xt7fj678ss29 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7fj678ss29/data/mets.xml Page, William Byrd. 1880  books b96-13-34923914 English Stereotyped for the Survey by Major, Johnston & Barrett, Yeoman Press, : Frankfort, Ky. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Topographical surveying Kentucky. Description of the topography of the area included within the reconnoissance triangulation of the United States coast survey in Kentucky during the seasons of 1875 and 1876  / by William Byrd Page. text Description of the topography of the area included within the reconnoissance triangulation of the United States coast survey in Kentucky during the seasons of 1875 and 1876  / by William Byrd Page. 1880 2002 true xt7fj678ss29 section xt7fj678ss29 


GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF KENTUCKY.


          N. S. SHALER, DIRECTOR.



REPORTS OF PROGRESS.










         VOLUME V. NEW SERIES.








           STEREOTYPED FOR THE SURVEY
         BY MAJOR, JOHNSTON & BABRETT.
         YEOMAN PRESS, FRANKFORT, XENY UCKY.
                  188o.

 
This page in the original text is blank.

 



INTRODUCTION.



  This, the fifth volume of economic reports of the second
Geological Survey of Kentucky, contains matter concerning
the researches of the Survey which has been published in
the form of detached reports from the years i878 to 188o,
inclusive. This volume, together with the Bulletin of the
Survey, of which several numbers have been issued, contain
all the statements of economic importance concerning the
field explorations that have been conducted during these
years, as far as they can yet be made sufficiently certain
to warrant their publication. The more general scientific
results of the Survey will be found in the second volume of
Memoirs, which is now going through the press. A great
deal of the work done by the parties and individual workers
of the Survey will necessarily remain unpublished until the
final reports are prepared.
  The first of the reports in this volume accompanies the map
of the reconnoissance triangulation prepared by Assistant W.
B. Page, who, for some years, carried on the geodetic work
undertaken by the United States Coast Survey. This work
is designed to furnish the basis for the final map of the Com-
monwealth, and will make it possible to frame this map on
a much more accurate basis than could otherwise be secured.
If this system is carried out, as we may hope it will be, the
topographical work done by the Geological Survey will be final
in its nature, and will not require the subsequent repetition
which is inseparable from map work done without a system
of triangulation of the most exact kind. It is to be regretted
that Mr. Page has resigned his connection with the Survey
and sought employment in other and more profitable fields.
The Commonwealth has never had a more faithful or efficient
servant. The larger part of his work is embodied in the
published and unpublished maps prepared in his work as a
topographer of the Survey; but in the several topographical
                                                         'U

 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.



reports that accompany these published maps, he has given
the best descriptions of surface characters that have yet been
furnished for any of the Southern States. The further prose-
cution of this work has been intrusted to Assistant Schenk,
who brings to his task a skill and diligence that has been
marked in all of his numerous labors in connection with this
Survey.
  The second report of this series gives a record of Mr.
Schenk's labor in the extension of the topography of the
eastern district during the year 1874. A part of this work
will necessarily remain for the present unpublished. As it
has been found too expensive to prepare contour maps to
illustrate the topography of the State, descriptions of the
surface, such as are given by Mr. Schenk, have a decided
value to the persons who desire a more detailed statement
concerning its surface than the plain maps themselves will
give. This seems to me a warrant for reports of this nature.
  The third report is also from the pen of Mr. Schenk. It
concerns the use of the telemeter or topographical maps. At
the outset of the present Geological Survey I determined to
substitute for the surveyor's chain the telemeter, the special
advantages of which had been made plain to me during my
experience as an employ& of the United States Coast Survey.
I knew of no simple and accessible essay on the use of this
instrument, and as the methods to be followed in making sur-
veys with it are not generally familiar to our surveyors, who
rarely know much of this instrument, it seemed desirable to
have some treatise on the subject from the hands of a master
in its use. I believe Mr. Schenk's paper will serve this pur-
pose, and I hope it may contribute to the more: extended
use of an instrument that may fairly be regarded as the
greatest modetn contribution to the surveyor's art.  I am
not aware that the telemeter has been much used in any
other field for the work of rapid map-making. Our experi-
ence with it in Kentucky has shown that facility in its use
is speedily acquired, and that the results are as accurate
and far less costly than those attained by the old methods.
IV

 

INTROEUCTION TO THIIE F IFIH VOLUME.



