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PUBLIC DOCUMENT . N o. 50.

dUmmionforalllj of PassacJjtmtts.

Report or the Commissioners

O N T H E

Topographical Survey.

F oe t h e Y e a r 1 8 9 7 .

BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 18 Post Office Squake. 1898.

REPORT.

Boston, Dec. 31, 1897.

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Commissioners on the Topographical Sur­ vey and Map of the State present the following report of the work executed under their direction during the year 1897. The determination of the town boundary lines has been carried on under the same general plan as in preceding years. The supervision and oversight of the work from 1895 to 1897 Avere undertaken as a labor of love by the chairman of the Board, the late Prof. Henry L. Whiting. It Avas found, OAving to other engagements and advancing years, that he was unable to devote as much time to the survey as the work required, and the last Legislature in­ creased the appropriation for carrying on the work of the Board, in order that a chief engineer might be employed, who should relieve the chairman of some of his responsible duties. On March 3, Mr. Henry B. Wood, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an engineer of ex- 4 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. tended experience in topographical problems, was engaged as chief engineer, and has had immediate direction and control of the survey, and has acted as the executive officer of the Board in carrying out its instructions. Professor Whiting died on Feh. 4, 1897, and the Commonwealth and this Board, in his death, lost a wise counsellor and a devoted friend, — one who never considered his own convenience when the interests of the State demanded his time and strength. The following resolutions were spread upon the records of the Board: — “ The Topographical Survey Commission desire to spread upon their records the deep and heartfelt sorrow with which they have just heard of the sudden death of their chairman, the late Henry L. Whiting. “ Mr. Whiting was connected with this Commis­ sion from its foundation in 1884 to the time of his death, and took the most active interest in all of its affairs; in fact, he was for a long' time the head of the Commission, the one to whom every one looked for counsel and advice. Ilis long and in­ timate acquaintance with the details of the coast survey work gave his opinions great weight with his associates, and his judgment was depended upon in all the transactions of the department. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 5 “Mr. Whiting was possessed of a remarkably bright, energetic mind, and he retained, far beyond the limit ordinarily set for active interest in busi­ ness and professional matters, those powers of analysis and those gifts of physical strength neces­ sary for carrying important enterprises into execu­ tion. He was of a most lovable and considerate disposition, though firm in carrying out plans which he felt to be right. He will be long missed by his associates and all others with whom he was brought into business relations. “ In respectful memory of our late chairman, it is ordered that the department be closed on the day of his funeral.” On February 18, Mr. Frank W. Ilodgdon, chief engineer of the Board of Harbor and Land Com­ missioners, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Professor Whiting. On the town boundary work three field parties have been employed, in charge, respectively, of Messrs. James B. Tolley, Eugene E. Peirce and F. E. Bowman. Mr. Tolley’s party has been engaged during the year in extending and completing the primary triangulation work upon which lie was engaged throughout the previous year. The field work of this portion of the survey has now been substantially completed, only six stations 6 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. remaining to be occupied. The computations from field notes of the triangulation done in 1895 and 1896 were nearly completed during the winter of 1896-97 in Washington, and it is expected that the remaining portions of that work, together with the primary work of this year, will be substantially completed before the field season of 1898 begins. The Commonwealth will then have an excellent net-work of primary base lines stretching from the ocean westward to the Yew York boundary line, on which the smaller triangulation scheme for lo­ cating the town boundary corners will be based. "With these bases fixed and the computations of two seasons’ field work already done, the smaller secondary triangulation from the primaries, to the town corners direct can be computed by the office force, while the field assistants are gather­ ing additional data for development of town boundaries. As has been previously explained, this under­ taking was necessary owing to the loss of the exact positions of certain of the triangulation stations of the earlier surveys, and also owing to discrepancies which arose when the work of the Borden triangulation of 1831 was compared with the accurate work of the Coast Survey. As will be seen from the report of the chief engineer, hereto annexed, Mi’. Tolley has been very success- 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 7 ful in relocating and identifying a number of the original triangulation stations which were reported to he lost; and in one case at least his operations have resulted in the preservation of one of the main primary triangulation stations, which was liable to he entirely obliterated by building oper­ ations on the summit of Mt. Tom. The superin­ tendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey at "Washington has always shown a great interest in the work of our survey, and, at our request, cheerfully gave his consent to have Mr. Tolley occupy his office at Washington and work out the results of our triangulation there, where he had the advice and assistance of the officers of the Coast Survey, who are especially skilled in the intricate calculations connected with work of this character. The instruction and advice re­ ceived from these officers have enabled us to get the most complete and accurate results obtainable from our work. The Commonwealth also renders an equivalent to the United States authorities in giving them freely the benefit of the entire field observations of angles that have long been wanted by the Coast Survey to complete the chain of control through the western section of the State, and make it equally strong with that which covers the eastern portion. 8 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. From the statements of Coast Survey officers to our chief engineer, we learn that the quality of work done by Mr. Tolley is of a high order, and fully equal to the requirements of any survey we may wish to base upon it. It is proposed to have Mr. Tolley return to Washington this win­ ter, to complete the computations of this primary triangulation under the same favorable condi­ tions. The party in charge of Mr. Peirce was engaged during the early portion of the year in making surveys to locate and describe the new lines recommended by the Board to straighten portions of the boundaries between the towns of Iling- ham, Norwell, Scituate and Cohasset. Later the party was engaged in the necessary surveys to determine the location of the bounds between the town of Dedham and the new town of West- wood, which was set off and incorporated by chapter 226 of the Acts of 1897. Upon the completion of this work, the party began the survey of various roads and rivers which form portions of the town boundaries in Bristol County. This work was continued until August 7, when the whole party was transferred to work on the surveys in connection with the re-marking of the Rhode Island boundary line, under the provisions of chapter 88 of the Resolves of 1897. It re- 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 9 mainecl upon this work until the end of the field season. The party in charge of Mr. Bowman was engaged throughout the season in making de­ scriptions of town boundary marks and trian­ gulation stations, and in surveying roads and streams forming portions of the town boundaries in Plymouth and Bristol counties. The office work has been done by the same force as last year. The computations of the town boundary and other surveys have been made in duplicate by Mrs. B. M. Peirce and Mr. W. C. Hawley. Mrs, Peirce has also at­ tended to the sale of the sheets of the State map, has kept the records of the Board and done other clerical work. Mr. Hawley has also spent much time in searching out and copying for the use of the Board important data relating to the establishment of town boundary lines. The draughting has been in charge of Mr. F. L. Tibbetts, with Mr. P. S. Yendell and Mr. F. W. Farnum as assistants. Arrangements have been made with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, by which we are furnished with photographic prints of the shore outlines of the various towns bordering on the sea, on such scale as is required for plotting them on our plans. Accurate outlines of the 10 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. shore fronts of these towns are thus obtained at very slight expense to the Commonwealth. For various reasons, none of the town boundary atlases have been completed and published during the year. This portion of the work was directly in charge of Professor Whiting, and owing to his sudden death many of the details in regard to the manner and method of completing and printing these atlases had to be studied out anew; and owing to press of other work, especially that in relation to the re-marking of the New York and Rhode Island boundary lines, which Avas re­ ferred to this Board by the last Legislature, the Board and its engineers have had very little time to devote to the study of this matter. Since the close of the field season Ave have been able to devote more attention to it, and Ave expect to pub­ lish a number of these atlases during the coming year. A large part of the results of the triangu­ lation work in the eastern portion of the State was submitted to and the calculations checked by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and have been published in connection with their work in the report of the Coast Survey for the year 1894. During the progress of the toAvn boundary work in 1896 it Avas found that a portion of the boun­ dary between the toAvns of Hingham, Norwell, 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 11

Scituate and Cohasset was very irregular and poorly marked, very many of the corners having no marks at all. After consultation with the selectmen of these towns, the Board, acting under the provisions of chapter 336 of the Acts of 1888, recommended to the towns that these lines be straightened. These recommendations were ap­ proved by the towns, and, upon receipt of notices of such approval, the Board submitted their recom­ mendations to the Legislature in a special report (House Doc. ISTo. 1097 of 1897). The Legislature established the town boundaries by chapters 330, 331, 332 and 333 of the Acts of 1897. The Board and its engineers have been ham­ pered and delayed in many cases bj difficulties in determining the exact location on the ground of town boundaries. The lines in many cases have been marked in such a way that those which were evidently intended to be straight are now marked by bounds which in many instances are at con­ siderable distances on either one side or the other of straight lines. Up to the present time only the main corners of the towns have been deter­ mined by triangulation, except in cases where it would not materially increase the cost of the work to determine a portion of the intermediate hounds. We are now preparing the necessary data to ob­ tain an official opinion as to the exact legal value 12 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. of these intermediate hounds, in order that we may determine to what extent they are to be included in our survey. For a number of years, owing to want of sufficient funds, the Board has not been able to keep the field parties at work through the whole season. In the opinion of the Board, it would be true economy to make sufficient appropriation to enable the field parties to continue work through­ out the whole available season. After a field party is organized and has worked together for two or three months, if it can be kept at work for one or two months longer, more and better work can lie done during the last portion of the time and at less expense per unit of work done, owing to the fact that the men are accustomed to each other and are thoroughly acquainted with their duties. It seldom happens that the same men can be secured from year to year to make up these field parties, and, as a rule, new men have to be broken in each year. The working season has averaged for the last five years from twenty-three to twenty-six weeks for the two main parties. For these reasons, the Board asks for an increase of $1,900 in the appropriation for the coming season, to enable it to keep the field parties in the field as long as they can work to advantage. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 13 On November 8 it was brought to the attention of the Board that the United States Geological Survey was selling copies of the atlas sheets of the map of the State of Massachusetts, printed from their plates, for the sum of five cents each. Upon considering the matter, the Board decided that, subject to the approval of the Governor and Council, they would reduce the price of the sheets sold by the State to five cents each, which is substantially the cost of the paper and printing, and would reduce the price of the portfolio containing a copy of all the sheets to $4.25, which is substantially its cost. These prices were approved by the Governor and Council on November 11, 1897.

