270 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



under the auspices of some recognized research institution in order 

 to insure that the scientific aspects of the work receive their adequate 

 recognition. 



It is believed that it will be best to undertake first a magnetic 

 survey of the North Pacific Ocean, and a project is here accordingly 

 outlined which, upon careful consideration and solicitation of expert 

 opinion, is believed to be thoroughly feasible. The project permits 

 of useful comprehensive results being immediately obtained, and is 

 one which can be interrupted without any important waste of ante- 

 cedent expense whenever circumstances may render a discontinuance 

 or a modification of the original plan advisable. Upon the comple- 

 tion of the .survey of this region, which, in accordance with the 

 plans, will not require more than three years, the survey of other 

 oceanic areas may usefully be considered. 



The plan is, in brief, to charter a wood-built, non-magnetic sail- 

 ing vessel of about 600 tons displacement, which, starting out in 

 summer from San Francisco, shall pursue a clockwise spiral course 

 embracing the entire North Pacific Ocean, as shown in red ink on 

 the submitted Pilot Chart. The object of planning such a course is 

 to gain continuous advantage throughout the survey of the dynam- 

 ical agencies of the atmosphere and the ocean, in passing in suc- 

 cession into each of the five-degree quadrangles into which the 

 chart is divided and in which observed values of the three magnetic 

 elements need to be obtained. 



The seasonal shifting of the permanent centers of barometric 

 pressure will cause a variation from month to month of the condi- 

 tions of wind and current that are represented on this particular 

 chart ; but if the departure from San Francisco be taken in the 

 summer the chain of meteorological events will contribute toward 

 the maximum progress over the course, passing thence along the 

 west coast of America to the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands; thence 

 across the Pacific, in latitude between two and three degrees north ; 

 thence along the eastern side of the Philippine Archipelago and the 

 Empire of Japan ; thence eastward in about latitude fifty-two degrees 

 north ; thence to the latitude of San Francisco, and thence contin- 

 uing through the series of areas bounded by parallels of latitude 

 and meridians of longitude, each five degrees apart, lying next on 

 the mid-ocean side of the circuit last made, and proceeding gradually 

 and by successive circuits into the central region of the North Pacific. 



The total length of the course marked out is about 70,000 knots. 

 However, as will be noticed, each of the first circuits practically closes 



