GIFT OF

AVAR DEPARTMENT :

SiliNAL M-:i;VI'K, I'. S. ARMY.

INSTRUCTIONS TO

RAINFALL OBSERVERS

SIGNAL SHRVICE, U. S. ARMY.

General Orders No. 32, 1887.

WASHINGTON :

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1887.

GENERAL ORDERS | "WAR, DEPARTMENT,

No. 32. ( Washington, May 25, 1877.

The following instructions to Rainfall Observers, Signal Service,
U. S. Army, are published for the information of all concerned.
They will take effect July 1, 1887.

BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER:

J. MITCHELL,
2d Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.

OFFICIAL :

2d Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.

NOTE. This copy of Instructions to Rainfall Observers should
be kept neat and clean,

When an observer is relieved from duty, or is temporarily absent
from his station, he will turn these instructions over to his suc-
cessor, obtaining his receipt for the same, and will forward this
receipt, by mail, to the observer in charge of the section center.

368061

Instructions to ttalnfall Observers,

SIGNAL SERVICE, U. S. ARMY.

To increase the value and accuracy of reports of the stage of
water in the larger navigable rivers of the United States, for the
benefit of commerce and river navigation, and in order to render
accurate flood predictions possible, the Chief Signal Officer has
inaugurated a system of stations to be designated as Eainfall
Stations.

These stations will be located at suitable points on the water-
sheds, at the sources, and on the principal tributaries of these
rivers. They will be furnished with a rain-gauge and measuring-
stick to enable the observers to report at stated times the amount
of rainfall.

INSTRUCTIONS.

1. The duties of rainfall observers will consist in measuring and
recording, at 2 r. M. each day, the amount of rain that has fallen
during the preceding 24 hours, and entering it on a weekly form
(postal card) prepared for the purpose. The week will end with
Friday, on which day the observer will, after taking his obser-
vation and recording it, deposit the report (card) in the mail,

addressed to Observer, Signal Service, U. S. Army,

, in charge of the section,

who will receive it the following day in time to furnish full press
reports to such of the newspapers as desire to publish the infor-
mation.

2. A monthly report will also be made on Form 180, which will
be filled up from day to day, as soon after the observation has been
taken as possible, and mailed to the observer in charge of the sec-
tion at , on the

first day of. the succeeding month. A copy will be kept at the
rainfall station.

3. The data obtained through this system of observations being
for the public use, rainfall observers are authorized to furnish to
all persons desiring the same, without expense to the United
States, such information as their records afford.

4. The pay of observers will be 10 cents per day.

5. Rainfall stations will be arranged in sections, and each sec-
tion-center will receive the reports from the several special stations
and disseminate the information so as to subserve the best interests
of the public.

6. With rare exceptions, rainfall observers will receive all their
instructions from, and render all reports and bills for services to
the observers in charge of their respective sections.

7. Observers should bear in mind that, in the acceptance of ap-
pointments as such, they become the authorized agents of the
United States Government, and also that they are amenable to the
laws governing the same, so far as their duties as rainfall observers
are concerned.

8. Each rainfall station will be supplied with:

1 Rain-gauge, standard pattern, including overflow at-

tachment.

2 Rain-gauge measuring-sticks.
500 Forms 203.

25 Penalty envelopes, official.
100 Forms 1806, Weekly Reports (postal card).
25 Forms 180, Monthly Reports.
15 Forms 9, Vouchers.
30 Forms 8, Vouchers.

RAIN-GAUGE.

9. The rain-gauge consists of three parts, the collector, the re-
ceiver, and the overflow attachment. The precipitation entering
the collector passes down into the receiver, and should the receiver
become full of water before a measurement is made the excess
flows from the receiver into the overflow attachment. The parts of
the rain-gauge are shown in the following drawings :

Fig.l.
FrontView.

Fig. 2.
Vertical Section.

~jr

V, >

RAIN GAUGE

Fig. 3.
Receiver.

Fig,*.
Horizontal Section,E-F.

t 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 IS 16 17 IB 19 20 21 22-23
SCALE.