JVew York Boundary Line. By chapter 25 of the Resolves of 1897 the Board was instructed, acting with any officers or agents appointed by the State of New York, to locate, define and mark the true line between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York. The history of previous attempts to establish this line is very interesting, founded, as it is, on the royal grants to the colonies of Massa- 14 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. chusetts and New York. As settlers gradually extended into the interior, each colony claimed jurisdiction on both sides of the present boundary. As early as 1059, Massachusetts claimed that the land along the upper portion of Hudson River was covered by her patent. In 1661 the royal commission which had been sent out to visit various colonies in New England, and which had been given, among other duties, that of determining the boundaries between different colonies in disputed cases, declared the western boundary of Massachusetts to be a straight line twenty miles easterly from Hudson River and parallel with its general direction in this latitude. The location of the southerly end of the line appears to have been generally agreed to, but the direction of the line was the cause of much dispute. In 1767 the King referred the determination of the boundary to commissioners to be appointed by each Province. In May, 1773, commissioners from both States met at Hartford, and after some discussion made a mutual indenture, stating that the line should be run from what was known as “ Connecticut Old Corner ” parallel to the general course of Hudson River, which was agreed to be north 21° 10' 30" east. This was precisely the boundary which had been recommended by the 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 15 King’s commissioners ninety-nine years before. The above bearing had been determined by a survey of the river during the previous winter. The commissioners then started to run the line on the ground. After running about twenty miles, the Massachusetts commissioners, finding that the line as it was being run by range poles trended more to the east than it would if run by compass, owing to an increase in the variation of the mag­ netic needle as the survey proceeded northward, insisted that it should be run by compass from the beginning. This the Yew York commission­ ers would not agree to, and the dispute resulted in a suspension of the work. Yothing further was done until after the Revolution, when the dispute was brought to the attention of Congress, and a commission, consisting of Thomas Hutchins, Rev. John Ewing and David Rittenhouse, was ap­ pointed by Congress to run out and mark the boundary line between the State of Massachusetts on the east and the State of Yew York on the west. Thomas Hutchins was educated as a mili­ tary engineer, and served as geographer-general in the army under General Greene during the Revolution. Rev. John Ewing was vice-presi­ dent of the American Philosophical Society, and a man of many scientific attainments. David Rit­ tenhouse was a distinguished clock-maker and 16 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. instrument-maker, and was employed, in addition to tliis work, in fixing the boundaries of Penn­ sylvania, New Jersey, New York and other States. The principal instrumental work of this survey was done by Mr. Rittenhouse. These commis­ sioners began at the southerly end of the line, at what was then the south-west corner of Massa­ chusetts, known as “ Connecticut Old Corner,” and ran a straight line north lo° 12' 9" east of the true meridian, in substantial accordance with the agreement made at Hartford in 1773, mark­ ing the same on the summits of the hills crossed, and ending at a red or black oak tree in the northerly boundary line of Massachusetts. The points were marked by stakes around which were placed piles of stones, and at occasional points by cuts in the ledges on summits of hills. Between these stakes on the summits, lines were run by a good compass and other stakes with piles of stones were placed at each mile point, counting from the southerly end. No other marks were placed on this line by the commissioners, but at various times since then stone bounds and other marks to identify town and property lines have been placed by local authorities and by surveyors on what they considered to be the boundary line. A copy of the report and plan made by these commissioners is on file in the office of the Sec- 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 17 retary of State, and also another copy is on file at the State House in Albany. A more detailed history of this boundary and the controversies in regard to it will he found in a paper entitled “ The Western Boundary of Massachusetts, A Study of Indian and Colonial History,” by Franklin Leonard Pope, member of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society, published at Pittsfield in 1886. No change has been made in this line since 1773, except that by chapter 310 of the Acts of 1853, the south-westerly corner of Massachusetts, known as “ Boston Corner,” and containing about one thousand acres, was ceded to the State of Hew York. This was done in order to insure adequate police protection to territory which was rapidly becoming the scene of much lawlessness. A plan of this territory, showing the boundary line, is also on file in the office of the Secretary of State and also at the State House at Albany. By section 21 of chapter 421 of the Acts of 1887, of the State of Hew York, the State Engineer and Surveyor was directed every third year to examine all the monuments marking the State boundaries, and to replace or repair any lost or injured hounds in co-operation with representa­ tives of the adjoining States. In examining the Massachusetts line he found very few marks which 18 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. could be identified, and caused a preliminary sur­ vey to be made of the line. He communicated at that time with the Commissioners of the Topo­ graphical Survey of Massachusetts, but at that time they had no authority to act in the matter. The matter rested until the present year, when the Governor of the State of New York requested the Governor of this State to take such action as would result in having the line properly marked. The matter was communicated by the Governor to the Legislature, and the resolve, chapter 25 of 1897, was passed. Immediately upon the passage of the resolve, this Board communicated with the Governor of the State of New York, and were informed that the State engineer, Hon. Camp­ bell W. Adams, was fully authorized to act in the matter for the State of New York. A conference was at once held, and arrangements made for having a complete survey made of the line, at the joint expense of the two States, after which the location of the necessary monuments for mark­ ing the line could be determined by the representa­ tives of the two States. This work was at once commenced, the field work being in charge of Mr. Charles II. Flanigan for the State of New York, and Mr. Sidney Smith for the State of Massachusetts. The preliminary survey made by the State engineer of New York in 1887, together 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 19 with the maps of our own topographical survey, were of much assistance in planning the work. The line runs through a heavily wooded country along the tops of the Taconic range of hills, and much difficulty was experienced in locating the main points of the line, which is a little over fifty miles in length. Rainy weather also interfered much with the work. It was necessary to cut a path through the woods for the larger portion of the distance. The survey has proceeded for about two-thirds of the distance, and nearly all the piles of stones and the cuts in the ledges, which are all that now remain of the marks left by the commission of 1784, have been found and identified. It is proposed to continue the survey as soon as the weather is suitable, and it is thought that the field work can be completed in about two months. The location of the line can then be readily determined, and the necessary monuments set and the plans filed.

Rhode Island Boundary. By chapter 88 of the Resolves of 1807 the Board were authorized and directed, acting with any officer or agent appointed by the State of Rhode Island for a like purpose, to locate, define and mark a series of straight lines along the juris­ dictional line between Massachusetts and Rhode 20 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. Island, from the “ Burnt Swamp Corner ” in Wren- tham southerly to the sea, following as near as may be the line established by decree of the United States Supreme Court in 1861. The ne­ cessity for this work was brought to the attention of the local authorities by the city engineers of Fall River and Pawtucket. These officials had found it almost impossible to run out portions of the line with certainty, owing to its imperfect marking. On receiving notice from the mayor of Fall River as to the condition of the line, His Excellency, the Governor, submitted the matter to the Legislature. This boundary line was the dividing line be­ tween Plymouth Colony and Providence Planta­ tions, and was almost constantly in dispute from its original establishment to 1861. Various at­ tempts were made to settle it by commissioners appointed by the two States, and a settlement was finally agreed to by the commissioners in 1848. Their decision was ratified by the Legislature of Rhode Island, but not by the Legislature of Massachusetts. Suit was afterwards brought in the United States Supreme Court to settle the line, and in 1861 a decree was entered, with the assent of both States, establishing the line. A full description of these controversies may be found in House Doc. INo. 102 of 1861, in 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 21

Avhich are reprinted Senate Doc. Wo. 14 of 1848, Senate Doc. Wo. 128 of 1848 and House Doc. Wo. 120 of 1851. A short but comprehensive statement in regard to this line may he found in Bulletin Wo. 13 of the United States Geological Survey, published in 1885, pp. 48-57. Since 1861 there has been no dispute as to the location of this line, but many of the bounds marking it have been lost or removed or were never set, so that at the present time it is very difficult to determine the exact location on the ground. In the agreement of 1861 a portion of Rhode Island territory south of Mount Hope Bay, and adjoining the city of Fall River, was annexed to Massachusetts, and a portion of Massachusetts territory north of Mount Hope Bay, including the city of Pawtucket, was annexed to Rhode Island. A portion of the line fixed by this decree consists of a portion of the extreme high-water lines on the westerly sides of South Watuppa and Sawdy ponds in Fall River and the stream connecting them, and a portion of the extreme high-water lines on the easterly banks of what are known as Seven-Mile and Ten-Mile rivers, on the easterly side of the city of Pawtucket. The high-water line of South Watuppa Pond is 22 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. well defined on the ground, but the high-water line of Sawdy Pond and of the rivers is very difficult to determine on the ground; and these portions of the line are the ones which it is desired to replace by a series of straight lines, following as nearly as practicable the high-water lines described. The other portions of the boun­ dary line, with the exception of a short distance where it follows the thread of Runnin’s River, are a series of straight lines running from bound to bound, which only require to be run out and to have the old marks renewed and some additional ones set. The Legislature of Rhode Island passed an act similar to the Massachusetts resolve, and under it the Governor of Rhode Island appointed three commissioners to act with our Board, namely, Hon. Darius Baker, chairman, Thomas A. Jenckes and Philo Y. Thayer. On July 29 a joint meeting was held by the two boards in Boston, and it was agreed that a reconnoissance should he made of the whole line by the engineers of the two boards, and that a topographical survey be made of the portions of the line which consisted of the high-water lines of Seven-Mile and Ten-Mile rivers and of South Watuppa and Sawdy ponds, and that the expense of these stirveys should be borne jointly by the two States. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 23 This work has been executed in a very satis­ factory manner, and, in addition, the straight line portions of the boundary line from Blackstone River to the “ Joe Sanford ” bound south of Fall River have been re-run and the existing- monu­ ments located. Upon the completion of the plans of the surveys another joint meeting of the two boards was had, and an examination made of the portion of the line surveyed and the general location of the straight lines which are to replace the high-water lines was agreed to, subject to modification as to details which are now being- worked out by the engineers. The details of the work done and the methods employed in executing the sur­ veys will be found in the report of the chief engineer. It is proposed to complete the survey of the straight portions of the line early the coming season, and to have the monuments set and the report on the whole line completed during the year 1898. The amount of work accomplished during the year has largely exceeded that of any previous one; and the policy of the last Legislature, in referring to this unpaid commission the work of re-establishing the Yew York and Rhode Island boundary lines, instead of referring it to a special 24 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.’98. commission to be paid for its services, as was done in the case of the New Hampshire and Vermont lines, has greatly increased the work over what was anticipated at the time of the appointment of the present Board, and has neces­ sarily delayed some of the regular work. W e wish, in closing-, to express our appreciation of the faithfulness of the employees of the Board to the duties entrusted to them, and of their cheerful and prompt compliance with every call made upon them, even when, as happened in many cases, it involved work outside of the regu­ lar office hours in order to accomplish the de­ sired end. The report of the chief engineer will be found in the Appendix.

