very accurate placing, in the ap-
proach to one of the important bays,
there was needed an elaborate and
quite precise shore control. and here
the experience OF the coast survey Of
fcer in doing work of this nature in
his everyday duties made it possible
to do this work expeditiously. Nu-
merouS devices were developed by
this ofncef. in cooperation with sofne
Of the leading physicists and naval
engineers. such as tripod listening
stations. the electrode sweep and the
Indicating sweep.
= x y
s NUMBER of the survey officers. in
consideration of the combination
of their technical knowledge as en-
gineers. familiar with the construc-
tion and use of instruments of pre-
cision and of their practical knowl-
edge and skill as navigators. were as
signed to duty of procuring and sup
plying to all naval operated vessels
the navigational instruments and
not leave their docks.
Such instruments had never been
produced in quantity in this country,
and their procurement necessitated,
in many cases, the utilization of
plants designed for entirely different
purposes. For example, manufactur-
ing jewellers Of the east were utilized.
The principal equipment in approach
ing the task was a force of workers
skilled in the precision and delicacy
of their normal trade and keen de-
sire TO be of service in a great emer-
gency, and upon this meager founda-
ton. by Ehe closest corporation, was
built a superstructure which func-
toned SO successfully that there is no
record Of single case of a vessel
which was unable TO sail promptly on
schedule time because of lack of this
equipment.
while about 800 men of the survey
were in uniform during, the world
war, this does not adequately express
the number who served in actual war
work. The whole bureau, and every
individual ip the bureau, whether in
work directly connected with the
war. the preparation of maps for war
purposes, charts for the use of the
Navy and answering any call for
special maps or specialized service
for which there was need.
In time Of war, the survey ceases
to be an organization for the promo
vance of the merchant marine. and is
strictly a wartime bureau, bending
every effort and, exerting every
means to war work. This was recog-
nized in the past war by the law
passed by Congress authorizing the
and Navy such of the personnel of
the coast and geodetic survey as
could be spared without impairing
unduly the functioning of the bureau.
The peEcentage of the personnel OF
the survex that was engaged in war
work wass100 per cent. 1t is there
fore larger than any other bureau
which was less than a. full 100 per
Before Attempting to describe the
work performed blythe bureau in
Washington itymay interest the reader
to know that all sorts of queries
come to Director Jones' office daily.
coast and geodetie survey are almost
fnnumeEa6ley since the vast extent
of the seven seas and the earth from
top to bottom is its province. The
following enumeration of some Of
the questions asked may give an
fnkling as to their nature. d.
ssIK1HAT time. will high water pc-
w cur on certain day at-(any Of
the tens Of thousands Of places on the
Atlantic. gnlf and Pacific coasts Of
the United. Statesl? Did the Titanic
sink or is she floating at some depth
where the water is very dense?
What Is the present value Of the
magnetic declination at-(any of the
numerous places in the United States
or its dependeneies)? The city Of
New York Is planning an artificial
island for the disposal Of garbage.
What will be the effect Of the cur
rents on this island? What allow
ance should be made in, order to re-
trace the lines of tract OF land
surveyed by compass in 1s45? de.
Sound July 1. What is the best time
TO start SO as to get the greatest adj
vantage Of the current2 In con-
nection. with some Of the geophysi-
cal computations IL is necessary for
me to know the quantity Of water In
the Pacific ocean to the nearest bar
rel. Please. furnish me this figure.
Please furnish a table; showing the
changes of the magnetic declination
in this locality since 1880. am in
vestigating the effect OF the tide, on
plants several hundred, miles. inland.
what would be the time of high
water here tf the ocean extended all
the way 10 this place2 Please furnish
inforMationstoa assist US In using the
On - long cross-country
1--WE desire to take q trip through ins
u T.. g. Sff tn