LESSON 9 
Compass SURVEY 
on compass survey may be regarded as an im- 
~ provement upon the simple paced survey, though 
the compass is frequently used in making paced 
surveys. In short there are all degrees of ac- 
curacy to be attained in surveying depending on 
the kind of instruments used, the time and at- 
tention given to the work and the skill of the 
surveyor. The student should now endeavor to improve his own 
work and to gain greater accuracy through the use of the hand 
compass for determining directions and for measuring horizontal 
angles. 
Measuring Distances 
In previous exercises we have assumed that distances would 
be measured by pacing. Much greater accuracy can be attained 
by measuring with a surveyor’s chain or an engineer’s steel tape. 
The latter is the best measuring instrument for all practical purposes. 
Some experience in handling the engineer’s tape will be found profit- 
able. 
“Chain tapes” are thin and fairly broad steel ribbons graduated 
in feet and hundredths throughout. 
Heavy or “Hoop Skirt” tapes are of thicker and usually nar- 
rower steel ribbon graduated to feet, and usually the end feet are 
graduated to tenths. 
Be sure you know where the zero point and the total length 
point are on the tape. If you don’t know find out by comparing the 
ends with some other part of the tape. Some tapes have the zero 
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