238 REPORTS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



FIELD WORK. 



In pursuance of the plan already announced of a general magnetic survey 

 of the accessible regions of the globe within a period of fifteen to twenty 

 years and of the general investigation of the secular variation, the following 

 observational work has been executed or is in progress: 



A. — Magnetic Survey of the Pacific Ocean. 



The employment of the yacht Galilee has been continued during the year. 

 At the end of the last fiscal year she had just left Honolulu for Fanning 

 Island, where the party arrived October 10, 1905. After the necessary 

 harbor swings and shore observations a course was taken south to about 

 1.5° south latitude in longitude 162.8° west, which point was reached on 

 October 17, whence a northward course to meridian 169.5° to the west- 

 northwest of Honolulu was pursued, the expedition arriving again at Hono- 

 lulu on November 7. Leaving November 12, a northwesterly course was 

 followed to about 28.2° north latitude and longitude 163.5° west, from 

 which point the expedition proceeded somewhat north of latitude 41.2° in 

 longitude 150.3° west and thence followed a direct course to San Diego. 

 The first cruise was thus completed at San Diego on December 9, 1905, a 

 distance of about 11,000 nautical miles having been covered. The necessary 

 swings and shore observations were made between December 11 and 18. 



Upon the completion of these observations the work of alterations on the 

 ship and instruments as indicated by the experience of the first cruise was 

 taken in hand. In order to settle the various matters pertaining to the con- 

 tinuation of the work and the proposed alterations the director found it 

 necessary to make a trip to the Pacific coast. Owing to the obligation of 

 the members of the scientific personnel, with the exception of Mr. J. P. 

 Ault, who was in the permanent employ of the Department, to return to their 

 duties with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey at the expiration 

 of their furloughs, it was necessary to reorganize the staff. Mr. W. J. 

 Peters, who has had charge of scientific exploring parties of the U. S. 

 Geological Survey in Alaska and had been second in command and in charge 

 of the scientific work of the Ziegler Polar Expedition, was appointed the 

 new commander. To him were assigned as assistants Mr. J. P. Ault, Mr. 

 J. C. Pearson (formerly instructor in physics at Bowdoin College, Maine), 

 and Dr. H. E. Martyn, surgeon and recorder. Mr. Peters took command 

 of the party in January, 1906. The alterations were made chiefly under the 

 direction of Mr. J. E. Pratt, the former commander, who also rendered Mr. 

 Peters the required assistance in taking command. The alterations, harbor 

 swings and shore observations having been completed preparatory to the 

 inauguration of the second cruise, the Galilee left San Diego on March 2 

 last and took a direct course for Fanning Island. A stay of ten days from 