  The fourth report is from Assistant DeFriese. It contains
a valuable account of the economic timbers in the valley of
the Tradewater river. Besides the information of industrial
value, his account of the distribution and succession of the
various forest trees, adds another chapter to the important
general results that have been attained by the Survey. It is
of great importance that these matters connected with the
history of our forests should be ascertained as rapidly as
possible. Already their original character is well nigh lost
by the changes that the axe brings about.
  The fifth report in this volume contains another of the
series of memoirs on the nature and distribution of the tim-
ber trees of Kentucky, by Mr. L. H. DeFriese. Besides
No. 4 of this volume, Mr. DeFriese has already contributed
several reports on this class of subjects to the preceding
volumes of this series-the whole constituting an extended
and valuable synopsis of his studies upon this class of ques-
tions. Besides the large amount of special economic infor-
mation this report contains, it includes a brief discussion of
some problems of general interest to all who are interested
in the present history of our forests. As I have remarked in
previous discussions of these questions, the forests of this
Commonwealth afford the best possible field for certain in-
quiries. The problems presented by our prairies have great
light thrown upon them by the facts that can be gathered
here. 'Mr. DeFriese has clearly shown in this report that
the extension of the treeless areas was in some cases due
to the burning of the grass by the early settlers, a process
that was adopted from the aborigines, and which served to
destroy the younger trees, and so in time to give prairie
surfaces to wide regions that were previously wooded. The
observations in this report have a special interest, inasmuch
as they show the continuance of this work of extending the
prairie limits down to a very recent day. I regret that it
seems at present unlikely that the Survey will be able to
secure any further studies of this description from Mr.
DeFriese. It would be very desirable to have this class of
                                                           V



v

 

INTRODUCTIoN TO THE FIF II VOLUME.



observations extended over the whole surface of the Com-
monwealth. I trust, however, that the important features
adopted in these timber reports given us by Mr. DeFriese,
and the other officers of the Survey who have taken part in
these forest studies, may be secured in the reports of those
who continue the work on the lines laid down by the pub-
lished reports. In this way we should secure a study of our
forests more complete and valuable than has been made in
any other area of its size in this country.
  In the Chemical Report, the sixth of this volume, we have
the third of the valuable contributions that Dr. Peter has
made to the new series of the Survey, and the seventh since
the beginning of the study of the resources of the Common-
wealth; four other reports having been published during the
years in which Dr. Owen had charge of this department.
  In this report Dr. Peter continues his studies in the compo-
sition of our coals, soils, clays, &c., &c. These analyses are
accompanied by various comments serving to show their rela-
tion to previous work or the economic results that may be
derived from them. Those concerning the soils are a contin-
uation of the many hundred previously made by Dr. Peter
and published in former reports. This series of analyses now
affords a nearly complete basis on which to construct a soil
map of the Commonwealth. which-shall show the distribution
of its various soils, -the crops for which they are severally
fitted, and the fertilizers that can be most advantageously em-
ployed upon them. The work done upon the mineral waters
nearly completes the examination of our medicinal springs.
There now only remains about half a dozen of the mineral
waters of this State that have not received some study
from the Survey.  In this connection it is worthy of note
that some of our underground waters, such as are found by
borings in the limestone beneath the Blue Grass district, are
shown by Dr. Peter to be fit for steam purposes. As we
must abandon all hope of procuring waters for the supply of
our towns by means of artesian wells, it is a great satisfac-
VI



VI

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.



tion to know that we may, under some circumstances, find
them fit for use in steam boilers.
  The analyses of the Hungarian grass and German millet
are valuable contributions to the economic chemistry of two
of the most useful forage plants. The high price of lands in
the central district of Kentucky makes it desirable for us to
use the forage plants of the largest yield. The relation of
these plants to our soils is therefore a matter of great interest.
  In preceding reports Dr. Peter has given similar studies
upon the greater part of our important agricultural products.
When the final reports of the Geological Survey come to be
prepared, it will be desirable to have these general reports on
the chemical survey of the Commonwealth worked over, so as
to bring the related matters together. At present a large
part of their important contents is so scattered as not to be
available to the student. Four of these reports are in the old
series of publications, which have long been out of print, and
are mostly inaccessible to our people.
  The report of Assistant Caldwell on the iron ores of the
Cumberland district is the third of his memoirs on the iron
resources of Eastern Kentucky. These, with the reports of
Mr. P. N. Moore, who preceded Mr. Caldwell as metallurgical
assistant of the Survey, give a reasonably full account of the
prospects of this industry in Kentucky. To a large training
in the metallurgical schools of Europe, Mr. Caldwell has
added an extensive experience in the practice of working iron
in this country; so his results are worthy of the fullest confi-
dence.
  I deem it of particular importance that Mr. Caldwell con-
siders the iron ores of the Cumberland district as fit for steel-
making purposes. There are very few ores of this class in
the valley of the Mississippi, and at no other point are they
found in such close juxtaposition with fuel of a cheap sort.
Although the United States abounds in iron ores, the greater
part of its resources of this nature are not conveniently placed
with reference to transportation, and are rather remote from
cheap coal. It is a peculiar advantage of our Kentucky ores,
                                                           Vii



