Coast and Geodetic Survey
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Coast and Geodetic Survey. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
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 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, inform orders, etc. Modern development of heavy artillery for use in Coast Defense has resulted in the use of the stationary 16-inch ست 7 1 3 2 2 1. Rampart. 3. Auxiliary Station. 2. Loading Platform. 5. Calculating Room. barbette gun, which fires an armor piercing projectile weighing 2,300 pounds ds a distance of 30 miles; the mobile 14-inch railway gun, which fires a similar projectile weighing 1,500 pounds a distance of 26 miles. The 155 m.m. (6-inch) tractor gun, a development of the World War, fulfills very satisfactorily the requirements of Coast Defense. It fires a projectile weighing 100 pounds to a maximum range of 27,000 yards. British force
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
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.