116 Land Magnetic Observations, 1905-10 



At Belize a 15-ton sloop was chartered for a cruise along the east coast of Central America. 

 It was manned by a skipper, pilot, and two sailors. Some difficulties as to landing at Iriona were 

 removed by telegraphic order from the government to give aid and protection along all the coast. 

 From Iriona, the cruise was continued to Cape Gracias, stopping at Point Patuca, thence to 

 Bluefields, obser\'ing en route at Prinzapulca, where Mr. Adolf Kelling rendered much assistance 

 by arranging for the landing of the party in a heavy sea. At Bluefields the crew and vessel were 

 discharged on April 24, after being engaged 35 days; the voyage to Grey town was made on 

 steamboat. Completing work at Greytown, the expedition was continued up the San Juan River 

 by steamer to San Carlos, Nicaragua, thence to Corinto, on the west coast. 



It was desired that an expedition be made up the Wanks or Coco River from Cape Gracias; 

 but it is difficult to reach points further south from Cape Gracias and it seemed best under the 

 circumstances to complete the coast work. It was also desirable that an expedition be made to 

 Matagalpa and Ocotal, but on arriving in Managua, May 17, information was received that the 

 rainy season had already commenced in that region. The road to Matagalpa is said to be good 

 during the dry season and trails lead to points beyond, but, when rain sets in, the road becomes 

 practically impassable. 



Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting away from Corinto, owing to the uncertainty 

 of boats; but finally, through the kindness of Captain Jones, of the steamship 5an-a<:o/a,Amapala 

 was reached ; thence it was necessary to reach mainland by sail-boat, the town being on an island. 

 From San Lorenzo a good road leads to Tegucigalpa and no difficulty was experienced in reaching 

 that city. It was desired that the expedition be continued beyond Tegucigalpa, but weather 

 conditions seemed unfavorable and so the return was made to Amapala. The magnetic elements 

 were observed at La Union, Salvador, and at Amapala, Honduras; the trip was then continued 

 to San Salvador via Acajutla. The officials in Salvador were uniformly kind and courteous. 

 After observing at San Jose, Guatemala City, and Puerto Barrios, all instructions had been 

 completed with the exceptions noted above. 



Forty-five stations in all were secured, of which Miami, Havana, Gibara, Belize, San Jose 

 were exact reoccupations of old stations and Guatemala City an approximate one. Observations 

 had been made at Corinto by the British Navy, but the exact point could not be located ; the old 

 stations at La Union and Acajutla could not be reoccupied, hence new ones were established. 

 In Cuba all stations, except those on the south coast, were easily reached. In Central America 

 most interior points had to be reached by pack mules, and travel, owing to the very few roads, 

 was difficult; facilities for reaching ports on either coast are meager, but better on the western 

 than on the eastern coast. The cruise in a sloop along the east coast proved to be by far the 

 most effective way of reaching the desired ports, though attended with difficulties. 



Many kindnesses and courtesies were shown the observer, some of which have already been 

 mentioned. 



E. KiDsoN, ON Magnetic Work in Ecuador and Colombia, July, 1908, to June, 1909. 



Acting in accordance with instructions of July 7, 1908, I left Washington on July 10, 1908, 

 for Guayaquil, Ecuador, via New York and Colon, arriving there July 25. My outfit consisted 

 of magnetometer 9, dip circle 178, pocket chronometer Kittel No. 252, magnetic observing tent 

 No. II, and miscellaneous appurtenances; the chronometer 252 being afterwards damaged was 

 temporarily replaced by box chronometer Kittel 268 and finally by pocket chronometer Kittel 

 257. During overnight stoppage of steamer at Kingston, Jamaica, July 16-17, Mr. Fisk and I 

 were able to get some determinations of the magnetic elements (see Mr. Fisk's report). 



Magnetic observations were made at 13 stations in Ecuador, 23 in Colombia, and 3 in Panama. 

 The stations at the point in Colon Harbor opposite Christobal and at Flamenco Island, together 

 with the one at Kingston, had been previously occupied. Work was slow owing to lack of regular 

 and frequent communication, extremely bad roads, etc. Returning to Guayaquil, the journey 

 was continued to Esmeraldas and some observations were made at Manta on the way. Owing 

 to a steamer being taken off the run for repairs it was necessary to stay at Esmeraldas for nearly 

 a month. From Esmeraldas a short journey was made up the Esmeraldas River and a set of 

 observations taken at the farthest point reached. After the return to Guayaquil, observations 

 were obtained at Bahia, Manta, Salinas and Riobamba. 



