The Coast and Geodetic Survey

"The Coast and Geodetic Survey; Its History, Activities and Organization" provides a comprehensive historical and administrative overview of one of the United States' most significant scientific institutions. Written by Gustavus Adolphus Weber, this work details the development of the agency tasked with mapping the nation's coastlines and establishing precise geodetic measurements across the continent.

The text explores the diverse activities of the Survey, from hydrographic charting and tidal observations to the study of terrestrial magnetism and the creation of essential nautical charts. It documents how the agency's work facilitated safe maritime commerce and provided the foundational data necessary for large-scale engineering and land management projects. The volume also examines the organizational evolution and legal mandates that shaped the agency from its early 19th-century origins through the first decades of the 20th century.

This study remains an invaluable resource for understanding the intersection of science and government in America. It captures the rigorous dedication to accuracy that defined the Survey's mission, making it an essential read for those interested in the history of cartography, geodesy, and the development of federal scientific policy.

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