V11

 

VIII        INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFl111 VOLUME.

which those of Northern Kentucky prove in an eminent de-
gree, that they are all near to good coking coals and not
remote from water transportation. Thie ores of the Green
Riverdistrict and of the Cumberland and Tennessee districts
are easily accessible by rail or water transportation.
  The next report in this volume is also from the pen of Mr.
Caldwell. It is intended as a summary of the modern ad-
vances in the metallurgy of iron. Many of the important
discoveries in this art are inaccessible to its practical workers.
No modern art has profited more by intelligent experiment
conducted with scientific methods than this. It has seemed
to me well to recognize the fact that this Survey was intended
to diffuse such knowledge among our people. So far as my
knowledge goes, this is the best brief presentation of the
matter that has yet been given to the public.
  The remarks in this report concerning the modern advances
in the removal of phosphorus from iron are of especial impor-
tance to our Kentucky iron interests, as a large part of
our iron ores are rather phosphatic, and it has hitherto
been announced that they were unfit for the making of steel,
which is now so extensively taking the place of ordinary iron.
It seems clear, however, that we may now disregard this
impurity, for the most recent advances in the process of man-
ufacture show us means of effecting its removal at an incon-
siderable expense.
  The tenth report in this volume is from the pen of Mr. L.
H. DeFriese. who has written two other reports in this vol-
ume. The special aim of this report was to furnish a continu-
ous section across the State from east to west, showing the
changes of the trees in passing from the banks of the Missis-
sippi to the mountain district along the Virginia border of the
Commonwealth. Besides the practical details introduced in
his report, there are several suggestions of great theoretical
interest. As before remarked, the forests of Kentucky abound
in problems. The order of succession of the various trees,
the laws that determine their appearance and disappearance
in the various districts, the curious way in which certain spe-
Vlil

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.



cies, unhappily including the precious white oak, are fading
out from the want of young trees in the undergrowth, are
all matters of great scientific as well as economic importance.
Mr. DeFriese has laid the foundations for very important
inquiries into many of these matters, and in some cases he
has been able to make important conclusions concerning them.
  The report of Mr. W. M. Linney stands in natural rela-
tion to that of Mr. DeFriese. It is, in fact, a detailed study
of the district comprised within the counties of Boyle and
Mercer, which has been touched upon in the last report of
Mr. DeFriese.   Mr. Linney, during a long residence in
this district, has paid especial attention to the history of its
once well-wooded lands. He tells a painful story of the
successive advances in the destruction of the noble forests
that have had to give way before the highly developed agri-
culture that its admirable soil invites. I know of no other
region of equal extent, in this country or Europe, where the
land is so completely deprived of its natural forests as this
central district of Kentucky. In the central parts of England,
the most thickly settled portion of that over-peopled isle,
there are here and there considerable tracts of forest, which,
with their undergrowth and spongy bed of decaying vegeta-
tion, serve to restrain the movement of the rain-water towards
the streams. But the value of grazing lands in Central Ken-
tucky is so great that all the woods are deprived of their
undergrowth, and set with a close sod, so that the water
goes off its surface with almost the same ease that it flows
from the roofs and streets of a city. There are two very
regretable results arising from this utter neglect of the for-
ests in this district-first, the destruction of the streams,
which are no longer as of old constant channels of water, but
torrents in the seasons of rain and dry ways in the times
of drought; and second, the gradual destruction of the value
of the pasture lands of the district from the action of drought
and the want of shade. It is a well recognized fact that the
high bred and sensitive animals of our breeding farms are
considerably affected by the heat of the summer sun. It is
                                                          Mx



IX

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.