Respectfully submitted,

DESMOND FITZGERALD, ALFRED E. BURTON, FRANK W. HODGDON, Commissioners. APPENDIX. .

■ REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.

B oston, Dec. 31, 1897.

Mr. Desmond F itzg era ld, Chairman, Massachusetts Topographical Survey Commission.

D e a r S i r : — I beg leave to submit the fol­ lowing report of the field and office work for 1897 carried on under the direction of the Board. Early in the year a critical examination was made of the office data and of the boundary atlases in progress in the draughting room, with a view of directing the working forces of the department in such a manner as to produce the best results. In preparation for the field work of the season, it was decided to organize three parties, the same number as last year, to begin work about May 1, and they were assigned as follows: — Party No. 1. — Mr. James B. Tolley in charge, with four assistants. Work assigned, the ex­ tension of the primary triangulation to western Massachusetts. Party No. 2.— Mr. E. E. Peirce in charge, with three assistants. Work assigned, boundary determinations in Bristol, Plymouth and Norfolk counties. 28 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. Party JYo. 3.— Mr. F. E. Bowman in charge, with two assistants. Work assigned, topo­ graphical sketches, and descriptions of corners in Bristol and Plymouth counties. It was important that the primary triangnlation above referred to should be continued during this season for the following reasons, namely: — 1. To save the system thus far developed, pre­ serving stations likely to be lost. 2. To be prepared to connect the town boun­ dary system with points on the New York boun­ dary line, the survey of which is now in progress. 3. To continue and complete this work with the same instruments of precision with which it was begun, and, by computing under the super­ vision of the United States Coast Survey offi­ cials, to perfect as far as possible the network of triangulation that is to be the system of con­ trol of all minor points throughout the State. The occupancy of Mt. Tom, one of the most important primary stations of the United States Coast Survey, was very timely, as it very nar­ rowly escaped being entirely obliterated by the erection of a pavilion, platform and other build­ ings, incident to the building of the inclined rail­ way to the summit by the Mt. Tom and Holyoke Street Railway Company. By explaining to the officers of the company the importance of the 1898 ] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 29 preservation of this station, they arranged that none of their structures should interfere with the use of the station point as originally located by the Coast Survey. Another important feature of this year’s work is the discovery and identification of the original point on Mt. Greylock, which is the highest trigo­ nometrical point in the State, and one of great importance. Connections were made between this station and Monadnock, Aew Hampshire, 56 miles distant, and Mt. Tom, 38 miles, and Perry Peak; the angles differing respectively by .387// and .460" with the original angles of the United States Coast Survey. As these comparisons were made with the Coast Survey adjusted primary angles, Ave are assured without doubt that the recovery of Greylock will give two strong base lines lead­ ing from Greylock, and weaving Mt. Adams, French Hill and Becket strongly into the scheme. It was necessary to use heliotropes for point­ ings on the longest lines, and their use has proved most satisfactory, enabling observations to he made under Aveather conditions which would otherwise render the work impossible, and also contributing in no small measure to the exactness of the work. FiAre of these instruments Avere used by this party. 30 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. Disks with various-sized openings have been used to advantage for regulating the size of the flash as required, it sometimes being necessary to reduce to a quarter-inch opening. Reference to the summary of work accom­ plished shows that 14 trigonometrical stations have been occupied, and the unusual number of 10,192 angles have been measured. When it is considered that some of the triangle sides were over (36 miles long, the care and skill that is required in the execution of this work may be readily understood. These primary bases will be of the greatest value, and, being well dis­ tributed across the entire State, will he used in the determination of all detail boundary work yet to be made. The computations will be carried on jointly with the United States Coast Survey during this winter, and the results published in connection with the reports from that office. The field season for the triangulation party extended from May 6 until November 14, the first month being spent in reconnoitring for station points and building signals, using for a guide the descriptions given by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey on summits where such points existed. Care was used in tracing up the old reference marks for the purpose of finding tin exact centre. Signals of the usual ]898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT —No. 50. 31 type for primary work were then erected over points thus found. The following points were identified or estab­ lished : —

S t a t i o n . Location. Original Mark. Mark as found.

Coy Hill, Warren (new station), . - Drill hole.

Mugget, . Charlton, Copper bolt, Drill hole only.

Beaconpole, . Cumberland Hill, R. I., Copper bolt, Copper bolt. Fay Mountain, Westborough, Copper bolt, Copper bolt. W atatick, Ashburnhara, Copper bolt, Drill hole only.

Mt. Grace, 2, . Warwick (new station), - Drill hole. Hilliard Knob, Holyoke, Copper bolt, Copper bolt. M t. Tom, Holyoke, Copper bolt, Copper bolt. Jackson H ill,. Blandford, Copper bolt, Drill hole only.

French Hill, . Peru, .... Drill hole, . Drill hole. Greylock, Adams, . . Copper bolt, Drill hole (inserted copper bolt). Bald Peak, Mt. Washington, . Copper bolt, Copper bolt. Becket, . Becket...... Copper bolt, Copper bolt.

Perry Peak, . Richmond, . Copper bolt, Copper bolt.

After the signals were erected, the above sta­ tions were occupied in the order named. Mt. Adams was determined by conclusion. Four of the above points, Mt. Tom, Greylock, Perry Peak and Beaconpole, are primary points of the United States Coast Survey; and two of them, Mt. Grace 2 and Hilliard Ivnob, were established by the Msssachusetts State Survey. They give five base lines of undisputed strength, viz., Grey- 32 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. lock to Perry Peak, Greylock to Mt. Tom, Mt. Tom to Mt. Grace 2, Mt. Tom to Hilliard Knob, and Hilliard Knob to Mt. Grace 2. During the occupancy of the most western points in the scheme, observations were taken on signals that were erected on the State line be­ tween Massachusetts and Kew York at the follow­ ing points: Mt. Pray, Mt. Har vey, Mt. Misery, Berlin Mt. and Jim Smith Hill. A rough com­ putation of three of these points, Mt. Harvey, Mt. Misery and Berlin Mt., served to check the chaining of the boundary line survey. For measuring the angles, the observer used the 5 second 3 vernier 8-inch repeating theodolite Ko. 152, belonging to the United States Coast Survey, which has a very powerful telescope. To this in­ strument was attached an azimuth conrpass, with which the positions of the witness marks were obtained, and this was also used in determining the variation of the needle at trigonometrical stations. The five regular heliotropes used were the prop­ erty of the United States Coast Survey, two of which were of brass with strong telescopes and graduated limbs, useful in finding the direction for pointing the instruments; the others were of cheaper grade, made of iron, and have less power­ ful telescopes. Stationary heliotropes were also used, made as described in the report of 1896. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 33 The theodolite was always protected by an ob­ serving tent, erected under and connected to the large tripod signal, and securely fastened. The usual system of measuring was employed, namely: 24 pointings making a set (12 forward and 12 back), 6 sets were measured to complete an angle on the primary, while 4 were measured to com­ plete an angle on secondary stations, always be­ ginning at zero with the first set; the beginning of the remaining sets (if for primary) were in every successive 60 degrees of the limb, the last beginning at 300 degrees. The secondary obser­ vations were made on every successive 90 degrees of the limb, the last set being at 270 degrees. In all primary work, the variation per angle in the six sets was never greater than 3 seconds, and often less than 2 seconds. With few ex­ ceptions, the best results were obtained in after­ noon observations. The centre marks of all trigonometrical stations being upon rock, a triangle was cut around each centre mark; and drill holes used as witness marks were inclosed in a square cut in the rock, their distances and azimuths from the centre be­ ing recorded in the descriptions. Near each witness mark an arrow was cut in the rock, pointing toward the centre. Future identification of these stations will thus be rendered compara­ tively easy, as a full description and topographical 34 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. sketch was made of each, with tape distance to reference points and stadia distance on lines run to the nearest roadway, when practicable. The trigonometrical stations determined by occupancy were Jackson Hill, Becket, French Hill, Mngget, Fay Mountain, W atatick, Coy Hill and Bald Peak. Those determined by con­ clusion were Mt. Adams, Mt. Harvey, Mt. Misery, Berlin Mountain, Rock Rimmon and Bald Hill. The following is the summary of the season’s work on triangulation, namely: —

