HEIGHTS BY ANEROID BAROMETER

Abstract

Of all methods of surveying, the provision of heights by means of aneroid barometers probably arouses the greatest variety of emotions in the practical surveyor. Some pack a single aneroid rather shamefacedly, look at it only when in difficulties and are thankful if its reading is within 200 feet of what they expect; others with as little care, expect readings correct to the smallest division of the scale; whilst at the other end of the scale are the devotees of the aneroid who will attempt-and often succeed-in raying out gravity pipe lines in flattish country with no other instruments.     

THE ART OF ORIGINAL CIRCULAR DIVIDING (1650–1850)

Abstract

The problem of dividing the circle into equal parts has occupied the minds of astronomers and instrument makers from the earliest times, but little is known of the methods adopted by such renowned observers as Hevelius or Tycho Brahe, who are said to have divided their own instruments (I). It is possible, however, to trace the various steps by which progress was made and to appreciate the urgent need that was felt, particularly throughout the eighteenth century, for improvement in the accuracy of astronomical instruments, if only to satisfy the increasing demands for navigational charts and for the means of determining the position of a ship at sea.     

CADASTRAL AIR SURVEY

Abstract

I Hope Dr Wolff's interesting article will stimulate to action some of those who have not given sufficient attention to air survey as a method of mapping or planning those areas which lend themselves to that method. At the same time, whether so many of us are as conservative as the author appears to think is a matter for doubt, and moreover we do not all look upon air survey as an “innovation”. As Dr Wolff writes from Palestine he might be interested to know that as the second British Officer to take up field survey work in the War in 1915—Major (now Brigadier) Winterbotham being the first—I was one of the earliest in my profession to study, and to assist in the development of, air survey. In 1915 our unit in the 3rd Army was the first to make use of air photographs for the production of a regular series of trench maps. There are consequently few surveyors more interested in the method. I have watched the progress of the science and the work of the Air Survey Committee with continued interest and have used air methods whenever these have been possible or suitable. On my last visit to Paris I tried my hand at plotting with a new instrument at the Service Géographique and was much impressed by the work that was being done.     

THE SURVEYOR'S LEVEL YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY

Abstract

The last twenty-five years have been remarkable for the progress made in the application of science to instrument design and manufacture. Certain instruments such as the Surveyor's Level appeared twenty-five years ago to have almost reached finality of design; but during the intervening period the improvements made have been of so radical a nature that the progress made has been greater than during any corresponding period. In short, the modern level is a more efficient instrument than its prototype and in spite of reductions in size and weight is, capable of yielding more accurate results with a less expenditure of time and energy. In order to appreciate fully how radical these changes have been, a direct comparison may be made between a first-class level as made twenty-five years ago and a similar instrument as made to-day. Twenty-five years ago it was not possible to obtain a level that could be relied upon to remain in adjustment; one that could be quickly checked and easily corrected offered distinct advantages. The Reversible Level was designed with this end in view; and it is proposed to select such an instrument having an objective aperture of 1·65 inches and to compare it with a modern instrument of the same aperture. The focal length of the telescope of the Reversible Level was 16 inches, and the weight of the instrument with its box was 21½ lbs. (Plate VIII, fig. 1). Many surveyors with long experience of this type still speak highly of its reliability and accuracy; it certainly compared very favourably with other instruments of its period.     

THE STATE OF THE SURVEYS OF BRITISH AFRICA IN 1905-06

Abstract

Whilst turning over some old papers the other day I came across a copy of the first Annual Report of the Colonial Survey Committee, and the recent, much regretted death of Sir Herbert Read reminded me of his services in the development of the surveys and explorations of British possessions in Africa, especially his suggestion, which was approved by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, of the formation of the Colonial Survey Committee, an Advisory Committee which was set up in August, 1905. This Committee advised the Secretary of State “in matters affecting the survey and exploration of British Colonies and Protectorates, more especially those in Tropical Africa”.     

THE LEVELLING OF A THEODOLITE

Abstract

A Fully equipped theodolite is provided with plate levels, an alidade level, and a striding level. An instrument not so equipped has no title to be considered a “Universal Instrument”, that is to say, an instrument designed for every kind of both terrestrial and celestial measurement. Without a striding level, for example, nothing beyond relatively rough astronomical measures can be expected in general. Modern instruments, capable of giving considerable refinement in terrestrial measures, are frequently not furnished with a striding level; and it is sometimes assumed, with the tacit approval of the makers, that such instruments are equally capable of giving refined astronomical results. On the older type of instrument a striding level—rarely not supplied—could have been, and sometimes was, extemporized; it seems as if ignorance of astronomy of position has led, at least in part, to the construction of theodolites in such a manner as actually to render such extemporization difficult.     

