February 14, 1902.] 



SCIENCE. 



265 



organization, which appears to have read- 

 ily adapted its methods to the diverse con- 

 ditions of our widely distributed posses- 

 sions. 



Appendix 4 in a manner indicates the 

 continuous growth of the area to be chart- 

 ed by the Survey, which has foUoAved 

 upon the territorial expansion of our coun- 

 try. It consists of tables used in the com- 

 putation of geographical positions. The 

 first publication of this character was 

 limited to the United States, between 23° 

 and 50° of latitude. Two extensions car- 

 ried the tables to the Arctic Ocean and the 

 present one extends them to the equator. 



The physical and social conditions of 

 Alaska and of the Philippines make a strong 

 contrast, and themethods employed in chart- 

 ing the two regions must on that account, 

 to a certain extent, differ. But it appears 

 from the report that there are other condi- 

 tions common to both which require sim- 

 ilar treatment. It is the general belief that 

 both Alaska and the Philippine Islands are 

 on the threshold of a commercial awaken- 

 ing. The rich mineral resources of the for- 

 mer promise steady development, while the 

 many valuable products of the latter only 

 await organized eifort to be the source of a 

 boundless traffic. For the safety of the 

 vessels and cargoes engaged in this com- 

 merce accurate charts are most important. 

 Those of a large portion of the coast of 

 Alaska and adjacent waters are still con- 

 structed from the information obtained by 

 early explorers and navigators, whose fa- 

 cilities for obtaining accurate locations 

 were meager. In the Philippines the charts 

 are truly oriental in their untruthfulness. 



It is the policy of the Survey to first at- 

 tack those portions most urgently needed 

 and the doubtful areas in Alaska are being 

 gradually reduced in size. Thus during the 

 year surveys were extended along the coast 

 of Seward Peninsula where Nome, the focus 

 of the latest and most promising gold fields, 



is situated. It faces the open sea and at 

 present the transfer of persons and prop- 

 erty to and from the vessels is subject to 

 the risks of sudden storms and heavy surf. 

 In the future development of this region 

 a harbor for ocean-going vessels will be a 

 necessity, and with this in view the two 

 nearest. Port Clarence to the north and 

 Golofnin Bay to the east, were included in 

 the Survey. Later in the year the prin- 

 cipal passes through the Aleutian Islands 

 into Bering Sea, as well as Icy Straits and 

 Cross Sound, were taken up with every 

 prospect of completion. 



In the Philippines, Manila, as the seat of 

 the government, is the central point from 

 which the telegraph lines diverge in all 

 directions. A suboffiee and astronomical 

 station were established there, and from the 

 latter as the initial point the longitudes of 

 14 stations were determined by telegraph 

 and also at the same time latitude and 

 azimuth observations were made. Three 

 charts and notices to mariners were issued 

 and six additional charts were ready for 

 publication on July 1. A steamer was pur- 

 chased by the Philippine Commission for 

 the use of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, 

 and money was appropriated by the Com- 

 mission to repair and equip this vessel. 



In Porto Rico, hydrographic work was 

 continued in the harbors and bays and 

 offshore. The triangulation around the 

 island and topographic surveys of the shore 

 line were continued. The topographic sur- 

 vey of Vieques Island was completed. 



Our home interests were not neglected as 

 may be seen from the fact that hydro- 

 graphic and topographic surveys were 

 made in localities in 19 States for the pur- 

 pose of bringing the charts up to date in 

 consequence of natural or artificial changes 

 which have occurred since the original s\ir- 

 veys. 



Speed trial courses for the use of ships 

 and torpedo boats were established in Dela- 