Number of signals b u ilt,...... 12 Number of trigonometrical stations occupied, . . . 14 Number of trigonometrical stations determined, . . 14 Number of trigonometrical stations sketched and marked, 9 Number of observing days l o s t , ...... 52 Largest triangle area, in square miles, .... 934.3 Longest line, in m i l e s , ...... 66.1 Number of angles m easu red ,...... 10,192

B o u n d a r y W o r k . Party No. 2 was first engaged on the determi­ nation and location of the boundary lines between Hingham and Nor well, Hingham and Scituate, Hingham and Cohasset, and Cohasset and Scit­ uate, with the view of straightening these very crooked lines. By the 11th of May this work was all completed, and resulted in the substitu­ tion of 9 straight lines in place of G3. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 35 In June Party Ho. 2 was transferred to the work of determining the positions of each of the angles in the new Westwood and Dedham line, and incidentally to survey the water boundaries between Dedham and Needham, Walpole and Westwood, Norwood and Walpole, Needham, Westwood and Dover, in all about five and a half miles. Computations of this work will be made this winter. A survey of the Taunton River was then made, from South Raynham to South Halifax, a distance of about 11J miles; and also of the following streams, forming portions of boundaries, viz.: Bubbling Brook, Poquoy Trout Brook, the We- weantitt and Nemasket rivers, and a small sec­ tion of the Charles River, a distance of about 10J miles, making a total of about 23 miles of boundary lines included in the above work. Several corners of the town of Middleborough not previously determined were located, and a portion of the road that forms the boundary line between Carver and Middleborough was surveyed. Photographs and descriptions of numerous stations and bounds in this locality were also made. On August 7 this party was transferred to the survey of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island boundary line. 36 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. The field season began May 4 and ended August 7. The following is a summary of the work accomplished: —

Number of B o u n d a ry L in e s R u n . Miles.

Cohasset Hingham, Hull S t r e e t , ...... 1 . 0 0 Walpole-Westwood, Bubbling Brook, .... 1.75 Norwood-Walpole, Bubbling Brook, .... 0.25

Dedham-Needham, Charles R iv e r,...... 2 . 0 0 Needham-Westwood, Charles River, .... 0.25 Dover-Needham, Charles R i v e r , ...... - Middleborough-Taunton, Poqnoy Trout Brook, 0.50 Lakeville-Middleborough, Poquoy Trout Brook, 1.50

Lakeville-Middleboi'ough, Nemasket River, . 2 . 0 0 Middleborough-Raynham, Taunton River, 2.50 Bridgewater-Middleborough, Taunton River, . 7.00 Raynham-Taunton, Taunton River,...... 0.75 Halifax-Middleborough, Taunton River, .... 1.25

Carver-Middleborough, Weweantitt River, 2 . 0 0 22.75

• -3 P o i n t s O c c u p i e d .

LOCALITY. Date. A Town Trav. & 1 Mf "5c Sta. Bounds. S ta . .£» I! ured. Pointings H Angles A

Fall River- Jan. 11, . 3 1 0 2 2 295 15 W estport. Hingbam and March 10- vicinity. 22, 8 i 3 8 4 1,605 78 Hingbam and May 4-10, 13 i 14 5 3 796 60 vicinity. Dedham and May 12- vicinity. June 3, 28 5 4 28 13 8,252 371 Middleborough June 9- and vicinity. Aug. 6, 8 2 0 8 1 1,292 62 60 10 21 51 23 12,240 586*

Average repetitions 12, or a total of 6,120 angles. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 37 Party Xo. 3 was engaged in making topo­ graphical sketches and descriptions of points in Bi'istol County, and also made surveys of the following water boundaries: Leach’s Pond be­ tween Mansfield and Foxborough, Red Brook between Plymouth and Wareham, and the Wan- kinco River and East Head Pond between Carver and Plymouth. This party also surveyed Pros­ pect Street from Prospect Taunton to the Great Cedar Swamp, including the location of 23 bounds scattered along this roadway. Topographical sketches of town bounds have been based on instrumental work, traverse lines being run as near as possible on true azimuth, and the necessary topographical features were located by stadia readings for distance, and the elevation of the more important points determined by means of vertical angles. This work required the services of but two men besides the observer at the instrument, making the party outfit light and the expenses small. A four-inch Buff and Berger transit with vertical circle was used, and the field notes so recorded and sketched as to be easily plotted. The field season began May 3 and ended Octo­ ber 6. 38 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.

The following is a summary of work accom­ plished : —

Number of town boundary points visited,...... 149 Number of town boundaries surveyed and topography taken, 132 Number of town boundaries described, ..... 98 Number of town boundaries photographed, .... 101 Number of triangulation points v is ite d ,...... 49 Number of triangulation pooints surveyed and topography taken, ...... 41 Number of triangulation points described, .... 41 Number of triangulation points photographed, . . . 29

D r a u g h t in g D iv i s io n . The draughting room has been continued under the charge of Mr. Frank L. Tibbetts, who has been assisted by Mr. P. S. Yendell and Mr. F. TV- Farnum. Their work has been careful and ac­ curate, while its neatness will be fully appreciated in the forthcoming publications. They have been employed throughout the year in draughting atlas sheets of town boundaries, devoting nearly all their time to towns located in Bristol and Plymouth counties, perfecting each as far as the office data and information from the field would allow. In order that the shore lines of all cities and towns bordering on the ocean should be as accurate as possible, an arrangement was made -with the United States Coast and Geodetic Sur­ vey by which that office agreed to photograph 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 39 to a proper scale or reduce by other methods the entire shore line from their latest sheets, pains being- taken by one of their assistants to mark upon the print furnished any changes known to have taken place since the sheet was printed. As fast as these photographic prints have been received they have been transferred to the atlas sheets already projected. Aot only is the amount of boundary work ac­ complished by this division during the year greater than usual, but the amount of other work accomplished, such as the making of mis­ cellaneous plans and tracings, is also much greater. Among these are the copies for the use of the Board of the record plans of the iSTew York and Rhode Island boundary lines, also the plans to he deposited with the Secretary of State of the boundary lines re-established on the recommenda­ tion of the Board. Copies of many recent surveys have also been made, to be used in correcting our topographical maps. One draughtsman was detailed for a small por­ tion of the season for work in Providence, in connection with the Massachusetts and Rhode Island boundary line, to plot the survey notes as fast as they were received from the field. 40 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. The following is a brief summary of the work done in the draughting division: —

Triangulation plans d r a w n , ...... 36 Geographical positions plotted, ...... 1,607 Geographical positions duplicated...... 1,081 Atlas sheets finished,...... 182 Lines of descriptive matter l e t t e r e d , ...... 5,326 Topographical sketches plotted and inked, .... 226 Topographical sketches plotted in pencil, .... 81 Field books d u p lic a te d ,...... 6 Field books written up and sketches plotted,. . . . 2 Miles of shore lines transferred and inked, .... 266

Oeneral Work. Tracings relating to the Massachusetts-Rhode Island boundary, 6 Original plans showing results of field work relating to the Massachusetts-Rhode Island boundary, .... 5 Tracings relating to the Massachusetts-New York boundary l i n e , ...... 2 Sundry tracings,...... 15 Sundry p l a n s , ...... 10

O f f i c e a n d C o m p u t in g D i v is io n . The computation of primary triangulation was taken up conjointly with the United States Coast Survey in their office at Washington last winter by Mr. J. B. Tolley, and will be continued during this winter. The primary bases resulting there­ from will be used in the general computations relating to the town boundary atlases; and, in order to save a duplication of the work, these latter computations are deferred until the final 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 41 adjustment of the primary work has been entirely completed. The computations made this year have been confined to the Rhode Island boundary line and to such town lines as were required for immediate use. The general work of the office has been much larger than usual, owing to the additional copies of records and extra computations made necessary by the work on the Hew York and Rhode Island boundary lines. The amount of time required to attend to the details relating to this special work was so great as to reduce seriously the time which could be devoted to the regular town boundary work. All the plans, maps and atlases on file have been indexed, also all books of reference, field books and computations have been listed and indexed, and all office data, together with a full property list, including instruments, camp outfits, etc., belonging to or loaned to the Commission. Considerable time has been devoted to making copies of various State, city and town documents, for the use of the Commission or for field use in carrying out the requirements of the acts relating to this Board. Ho attempt has been made to give a list of such miscellaneous work. For the convenience of the Commission and others, a compilation of acts and resolves relating 42 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. to the work of the Topographical Survey Com­ mission has been made, together with a partial list of references to sundry acts and resolves passed by the General Court affecting various boundary lines that have received recent con­ sideration. Several geographical position sheets for use in the draughting room have been thoroughly re­ vised, after carefully investigating all the acts, decrees, perambulations or other sources of in­ formation. The principal office computations have been made by Mrs. Edna M. Peirce and Mr. "William C. Hawley, working conjointly, and the results of their work have been found to be reliable and accurate. This service is most exacting, and requires great skill and an acquaintance with the higher mathematics. In arranging data to be used, and in tabulating matters of reference so as to facilitate the computations, considerable in­ genuity is often required. In addition to this work, Mrs. Peirce has acted as secretary of the Board, has had general supervision of the sale of maps, and lias kept the office accounts. The following is a summary of the general office work done during the year: —

L. M. Z.’s computed,...... 173 Computations of triangle s i d e s , ...... 212 Inverse computations, ...... 581 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 48

Traverses straightened (including 510 stations), . . . 29 Eccentric stations reduced to c e n t r e , ...... 105 Field books copied and r e v i s e d , ...... 26 Position sheets compiled (involving over 1,600 corners), tow ns,...... 92 Field books abstracted and revised,...... 7 Triangulation stations platted for use in the draughting division, to w n s ,...... 37

S a l e o f A t l a s S h e e t s . Under provisions of chapter 57 of the Resolves of 1890, 20 atlases, 1,312 single sheets of the State topographical map, and 2 wall maps have been sold, and the sum of $328.92 received from the sale of maps has been deposited with the State Treasurer. Under provision of chapter 95 of the Resolves of 1891, 4 portfolios of the State map and one wall map have been gratuitously distributed. Each year develops a more extensive use by the public of the published sheets of the State map in preliminary researches and studies of new problems in public improvements, and doubtless the reduction in price to five cents each will tend to increase the demand for them. During the year it has been discovered that all of the State libraries have not as yet received the free copies to which they are entitled pur­ suant to chapter 95 of the Resolves of 1891. There are nearly 150 libraries, according to the official list, that have never made applications for their copies, as requested in a circular issued in 44 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. 1893. In accordance with a vote of the Board, the following circular was issued: —

B oston, Dec. 8, 1897.

