Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24

EkcE III the MOUNTAINOUS WHO'S OF
Southeastern Alaska o corps Of
United States Navy flyers are en-
gagged in one Of the most thrilling
$3.50 peace-time jobs of the Nays air
service. Assigned to the task Of mapping Alaska
from the air. the flyers are meeting with ad-
venture almost daily. And still-even In this
Gay Of widespread publicity for aviation achieve
Hents-their story IS virtually unknown.
Their major equipment consists Of four spe-
e1auy-built amphibian planes fitted with aerial
cameras OF the latest type. Flights over terri
cory in which landing fields are rare and water
ways are treacherous, are OF almost everyday
occurrence. And the majority Of these flights
ere made in perfect formation over forest-cov-
cred mountains and jagged glaciers. Forma-
ton flying Is necessary when the ground below
q being Photographed so that the pictures OBJ
tatned VIII overlap accurately and provide Q
positive check for the map makers.
The work OF the flying surveyors" IS being
sponsored by four Government bureaus: The
Survey, the Forest Service and the Bureau Of
Public Roads Of the Department Of Agricul--
ture.
In 1925, the very FIRST year in which the exc
pedition worked, 10000 square miles were sur
veyed. Since then the all-seeing eyes OF the
aerial cameras have blocked out In scientific
fashion an almost equal mileage, hitherto UNI
known and containing lakes, streams and other
topographic features whose value to American
industry is as yet inestimable.
TT is no exaggeration to point out that the
corps Of flying surveyors" has been largely
responsible for the discovery Of new Alaska
fndustry-paper making. The Tongass Ma
Gonal Forest, lately mapped with high degree
Of thoroughness, Is said to contain enough
news print pulp to supply IS per cent Of the
needs Of the United States indefinitely.
Moreover, there recently has been located
power site Of more ethan 10000 horsepower. It
Is also in the TongasS Forest, on the east side
Of Talu Inlet, near Greedy Point. s.e,s
In thus furthering their original objective
and lettering it in q variety Of ways, members
Of the aerial survey have had to do o lot Of
pioneering in respect to finding eficient methods
Of procedure. t
They have been fortunate, however, In their
original choice Of the amphibian type Of plane.
It has been maintained in regular use because
Of its ability to land on the water, and by care
full manipulation Of the landing gear. to taxi
onto the beach, thereby enabling the ship to
be secured and sheltered in some selected spot.
The advantages of this type Of plane has been
borne out on numerous occasions when terrific
storms swept down the narrow channels with Q
velocity that would have wrecked any seaplane
that happened to be mo0red In the water.
There are, of course, good many places
where planes cannot land or take OF with any
assurance Of not Cracking up" and for this
reason the u. S. s.. Gannett, q mine sweeper,
which originally served as aircraft tender for
as tender for the aerial survey.
Very few alterations were found necessary to
prepare this vessel for her new duty. Prior to
the assumption of her first task she had been
fitted out with an extension boom, enabling
her to hoist plane from the water and stow
It on her stern.
YOU would hardly suppose that mp the great
north countree" the most modern COM
forts of home would be available for the flying
surveyors But q mammoth wooden barge,
some ITO feet long and 40 feet wide, equipped
with towing bride and anchoring gear, SO
that the craft can be pulled to convenient
points by the tender, has been made over into
modern living quarters for the 40 enlisted men
and officers of the survey detachment.
Electric lights are provided by small light
ing system, hot and cold water are available.
and there's even completely equipped photo
graphic laboratory aboard, besides space set
apart for the overhauIing of disabled planes.
Another unique part Of the regular equip
ment is the supply Of aerial cameras. Besides
q motion picture outfit utilized this past Sum-
mer for complete history Of the seasons
activities there have been available three null
ttple lens cameras, one Of which is q tri-lens
affair and the other two equipped with four