INDIAN MARINE SURVEYS. 37 



and Mergui, has only been delineated by running surveys as far 

 back as the years 1820-30. The principal trade route or beaten 

 track of trading steamers has however been sounded out sufficiently 

 for present purposes. As trade develops and new products are 

 discovered fresh surveys will be required. Besides the coast proper 

 there is an extensive archipelago, on the islands of which discoveries 

 have lately been made of silver, lead, tin, and marble, which afford 

 exceptional facilities for shipment. The coast proper will take at 

 least six years to survey, and the archipelago another three years. 

 Pakchan, the Andaman islands (at present only one-fourth surveyed), 

 the Coco group, and the Nicobars also require attention. ■ 



Summing up these requirements it will be seen, with the present 

 establishment, about 40 years must elapse before the coasts of India 

 and Burma can be surveyed sufficiently for safe navigation, and by 

 that time British India may have extended its sea- board, and other 

 coasts may demand attention. Moreover, in 40 years time ocean 

 traffic will probably have very much enlarged, and rapidity of 

 transit increased, greater facilities will be required to bring produce 

 from small ports to larger ones, for shipment on ocean steamers and 

 there will be a gradual development of new ports and localities. 



Whether it will be found expedient as well as possible to cope 

 more expeditiously with this large field of future operations, by 

 commissioning another surveying steamer, is a point that remains 

 to be seen. The matter has been commended by the Secretary of 

 State to the careful consideration of the Government of India. In 

 any case there is clearly a very extended field of employment for 

 the Indian Coast Survey Department for many years to come. 