To the Librarian of the Public Library in______Pursuant to chapter 95 of the Resolves of 1891, the Topographical Survey Commission issued a circular to the public and historical libraries in the State, notifying them that this department was prepared to furnish a copy of the topo­ graphical map of Massachusetts in portfolio form, free of cost, on receiving their application there­ for. Not having heard from yon in this matter, the Commission desires to state further that a few copies remain for distribution to libraries which have not already received them. If you will send a written application to this office, a copy will be sent to your address by express or mail as yon may direct, the express or postage to be paid by you. Respectfully yours, D esm oxd F it z g e r a l d , Chairman

As fast as notices of request are received from these applicants, copies of the atlas will be for­ warded, as provided by the law. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 45

W a t e r B o u n d a r ie s . Many of tlie boundary lines between towns consist of water areas, either rivers, brooks or ponds, which have been mostly omitted from the town boundary surveys in previous years. As the act under which the town boundary surveys are made requires that the boundaries shall be accurately surveyed, much time has been devoted during this season to acquiring the data for mapping these boundaries. There were 75 miles of these streams not included in former surveys.

Data given to Engineers and Public Boards, 1897.

M etropolitan P ark C ommission. Data from the Melrose and Stoneham town line. Positions of the corner and triangulation stations: Revere- Winthrop 1, “ Winthrop Head 2” and “ Boston State House.” Azimuth and distance between “ Breed’s Island” and “ Pow- derhorn 2.” Azimuths and distances between Medford-Stoneham 1 and 2, and Malden-Medford-Stoneham and Medford-Stoneham 1.

T. H ow ard B a rnes, City Engineer, Medford, Mass. Azimuths and distances between the corners : Medford-Win­ chester 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and Medford-Stone- ham-Winchester. Distance from the triangulation station “ Mystic Bluff” to Medford-Winchester 1 with angle at “ Mystic Bluff” be­ tween Medford-Winchester 1 and Somerville Baptist Church. 46 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.

W. D. H unter, Chief Engineer Melrose Sewer Com­ mission. Positions of five triangulation stations with ten azimuths and distances in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties. Tracing of the entire Melrose town plan. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of the nine corners of Melrose, four corners of Wakefield and two corners of Revere, also positions of the triangulation stations “ Rock Signal” and “ Cairn.”

H. H ou se, C.E., Hanover, Mass. Position with azimuths and distances between them of the six corners on the Hanover town line, also of two tri­ angulation stations.

C ha rles G. W illia m s, C.E., Boston, Mass. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of the thirty-five corners on the Wakefield town line, with a tracing of the town plan.

C ity E n g in eer of Malden. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of the twenty-five corners .of Malden, also of the triangulation stations: Cairn, Bears’ Den, Malden Water Works, Dut­ ton’s North Summer House, Manning, Salt Marsh, Mustang, Windy Hill, East End and Rich Street, with the descrip­ tions and sketches of eight of the above.

P h il ip D. B orden, City Engineer, Fall River, Mass. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of four corners on the Fall River and Westport town line.

C ha rles W. H o w la n d , C.E., Rockland, Mass. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of thir­ teen corners on the Marshfield town line. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of three corners on the West Bridgewater town line. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 47

T. A. Chu bbuck, C.E., Middleborough, Mass. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of six Wareham corners, with sketches and descriptions of the same.

B. R. F elto n , C.E. The approximate area of the town of Wakefield.

H aw es & F ogg, C.E. The approximate area of the town of Wakefield.

S h e d d & S e a r l e , C.E. The courses and distances on the Wakefield town line.

M etropolitan W ater B oa rd. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of three corners on the Needham town line. Positions of the triangulation stations and corners: “ Little Nahant 2,” “ Beach,” and Lynn-Nahant 1 and 2. Positions of the triangulation stations with azimuths and dis­ tances between them: “ Wataquadock Tower,” “ George,” “ Clamshell Hill,” “ Ballville ” and “ Path,” also descriptions of “ George” and “ Wataquadock Tower.”

W. I r v in g V in a l , Assistant United States Coast Survey. Positions of the twenty-four town corners on Martha’s Vine­ yard.

C ity E n g in eer of Northampton. The distance and course of the line from Chicopee-South Hadley 1 to Chicopee-Granby-South Hadley; also the course of the line from Chicopee-South Hadley 1 to Holyoke City Hall, with the angle at Chicopee-South Hadley 1 between Holyoke City Hall and Chicopee-Granby-South Hadley.

H aw es & M a r v e l l , C.E., Fall River, Mass. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of “ Fall River Water Tower,” “ Copecut,” “ Joe Sanford” and Little Compton-Westport 1. 48 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.

E. F. D w elle y , Lynn, Mass. Azimuth and distance between Lynn-Saugns 1 and 2 ; azimuth, distance and angle at Lynn-Saugus 2 between “ East Saugus flag pole” and Lynn-Saugus 1; and azimuth from “ East Saugus flag pole” to “ Little Nahant 2.” Azimuth and distance between “ Mt. Gilead” and “ East Saugus flag pole” and Lynn-Saugus 2.

M etcalf & D esm ond, New Bedford, Mass. Description of Lynnfleld-Wakefield 1.

F. H erbert S n o w , City Engineer, Brockton, Mass. Positions of the town corners: Abington-Brockton-Whitman and Brockton-East Bridgewater-Whitman, with azimuth and distance between them; also azimuth from Brockton-East Bridgewater-Whitman to “ Whitman Water Tower.” Azimuth and distance between Abington-Brockton 1 and 2 and between Brockton-East Bridgewater-Whitman and Brockton-East Bridgewater 1.

T h e o . P. P e r k in s, engineer’s department, Boston & Maine Railroad. The azimuths and distances between the following triangulation stations in the vicinity of Hudson, Mass. : “ Barretts Hill” to “ Marlborough” and “ Mt. Pisgah,” “ Mt. Assabet” to “ Mt. Pisgah” and “ Barretts Hill,” “ Gospel Hill” to “ Mt. Assabet” and “ Barretts Hill,” and “ Parkers Ilill” to “ Mt. Assabet” and “ Barretts Hill.”

S tate B oard of H ea lth . Tracings of the Marshfield and Duxbury town line, with the positions of five corners on the line.

G eo rge W. Stadly & Co. Positions with azimuths and distances between them of the eight corners of the town line of Wellesley, with descrip­ tions of the same. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 49

W il l ia m J ackson, City Engineer, Boston, Mass. Positions of all the corners of the city of Boston, with the exception of the new Boston-Brookline line.

P. M. C h u r c h il l , East Bridgewater, Mass. Azimuth and distance between the corners: Brockton-East Bridgewater-West Bridgewater to Bridgewater-East Bridge­ water-West Bridgewater; also azimuth from Brockton-East Bridgewater-West Bridgewater to “ East Bridgewater Uni­ tarian Church.”

B ertram B rew er, City Engineer, Waltham, Mass. Positions of the triangulation stations: “ Prospect Waltham,” “ Waltham Congregational Church,” “ Waltham Baptist Church,” and “ Doublett East Hill.”

F rancis D . D un ba r, Chairman of Selectmen, Canton, Mass. Positions of the town corners: Canton-Dedham-Hyde Park- Milton (W. M.), Canton-Milton-Randolph, Canton-Ran- dolph-Stoughton, Canton-Sharon-Stoughton, Canton-Nor- wood-Sharon (W. M.), and Canton-Norwoocl-Westwood (W. M .).

G eo rge H . W e b b , Chairman of Selectmen, Scituate, Mass. Courses and distances between the five corners on the Cohasset-Scituate town line.

R ice & E vans, Boston, Mass. Azimuth and distance between the triangulation stations: “ Pasture” and “ Borden.”

H arbor and L and C ommissioners. Positions of the corners: Duxbury-Marshfield 1, 2 and 3 ; also positions of corners and triangulation stations on or near the Chilmark-Gay Head town line. 50 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.

E dw ard S. Siia w , C.E., Boston, Mass. Tracing of section of the Connecticut River at Northfield from the original topographical sheets.

M assachusetts -N e w Y o r k B o u n d a r y L i k e .

