NOTES ON THE BASE LINES OF THE CEYLON TRIANGULATION

Abstract

The triangulation of Ceylon depends for its scale upon two bases, each about 5½ miles long, situated at Negombo on the West Coast (latitude 7° 10′) and at Batticaloa on the East Coast (latitude 7° 40′). Both bases are in low, flat country; brick towers up to 70 feet high had to be built over the terminals to enable observations to be taken to surrounding points. These lines have recently been re-measured.     

MAP REPRODUCTION IN THE TROPICS

Abstract

The useful paper on “Map Printing in Ceylon” which was written by Mr. W. S. Maddams of the Ceylon Survey Department for the 1935 Conference of Empire Survey Officers has been read with interest in the Gold Coast. The writer of the present note was not present at the Conference but has read the report of the discussion on that paper. It appears to him that Mr. Maddams makes certain generalizations, based on his own, experience in Ceylon, regarding map reproduction in the Tropics and, however true these statements may be as regards Ceylon, they certainly do not apply to the Gold Coast and probably not to some other tropical countries. As it is possible that another Colony, when starting a map-printing establishment of its own, might be led, on the strength of the paper read at the Conference, to believe that less expensive (though less elaborate) methods than those used in Ceylon are not possible in a tropical country, the following notes on the methods used and found successful in the Gold Coast may be of some value. They are not intended to be a criticism of Mr. Maddams' paper but only to supplement it with a record of experience obtained in another part of the world.     

NOTES ON GEODETIC WORK IN THE GOLD COAST

Abstract

The Gold Coast, including that portion of Togoland which is mandated to Great Britain, comprises an area of 91,843 square miles lying between the parallels 4° 45′ N. and 11°N. and the meridians 1° 10′ E. and 3° 10′ W. The greater part of the southern area is covered with dense forest, but in the north the forest gradually opens out to more open “orchard-bush”, while in the extreme north the country consists of rolling plains covered with tall elephant-grass.     

TRIGONOMETRICAL LEVELLING ACROSS THE INLAND ICE IN NORTH GREENLAND

Abstract

As part of the scientific work of the British North Greenland Expedition (1952–1954), a programme of trigonometrical levelling was carried out from the east to the west coast of Greenland, along a line across the inland ice between latitudes 76° 40′ N., and 78° 10′ N. The primary purpose of the work was to determine accurately the heights above sea level of a series of gravity stations, the gravity measurements being made in connection with determinations of ice thickness. For meteorological purposes it was necessary to know also the altitude of the Expedition's central station, situated in latitude 78° 04′ N., longitude 38° 29′ W. The accuracy necessary for the purpose of the gravity survey was a few metres for the altitudes, while the latitude of each gravity station had to be determined with an accuracy of ± 0.1 minute.     

BASE MEASUREMENT IN THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN

Abstract

Since 1899 cadastral mapping in the Sudan has been concentrated along the banks of the Nile from the Egyptian frontier to latitude 13°N., in the towns, and in the area of the Gezira, south of Khartoum, where cotton has been developed. These surveys were controlled by theodolite and steel tape either in the form of traverses or rectangulation. The early triangulation was used mainly to control topographical surveys, for it was essential to cover the whole country as rapidly as possible with a series of maps on scale 1: 250,000. As a consequence much of this early triangulation is of a relatively low order of accuracy, indifferently marked on the ground, and unfit for inclusion in a framework for medium and large scale mapping.     

NOTES ON LEVELLING WITH THE ANEROID BAROMETER

Abstract

In chapter 5, page 12, of my “Report on a Rapid Geological Survey of the Gambia” (Gold Coast Geological Survey Bulletin, NO. 3) I have stated the opinion of Prof. Julius Hann of Vienna that the barometric curves may be analysed into two components:- <list list-type="alpha"> <list-item>

semi-diurnal, constant, depending on latitude and altitude (with a slight yearly alteration);</list-item> <list-item>

diurnal, depending chiefly on temperature (and humidity ?).</list-item> </list>     

THE VARIATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC COEFFICIENT OF REFRACTION WITH THE NATURE OF THE SOURCE OF LIGHT

Abstract

In working out vertical heights on the Akuse-Kete Krachi chain of triangulation in the Gold Coast a fairly considerable difference was found between values of the coefficient of refraction obtained from observations taken during the day and those taken at night, the mean values being 0.069 for daylight observations to heliographs and 0.087 for night observations to lamps. This difference no doubt is due mainly to the condition of the atmosphere during the day differing from its condition during the night rather than to any effect due to different sources of light. A new chain has recently been observed in Western Ashanti, and the index of refraction for the daylight observations again gave a lower value than that obtained from the night observations, the figures being 0.073 and 0.099 respectively. For the night work three different sources of light were used, hurricane lamps for short lines, Tilley vapour-pressure lamps for lines of intermediate length, and McCaw acetylene signalling lamps by Watts for long lines. It occurred, therefore, to the writer to examine the results to see if the mean values of the index of refraction showed any variations for the different light sources, since it seemed reasonable to suppose that the constitution of the light emitted from each source would be different and hence that the coefficient of refraction might vary.     

