V. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY — ROBERTS 223 



a Swiss geodesist seeking a career in America, Ferdinand Hassler. 

 It offered a brilliant solution and a work of high scientific quality, 

 with astronomic determinations of "remarkable" points on the coast, 

 a triangulation survey to establish controlling points for the detail 

 work, and a nautical survey of the coastal waters, to show the shoals 

 and the navigable channels. Hassler thus became the first Superin- 

 tendent and organizer of the new bureau and the author of its creed. 

 Because of his profound and lasting influence, he deserves much atten- 

 tion in any historical account of the Survey. 



Hassler was ahead of his time. Where Congress meant to provide 

 for the needs of the moment, he saw a chance to build for the future. 

 Time and cost were not to be considered in meeting this challenging 

 problem, which called for well-ordered development from a technically 

 firm foundation. To fulfill this ideal was his determination. He 

 was indomitable — also improvident, proud, and intolerant. His be- 

 ginnings were understandably halting, while Congress cast him aside, 

 then in despair called him back. Though by his nature he defeated 

 his own ends, he did finally see his vision come true, after a lifetime of 

 effort. His greatest gift to America was not the surveys he accom- 

 plished — it was his reverence for sound thinking, integrity, and ac- 

 curacy, which have endured as basic elements of Survey philosophy. 



Hassler had nothing at the outset. Needing theodolites and other 

 scientific tools not available in America, he had first to visit Europe 

 to get them. Copper of suitable quality for the chart engravings 

 was lacking, as indeed were qualified engravers themselves, who 

 could not be found nearer than Germany. In London he had a 

 "great" theodolite of 24-inch circle built to his own design by E. 

 Troughton. He collected reference books, standards of measure- 

 ment, and other necessities. These dealings took a long time ; more- 

 over political disturbances intervened to lengthen his stay to years. 

 His impractical zeal resulted in his exceeding his $50,000 authoriza- 

 tion, and he had to come back at his own expense, under severe 

 censure. 



Many things, including lack of funds, delayed the start of opera- 

 tions until 1816, when the first work in preparation for the survey of 

 New York Harbor was undertaken. At the outset, arrangements for 

 the measurement of a baseline near Long Branch were interrupted by 

 the first of a long series of controversies — in this case a lawsuit about 

 some branches of a cedar bush used as a temporary survey signal. 

 This, however, was less serious than the impatience of Congress, which 

 expected results practically overnight. Hassler's determination to 

 build a strong foundation, with a geodetic survey before ever a sound- 

 ing was taken, left Congress fuming with impatience and wondering 

 what he was about. Financial support was withdrawn before the 



