506 FIRST REPORT UPON MAGNETIC WORK

It is in Baltimore County near the northern entrance of Patapsco River
into Chesapeake Bay.

20. OSBORNE'S RUIN.—Captain T. J. Lee, U. S. Engineers, Acting Assistant
U. S. C. and G. Survey, determined the elements at this point in 1845.

Osborne's Ruin geodetic station is situated in the town of Abingdon,
Harford County, on a hill formerly known as Dallam's Folly, about one-
quarter of a mile northwest from the center of the village and a short dis-
tance north of the road leading from Abingdon to Bel Air. The land is
owned by Mr. Ben Swartz, an old man living east of the hill on the road
leading from Abingdon to Havre de Grace. The nearest railroad station
is Sewell, on the B. & O. R. R., distant one mile.

The geodetic station has been recently (1896) re-marked. The earthen-
ware cone sunk 21 inches below the surface of the ground was re-sunk so
that its top is now a little more than three feet below the surface. A chest-
nut stub 2.5 feet long was placed over the cone as a temporary surface
mark, the top projecting an inch or two with the nail in the center marking
the point.

The following measurements were taken with a steel tape:

From geodetic station to a corner stone in fence, 61.65 feet.

From geodetic station to a nail in a blazed cherry tree, 50.9 feet.

From geodetic station to a nail in a blazed chestnut tree (the largest on
the hill) 61.0 feet.

The following readings were taken with a 6-inch theodolite, reading from
right to left:

Nail in chestnut tree = 0° 00' 00" (N. 17° 30' E. magnetic).

Nail in cherry tree = 84° 42' 50".

Cross on Catholic church = 105" 19' 30".

Corner-stone — 129° 32' 00".

Belfry on school-house = 268° 18' 45".

From the best evidence at hand, Captain Lee's station was 57 1/2 feet east
of the geodetic station.

4. OXFORD.—Oxford geodetic station is in Talbot County.

The station is near the beach, about three-quarters of a mile north of the
clock of the Delaware and Chesapeake Railroad, and close to the end of the
point of land just north of the town of Oxford.

From the best evidence at hand, the magnetic station was identical with
the geodetic station. The soil consists of clay and marl, several feet in thick-
ness, overlying sand mixed with marine shells.

16. POOL'S ISLAND.—Captain T. J. Lee, U. S. Engineers, Acting Assistant
U. S. C. and G. Survey, determined the elements on this island in 1847.

Pool's Island is in Chesapeake Bay and is embraced in Harford County.
It can be reached by steamer from Baltimore.

The geodetic station was established in 1S44 on the property of P.
Wethered. It was near the dwelling on the upper island, and was 429.5
feet from the center of the well and N.W. 1/2 W. from the center of the well.

This island is now (1897) the property of Mr. John Masheter and has
been converted into a peach orchard. The old well is still to be found, but
the position of the old geodetic station can only be approximately restored.