Description of the Standard Signal Service Rain-gauge:

A. Receiver.

B. Overflow attachment.

C. Collector.

Fig. 1 shows the front view of gauge complete. Fig. 2, the ver-
tical section. Fig. 3, front view of detached receiver; and Fig. 4,
the horizontal section. Part , in Fig. 3, is a brass rim 8 inches
inside diameter, 2 inches deep, beveled to a sharp edge with one-
fourth inch bevel. This brass rim is soldered to a galvanized-iiou-
funnel with a three-quarter inch aperture. The angle of funnel is
shown in vertical section, Fig. 2. To the lower edge of the fun-
nel is attached a galvanized-iron sleeve, marked d Fig. 3.

Part e, Fig. 3, shows the overflow opening. Part c, Fig. 2, repre-
sents the point where the overflow attachment .joins on to the
receiver. Part fc, Fig. 1, represents the galvauized-iron overflow
attachment, 6 inches diameter and 22 inches deep.

10. The gauge should be placed in a wooden box, 8x8 inches,
and 20 inches long. This box should be placed in the ground, in
a vertical position, so that the distance from the top of the funnel-
shaped collector to the ground is exactly 12 inches.

11. The gauge should be located, when practicable, in an open
space, free from all obstructions, and protected from the interfer-
ence of animals and unauthorized persons. When a position on the
ground, with a clear exposure, cannot be found, the rain-gauge
should be placed on the roof of some building of easy acct

To MEASURE RAINFALL OR MELTED Sxow.

12. The proportion between the sectional areas of the receiver
and the funnel is as one to ten. The measuring-stick is graduated
in inches and tenths. Ten inches of water in the receiver is equal
to one inch of actual rainfall ; one inch of water in the receiver to
one-tenth of an inch of rain ; and one-tenth of an inch of water in
the receiver to one-hundredth of an inch of rain.

13. First take oft' the top (or funnel-shaped collector) of the
gauge; then, holding the measuring-stick in a perfe'ctly upright
position, insert it into the receiver. Upon removing the measur-
ing-stick it will be found that it is wet up to a certain mark. If
this mark on the stick is one-tenth of an inch it will indicate one-
hundredth of an inch of rainfall; if the mark is eight-tenths of an
inch on the stick it shows eight-hundredths of an inch of rainfall;
if one inch and three-tenths on the stick the amount of rainfall is
thirteen-hundredth s of an inch, &c.

14. After measuring the amount of rain or melted snow, empty
the receiver, place the top or funnel-shaped collector securely upon
it, and put the gauge in position.

15. Should the amount of rain that has fallen be so great as to
have filled the receiver and flowed into the overflow attachment,
first measure the amount in the receiver, then empty, pour the
water from the -overflow attachment into the receiver, measure
this amount, and the sum of the two measurements will be the
total rainfall.

16. In case of snow, the measurements should be made in the
following manner : Remove the gauge from its position and place
it near a warm stove. As soon as the snow has melted measure
the water in the .receiver, and the amount will be the snowfall;
empty and replace the gauge.

17. In addition to measuring the amount ot snowfall since last
observation, a measurement will be made of the actual depth, in
inches, of the snow on the ground, selecting for this purpose some
locality where the amount of fall is .about the average. Drifts
must be carefully avoided. The period during which the snow fell
will not be taken into consideration in making this measurement.

18. When an observation is telegraphed, the words, one, two,
three, &c., as the case may be, will be added to Form 203, to in-
dicate the depth of snow on the ground, as explained in the second
example under paragraph 24. For instance, if the average depth
of unmelted snow on the ground is 5 inches, the observer should
write the word "five" in the proper space on Form 203; if the
snow measured 14 inches, the word "fourteen" would be written,
&c. These words (one, two, three, &c.) must always be written
and not given in figures.

19. Whenever any public property at a rainfall station has be-
come unserviceable by reason of ordinary wear and tear, or other-
wise, such as breakage by accident, the observer should immedi-
ately notify the observer in charge of the section-center, by letter,
of the fact, giving the name of the unserviceable article and the
nature and extent of the damage. The observer in charge of
the section-center will then communicate with the Central Office?
and request instructions in regard to the disposition to be made
of the property. In no case will unserviceable public property be
thrown away, but it will be held until orders are received from
the Chief Signal Officer concerning its disposition.

