Survey of Oyster Bars, Somerset County, Md. 19 



Corners of oyster, crab, and clam boundaries established by computation 506 



Back azimuths and distances computed from corners of boundaries to triangulation stations 1, 518 



Descriptions of triangulation stations prepared for publication 86 



Descriptions of oyster, crab, and clam boundaries prepared for publication 94 



Total typewritten pages of manuscript prepared for publication of report 264 



"Charts of Natural Oyster Bars" prepared for publication 6 



Progress map prepared for publication 1 



GENERAL STATEMENT. 



The results obtained from the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in Somerset 

 Count v in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish Com- 

 mission need no other summary than is indicated by the published "Charts of Natural 

 Oyster Bars" and the scheme of hydrographic projections and triangulation stations 

 shown on the progress map at the beginning of this report. 



The triangulation has been carried on in accordance with the standard methods of 

 the Coast and Geodetic Survey, making this work and that of the "Descriptions of 

 Triangulation Stations" of permanent value, not only to the State of Maryland in the 

 survey of her oyster bars, but also to the Government for any future work it may do 

 in the regions covered by the oyster survey operations. 



The hydrographic projections and published charts were prepared with all the 

 accuracy permitted by their large scale, especially as to the boundaries of the various 

 shell-fish bottoms in relation to landmarks, but this accuracy of location on the charts 

 is further added toby published technical descriptions which should minimize the proba- 

 bility of any future dispute as to either landmarks or boundaries. 



Stated another way and quoting from the report of the "Survey of Oyster Bars of 

 Anne Arundel County:" 



The geographic positions of the permanent landmarks and signals have been determined with the 

 usual precision of a trigonometric survey, and their locations at all points necessary to provide ample 

 foundation for the surveying and charting operations permitted great accuracy of definition and location 

 for the natural oyster bar and other boundaries established. At the same time, the very important 

 element of permanency of the positions of boundaries has been secured, as the relocation of geodetic 

 positions can always be accomplished by a competent surveyor, even though the original landmarks 

 and monuments have been washed away, as has been the fate of hundreds of such points established 

 by the Coast and Geodetic Survey on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay during the last sixty-five years. 



In fact, when the survey of the oyster bars of Maryland is completed, it is believed 

 that it will stand the test of time and practical use as a working foundation for whatever 

 form the oyster legislation of the future may assume; and that the doing of the work 

 systematically and accurately, once for all, not only means a better foundation of a 

 great oyster industry by irradicably locating the natural oyster bars for the use of the 

 public, but also a better and more permanent superstructure of oyster culture for the 

 individual by the reason of the integrity of the foundation on which it stands. 



Before ending this report the representative of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 

 wishes to renew his statement of appreciation of the courteous assistance received from 

 various Government and State officials and others interested in the oyster industry of 

 Maryland, especially to the following: 



To his colleague from the Department of Commerce and Labor, Dr. H. F. Moore 

 of the Bureau of Fisheries, whose efficient cooperation, well-known experience, and 

 scientific knowledge of all matters relating to oysters have been of great value to the work. 



