Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-07
NAVIGATION OFFICE
MARKS CENTENARY
U. S. photographers Now Are
Charting Information to
Aid Aviation.

The photographic Office of the Navy
which celebrated its centenary yester-
day and during the long years has fur
nished navigational information to the
brtgs and other sailing vessels of yore
as well as to the steel ships of today, is
preparing data for the airmen of to-
morrow, aboard dirigible and airplane
Secretary Adams told a radio audience
last night in an address delivered over
the National Broadcasting Systems net
work
THE photographic Office is not only
o military and naval necessity to the
national defense, but also a vital ma
tional industrial asset to the commerce
Of the United States" the cabinet officer
said. His address was feature of the
centenary celebration.
Secretary Adams asserted that "the
photographic Office has under way a
comprehensive air-charting program to
take care of the needs of aircraft, par
ticularly amphibian and seaplanes."
Air Charts Being Issued.
"Sets of air charts for the coasts of
the United States, Mexico, Central
America and the West Indies are now
completed and are being issued" he eX-
planned. These charts indicate to the
aviator, in addition to details of terrain,
distances and courses from place to
place, landing fields and airway beacons
along the routes; they show pictures
OF airportS as seen from the air and give
available resources. repair facilities and
other items of interest within the area
covered. The aviation charting program
embraces the entire South American
coasts.
"A series of hand books, giving flying
directions and information concerning
routes and port facilities for aircraft In
various regions is now in the course of
preparation" Secretary Adams asserted
The head of the Navy pointed out
that the photographic Office sis COM
parable to a large, well organized bust
ness concern which not only manufac-
lures and distributes its own products,
but in addition does its own scientific
research work" He explained that on
the shelves of the Hydrographic Office
there are always 100000 charts and
100000 books ready for issue, contain
ing information on all quarters of the
globe. Some 1000 mariners and aviators
OF all nationalities furnish it with up-
to-date information on navigational
conditions, ne said, there being no Sc
crets IN this line Of endeavor.
100 Years Service Marked.
Secretary Adams address came at the
close OF day that marked 100 years
OF service to the men who 60 down to
the sea In ships on the part of the
photographic Office. Rear Admiral w.
r. Gherardi the photographer issued
a special message on the occasion Of the
centenary assuring the shipping and
aviation interests of all nations that the
facilities of the photographic Once
wa continue to be available to them In
the future as in the past"
A special illustrated supplement to
Weekly Notices to Mariners, published by
the photographic Office, was issued yes
terday, outlining the history of the or
San1zatlon and its present duties.
The photographic Office came into
being when depot of charts and in
struments" was established in WASH
tngton on December 6, 1880, following
q recommendation by Lieut.. L. M
Goldsborough, u. S. N, to the Board of
Navy Commissioners From 1874 TO
1856 the photographic Once occupied
the site Of the present United States
Naval Hospital at Twenty-fifth and B
streets, near the Lincoln Memorial. The
office Is now part of the Navy Depart
ment Building group, but at its birth
Lieut. Goldsborough was placed in
charge in a rented house on G street
between Seventeenth and Eighteenth
streets.
Outstanding among the Navy's nv
orographers have been Lieut.. Charles
Wilkes, the explorer, whose name has
been given TO section of the Antarctic;
Lieut.. James NJ. GilliSs. founder of the
Naval Observatory here, and Lieut..
Matthew r. Maury, eminent maritime
scientist A number of the officers who
have held the post of hydrographer
were promoted to the rank of rear ad-
miral and attained distinction In the
service.