THE HEIGHT OF LAKE TANA,ETHIOPIA

Abstract

During the winter of 1952–53 I was engaged in the work of a large scale survey of a small area at the point where the Blue Nile or Great Abbai flows out of Lake Tana in Ethiopia for Messrs. J. Seymour Harris and Partners who were reporting to H.I.M. Government of Ethiopia on the suitability of the area as the site of a proposed new town. In view of the uncertainty attaching to the various heights attributed to the lake it was considered desirable to attempt a fresh determination, although this aspect had little priority in its claims on the time of the survey party. Although, in the outcome, all that was possible was a conventional reduction of a series of aneroid readings, the subject may possess some general interest.     

BASE MEASUREMENT IN THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN

Abstract

29. The illuminated apparatus was made by E. R. Watts and Son in 1938. Discussion over details continued before and during construction, and the, makers were exceedingly co-operative over suggestions made to them in the late stages. Many of the features of this first-class set of instruments are common to the “Macca” apparatus. The following account is therefore confined to improvements and developments in the new apparatus.     

DEFECTS OF SURVEYING TELESCOPES

Abstract

Now that the internal-focusing telescope is almost exclusively fitted to modern surveying instruments, there appears to be some misgiving on the part of many who, using older instruments, are inclined to believe that they are further handicapped by the obsolescent form of draw-tube, or external-focusing, telescope. Little contention can be raised against the claims of the makers, who fairly summarize the merits and demerits of the modern form, clearly stating the relatively small loss of light through the additional lens and the slight deviations from anallactism in the case of stadia observations. Thus, many of the younger generation of engineers and surveyors are aware of a “transition period” with a lack of more intimate knowledge of the original form of telescope; and, in this connexion, it should be remembered that the construction of draw-tube telescopes was carried to so high a degree of perfection that only the exigencies of lightness and compactness rendered possible by precision methods led to the adoption of the internal-focusing pattern. Wherefore, it appears that a few notes and observations might be interposed expediently at this belated stage, not from the designers' office, with detailed technical knowledge and experience at hand, but from the field engineers' point of view.     

A FIFTY-YEARS RETROSPECT

Abstract

The Ordnance Survey after the War.—I might class the four years after the War, during which I remained at the head of the Ordnance Survey, as interesting but troublesome. As is well known, an entirely unreasonable impression was spread about that, now that the War was over, there would be a period of great prosperity, and that we should all live like fighting cocks. Well, things did not work out like that. There was a Select Committee on National Expenditure (1918), and this Committee recommended a lengthening of the period of revision of the large-scale maps of the United Kingdom and a consequent, ultimate, reduction of establishment by 500 men. The Treasury later on insisted on a reduction by 600, including Ireland.     

THE USE OF AIR PlIOTOGRApHS BY THE ORDNANCE SURVEY

Abstract

During the last year, the Air Survey Section, Field Division, Ordnance Survey, have had many visitors. Most of them have been surprised at what they have seen: some at the fact that we are able to make so much use of air photographs even in the largest scale surveys, and some at the small amount of information we seem able to extract from them. This paper is an attempt to give in some detail the ways in which air photographs are used to solve the problems of the Ordnance Survey, why they are used and their limitations for our purposes.     

German Maps and Survey on the Western Front, 1914–1918

Abstract

Fighting the 1914–18 war largely on enemy territory in both the east and the west, German was at a disadvantage compared to the Allies when it came to survey and mapping as it did have access to much of the geodetic, topographic and cartographic data, relating to this terrain, necessary for modern warfare — in particular for artillery survey. German and Austria did, however, have a commanding lead in terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry, and the latter was to prove crucial in the production of accurate large-scale maps of enemy and occupied territory. Despite strong forces of conservatism in the high and field commands and in the artillery and military survey organizations, new air survey methods based on the photogoniometer and radial triangulation were rapidly developed. Through continual laboratory and field experimentation and testing, German was to increase her lead in aerial photogrammetry, and by the end of the war had not only set up a completely new air survey organization but was developing a new generation of optical-mechanical stereoplotting instruments of great precision. German progress was not, however, evident in all fields of military survey, and this paper examines the approaches taken by German to survey and mapping on the Western Front, and briefly compares and contrasts them with those of the Allies.     

