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163. Special Report on Geographic Names 



When practicable, the field party should submit a special report on geographic names 

 to cover the entire project area, or several reports to cover it in parts, irrespective of the 

 limits of the individual survey sheets. The report should contain all of the information 

 resulting from the field party's investigation, relative to the names, arranged in a con- 

 venient reference form. 



This method of submitting the data is by far the most satisfactory one when the 

 hydrographic survey has been preceded by an air photographic survey, and it may be 

 the most convenient method of reporting such information when the hydrographic 

 survey is preceded by contemporary planetable surveys. 



Usually in connection with the geographic names of a project area a comparatively 

 large number of local persons are consulted and sometimes a large number of maps of 

 the area are compared. A convenient way of reporting the results is to list the names of 

 all of the consultees with their addresses, numbering each consultee so that easy refer- 

 ence may be made under each geographic name. A similar method may be used to 

 report the maps and charts consulted by referring to each one by a letter of the alphabet. 



Information regarding each name should be reported in a short concise paragraph, 

 which should include the extent of the local usage, a discussion of any variations in 

 spelling or application, the origin of the name and the date when it was first applied 

 to the feature, if known. If the name is a descriptive one, a statement should be in- 

 cluded as to its appropriateness. References to local usage as evidenced by posted 

 signs, local maps, or in local writings, should be included. 



In reporting local usage the hydrographer should be extremely careful to report 

 the name in form and spelling exactly as used. This is particularly important when the 

 possessive case is involved. It is the duty of the hydrographer to report the facts as he 

 finds them, irrespective of any of the guiding principles of the Board on Geographical 

 Names or preference on the part of the hydrographer or the Washmgton Office. 



When a geographic name is pronounced locally in a way not apparent from the 

 spelling, a phonetic explanation of the pronunciation should be included. 



In addition to the above information the special report should contain recom- 

 mendations for cases where local usage disagrees with the published charts of the 

 Bureau (see 1631). Charted names, which are found to agree with undisputed local 

 usage and with other federal maps, should be listed and a statement made to this effect. 



When no special report has been furnished, all of the above information required 

 for geographic names should be reported in the Descriptive Report (see 164 and 165). 



A number of examples are given in 166 illustrative of the information which is 

 desired relative to geographic names. 



1631. Recommendations When Usage Disagrees 



When a charted name differs from that on other federal maps or from well-estab- 

 lished local usage, at least three local authorities should be consulted. The hydro- 

 grapher should make a recommendation as to which name in his opinion should be 

 approved for charting. The recommendation should be based on how thoroughly the 

 name appears to be established in local usage, on how important the feature is to navi- 

 gation, on which name has the most individuality, and whether or not persons navi- 

 gating in the area may use the charted name even if it differs from local usage. 



The information should be complete enough so that the case can be submitted to 



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