154 REPORTS OF INV15STIGATI0NS AND PROJECTS. 



DEPARTMENT OF TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM* 



L. A. Bauer, Director. 



The plan of work outlined for a bureau to be engaged in the investigation 

 of "such problems of world-wide interest as relate to the magnetic and elec- 

 tric conditions of the earth and its atmosphere, not specifically the subject of 

 inquiry of any one country but of international concern and benefit," pub- 

 lished in Year Book No. 2, pages 203 to 212, embraced the following as the 

 chief problems of investigation : 



(a) A magnetic survey of ocean areas and unexplored regions. 



(b) International observations of the variations. 



(c) Observations in ocean depths and atmospheric regions. 



This plan having received the approval of the Board of Trustees, the 

 Department of Research in Terrestrial Magnetism was established and work 

 was begun on April i, 1904. The Department at the end of the present fiscal 

 year will therefore have been in operation for about three and one-half years, 

 this annual report being now the fourth one submitted. 



In reporting upon the operations of the past year, as well as in the sum- 

 marization of what has been accomplished thus far during the existence of 

 the Department, it will be advantageous to follow the order given above for 

 the main problems of research. 



MAGNETIC SURVEY OF OCEAN AREAS. 



The magnetic survey yacht Galilee was continued in operation throughout 

 the year in the Pacific Ocean, under the command of Mr. W. J. Peters, who 

 has now successfully and energetically conducted the work of this vessel for 

 the past two years. He has made favorable report upon the individual work 

 of the various members of his party. 



At the close of the last fiscal year the Galilee had returned to her home 

 port, San Diego, California. During the interval, November i to December 

 22, 1906, various shore observations, harbor swings, and investigations were 

 made and the vessel overhauled and outfitted preparatory to her third cruise. 

 Mr. Peters reported at the office in Washington, November 16 to 22, for con- 

 sultation and discussion of future work. On December 22 the Galilee set 

 sail from San Diego and entered upon "Cruise III," the scientific party con- 

 sisting of Commander W. J. Peters, Magnetic Observers J. C. Pearson and 

 D. C. Sowers, and Dr. G. Peterson, surgeon and recorder; Captain J. T. 

 Hayes, as heretofore, was the sailing-master. 



The port of Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands, was reached on January 18, 

 1907, where no harbor swing of the vessel being possible, the Galilee, upon 



* Grant No. 401. $57,000 for investigations and maintenance. (For previous reports 

 see Year Book No. 3, pp. 68-74; Year Book No. 4, pp. 264-274; and Year Book No. 5, 

 pp. 236-242. Address : The Ontario, Washington, D. C. 