because they afford shade to animals while they are feeding
that the wood pastures of our blue grass country are pecu-
liarly prized by stock-growers. At present no provision is
made for the renewal of the trees of these wood pastures.
They are generally waxing old, and a few more decades
will bring about their destruction.  Although we cannot
expect to see any great part of these lands replanted in for-
ests, we may at least hope that this special need may receive
immediate attention.
  The twelfth report on this series is from Professor A. R.
Crandall, of the State Agricultural School, on the Chinn's
Branch Cannel Coal District. There are only two consider-
able areas of cannel coal near to the line of the Ohio river
within the Commonwealth-this, which is the subject of Mr.
Crandall's report, and that known as the Breckinridge Can-
nel Coal in Hancock county. Although there are large areas
of this peculiar variety of coal in the region adjacent to the
head waters of the Licking and Kentucky rivers, these coals
along the Ohio will always have a certain advantage from
their proximity to water navigation. In the large markets
of the West they always have a value of at least one dollar
a ton above the ordinary bituminous varieties, on account of
their peculiar fitness for the production of gas and their
suitability for domestic uses.  These coals lie in a very
favorable position for production, and invite the attention of
capitalists more than almost any other of our resources.
There can never be much competition with the products
of these basins, for the other localities must convey their
coals over routes of greater length and cost.
  The last report in this volume is from Dr. Robert Peter,
chemist of the Survey.
  This report is introduced by some interesting general state-
ments concerning the soils of Kentucky, of which specimens
from seven hundred and seventy-two localities have been
subjected to analysis. It appears from this account that
there are twenty-nine counties not represented in these
studies, and the work is, as a whole, rather irregularly distrib-



x

 


INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.



uted, though it represents the most important agricultural
regions of the State with tolerable completeness. This brief
synopsis shows us clearly how important it is to have this
disconnected information brought into the compass of a single
volume, and so displayed as to make its teachings have their
full value.
  Following this matter is a brief discussion of the chemical
history of hydraulic cements. The lower lying formations of
the Commonwealth abound in rocks fitted for use as hydraulic
cements, and as the use of this substance is constantly in-
creasing, a special report on the matter should soon be pre-
pared. In this research the chemical study should take the
first place. The inquiry may demand several hundred care-
ful analyses, but its results will justify at least a year of labor
by Dr. Peter and his assistant.
  This report also gives the results of several analyses of
marly clays from the so-called lower Silurian limestone series
of rocks. These deposits sometimes show very considerable
amounts of potash, and if found of sufficient thickness may
prove valuable for fertilizing purposes, especially upon tobacco
lands. So far the study of the marls and other fertilizers of
the State has only been made in the way of reconnoissance.
It was best that the institution of a plan for this inquiry should
be left until the chance work of the Survey should show the
general direction in which it should be turned. It now seems
clear that every bed of shale in our rocks, from the lowest
part of the section to the top of the Subcarboniferous, should
be subjected to a searching inquiry, to show the amounts of
potash, soda, and phosphates they may contain. In this way
I feel sure that we shall find out some valuable resources
which will aid us in preserving and increasing the fertility of
our soils.
  A good part of the soil analyses given in this report of Dr.
Peter was made upon specimens collected during the Survey
of Dr. D. D. Owen, by Mr. Joseph Lesley, jr., to whom we
are indebted for much of the valuable work done during that
                                                           xi



Xlf

 



INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTH VOLUME.



Survey. These samples have long awaited the time when
the pressure of other work would permit their study.
  A word of personal explanation is now due to the reader.
The pressure of other engagements has made it necessary for
me to resign my position as Director of the Survey of the
Commonwealth. For some years the necessity of this action
had been apparent, and was only delayed in order that I might
feel sure that the succession would fall into the hands of one
well qualified to continue the work to its completion. I now
feel sure that all the incomplete work of the Survey will be in
better charge than I could give to it. By the kindness of my
successor I have been permitted to retain charge of the un-
published work done during my incumbency. Of this there
yet remains the sixth volume of Reports, the second of Me-
moirs, one or two volumes of photographs with text, and the
general index to one volume, which is to give the key to all
the work reported in the first and second series of reports
and in the other publications of the Survey. This index vol-
ume is nearly ready for the press, awaiting only the completion
of the sixth volume of Reports and the second of Memoirs.
  As this introduction leaves my hands I learn of the sudden
death of Mr. W. B. Caldwell, jr., long metallurgical assistant
of the Survey. I cannot forbear to note my sense of the mag-
nitude of this loss to our people. Every circumstance seemed
to lend itself to make a bright future for this young man. Ex-
cellent capabilities, well developed by a thorough training in
his chosen work, a charming person, an eagerness and joy
in the activities of the world which the certainty of a great
inheritance seemed not to dampen, helped to make his friends
hopeful that his career was to be full of happiness and honor.
I looked to him for the prosecution of many researches that
we had often discussed together.
                                        N. S. SHALER.
X11

 



















OFFICERS OF KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

     DURING THE TIME OF PREPARATION OF THE REPORTS CONTAINED
         IN THIS VOLUME, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR APPOINTMENTS.




