The View from the Frontier: How the Old World Saw Pacific Coast Science
A visiting British scientist praises American ingenuity, from the innovative naval mapping of the Pacific depths to the reliable accuracy of 'Old Prob'—the precursor to modern weather forecasting.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Sir William Thompson noted his recent visit to the Exhibition in Philadelphia and his travels in Washington Territory. He expressed his admiration for the scientific spirit and originality found in American research. Warming to his theme, Sir William lauded several American scientific achievements, noting the work of Commander Belknap, who explored the Pacific depths by piano-forte wire, and Captain Sigsbee, who continued these investigations aboard the surveying ship Blake. He further observed that the United States Coast Survey and the Compass Department of the American Navy were on the verge of providing vital data for navigators. Regarding the government's weather reporting, affectionately known as 'Old Prob,' he remarked that while politicians might occasionally try to cut funding, the public's appreciation for these forecasts was secure. He concluded that if Europe does not amend its patent laws, America will speedily become the nursery of useful inventions for the world.
“If Europe does not amend its patent laws, America will speedily become the nursery of useful inventions for the world.”
In 1876, the accuracy of weather forecasts was a new civic necessity, much like today’s climate modeling. The article highlights the perpetual tension between civic investment in scientific infrastructure and the political desire for 'economical' cuts.
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