206 Land Magnetic Observations, 1914-20 



D. M. Wise, on Magnetic Work in Belgian Congo, Angola, and Adjacent Colonies, 



January 1914 to June 1915. 



In accordance with instructions dated December 19, 1913, and January 24, 1914, 



1 left New York January 31, 1914, for Funchal, Madeira, with instrumental equipment 

 as follows: theodolite-magnetometer No. 16; Dover dip circle No. 222 with needles 

 Nos. 1, 2, 5, and 6; pocket chronometer; 3 watches; tripod; observing tent; and various 

 other accessories. 



Madeira was reached on February 7, and after reoccupying both magnetic stations, 

 the journey was continued to Santa Cruz, Teneriffe; Las Palmas, Grand Canary; and 

 Conakry in French Guinea. After waiting a week at Conakry, I embarked upon the 

 Belgian steamer for Boma, where I arrived March 9. Before proceeding up the river 

 to Matadi, several days were spent at Boma in attending to various matters of the 

 expedition. From Matadi the journey was continued by rail to Thysville and thence to 

 Kinshasa, about 340 miles from the coast. The latter place was reached on March 19, 

 and final preparations made for the long trip to the interior. Some time was spent in 

 learning enough of one of the native languages (Bangala) to enable me to secure efficient 

 service from native servants who, in this region, speak no European language. Much 

 information was collected from various travelers concerning the conditions and customs 

 of travel in the districts included in the proposed itinerary. 



We left Kinshasa on March 30, and the trip of 1,000 miles to Stanleyville was com- 

 pleted on May 11, entirely by river steamers, some owned by the Belgian government, 

 others by commercial companies. Stops were made at intervals for observations and 

 always entailed more or less delay in waiting for another steamer. The weather was 

 very hot, and violent tornadoes were frequent during this season, but caused no delays. 



It had been planned to proceed from Stanleyville or vicinity northeastward to 

 Lado in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and return, but as the trip would have been a long one, 

 entirely on foot, and as the rainy season was just beginning north of the equator, it 

 was decided to postpone it and travel southward where a dry season would favor both 

 travel and observations. Accordingly, the trip around the Stanley Falls cataract region 

 to Ponthierville was undertaken and accomplished by May 20, and Kindu, 250 miles 

 up the Lualaba River, was reached June 2, the trip having been made on river steamers 

 operated by the Great Lakes Railway Company. At Kindu we again entrained on the 

 railway to pass around the unnavigable portion of the river in the Kasongo district, 



2 days being required to reach Kongolo, 230 miles distant. The 50-mile trip to Kabalo, 

 the river terminus of the Tanganyika Railway, was made by steamer on June 9, and on 

 June 11 the journey was continued up the Lualaba River 55 miles to Ankoro. 



It was desirable to return to Kabalo to branch out on side trips before continuing 

 up the Lualaba, but several days were lost in looking for a suitable boat and boatmen 

 for the down-stream trip. A large surf boat and 10 paddlers were finally secured, and 

 the trip accomplished on June 15 and 16, the whole night being spent on the river. It 

 was imperative to make haste at this time, as the constantly decreasing depth of water 

 in the Lualaba momentarily threatened a discontinuance of the steamer service to 

 Bukama, our ultimate destination. There was time, however, for a side trip from Ka- 

 balo, which was made by construction trains on the Tanganyika Railway eastward to 

 within about 25 miles of Lake Tanganyika. Kabalo was again reached on June 21, but 

 no steamer arrived before June 26 bound up the Lualaba. On that date the trip of 

 365 miles to Bukama began and was completed on July 7. That so much time was 

 taken was due mainly to the stage of water which was so low, in many places, that 

 the steamer was literally dragged over the sand-banks by attaching a line to trees far- 

 ther up-stream and drawing up to them by means of winches. 