A digital earth platform for sustainability

ABSTRACT

Based on the experience of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), this paper describes some challenges foreseen in order to develop a Digital Earth platform that can support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The use of ready-to-use derived geospatial information is essential. Future Earth’s methodology of ‘co-design’ aims to bring together natural, social scientists and decision makers to plan and carry out research for sustainability. Sustainability implies transdisciplinary research, but in order for scientists of different disciplines to work together, they will need to be able to share, access and use common data. This is by far not simple! While the good will to share data might exist, the associated technological, ethical and privacy issues are difficult to solve. An adequate e-infrastructure will be required. ISDE could consider to use the SDGs is the basis to develop the desired Digital Earth platform. This paper, by no means, covers everything for a Digital Earth platform, it aims to trigger research discussions and to have a good view about a starting point.     

RADAR CONTROLLED AIR SURVEY PHOTOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS IN AFRICA 1946–1952

Abstract

In 1943, the Colonial Research Committee accepted a proposal submitted by the Colonial Survey and Geophysical Committee to the effect that a Central Colonial Survey Organization should be established to undertake geodetic surveys and topographical mapping, publish the work completed, hold the required equipment and maintain the necessary records. In order that such an organization, if approved, could commence to operate as soon as possible after the end of war, a detailed scheme for same was called for by the Colonial Research Committee.     

NOTES ON THE USE OF ANEROID BAROMETERS IN THE GOLD COAST

Abstract

For several years it had been realized that aneroids in the Gold Coast showed a distinct lag in the readings when subject to fairly large changes of height. The range of height in the Colony, however, being relatively small and control heights fairly numerous, little interest was taken in the cause, which was generally thought to be due to hysteresis. * All aneroids in use on the Gold Coast are graduated on Airy's scale which is based on latitude 45° and temperature 50° F. In 1921 Mr. C. L. T. Griffith, at that time Chief Instructor of the Survey School, carried out various tests with a number of aneroids, and from these tests concluded that the main source of error arose from inappropriate graduation of the height-scale relative to pressure; using as constants latitude 15°, temperature 86° F., and mean humidity 67 per cent., he worked out a proposed general scale for the Tropics. Ten years later the purchase for test purposes of new aneroids graduated to this scale was considered but was eventually postponed when it was learnt that the question of a special scale for use in the Tropics was under consideration at home by a special Committee consisting of representatives of the Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry, and National Physical Laboratory.     

Geodetic grids in authoritative maps – new findings about the origin of the UTM Grid

ABSTRACT

Recent discoveries of Wehrmacht Maps in the Military Archive of the Federal Archive of Germany in Freiburg im Breisgau raised the motivation for further investigations into the history of the internationally employed Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection which actually represents a prerequisite for the global use of Global Positioning System (GPS) – and thus of any type of navigation – instruments. In contrast to the frequently stated opinion that this map projection was first operationally used by U.S. Americans it turned out that presumably the first operational maps with indication of the orthogonal UTM grid were produced by German Wehrmacht officers prior to the post World War (WW) II triumph of this projection. Based on the authors´ recent discoveries this article reveals some hitherto hardly known facts concerning the history of cartography of the 1940s.     

NOTES ON THE OBSERVATION OF ALTITUDE FOR TIME

Abstract

Observations of the altitude of stars is a common method for the determination of local time. When the time is required with no great accuracy and when, therefore, simple instruments are employed, the method is particularly suitable. In the conduct of the observation with a theodolite there arise certain questions to which some reference may be made here with a view to lending some assistance to the student.     

THE RADIAL LINE ASSUMPTION

Abstract

It is very many years since the Radial Line method was first used in America and England, and, so far from going out of favour, as was predicted by some European surveyors, it is now thriving in the Slotted Template form. The history of the method is an example of the Anglo-Saxon genius for persevering in a practical compromise. Had we been tempted by the voices of the photogrammetric Rhine Maidens to adopt theoretically exact methods to solve all problems, virtually no new mapping would have been carried out during World War II and many thousands of square miles of sparsely populated territory in the U.S.A. and British Commonwealth would still remain unmapped. A much greater mapped area is associated directly or indirectly with such names as Bagley and Hotine than with others more familiar at international conferences.     

NOTE ON LEVELLING UP THE PLATE

Abstract

1. The explanation of this fundamental operation in setting up surveying instruments, as well as of the theory of the level on which it is based, is, in my opinion, not sufficiently explained in text-books. I came across the problem while lecturing on the theory of surveying instruments. Below is an extract of the notes I made on the subject, which may have a didactical interest.     

THE YEAR 1933 IN CEYLON

Abstract

IN the absence on leave of the Surveyor General, a full Report for the Colonial Survey Committee was prepared by Mr. R. W. E. Ruddock, the Deputy Surveyor General. The Department in Ceylon covers so many activities that it would be impossible to mention here more than a few.