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161. Geographic Names on the Hydrographic Survey 



The principal sources of the charted geographic names are the hydrographic and 

 topographic surveys made by the Bureau. For the project area the geographic names 

 already charted should be verified, and all additional names well established in local usage 

 should be sought out. The hydrographic and topographic surveys are source material; 

 geographic names should not be merely copied from other maps and charts — the 

 field party should verify, if practicable, whether or not they are in undisputed local 

 usage, before placing them on the sheets. 



The hydrographic surveys should be the authority for all geographic names sea- 

 ward from the high-water line, including the names of all water features such as chan- 

 nels, sloughs, rivers, inlets; and those of the reefs, rocks, banks, and shoals therein; 

 and all small islands and the names of geographic features thereon. Only a few geo- 

 graphic names on the mainland need be included and these principally for reference 

 purposes. 



Topograpliic surveys, planetable and air photographic, should be the authority 

 for all geographic names inshore from the high-water line, including the names of all 

 land features; and in addition the names of lakes, small streams, rivers, and sloughs 

 which are not sounded during the hydrographic survey. 



It is almost impossible to have too many authentic geographic names on an original 

 survey sheet, even though they may be far too numerous to be included on the charts 

 of the area. The sheets will serve as source material and may be used as the authority 

 for purposes other than charting. 



Geographic names should not be inked on hydrographic or topographic survey 

 sheets by the field party. They should be lettered in pencil and should refer unmis- 

 takably to the features named, but only after verification in the Washington Office 

 will they be inked. (See 787.) 



162. Investigation of Geographic Names 



It is particularly important that geographic names on the charts be correct not 

 only as to name, but also as to spelling and application. No other feature on a chart 

 or map is so easily verified by the user. Errors in geographic names are an indication 

 of carelessness which soon reflects on the accuracy of the other charted data. 



Field parties should not merely copy geographic names from current editions of 

 the charts or other maps onto their hydrographic sheets. Charted names and those 

 in the Coast Pilots should be checked against local usage. If a name is well established 

 through long use on maps and charts and is appropriate it should be adhered to even 

 though found to differ from local usage, especially if the feature is of more importance 

 to navigation than it is to the inhabitants, or if the local name is an awkward or 

 difficult one. 



Wliere published names differ from local usage the hydrographer should ascertain 

 how well established the local name is and, if possible, the origin of it. Dual names for 

 the same feature lead to confusion and inconvenience and such cases are referred to the 

 United States Board on Geographical Names for decision. A rather complete statement 

 is required in each case and the sources from which the local name was obtained must 

 be stated. (See 1671.) 



Map sources which are easily accessible to the hydrographer should be consulted 

 for geographic names, but an exhaustive search for such material is not required. The 

 standard quadrangle maps of the United States Geological Survey should be consulted 



