CKAF. v.] FIXING MARKS 165 



FIXING MARKS. 



It is not possible to lay down any dogmatrc plan for fixing 

 the marks which have to be erected. In many cases it is w^ell 

 to put them all up first, and then get angles to them after- 

 wards ; but if non-surveyors are deputed to make the marks, 

 they will seldom be placed in the right spots. A whitewash, 

 for instance, will be so placed that it cannot be seen in certain 

 directions. A tripod or pole will not be in the most con- 

 venient position for the officer who afterwards puts in the 

 coast-Une, and numerous small errors of this description will 

 be made by one who is not capable of taking in all the little 

 requirements. 



It is therefore more satisfactory to send a surveyor to do System- 

 this, and while he is there he may just as well take angles, so ^^^^^^^"^^ 

 that the writer has found it saves time in the end, in general, 

 to have a surveyor at some main or secondary station, whence 

 he can see most of the marks, and let the officer who erects 

 the mark take angles at it to the above station, which we may 

 call the " shooting-up " station, and to a sufficient number of 

 other stations which can be seen from the shooting-up 

 station also, to fix himself. The angles from these other 

 stations can then be calculated. In this way two or three 

 officers can be at work putting up marks, and fixing them at 

 the same time. The officer who erects a mark gives it a name, 

 and notes the time by his watch when he is there. The officer 

 at the shooting-up station also takes the time, and notes the 

 position and kind of mark put up, to which he takes his angles, 

 writing the name against it in his book when he returns to the 

 ship and meets the other officers. 



When dealing with a large number of marks placed on the Marks in 

 coast at short intervals apart, it is a great convenience in ^^?^^[ 

 plotting, and afterwards in sounding, to give names to them order, 

 in alphabetical order. 



For this purpose several lists of names of one syllable should 

 be selected from a dictionary, each list referring to a particular 

 class of name, such as those of insects, animals, birds, fishes, 

 etc. 



Judgment is necessary in deciding where to place marks on 

 the coast. 