Under tlie instructions of the Board, the joint investigation of the Yew York boundary line was commenced June 21, 1897. The general theory upon which the boundary line between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Yew York was established is, that it should be a line about 20 miles east of the general direction of the Hudson River. The establishment of such a line seems to have been the cause of much controversy for over a hun­ dred years. Under the terms of the final agreement be­ tween the two governments, which was reached in May, 1773, and confirmed by Acts of Assembly, it was stipulated that this boundary line, be­ ginning at the north-west corner of the oblong located at what is now known as Boston Corner, should proceed “ 21° 10' 30" eastward from the then magnetical meridian.” It therefore became the task of the Commissioners appointed by Con­ gress to run and mark this boundary line, to determine exactly what was meant by the fore­ going description. The care taken in following 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — Xo. 50. 51 out to the letter the exact terms of the decree, and the engineering skill displayed in the work­ ing out of the problem, theoretically and instru- mentally, are of more than passing interest. This work was done in the year 1787, or fourteen years after the agreement was made, during which time the magnetic variation was constantly changing. The determination of this magnetic meridian was reported as a matter of great difficulty and uncertainty, not having been done with good instruments at the time of its establishment. This Commission, therefore, de­ termined the actual variation at the beginning: of the line for the year 1787, which they found to be 5° 3' west, and then allowing o' 5" annual change of variation, according to the best in­ formation they computed the variation of May, 1773, to be 5° 46' 41", which, deducted from the magnetical course of agreement of 21° 10' 30", made the direction of the boundary line at its point of beginning, 15° 23' 49" eastward of the true meridian. The report continues: “ But, for­ asmuch as it is doubtful whether all the changes of direction of tire magnetical meridian in pro­ ceeding northward should govern the houndary line, or whether the words of the agreement referred to would not rather be fully complied with by permitting the magnetical needle to de- 52 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. termine the direction of the line in the first instance, and continuing in the same course with respect to the true meridian, your Commissioners, in order to compromise this matter, recommend that the boundary line should be a curve, which, in proceeding northward, should vary with re­ spect to the true meridian half as fast as the magnetical meridian would do, which was unani­ mously agreed to b}r the agents in both of the two States. By observations made at the two ends of the boundary line in 1786 by Dr. Wil­ liams, it appeared that the variation at the northern extremity was T97 30" more than at the southern extremity of the line. The boundary was, therefore, to be a regular curve, proceeding at its northern extremity 21' 45" more westerly than at its first setting out. Your Commissioners afterwards, in order to save time, trouble and ex­ pense, proposed, instead of such a curve, to run a straight line or great circle of the globe which should be equivalent to such curve; that is, to give equal tracts of country to each State that the curve would have done. . . . This equivalent line was found to be IT 40" more westerly than the curve at the place of beginning, — that is, 15° 12' 9" east of the true meridian; which direction we carefully ascertained by many astronomical observations, and afterwards pursued the same 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 53

witli all the accuracy which the excellent instru­ ment we made use of would permit, to the northern boundary of the State of Massachusetts. This line we have marked by cutting a fair vista from the mountain which it intercepted, and by planting a sound and strong post at every station where the transit instrument had been fixed, placing a pile of stones about every such post.”

These transit posts, which are described in the report of the Congressional Commission and are shown on the final map filed therewith, are 17 in number. The northerly end of the line ran to a red or black oak tree, 31 feet in diameter, being- distant 50 miles 41 chains and 79 links from the north-west corner of the oblong, or place of beginning. At intermediate points, determined by a compass line, wooden posts and stone piles were placed at the end of each mile. Under chapter 421 of the Laws of blew York of the year 1887, the State engineer was re­ quired to make an examination of the condition of the State line monuments once in three years. An examination of the Massachusetts-Yew York line was therefore made during that year by his assistant, Mr. O. F. Wilson, C.E., and a report made in the fall of the same year. This report states that the base line of the survey 54 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. was established by assuming two points at the southern end of the line about 2A miles apart, the monument at Boston Corner and the Crow’s Foot cut at Alander, as the best authentic evi­ dence of the direction of the line, and then tran­ siting this short line northerly in the direction thus given. The result was that the stone piles which were found were mostly on the easterly side of this base line, and varied from a few feet in the southern portion to 108£ feet at the north­ ern end of the line. An opinion was given that only 10 of the points found were really the origi­ nal markings, and that all the stone piles between the eighth mile post and the forty-first mile post were very uncertain and were mostly local. This survey was done vdiolly at the expense of the State of Xew York. This Board was invited to join in re-marking the line at that time, but, having- no authority to do so, was compelled to decline. Taking advantage, however, of the data and information thus gathered together and carefully reported, it Avas thought best to lay out as the base line of the present survey a line which would more nearly correspond to the average location of the stone piles which had been found. This would naturally lead to the discovery of other stone piles not previously found, and the cutting over such a line could be done at less 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 55 expense than in the thick young- growth that now covers the location of the Wilson line. Furthermore, as Mr. Wilson had reported that Alander Mountain and Mount Misery, 38 miles apart, were intervisible, and as Berlin Mountain was recorded 200 feet higher in elevation than Mount Misery, it was thought probable that two points could be selected, one at Alander Mountain and the other on Berlin Mountain, which would be intervisible, and enable us to establish a longer straight-line base from which intermediate points on summits could be lined in exactly with a straight-line instrument. A conference between this Commission and the State engineer of Xcw York led to an agree­ ment to proceed at once with the work of a joint survey, and marking of the line sxdxse- quently in accordance with the plan above in­ dicated. An agreement was made in general terms, and two assistant engineers, Mr. Sidney Smith in the employ of this Board and Mr. Charles II. Flannigan in the employ of Hon. Campbell W. Adams, State engineer and surveyor of Xew York, were selected to proceed with the survey and to carry out the details of the require­ ments of the act. Each State was to furnish half of the necessary party, equipment, supplies, etc. The two assistants above named first made a 56 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. hasty reconnoissance of the line and conferred as to the details of the arrangement of the parties, and made a joint report each to his own office on June 29, 1897. Under this joint report it was agreed to erect a signal on the 1787 line at Berlin, and to place a right-line instrument on Alander Mountain with which to cover about 40 miles of the line, and to set points between these stations on the intermediate summits, erecting proper signals and flags and thus to eliminate all errors of transiting. A party was organized on July 19 and sent to the line with full camp equipment. Beside the two chiefs of party there were employed an observer, a recorder, transitman, two rodmen and two chainmen, a cook and helper, a heavy double mountain wagon and teamster, and local axemen as required. The first camp was located near the base of Alander Mountain, and the clearing of the line was begun. The delay in the shipment of camp outfit, and the rainy weather which immediately ensued, greatly hin­ dered the progress of the work during its early stages. The excessive rains seriously interfered with sighting over the long line, as contemplated. After the point at Alander Mountain had been agreed upon, Assistant Smith with two of his party proceeded to the northerly part of the line 1898.] P U B L IC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 57 for the purpose of erecting signals and to flash a foresight down the line to the party on Alander Mountain. This was a difficult thing to do, partly on account of the height of the trees on Mount Misery, and partly due to finding that the height of Berlin Mountain was less than the height given by Walling or on other maps. As the old 1787 line crossed Berlin Mountain about 200 feet east of the crest and about 10 feet lower in grade, it was thought that possibly this extra 10 feet in height might make the line of sight pass over the obstructions on the line; therefore the attempt was made to find the old triangulation station of Borden, located on the extreme summit and said to be marked with a bottle at its centre. An old tripod was found and an indistinct stone pile, but a search for the bottle failed to disclose the exact centre. How­ ever, a point was selected, probably very close to the old centre, and an attempt made to send a flash down to Alander. This was temporarily unsuccessful on account of some obstructions of the line of sight. A signal was then set at or near the Borden point, and a pole and flag also were placed 8 5 feet west of the transit post of the 1787 line, after which a portion of the helio­ trope party moved down to Mount Harvey, which is located just south of the State Line station on 58 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. the Boston & Albany Railroad, and is 1G£ miles from Mount Alander, and at the nineteenth mile post. A flash from this point was quickly sighted at Alander, and the direction noted. A stone wall 250 feet in length, said to be on the State line, was found here. A signal was set 4 feet west and 17.3 feet north from the southerly end of this wall, and, discovering that the woods on Mount Misery some 35 or 40 feet tall were necessarily obstruct­ ing the line of sight to Berlin, the balance of the heliotrope party was recalled from Berlin and moved down to Mount Misery, where, after clear­ ing the summit in a southerly direction of all trees, an attempt was made to send a flash to the party at Alander, from a point agreed upon five feet east of 1787 stone pile, while the mem­ bers of the party at Mount Harvey were to be signalled into line as soon as the line of sight could be determined at Alander. Four days of hazy weather followed, which prevented this work from being done, but on the fifth day, about five o’clock in the afternoon, a flash from Mount Misery was seen at Alander and one also from Harvey at short intervals only. AVith Buff and Berger special straight-line transit No. 90, located at Alander and set upon the flash at Mount Misery for a foresight, the 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 59 flash at Mount Harvey was set on line eight times, approaching from opposite sides alter­ nately, and the telescope was reversed in the Y’s each time and adjusted with a striding level. The four points from the west were within a space of If inches, and the four points from the east were set within a space of 2 inches, while the distance between the two extreme points of both sides was only inches, causing the means to fall within the space of fg- of an inch. This long side from Alander to Misery was 38j miles, and it is thought that, with the crest of Misery thoroughly cleared, the line of sight may yet be extended to reach the summit of Berlin Moun­ tain. Meantime, the cutting party under the New York assistant had been clearing the line from Alander to the Ilogeboom Mountain on the Con­ necticut line, and from Alander to the monument at Boston Corner, both points about miles distant from apex of the triangle at Alander. This triangle contained about 1,000 acres, and was set off from Massachusetts to New York in the year 1853. The line had been cut also in a northerly direction across Bashbish ravine toward Mount Fray, the point being given by transiting the line ahead, before the Mount Harvey signal had been lined in on the real 60 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. base line. When the true line was found, the cutting was widened and the points set on the base line. The preliminary work was not completed till early in September, when the chaining and the topography of the line were begun, and the party was divided into two sections; one to cut and clear the line ahead, the other to chain and take the topography along the line; both searching for old monuments and notifying each other of points found, and such other information as would be useful in developing the survey. The base line was interlined on intermediate points at about every third or fifth mile, as the main points of control for the survey parties, these principal points being lined in with the large straight-line transit. Then the line con­ necting these points was run with a smaller transit down through the valleys, a specially line topographical transit known as the “ Colvin transit,” made to order by Buff and Berger for forest surveys in the Adirondacks and furnished by the New York party, being used for the pur­ pose. As samples of transiting and alignment other than the one at Mount Harvey above mentioned, the following may be cited: — With transit No. 90 on Alander Mountain, 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 61