         NATHANIEL SOUTHGATE SHALER, Diretor and Principal Geologi4
         ROBERT PETER, Priwipal Chemist.
         ALBERT ROGERS CRANDALL, First Asistant in Geology.
         PHILIP NORTH MIOORE, Awsistant in Gt'ology.
         CHARLES SCIIENK, Assistant in Topog.raphy.
         CHARLES JOSEPH NORWOOD, Asistanst in Geology.
         WILLIAM BYRD PAGE, First Awistant in Topography.
         LUCIAN CARR, Assistant in Ethnology.
         JOHN HOLLIDAY TALBUITT, Assistant in Chemistry.
         JOHN ROBERT PROCTER, Awbistant in Geology.
         CHARLES WICKLIFFE BECKHAM, Assistant in Topography.
         EUGENE UNDERWOOD, Jn., Assistant in Topography.
         JOSEPH BERNARD HOEING, Assistant in Topography.
         LAFAYETTE HOYT DEFRIESE, Assistant in Botany.
         WILLIAM B. CALDWELL, JR., Assistant in Mineralogy.
         WILLIAM M. LINNEY, Assistant in Geology.

 
This page in the original text is blank.

 










               TABLE OF CONTENTS.

                     The refrece isto the 61t-om p4png in this able.



                                VOLUME V.
Part   L  Description of the Topography of the area included within the Reconnois-
             sance Triangulation of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey
             in Kentucky, during the seasons of 1875 and 1876. By William Byrd
             Page. ......................                        page 1 to 10
Part   II. Topographical Report of a part of Greenup and Lawrence Counties for
             the year 1874. By C. Schenk....... ..    . . ..   . page 11 to 22
Part  III. On the use of the Telemeter in Topographical Surveys. By C Schenk.
                                                                 page 24 to 41
Part  IV. Report on the Timbers of the Tradewater Region-Caldwell, Lyon, (rit-
             tenden, Hopkins, Webster, and Union Counties. By Lafayette H. De-
             Friese.. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. page 43 to 76
Part   V. A General Account of the Geology of a part of Ohio County. By Charles
             J. Norwood.. ... .. .. .. . . . .. .... . . page 77 to 124
Part  VI. Report on the Timbers of the District west of the Tennessee River, coon-
             monly known as the "Purchase District." By Lafayette f. DeFriese.
                                                               page 125 to 158
Part V'I. Third Chemical Report on the Soils, Coals, Ores, Iron Furnace Products,
             Clays, Marls, Mineral Waters, Rocks, etc., of Kentucky. By Robert
             Peter, M. D........       .. . . . . .. . . . .. page 159 to 250
Part VIII. Report on the Limonite Ores of Trigg, Lyon, and Caldwell Counties,
             known as the "Cumberland River Ores."  By Wnm. B. Caldwell, jr.
                                                               page 251 to 2612
Part  IX. Iron: the Impurities which commonly occur with it, and their effects.
             By 'Wim. B. Caldwell, jr ............... . page 26t5 to 284i
Part   X. Report on a belt of Kentucky Timbers extending east and west along the
             South Central part of the State, from Columbus to Pound Gap. By
             Lafayette H. DeFriese ................ page 287 to 348
Part  XI. Report on the Timbers of Boyle and Mercer Counties. By Wnm. -M. Lin-
             ney..       .............. page 349 to 384
Part XII. Report on the Chinn's Branch Cannel Coal District. By A. I. Cran-
             dall...........                                   page 8.5 to 394
Part XIII.. Fourth Chemical Report of the Soils, Coals, Ores, Clays, Marls, Mineral
             Waters, Rocks, etc., of Kentucky. By Robert Peter, M. D.
                                                              page 395 to 487

 










GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF KENTUCKY.

           N. S. SHALER, DIRECTOR.



     DESCRIPTION OF THE TOPOGRAPHY

             OF TUE AREA INCLUDED WITHIN THE


RECONNOISSANCE TRIANGULATION

                    OF THE

 UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY IN KENTUCKY

                   DURING THE



SEASONS OF I875 AND 1876,

    BY WILLIAM BYRD PAGE.

  PART I. VOL. V. SECOND SERIES.



