NORTHERNMOST LABRADOR MAPPED FROM THE AIR. By Alexander Forbes. New York: American Geographical Society. Special Publication No. 22. 255 pages and maps. 1938. $4.00.
Reviewed by Captain G. S. Bryan, U. S. Navy
This is a story of a scientist who had a hobby and who turned it to useful account on his vacation.
The author, Dr. Alexander Forbes, Professor of Physiology at the Harvard Medical School, in addition to his own vocation, has for many years been intensely interested in sailing, aviation, photography, and geography. As vacation time approached, like a true scientist he sought some method of making practical use of the knowledge he had acquired in these subjects.
From the American Geographical Society he first learned of the modern technique of high-oblique photographic mapping in connection with topographic surveying. There appeared to be definite possibilities in this subject, particularly as it was still in an undeveloped stage. Sir Wilfred Grenfell, who has done so much for Labrador, suggested the coast of that region as a possible location for the venture. Here was a sparsely inhabited country of uncharted fiords, lakes, and mountains of which little was known. Dr. Forbes was inoculated with the idea, Northern Labrador was selected as the region to be surveyed, and the work of laying plans for the undertaking began.
What was originally planned as a diversion during a summer cruise now developed into a major project which extended over a period of seven years during which time three trips to the Labrador coast were made. Under the sponsorship of the American Geographical Society, a 97-foot schooner fitted with a small engine was obtained and outfitted for the expedition and two planes secured for use in aerial photography. Numerous other organizations and scientists were consulted and gladly aided in the venture. Several scientists were added to the expedition and finally, in June, 1931, they sailed northward under the command of Dr. Forbes.
In his narrative, Dr. Forbes describes in detail in a most vivid and interesting manner the three cruises made to the coast of northern Labrador in 1931, 1932, and 1935. There were difficulties in plenty. Ice, fog, and uncharted shoals were encountered among other hardships, but these only served to test their mettle. All obstacles were surmounted and the morale of the party remained high throughout.
Numerous flights were made and the terrain photographed, triangulation was carried out, tidal and current observations made, and as many soundings as possible were taken. Explorations were made by the geologists and botanists, and valuable data obtained.
Valuable and interesting chapters are included in the book describing the geology, flora, and weather as a result of the observations made, and also a brief description of the technique of map mak- mg when aerial photography is employed. Six maps which were constructed from the data secured on the expedition accompany the book as well as a pamphlet of navigational notes which should be of great value to ships visiting those regions.
The book is replete with illustrations made from photographs taken on the three cruises. On clear days the atmosphere was crystal clear, permitting a skill with the cameras with which the expedition photographers were amply blessed, the bold, rugged, mountainous country with its lakes and fiords scattered throughout, has a wonderful charm in spite of its cold, barren, inhospitable nature. There are few settlements encountered in this region and these are very small but the country is filled with magnificent scenery.
This expedition not only added to that Part of the world which is accurately mapped, but also contributed largely to the science of photogrammetry. To a devotee of scenic grandeur, the pictures alone are sufficient to justify the book.
GADGETS AND WRINKLES. By H. A. Calahan. New York: The Macmillan Co. 1938. 311 pages. $3.00.
Reviewed by Captain John F. Shafroth, U. S. Navy
Mr. Calahan in his Gadgets and Wrinkles as Produced another book of interest to sailormen and of particular value to the young yachtsman who has his own boat on which he can try out some of the gadgets described. These gadgets are not devices developed by Mr. Calahan himself, but have been collected from a number of seasoned and experienced yachtsmen who have actually tried them out and found them valuable. Some are in common use on men-of-war and others are applicable only to sailboats, but all are interesting to the seaman.
It is an old saying that a stitch in time saves nine, and in his Wrinkles Mr. Calahan indicates a simple and easy way of avoiding many of the things on sailboats that cause irritation, trouble, and delay. Needless to say such things are valuable to the sailor. Gadgests and Wrinkles is in reality a book on seamanship in a new and readable form. It contains much valuable material, many useful wrinkles, and is well worthy of careful reading.
GIANT FISHES, WHALES, AND DOLPHINS. By J. R. Norman and F. C. Fraser. New York: W. W. Norton & Co. 361 pages. 1938. $4.00.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Horace S. Mazet, U.S.M.C.R.
Mr. Norman and Mr. Fraser, both members of the Department of Zoology, British Museum, have together produced a book which ably fills a niche in the library of any seafarer. The scientific standing of the authors is unquestioned, and their material can be fully accepted as authentic. In subject matter there is little omitted, for included with the giant fishes are the mammals which are so often popularly confused with gill-breathers because they look and act so much like true fishes and inhabit the same waters.
Likewise, the authors have included many smaller species of fish which invariably are found in company with the true giants of the aquatic world. For navy men and mariners who find interest in sea life, this volume will aid immeasurably in identifying specimens which are sighted from the bridge as well as on fishing excursions in all parts of the world. Carefully worded so as not to confuse the lay investigator, descriptions of larger fishes are inclusive, even to historical material and remarks about habitat, breeding habits, and feeding where such information is known.
Those of a scientific turn of mind will discover in various parts of the book that well-known domestic species are called by Latin names which differ from those commonly used in the United States. However, this should not trouble the ichthyologist, as the scientific names given in many cases are more universally recognized than those restricted to our own books and shores. Particularly is this true in the section devoted to sharks; yet descriptions are adequate for identification of species without quibbling over Latin terminology.
