National Geodetic Survey Data; Availability, Explanation, and Application

Geodetic data have been issued by the National Ocean Survey and its predecessors for more than 100 years. During this period, the data were furnished in a variety of formats, finally evolving into the present-day tabulations. Although much of the data is available in a modern standardized form, some material is still published on old-style listings. Explanations are given to assure that the user fully understands the published information. Some of the data was computed on several reference surfaces, which must be considered when the information is used to relate maps and charts of the past with the present. Explanations are provided in regard to survey accuracies and problems inherent to certain geometric configurations. Revised January 1979