Iaz



ST-ER -TYPRS FOR THE SURVEY BY IAjOR, joHNSTONDARRETY, YEOMAN PRESS, FRANYR.OEI, ICY.

 
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             INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


             OFFICE KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,
                      FRANKFORT, Ky., March ist, i877. 1
Professor N. S. SHALER, Director Kentucky Geological Survey:
  DEAR SIR: Herewith submitted you will find a description
of the topography of the area included within the reconnois-
sance triangulation of the United States Coast Survey in the
State during the seasons of 1875 and i876.
  The subject is treated with reference to its importance in
connection with the topographical work of the Geological
Survey. The sketch accompanying the report was drawn by
Mr. Joseph B. Hoeing, who aided in the original reconnois-
sance last season.
  The sketch shows the result of the reconnoissance, baro-
metric heights, the topography with reference to the stations,
the proposed base lines and connections, and the principal
stations on the scale of the preliminary map of the State.
                        Very respectfully,
                                   WM. BYRD PAGE.
                                                      3 b4

 
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DESCRIPTION OF THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE
  AREA INCLUDED WITHIN THE RECON-
     NOISSANCE TRIANGULATION OF THE
        UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY
           IN KENTUCKY DURING THE
             SEASONS OF 1875 AND 1876.


  The reconnoissance triangulation for the United States
Geodetic Survey iji Kentucky, under the direction of the
United States Coast Survey, has been prosecuted during the
working seasons of 1875 and 1876. The general instructions
in this work were to commence in the southeastern portion
of the State, and to proceed in a northwest direction toward
the Ohio river; to establish such primary stations as would
be found suitable, and such intermediate or secondary stations
as would aid in the determination and delineation of the to-
pography; to ascertain the relative heights of stations, and to
make such other observations as would assist in the work of
the Geological Survey.
  The sketch of the reconnoissance is not to be considered
as a determined and approved scheme, but rather as the result
of the preliminary work performed, from which a scheme may
be selected for final triangulation.
  It is from work of this character that the State must obtain
an accurate basis for a final and complete topographical map.
Tile detailed surveys of portions of the State already com-
pleted, and those now progressing under the direction of the
Geological Survey, although complete and accurate within
their limits, will be dependent for their proper relative posi-
tions upon the triangulation, and it is with this view the to-
pography is carried forward.
  From the above considerations the results of the recon-
noissance may be of interest to the citizens of the Common-
                                                       s

 

RECONNOISSANCE TRIANGULATION OF THE



wealth. The topographical features of the area included in
this reconnoissance will be discussed with especial reference
to the size and general location of the quadrilaterals and tri-
angles of the scheme.
  The area of the work is wholly within the water-shed or
valley of the Ohio river. Commencing at the Cumberland
Mountains near Cumberland Gap, where is the intersection
of the boundary lines of the States of Kentucky, Virginia,
and Tennessee, the direction of the work was toward the
Ohio river, across the State at right angles to the greatest
length. In the direction of that river a continued contrac-
tion in the order of triangulation was to be expected. The
order, or size, of the triangulation will vary most in this direc-
tion. The schemes of the same order will probably extend
northeasterly and southwesterly, the topographical features in
these directions being more nearly alike.
  The possibilities for extensions in other directions were
ascertained as thoroughly as practicable as the reconnois-
sance progressed toward the Ohio river. From the eastern
limit of the work, the Cumberland Mountains, the outlook to
the eastward and southeastward was very distant, extending
far toward the summits of the Appalachian range. When the
atmosphere was sufficiently clear distant peaks, probably the
Smoky or Unaka Mountains of North Carolina, were ob-
served.
  The feasibility of extension in either the northwest or
southeast directions is at least equal to that in the direction
pursued.  To the west the outlook is certainly favorable.
The sketch includes about two thirds of the distance from
the State line to the Ohio river. The first quadrilateral
includes about thirty miles of the Cumberland Mountains;
the direction of the chain is about northeast and southwest.
The range, being a folded or uplifted mountain, has a de-
cided crest, and is without spurs of size. Five points on the
range have been located, and are shown on the sketch. Cum-
berland Gap is the lowest point in this length of the range;
its height above sea-level is one thousand six hundred and
6



6

 

U. S. COAST SURVEY IN KENTUCKY IN I875-'6.



seventy-five feet. The height of the mountain varies from
one thousand to two thousand feet above the valley on the
Virginia and Tennessee side. The valley of Yellow creek,
on the Kentucky side, is one hundred and sixty feet lower
than the valley on the Tennessee side. The heights of the
several points are given on the sketch. The " White Rocks