Coast and Geodetic Survey

a bureau of the United States Treasury Department. The bureau was authorized in 1807 during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The survey was charged with gathering and disseminating information of importance to navigation. In 1878 the scope of the bureau was enlarged to include a scientific inland survey as well. The original coast line of the United States has been increased by the acquisition of Alaska and island possessions, until the total, measuring the general trend only, is upward of 25,000 miles. The actual shore line, including harbors and inlets, is several times as great.

In the earlier stages of the survey, the work was divided between officers of the army and the navy, but the organization is now independent. A head office is maintained in Washington, with sub-offices in San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu, and Manila. The field force consists of about seventy-five experts. The office at Washington includes about 150 clerks, engravers, draftsmen, instrument makers, printers, and minor employes. The survey owns a dozen steamers, several schooners, and a large number of launches.

A system of triangles has been surveyed along the coast from Maine to the Gulf. A second chain of triangles is under survey, following the 98th meridian from North Dakota to Mexico. Still a third system of triangles follows the thirty-ninth parallel from New Jersey and California, passing through thirteen states, and affording an accurate basis for local surveys. Permanent posts are set. As fast as the work is completed geodetic charts are issued. The establishment of boundaries between the different states is recognized as a part of the legitimate work of the survey.

The survey has published a vast amount of detailed and exact information regarding latitude and longitude, tides, currents, deep sea soundings, harbors, and channels. Pilots, captains, and naval officers provide themselves with charts issued by the survey. A series of levels established in the eastern part of the country is to be extended to the Pacific coast. These levels give cities and road makers an accurate basis for the level of ditches, sidewalks, sewers, water mains, and streets.