using the staff on Mount Prospect for a back­ sight, a group of east and west points was ob­ tained by transiting and setting a target two feet square at Boston Corner. The groups of sight­ ings were 13J inches apart, and fell within a space of inches and lyg- inches respectively, and their average fell 13.75 inches east of the marble monument at Boston Corner, set by Simeon Bor­ den. The distances were : Prospect to Alander, 4\ miles A; Boston Corner to Alander, 2.} miles A- "With transit Ho. 90 at Mount Pray on the eighth mile point, a foresight on Mount Harvey, or the nineteenth mile point, the two-foot target was set eight times on the fifteenth mile point at Hillsdale, all within a space of 5§ inches. This point was marked by setting a piece of one- inch iron pipe three feet long in the ground, and a signal was set one foot north. A t the same time the chaining was being done, a complete profde of the line was taken with the stadia, and these stadia readings were used to roughly check any errors of chaining, — that is, to exclude any large accidental error. The real check on the chaining is the distance between main transit posts, to be determined by triangu­ lation. On dividing camp, the Hew York party moved to Egrcmont to continue the cutting, leaving 62 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. a stretch of woods on the north slope of Mount Fray for the Massachusetts party to clear. The chaining progressed very rapidly, considering the character of the country, varying from 3,000 to 13,000 feet per day. Two steel tapes were used, one 100 feet long, the other 300 feet long; and the slope measurements were recorded to­ gether with the vertical angles for the purposes of reduction of the horizontal as well as deter­ mining the grade. This form of measurement proved to be very much more accurate than the ordinary plumb line measurement, and could be more rapidly extended on slopes as steep as 32 degrees. The method of dividing the work between the parties continued to the end of the fall season, varying the movements of camp in such a way as to leave proper sections of the work for each party to do. The work closed on the last day of October, the Massachusetts party remaining three days to close up the chaining and to break camp. Rain interfered with chaining to the end of the line. The clearing was completed to the thirty- seventh mile post on Round Mountain, and the chaining was stopped at the twenty-ninth mile post. The camp outfit was stored at Hancock Vil- 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 63 lage, with Mr. Charles L. Lapham, under good dry cover, and the instruments, tools and records were returned to the office. By mutual agreement, the subsistence supplies, team expenses, cook, campmen, etc., were fur­ nished at joint expense; but each party provided its own funds to meet the salaries and wages of its own employees. The force account showed that each State supplied about the same amount of labor by days.

Results. The summary of the season’s work shows that about two-thirds of the line have been completed. The long base line of survey was successfully established, covering a distance of over 38 miles, and approximately near many old stone piles found, which appear to have been placed in 1787. Over 37 miles of the line have been cut and cleared, from Boston Corner to Bound Mountain, also the side of the triangle from the Connecticut line to the apex at Alander, commonly known as the Ilogeboom line. Wide areas at prominent summits were also cleared, to give prominence to important signals. Over 32 miles were chained with a steel tape, and the profile topography was taken at the same time by the stadia. 64 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. About 25 marble monuments and about GO stone piles were discovered, some on the line, and others varying from a few feet to 50 or more feet both east and west of the base line of the survey. A few cuts and letters chiselled in the ledges were found at the southern end of the line, and some fences and old stone walls said to be on line were also found. When the notes of the survey have been reduced and the positions of the markings found can be plotted for comparison with points in the Wilson survey, and the survey of 1787, their identity will be made more ap­ parent, and the true position of the line better known. That the theory on which the survey was pro­ jected was a correct one, has been demonstrated by finding so many old marks quite near to the base line. There remain about 13Jr miles of clearing and 21J miles chaining to finish the survey of the line, after which about 100 points will require to be permanently marked, which will render future perambulations of the line free of all un­ certainty and much less difficult to undertake. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 65

T h e R h o d e I s l a n d B o u n d a r y L i n e .

1. Reconnoisscmce. Immediately following the joint meeting of the Rhode Island Boundary Commission and the Topographical Survey Commission of Massachu­ setts, held in Boston on July 29, 1897, in ac­ cordance with instructions agreed upon, Mr. Richard H. Tingley, the chief engineer of the Rhode Island Commission, and myself made a reconnoissance of the whole line from Burnt Swamp corner on the Wrentham Plains (sup­ posed to be the original site of the Woodward- Saffrey stake of 1642, set to mark the point three miles south of the Charles River) to Peaked Rock at the Atlantic Ocean, a distance of about 50 miles. This was accomplished in about five days, by the aid of the bicycle, almost every stone on the entire line being visited, measured and described, and notes taken as to details of location and surroundings, or the absence of monuments at points supposed to have been marked. The information thus obtained was used to advantage in laying out the work of the survey and in the selection of the best lines of approach to the various sections. 66 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. Valuable information as to existing monuments was received from Mr. Geo. A. Carpenter, the city engineer of Pawtucket, and Mr. Philip D. Borden, the city engineer of Pall River. People in general along the line seemed to be interested that some steps were being taken to improve the marking of the line.

2. Organization. A joint survey party was at once organized to begin the survey on three distinct lines of work, viz.: — («) Triangulation. Mr. E. E. Peirce, a re­ corder and two aids. (1)) Base line. Mr. W. V. Polleys and three assistants. (c) Topography. Prof. A. D. Butterfield aud three assistants. Extra axemen were hired by the day as needed, according to the cutting. Mr. William H. Ham succeeded Professor Butterfield when the latter was called away from the work by professional duties.

3. Method of Procedure and Results. By the instructions of the joint commissioners, the work was confined principally to the Ten Mile River section and to the South Watuppa 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 67 and Sawdy Pond sections, and afterward ex­ tended to the following “ straight-line ” sections, so called, viz.: the North Pawtucket line, the Swansea-Warren line and the Pall River-Tiverton line, making a complete survey from the Attle­ borough-Pawtucket bound at the Blackstone River to the “ Joe Sanford” bound in Westport. A small section of Runnin’s River needed no attention. Ten Mile Tiver. — For points of control out­ side of the survey, the principal Coast Survey stations and State points used were Beaconpole, Oak Hill, Bear Hill, Pawtucket Water Works or Stump Hill, Hoyt School Tower, and Kent, for the Seven and Ten Mile River section, from which were located directly on or near the line of the survey, station Arnold at Valley Falls near the Cumberland line, the Blackstone River bound, the old Rehoboth bound, Bound 1 at the N.E. corner of Pawtucket, Orswell at Lebanon Mills, Daggett at Daggett’s bridge, Ranger opposite the Rhode Island Rifle Range, Hopkins at Hunt’s Mills, Luther, Barney and McCormick near Luther’s Corner, and Runnin’s River bolt at Waterman Avenue. This system supplied a check on the work at each important cross-road or bridge, a signal being erected and an azimuth given as soon as needed by the party following. <58 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. A base line was next started from Bound 1 and run near the location of the old high-water line of 1861, cutting through the woods, and tying on to all old monuments found, and to signal stations for checking both azimuth and distance. This base line was carefully chained with tested steel tapes, and precautions taken to prevent the usual errors, incident to a plumb-line measure by the adoption of slope measurements when re­ quired, and then reducing these measurements to the horizontal. Tables showing the precision of these measurements have been prepared, and they show in general that the tape measurements agree with the distances as determined by triangulation within a limit of from 1 in 4,000 to 1 in 8,000 feet. Following the base line party, the topographical party occupied the base line stations, or side line stations of their own, and determined the profile of the territory adjacent to the high-water line from the river bank to a point on the bluff up­ land well above the required grade, directions being given in true azimuth, distances read by the telemeter rod, and elevations determined by recording the vertical angle to the point sighted at. The levels thus carried by the stadia checked with levels run by a regular level to salient checking points within a small fraction of a 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 69 foot, the accumulated error in 6 miles being less than 4 inches, thus showing extremely careful work on the part of the transitmen. Roads and highways near the line were run out sufficiently to show the adjacent property. Field sketches accompanied these topographical field notes for the aid of the draughtsmen. Results. — From the beginning it was evident that the bounds now standing varied greatly from the positions shown on the 1861 plan of the line. “ Bound No. 2 ” was about 900 feet west of position shown, “ Bound No. 3 ” about 1,050 feet west, and “ Bound USTo. 7 ” some 400 feet south­ west of the positions as defined. Bounds Nos. “ 5,” “ 6,” “ 8,” “ 9 ” and “ 10 ” were not found. The remaining bounds, Nos. “1,” “4,” “11,”

