Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/338

* NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 29-i NAVAL RESERVE. directed the >ii|>ciiiiteiiJeiit 'lo make a constant series of observations in astronomy, nia^'nitisui, and nioteoroloj;y, ordering an additional number of assistants (naval otticers), and granting au- thority for the purchase of all necessary instru- ments." Tnder these instructions l.icut. J. M. Gilliss, U. S. X., began systematic observations in astronomy with additional instruments as fol- lows; A sidereal clock and a mean time clock; a meridian circle of ,5.5 inches apertun' furnished with circles ;iO inches in diameter; a portable achromatic telescope of 3V4 inches aperture and 42 inches focal length. The work done under his direction at the Capitol Hill depot between 1838 and 1842 was published in 1840 as Astronomical Observations ilade at the Xaral Observatory, being the first American volume of this nature. A building for this depot was authorized by Congress in 1842 through the efforts of Lieuten- ant (Jilliss. Taking the report of the Xaval Coni- niittee which accompanied the bill as the expo- nent of the will of Congress, he, after consulting American and Euroj)ean scientists, prepared plans and erected the Xaval Observatory. Soon after the instruments were in place Lieut. M. P. Maury succeeded to the charge of the observatory, remaining as superintendent until ISIil. and in addition to astronomical work devoted much of his personal attention to the study of ocean cur- rents and other hvdrographic and nautical sub- jects, which gave him international reputation. He was followed as superintendent by such men as Gilliss, Davis, and Rodgers. Among the earliest of the scientific achievements of the new observatory were the observations of Xeptune secured in 1846 immediately after the dis- covery of that planet, which enabled Sears C. Walker, by identifying two older foreign observa- tions, to discuss the elements of Xeptune servations bv Prof. .John Locke, formerly lieutenant in the Navy, resulted in the installation of the first practical chronograph at the Observatory in 184!). With the 0.6-inch equatorial Assi.stant Astronomer .lames Ferguson discovered several planetoids between 1854 and 1860. The 26inch lens made by .Alvan Clark, at the time the largest refracting telescope in the world, enabled Prof. .Asaph Hall to discover the satellites of Mars in 1877. In 1803 new buildings were com- jileted on a more favorable site on Georgetown Heights, comprising a commodious oflice build- ing occupied by the offices of the astronomical, nautical instrument, time service, and yaiitiral Almiinar departments, while the 26inch equa- torial, a inch and a 6-ineh transit <ircle. and a 5-inch prime vertical instrument are disposed in suitable dome and houses nn the south, east, west, and nortli of a cloikhouse. the longitiide of which is .Jh. 8m. 15.78s. W., and the latitude S,"*" 55' 14.0" N. In addition to the instruments named there are a I2inch equatorial, a 6-inch altazimuth, a B inch transit, a 5-inch photoheliograph. and nu- merous others. The library contains about twenty thousand volumes, and is the most com- plete astronomical collection in the country. The publications of the Ob.servatory comprise more than fifty large quarto vobimes. which contain full details f)f the work executed, with many valuable scientific memoirs by Professors .Asaph Hall. Simon Vcu.nmh. William Harkness, and others. NAVAL ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES. An hereditary patriotic society or- ganized in Boston, Mass., on Xovember 10, "l8U0, having for its objects the perjictuation of the deeds of the American Xavy through the en- couragement of research in naval arts and science and the preservation of historic memorials relat- ing to the Xavy of the Lnited States. There are two classes of companions. The first class in- cludes veteran olliccrs and their male descend- ants; and the second class, enlisted men who have received the United States naval medal for bravery in the face of the enemy. The badge of the order is a gold ilallese cross coated with blue enamel and edged with gold. In the centre of the obverse is the insignia of the Xavv of the I'nited States with the motto, 'Fide'litas et Patria'; on the reverse is the insignia of the Marine Corps. There are State commandcries in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania. New York, Cali- fornia. Illinois, and "the District of Coliunbia. Representatives from these commanderies meet triennially as a general coinmandery. The total membership is about 500. NAVAL RESERVE. In all the more impor- tant navies, in addition to the regular forces serving contiiuiously with the (leet. there are certain others which are drilled and instructed in order to be able to supplement the personnel of the fleet in time of war. In jieace these men are largely em|jloyed in the merchant marine, in yachts, in auxiliary Government services, or are pensioners or others who have served the requi- site length of time for pensi(m or discharge, but are still within the limit of age. In some coun- tries a portion of the naval reserves have not served either in the mercantile marine or the navy, but receive a certain amount of train- ing for such .service; while in coiuitries in which service in the army and navy is compulsory the greater part of the reserve is madi' up of men who have completed the requisite length of active service with the fleet. The naval reserve of the United States is small (at)out 4000 olliccrs and men) and consists of battalions or divisions of State naval militia organized at various ports on the seacoast or the (ireat Lakes. These olliccrs and men served in the war with .Spain, and. considering their oppor- tunities for training, they acquitted themselves with great credit and were a most important addition to the strength of the navy personnel. The defects of the sy.stem of training and organ- ization were, however, so clearly shown that the establislunent of a national naval reserve under the direct control of the X'avy Department has been under continuous consideration and is likely to be etrcctcd. especially as the luimlier of men likely to be obtained from the naval militia is inadequate to the demands of a strong war fleet. In Great Hrit;iin the naval reserve consists of (1) the royal naval reserve. (2) the royal fleet reserve, and (3) the .pensioners. On .January 1. 1003. the total of these three classes was 411.540 men ; in addition, there were 4200 men in the coast-guard, who are included in the regular ef- fective force of the na^^•. but are employed in coast-guard duties. The reserves are ilrilled on board special drill ships, on board vessels of the regular fleet, at various barracks, etc. They re- ceive a snnill retaining pay and full pay when actually serving. The reserve of the French and