Yet by and large the book is an interesting and valuable reference work. The part on fishes was written by Norman, that on whales and dolphins by Fraser, and the many illustrations including eight color plates are by Lieutenant Colonel W. P. C. Tenison. The attractiveness of the book is no little aided by the illustrations, a complete key to species, and an admirable index.
RECOLLECTIONS OF ADMIRAL BARON SOTOKICHI URIU, JAPANESE NAVY. By Katsunobu Masuda. Privately printed in Japan, May, 1938.
Reviewed by Commander Louis J. Gulliver, U. S. Navy (Retired)
This somewhat condensed biography of the late Admiral Uriu, graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in the class of 1881, and beloved “adopted son of Annapolis,” has been prepared primarily for gift presentation to the surviving members of his Naval Academy class; the families of those now deceased; to the President of the United States and his official family; to the Library of Congress; the Naval Academy Library; Navy Department Library; and possibly a copy will be given to the libraries of ships in the fleet. The book is finely illustrated with many photographs. Mr. Masuda, the biographer, is a grandnephew of the late Baroness Uriu and a graduate of Phillips Andover.
Completing his labors on the thirty-fourth anniversary of the Admiral’s victory over two Russian naval ships outside Chemulpho, Korea, in 1904, the author lovingly and with infinite pains opens the door of the Uriu home in Kaga, Japan, when the future naval commander and staunch friend of the United States was leaving the homeland at the age of 12 to take up the study of English in New Haven, Connecticut. Thenceforward, the reader notes, the career of Uriu during the ensuing 68 years is intimately woven with American friendships—naval, diplomatic, governmental, and plain everyday men and women. These, assiduously and sincerely cultivated by the tenderhearted Uriu, were initially rooted when he was a Naval Academy plebe. Thereafter, he earned the proud devotion of his classmates that continued mutually until death took him at the age of 80. His last act was a letter to the men of ’81 pleading that they carry on the endeavors he shared with them for the maintenance and strengthening of the traditional bonds of friendship between the United States and Japan.
Admiral Uriu knew the United States and its people better than any Japanese has ever known this nation; to do so, he deemed to be both an extreme pleasure and a duty he owed to the Emperor. Four years after the close of the War with Russia, he crossed the Pacific to take part in the reunion of his Annapolis class. Again in 1915, he was chosen by the Emperor to come to San Francisco to dedicate Japan’s exhibit at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, and finally he came a third time in 1921 to be present at the fortieth anniversary of bis graduation from the Naval Academy.
This last visit was memorable. President Harding attended the class dinner (as did President Taft the dinner in 1909), and the Admiral broke some kind of a record by attending 80 dinners and receptions in 47 days. He toured the Atlantic seaboard from Washington to Maine and Vermont. He made fast American friends for Japan wherever he went. Colonel Robert M. Thompson made a special trip across the continent to see Admiral Uriu. His heart overflowing with gratitude, the Admiral then invited his classmates and their families to be the guests of the Japanese government in Tokyo. To the number of 68, they went the next year, accompanied by Secretary of the Navy Denby, substituting for classmate Senator John W. Weeks. In Tokyo, the Admiral “got square” for the 80 parties given him in America the year before.
The iron heart of Uriu that helped so greatly to enhance Japanese renown at Chemulpho and in the Battle of the Sea of Japan, was revealed at the age of 15 when he walked 300 miles to enroll at the Japanese Naval Academy in 1872. He was 24 when he graduated from Annapolis, had risen to Rear Admiral 19 years later, and was a Vice Admiral at 48.
Gravely invalided at the time of Admiral Togo’s death in 1934, he set out for the funeral, fortified with a heart stimulant and a bottle of brandy. His old fighting uniform hung loose and he had to be supported, but he marched in memory of Togo.
Admiral Uriu was converted to Christianity when he was living in New Haven at the age of 17. His wife, Baroness Uriu, a graduate of Vassar the same year the Admiral graduated from the Naval Academy, was also a Christian. Of her he once said: “Vassar girls make good wives.”
GLOSSARY OF NAVIGATION. By Rev. J. B. Harbord, M.A., R.N. Fourth Edition, revised and enlarged by C. W. T. Layton, A.I.N.A. Glasgow: Brown, Son and Ferguson, Ltd. 451 pages. 1938. 12s. 6d.
Reviewed by Commander Thomas R. Cooley, U. S. Navy
This glossary is the fourth edition of the glossary that was first published in 1862, revised some years later and again revised in 1897. The present edition includes the most modern terms and methods of navigation.
It is more than a Glossary of Navigation as complete descriptions of instruments are given. The various formulas are not only given but in some cases the derivations of the formulas are shown. As an example of its completeness some nine pages of the text are devoted to the sextant, its errors, and adjustments.
Neither obsolete terms are included nor are obsolete instruments described except those of historical interest; nevertheless practically everything from “A coefficient” to “Z one Time” is defined or described clearly and concisely. Credit is given where credit is due to men of all nationalities who have contributed to the art of navigation.
Nothing shows the modernity of the volume more than the following partial quotation: “The most interesting and extensive set of tables yet issued is H. O. 214, issued by the U. S. Hydrographic Office, Washington. . . . These tables will undoubtedly affect the whole practice of determination of positions in fleets and maritime nations.” As yet only one volume of the six H. O. 214 has been published but the reviewer ventures to express the opinion that this “short method” will be the one to end all “short methods.”