Coanza
or KUANZA, a river of Portuguese West Africa, flows generally N. W., and enters the Atlantic about 30 miles S. of St. Paul de Loando, by a mouth over a mile broad. It is navigable for light vessels as far as the Cambambe cataracts, over 120 miles. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY, UNITED STATES, a bureau of the Department of Commerce, charged with the survey of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of the United States, including the coast of Alaska; the survey of rivers to the head of tidewater or ship navigation; deep-sea soundings, temperature and current observations along the said coasts and throughout the Gulf Stream and Japan Stream flowing off from them; magnetic observations and gravity research; determination of heights by geodetic leveling, and of geographical positions by lines of transcontinental triangulation, which with other connecting triangulations and observations for latitude, longitude, and azimuth, furnish points of reference for State surveys and connect the work on the Atlantic coast with that on the Pacific. Results of the survey are published in the form of annual reports, which include professional papers of value; bulletins which give information deemed important for immediate publication; notices to mariners, issued monthly; tide tables, issued annually; charts upon various scales, including harbor charts, general charts of the coast, and sailing charts; chart catalogues and "Coast Pilots." COAST ARTILLERY. See ARTILLERY.
COAST DEFENSE includes dispositions and operations having for their object the repulse of a hostile attack upon any portion of the sea-coast, or upon naval vessels or merchant shipping in or off harbors or in coastwise sea lanes.
Strategic points along the coast lines have fortifications manned by the Coast Artillery Corps. The fortifications consist of guns and mortars of various calibers, in fixed positions, and submarine mines, all supplemented by antiarcraft, heavy tractor and railway guns, searchlights, and other adjuncts that make the work of the forts more effective. Between these fortified harbors, the defense of the coast line requires the use of troops of all branches of the Army, including artillery of all classes from the 3-inch gun, manned and operated by the Field Artillery, to the large railway guns and mortars, manned by the Coast COAST GUARD Artillery Corps, and including the smaller auxiliary weapons, such as 37 m.m. guns, which are manned by and accompany the infantry. To seaward of this line of resistance, the Army Air Service operates, attacking enemy aircraft with pursuit planes, enemy vessels and landing parties with bombing planes, and supplies advance information regarding the location, strength, composition and movements of the enemy. There are certain Navy craft and utilities such as the Naval Communication Service, certain submarines, aircraft, patrol vessels, destroyers, light cruisers, etc., that assist in local offensive operation, the transmission of information, orders, etc.
Modern development of heavy artillery for use in Coast Defense has resulted in the use of the stationary 16-inch COBALT The men, who are generally old men-ofwar's men of good character, have high pay, and are furnished with free cottages.
The force numbers with officers and men about 4,000. In the United States the force is part of the Treasury Department.
See COAST SURVEY, UNITED STATES.