A NOTE ON THE TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

After the completion of Simms's Geodetic Chain in 1901 and the publication of the results in 1905—Volume iii of the Geodetic Survey of South Africa—nothing further of a geodetic nature was done until 1928 when a short chain was run westwards from Simms's chain, at about latitude 17° 10′, to fix the Copper Queen mining area. The Eastern Circuit was commenced shortly after this; it runs from Salisbury eastwards to the Portuguese Boundary, southwards through Umtali to about latitude 20° and then westwards, joining Simms's chain again to the east of Bulawayo. Another chain running north from Simms's work has been commenced near Bulawayo. The several series are exhibited on the outline map attached.     

STANDARDIZING EQUIPMENT OF THE GOLD COAST SURVEY DEPARTMENT

Abstract

The following account of the standardizing equipment of the Gold Coast Survey Department has been written, at the request of the Editor of the Review, because this equipment includes a completely enclosed standard of length 300 feet long which is believed to be one of the very few enclosed standards of this length in any of the Crown Colonies.     

ELIMINATION OF ERRORS OF LATITUDE AND REFRACTION IN THE PAIRING OF AZIMUTH OBSERVATIONS

Abstract

In a previous Article (Empire Survey Review, ii, II) I described a simple graphical method for the elimination of latitude error in observations for azimuth. It was pointed out that the ideal method of adjustment of azimuths would be a simultaneous elimination of both latitude and refraction errors and, with that in view, a purely theoretical method of such an adjustment was demonstrated in the last paragraph of the article. It has now occurred to me that a fairly simple mathematical solution is possible.     

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIONS IN MALAYA AND SIAM

Abstract

Malaya.—The geographical positions of points in the “Primary Triangulation of Malaya”, published in 1917, depend upon latitude and azimuth determinations at Bukit Asa and on the longitude of Fort Cornwallis Flagstaff, Penang, the latter being supposed to be 100° 20′ 44″.4 E. This value was obtained by Commander (later Admiral) Mostyn Field in H.M.S. Egeria 1893, by the exchange of telegraphic signals with Mr Angus Sutherland at Singapore, Old Transit Circle. The longitude, 103° 51′ 15″.75 E., accepted for Singa- pore in order to arrive at this determination of Fort Cornwallis Flagstaff, was based upon that of an Observation Spot, 103° 51′ 15″.00 E., fixed in 1881 by Lieutenant Commander Green, United States Navy, by meridian distance from the transit circle ofMadras Observatory, the corresponding longitude of the latter being taken as 80° 14′ 51″.51 E.     

ON THE LAMBERT CONFORMAL PROJECTION AS APPLIED IN CHINA

Abstract

There are no proper projections for use in geodetic work in a country which has great extensions both in latitude and longitude. For, if a single projection of any kind be applied in such a case, the linear and angular distortions would be so great at the boundary that it is very difficult or even impossible to apply the corrections to them. In order to render it possible for any projection to be applied, the area in question should be divided either into strips bounded by meridians or into zones bounded by parallels. In the former case the Transverse Mercator or Gauss’ projection may be used, while in the latter, the Lambert conformal projection is the most suitable. China is such a country as that mentioned above. It covers an area extending from 16°N. to 53°N. in latitude and of no less than sixty-five degrees in longitude. The problem of choosing a projection for geodetic work depends only on how the area is to be divided. It has been decided by the Central Land Survey of China to adopt the Lambert conformal projection as the basis for the co-ordinate system, and, in order to meet the requirements of geodetic work, the whole country is subdivided into eleven zones bounded by parallels including a spacing of 3½ degrees in latitude-difference. To each of these zones is applied a Lambert projection, properly chosen so as to fit it best. The two standard parallels of the projection are situated at one-seventh of the latitude-difference of the zone from the top and bottom. Thus, the spacing between the standard parallels is 2½ degrees. This gives a maximum value of the scale factor of less than one part in four thousand, thus reducing the distortions of any kind to a reasonable amount. The area between these parallels belongs to the zone proper, while those outside are the overlapping regions with the adjacent ones. All the zones can be extended indefinitely both eastwards and westwards to include the boundaries of the country.     

