West Point / An Intimate Picture of the National Military Academy and of the Life of the Cadet

by Robert C. Richardson

DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL MILITARY ENGINEERING, MILITARY SIGNALING AND TELEGRAPHY

FOURTH, THIRD, AND FIRST CLASSES

Fourth Class.—This class is given an elementary course in the theory and practice of surveying, instruction in this subject alternating with mathematics during the last 66 recitation days of the academic year. From May 1st to June 4th the entire morning is devoted to practical instruction in the methods of surveying and in the use and adjustment of instruments. During this period cadets apply in the field the principles and methods taught them in their theoretical study of the subject. The course includes instruction in the use of chains and tapes, in profile and differential leveling and in earthwork computations, in the use of compass, plane table, transit and stadia with special reference to the employment of these instruments in military topographic surveying. The slide rule used to facilitate the work of computation, and the principles upon which it is based are discussed during the theoretical course.

Third Class.—During the period of the summer encampment the cadets of this class receive practical instruction in military field engineering and military signaling. The course in field engineering comprises knots and lashings, rowing, construction of floating bridges with wooden pontoons, canvas pontoons and rafts, and instruction in military camp expedients. The course in signaling is limited to visual means only, including the flag, the heliograph, and the acetylene lantern. The International Morse Code is applied in the transmission of short messages both plain and cypher.

Simple exercises in topographic and hydrographic surveying are also given.

First Class.—During the summer months cadets of the first class are instructed in military reconnaissance and map making. This work follows close upon the fundamental instruction in the same subject given in the Department of Drawing, extends the instruction in sketching to include road and position sketching, mounted and on foot, individual and combined. Demonstrations and limited instruction are given in the various processes of map reproduction.

In the fall instruction is given in all classes of improvised bridges and stream crossing, the use of cordage and tackle, erection of derricks, flagpoles, etc., and the use of explosives in military demolitions.

The spring course is on field fortification work including the principles of locating, tracing, and profiling field works, the construction of trenches, revetments, obstacles, head cover, splinter and bomb proofs. This instruction is arranged in a progressive series of exercises, resulting finally in the construction of a section of a simple infantry redoubt.

Military signaling is taught this class in both the fall and spring periods; the work covers the construction and operation of field-wire and buzzer lines and the radio-communication equipment.

TEXTBOOKS

Theory and Practice of Surveying (17th Edition).—Johnson—Smith.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE

Plane Surveying. Tracy.

The Engineer Field Manual. Office of the Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.

Signal Book, U. S. Army. Office of Chief Signal Officer, U. S. A.

The Slide Rule. Alexander. The Slide Rule. Clark.