“ 12” and “ 13 ” and the bound at Runnin’s River are probably very nearly in the positions as shown on the plan. South Watuppa Section. — The principal points of control outside of the survey were Spencer, Copecut, Mt. Hope 2, Toweset, Bourne, Fall River Water Tower, Pocasset, Highway, Tiver­ ton Chapel, Tripp’s Barn Cupola, Kirby and Quaker 2. The points located on or near the line were W. and E. shore of Mt. Hope Bay, Cook Pond, “ Rose Almy,” Bound A at South Watuppa Pond, Bound E at the Bliss road, and Bound F 70 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. at the lower extremity of Sawdy Pond, and the “ Joe Sanford ” bound. As the slope from South Watuppa to the high- water line was very gentle and regular for the most part, it was not thought necessary to take full topographical notes, but simply to run a base line as before, and then establish the contour of high water on the ground with a level, and to locate the p o in ts thus set with off-sets from the base line. Some topography was taken by the stadia at the lower end of Watuppa Pond and some at Sawdy Pond, and the marsh lands or ends of the ponds were located by this means, to show their general shape; also the topography of Stony Brook was taken. Simultaneous gauge readings were taken at the gate house of the water works (being the outlet of the pond), at Bound A, at Blossom’s Cove where a bolt in a boulder is located, said to be at grade of II.W., and at Brownell’s wharf at the lower end of South Watuppa. By these gauge readings exact levels were recorded, and compared with levels carried by ordinary methods from Fall River benches and the original bench referred to in the decree. Traces of high-water marks were touched by the levels, and points cut in the boulders by the city engineer of Fall River were levelled to, so that the agreement 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 71 found between these levels renders it certain that the high-water contour established on the ground agrees with all the evidences thereof as left by others or as recorded in the decree. In addition to the levels above referred to, a line was run from the city hall bench at Fall River to the Coast Survey bench on the shore of Mt. Hope Bay, thence to Swansea-Warren 2 on the westerly shore and to Fall River-Tiverton 1 on the easterly shore of Mt, Hope Bay, the object being to establish bounds on either side which should be at the present State line, at mean low water. Correspondence was had with the United States Coast Survey officials, and also with the army engineer located at Newport, with reference to the established mean high water and mean low water at the extremities of the State line crossing- the bay. Results. — The markings of this portion of the line were found to be in no better condition than those in the other parts of the line. Bounds “ A ” and “F ” are apparently correctly placed, as recorded in the plan of 1861, but Bounds “ B,” “ D ” and “ E ” could not be found, and “ C ” is without doubt 200 feet easterly from its cor­ rect location. Two stones on the first road south of Sawdy Pond are about 11 feet east of the true line. 72 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.

Straight-line Sections. Attleborough - Pawtucket Pine. — This line was run very carefully with the transit and tape, and in such a manner as to produce a perfectly straight line from corner to corner. The bounding stone at the Blackstone River which was found lying at the water’s edge has been reset in a substantial manner, to insure the permanency of its location. Previous to its having fallen from its original position, the State Survey of Massachusetts had sent a party specially to the point to reference its true location. In reproducing the point these reference measurements were adopted, as the only official record available, although some local checks were obtained on the position as deter­ mined by these measurements. The stone was set in a solid concrete pier to a proper height, inclosed in a sheet piling crib about 4 feet square, and properly riprapped on the side next to the river, to prevent cutting by the ice. The original stone was dressed into shape, properly lettered, and left with about 2£ feet of its surface showing above the concrete. Prom a point on the overhead bridge at the crossing of the New York, New Haven & Hart­ ford Railroad, near “ Pleasant Yiew,” it was pos­ sible to see the signals at either end of this line. 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 73 A signal was built on this bridg'e exactly over the point. Every transit point on the line could therefore be checked by observations upon the signal on the bridge, and the one at Bound No. 1 at its eastern end. Results. — Beginning at Blackstone River and running in an easterly direction toward Bound 1, the monument varied from a straight line by the following amounts : —

First monument, . 21.0 feet south. Second monument, . . 15.9 feet south. Third monument, . . 13.1 feet south. Fourth monument, . . 9.1 feet south. Fifth monument, . 4.4 feet north. Old Rehoboth bound, 2.3 feet south.

Swansea - Warren Line. — This line was cut out from Barrington - Seekonk - Swansea corner to Swansea - Warren 1 (“Birch Swamp”), and thence to Swansea-Warren 2 at Mt. Hope Bay, near a triangulation station established by Bor­ den, preparatory to its measurement, a distance of about seven miles. It was then carefully chained, and the variations of the monuments from the true line were recorded as follows : —

First monument,...... 3.5 feet south. Second monument,...... 0.1 feet south. Third m onum ent,...... 2.5 feet south. Fourth monument,...... 3.0 feet south.

Fifth m o n u m en t,...... 6.6 feet south. 74 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.

Sixth m onum ent,...... 1.5 feet south. Seventh monument (old stone on “ King’s Rook”), 0.8 feet south.

Eighth monument,...... 1.1 feet south.

Line between Swansea-Warren 1 and Swansea-Warren 2. First m o n u m e n t,...... 3.4 feet south. Second monument,...... 2.1 feet south. Third monument (at the railroad), . . . 344.0 feet south. Fourth monument,...... 2.5 feet south. Fifth m o n u m en t,...... 10.0 feet south.

Fall River - Tiverton Line. — This line was carefully run from Mt. Hope Bay to the bound on South Watuppa Pond, and chained. The bounds that were found on this section were nearly in their true positions, but various points were found on this line where monuments were missing, notably the initial bound at Mt. Hope Bay, the one at the Bourne Mill, the point at the angle in Cook’s Pond and the point at Rhode Island Avenue. The bound at the Stafford road is slightly out of line. A monument was set at the angle in Cook’s Pond in a manner similar to the one set at the Blackstone River. The setting of this bound was very satisfactory to persons in the vicinity, as up to this time no definite idea of the location of this corner was obtainable, the single ivitness bound on the south shore of Cook’s Pond being the only point marked. Bound A on South 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 75

Watuppa Pond being located close to the water’s edge, and leaning, it was thought best to straighten it and to set it in cement, to make sure of its permanence.

4. Draughting, Mapping and Desuits. The plotting the field notes was commenced as soon as the work had advanced to the point where note books covering a definite section could be spared. A draughtsman from the office of the Massachusetts Commission, familiar with this class of work, was detailed for this purpose, and an assistant was furnished by the Rhode Island authorities. These two draughtsmen were employed a greater portion of the time from about the first of September to the middle of November in plotting the work. The plan of following up the field operations closely with this work had many points of advantage, as frequent consulta­ tions could be had with the assistants directly connected with the work, so as to obviate any misinterpretation of the notes taken. By this course the plans were practically finished and made ready for the consideration of the Joint Board within two weeks after the close of the field season. The preliminary field computations of the tri­ angulation scheme were carried on simultaneously 76 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan. with the work, and have been completed as far as the preliminary work goes. For convenience in plotting, the traverses through the base line operations were straight­ ened first between Bound A and the bound at the Taunton Turnpike, and also between Bound A and the holt at Runnin’s River, a distance of over 6 miles, and the positions of each hub were plotted from the X’s and Y’s as determined in this com­ putation. The total distance differed from that determined by triangulation by 4. Id feet. The base line traverse in the Fall River section at Watuppa and Sawdy ponds was straightened from Bound A to Bound F, and then from Bound A to the “Joe Sanford” bound, the former dif­ fering from the triangulation distance by 1.19 feet, and the latter by 2.5 feet, in a total distance of about 5 miles. As this report is a preliminary one, the above results may vary slightly in the final adjustment. The following tables give in brief form the statement of the amount of field work com­ pleted : — Triangulation. Stations occupied,...... 34 Town bounds occupied,...... 12

Signals b u ilt,...... 43

Town bounds d e te rm in e d ,...... 17 Pointings m a d e , ...... 10,122 Angles m easured,...... 5,000 1898.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 50. 77

Base Lines and Topography. Miles Run. Seven and Ten Mile rivers, .... 64 South Watuppa Pond (west shore), n 2 Stony B ro o k ,...... 3 Sawdy Pond (west shore), .... 14 R o a d s , ...... 10

21 Computations. Eccentric stations reduced to centre, 26 Triangle sides computed, .... 75 L. M. Z.’s c o m p u te d ,...... 39 Inverses computed,...... 87 Traverses straightened (involving 88 stations), 8

Straight Lines Run. Miles. Fall River-Tiverton 1 (W.M.) to 2 , ...... 1.05 Fall River-Tiverton 2 to 3, ...... 0.22 Fall River-Tiverton 3 to 4 , ...... 2.32 Barrington-Seekonk 1 to Swansea-Warren 1, 3.37 Swansea-Warren 1 to Swansea-Warren 2, . 3.27 Attleborough-Cumberland-Pawtueket to Attleborough-Paw- tucket-Seekonk,...... 2.22 East Providence-Seekonk 1A to 2 , ...... 1.10 Fall River-Tiverton-Westport to Tiverton-Westport 1, 0.77

14.32 Lines of levels r u n , ...... 20 miles _+

I n C o n c l u s io n . The foregoing report of the work of the de­ partment has dealt mainly with the most important items, only incidental mention being made of 78 STATE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY. [Jan.’98. minor miscellaneous matters that have necessarily required considerable time and attention. That the town boundary work is of paramount importance, is shown by the interest taken by State, city and town officials in the results of the survey. These officials are constantly making requisitions upon this office for boundary de­ scriptions and results, either for basing their local surveys on accurately defined corners, or for in­ corporating in their perambulations the exact terms in which these boundaries will be defined in the published atlases, conforming to the latest legislative act of establishment. The results of the surveys of city engineers and others, based on data furnished from this office, have demon­ strated that the town boundary triangulation has been done in a thorough and accurate manner, and reflects credit on the field assistants who have been engaged upon it.

Respectfully submitted,

K ERRY B. WOOD, Chief Engineer.

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