57 



In the Division of Drafting ami Engraving, where a 

 considerable force was kept employed in correcting chart 

 plates, the plan was adopted of " charging all information, 

 as soon as it comes in, agaiust each chart affected," so that 

 each chart keeps an open account with all sources of in- 

 formation, as well as with the draftsmen and engravers 

 who work upon it. " Standards for borders, titles, letter- 

 ing", &c, were adopted, and "-in giving out contracts to 

 engravers they are required to make all work conform ex- standards for 

 actly to the standard, thus leaving nothing to individual &Z adopted. ter8 ' 

 tastes, which always causes undesirable variety." (Eeport 

 of the Hydrographer, 1884.) The practice of making 

 electrotype copies of the engraved copper plates, and thus 

 preserving the plates themselves from the wear of constant mad e of 'thlFen 8 . 

 use in printing, was adopted in the Office, while the costly graved plates. 

 plan of correcting the British Admiralty charts by hand 

 was discontinued, and new editions of such charts were pur- 

 chased as soon as issued. Prior to this year the Admiralty 

 charts had been bought from dealers in London at nearly 

 25 per cent, increase over the Admiralty prices; but the 

 purchases were now made direct from the duly authorized . Change made 



u m the method of 



agent for the sale of Admiralty publications. The issuing obtaining British 

 list of books furnished to naval vessels was overhauled and charts. 

 obsolete books were replaced by new works. New and 

 greatly improved Meteorological charts of the North Atlan- New Meteoro- 



^ ■ . CT logical charts is- 



tic were issued, showing graphically for each month of the sued. 

 year, and for each section of the ocean, the winds, weather, 

 temperature, currents, &c, that may be expected in that 

 region by the mariner. 



The practical value of the Branch Hydrographic Offices 

 located in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, organized 

 in the first half of the fiscal year, was soon so apparent to 

 ship-masters, owners, underwriters, and others interested 

 in ocean commerce that they petitioned for similar estab- 

 lishments in other large cities ; and, accordingly, branches 

 were opened in San Francisco, New Orleans, and Baltimore. 



The hydrographic work performed by our naval vessels 

 during the year was of great importance. Only one vessel, 

 however, was engaged exclusively in surveying work. This Reports of sur- 



1 „ , -TTXT- V6VS ' &C - made 



ship, the Ranger, successively under Commanders J. W . by'navai vessels. 

 Philip and C. E. Clark, continued the survey of the west 

 coast of Mexico and Central America, from the Gulf of Fon- 

 seca to San Juan del Sur. 