MAPPING OUT OF CROWN LANDS IN CEYLON

Abstract

The Island of Ceylon has an extent of 25,332 square miles, and a population of nearly seven millions; the range of latitude is from 5° 55′ to 9° 50′ North and of longitude 79° 42′ to 81° 53′ East.     

SOME EFFECTS OF PULLEY ECCENTRICITY IN BASE MEASURING APPARATUS

Abstract

The comprehensive paper on the suspension of tapes by M. Hotine in the January, 1939, issue of the Empire Survey Review (v, 31, 2) did not contain any reference to this question, as was pointed out by A. J. Morley in a letter published on page 261 in the same volume (v, 34, 261). A brief analysis has been made by F. Yates of the theoretical effects of pulley eccentricity and misalignment (“Gold Coast Survey Department Records” VoL III, 1931, page 43) but I have not seen any further reference to the subject and have recently experienced the effects of such a defect in our own apparatus, so the followingnotes nlay be of interest. Before proceeding to details I will describe briefly those parts of the apparatus which are considered here and give a short summary of the whole paper.     

SIGNAL LAMPS

Abstract

The six acetylene signal lamps of the Uganda type purchased for the Gold Coast Survey Department from Messrs. E. R. Watts & Son in 1932 were to replace others of a similar pattern which were bought about 1924 but were lost by fire when Kumasi Fort, where they were stored temporarily, was burnt out in April, 1932.     

Evaluation of COMPASS ionospheric grid

As an important component of the augmentation service, the ionospheric grid contributes to improving single-frequency positioning accuracy. The ionospheric delay corrections are broadcast as vertical delay estimates at specified ionospheric grid points (IGPs) for most satellite-based augmentation system, where the IGPs are predefined with a resolution of 5° and 5° in latitude and longitude. Different from the general strategy, the COMPASS IGPs are predefined with a resolution of 2.5° and 5° in latitude and longitude. The need for this special IGPs distribution is investigated with experiments using real data. The performance of the COMPASS ionospheric grid is analyzed in terms of accuracy and availability. Comparing the performance of the special IGPs distribution with that of 5° × 5° IGPs, the results show that the ionospheric correction improves by 0.2 m and the 3D positioning accuracy improves by 1 m in middle-low latitude regions. The RMS of the COMPASS grid ionospheric correction accuracy is better than 0.5 m in most regions of the China mainland, and the availability is better than 95 % except in the northeast, northwest and outside China. In addition, we investigated the performance of the method that combined the inverse distance weighted and spherical harmonics grid modeling algorithm. Simulations show that the new method clearly improves grid availability. The mean availability in the mainland is better than 99 %.     

ROUTINE CADASTRAL TRAVERSING

Abstract

In the table appended there are given statistics of some recent ordinary traverses in the Gold Coast Colony. These have been executed by European (E) or African (A) surveyors, departmental (D) or licensed (L). They apply to Acquisitional, Concessionary, and Proprietary Surveys of various classes of property. The traverses consist either of self-closing circuits (C), or of circuits closing on lines of fixed length and bearing (F). The equipment comprises a theodolite, steel band, and temporary wooden pegs carrying vertical, partially driven nails as centring marks. The table is self-explanatory with the exception of the final column, where the significance of “K” will perhaps be explained by some member of the Department.     

EVALUATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF TERRESTRIAL REFRACTION

Abstract

In a previous article on this subject (Empire Survey Review, January 1937) the writer sought to show that for trigonometrical observations of vertical angles made near noon in the Tropics the coefficient of refraction depends chiefly on height above ground level in the case of stations sited within a few hundred feet above the general level of the ground surface. Indeed, the computed values of the coefficient K show a definite and appreciable increase with “h”, the height of the observing station above ground level; it is usually assumed that K decreases with increase in height above the Mean-Sea-Level surface. From analysis of the results obtained by varying h but holding the heights above Mean Sea Level fixed the writer came to the conclusion that the variations in K could only be due to abnormal values of dt/dh and d²t/dh², “t” denoting the air temperature. Now it is generally recognized by meteorologists that abnormal lapse-rates of temperature do frequently occur in the lower air layers in the Tropics; but up to the present time no temperature soundings in Nigeria are available. Recently, however, the writer came across the results of the aerological soundings made by an expedition in East Africa during the year 1908. The results of many of the soundings were of no use for the purpose of this paper; many of the observations were not taken at or near noon, and in others counterlapses of temperature in the lower layers indicated that conditions were not normal. A set of observations taken at Mombasa between 10 and 11 a.m. were eventually chosen as offering an example of what might reasonably occur in the lower layers of the atmosphere.