20. All telegraphic reports will be written in duplicate on Form
203. One copy Avill be handed the telegraph operator, the other
copy retained by the rainfall observer and disposed of as ex-
plained in paragraph 30.

21. Each report will consist of 6, 7, or 8 words, address and sig
nature included. The first space will contain the word observer;
the second space, the name of the place to which the report is to
be telegraphed; the third space, the station from which the report
is telegraphed; the fourth, the day of the month; the fifth, the
cipher-word expressing the amount of rainfall, if any. When the
rainfall between observations exceeds four inches, two cipher-
words will be used one (the fifth) to express four inches, and one
(the sixth) to indicate the difference between four inches and the
amount measured at the observation.

FOR EXAMPLE.

If, in the past 24 hours, 5.62 inches of rain has fallen, write on
Form 203, in the proper space, the word Rutiedgtf, which indicates
4 inches, then add the word Relator, which indicates the remain-
der, namely, 1.62 inches.

22. When snow is on the ground, a seventh word will be used
to express the number of inches.

23. The last word in every report will be the surname of the
observer.

24. The foregoing telegraphic reports will be sent in cipher, in
accordance with the system given under paragraph 36.

The following is an example of an enciphered report, with the
translation: EXAMPLE:

[Form No. 203.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, SIGNAL SERVICE, U.S. ARMY.

Report of Observations taken at Ottawa, III., on July loth, 1887, 2 P. M.

75th Meridan Time.

St. Louis.

Ottawa.

Fifteenth.

5 G
Itufus. Jone?.

ed at 1.10 P. M.,July 15, 1887.
frnt at 1.12 P.M.

SMITH, Operator. JONES, Observer.

Mi-orators will semi only the matter inside the heavy lines, without address ,,r
' HV.

TRANSLATION :

St^Lonls [ Address of Signal Service observer at St. Louis, Mo.
Ottawa Name of Rainfall Station.
Fifteenth Date of the month.
Rufus Amount of rainfall 3.79 inches.
Jones Name of the observer.

The following is an example of an enciphered report followed by
the translation, when two cipher-words are sent for rainfall, and
the amount of snow on the ground is given :

EXAMPLE :

[Form No. 203.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, SIGNAL SERVICE, U. S. ARMY.

Report of Observations taken at Ottawa, III., on Jan'y 21, 1887, 2 P.M.

75th Meridian Time.

Observer.

St. Louis.

Ottawa, Twenty-first.

Rutletlge.

Retail.

Eleven.

Jones.

Received at 1.13 P. M., January 21, 1887.
Sent at 1.17 P. M.

THOMAS, Operator. JONES, Observer.

Operators will send only the matter inside the heavy lines, without address or

signature.

TRANSLATION :

St 8 Louis f Address of Signal Service observer at St. Louis, Mo.
Ottawa Name of Rainfall Station.
Twenty-first Date of the month.
Rutledge Amount of rainfall 4.00 inches.
Retail " " " 2.66 "

Total, 6.66 inches.

Eleven Depth of umnelted snow on the ground 11 inches.
Jones Name of observer.

25. The regular observation at

will be taken at , M., local time, which corresponds to

2 P. M., 75th meridian time.

26. When the rainfall in the past 24 hours equals or exceeds
one inch, a full report of the observation, as before explained, will
be enciphered on Form 203 and telegraphed to Observer, Signal
Service, U. S. Army,

27. The report WILL NOT be telegraphed unless the rainfall
equals or exceeds that stated in paragraph 26.

28. Attention is invited to the time of taking these observations.
All observations of the Signal Service are taken on 75th meridian
time. In paragraph 25 is given the local time at which these ob-
servations are to be taken.

29. To explain how the rainfall is entered on Forms 180 and
180&, the following example is given :

After measuring the water in the rain-gauge, as previously ex-
plained, it is found to measure six hundredths of an inch ; this
should be entered in its proper column on the Form as .06 ; fifteen
hundredths should be entered as .15 ; twenty hundredths, as .20;
one inch and twenty-five hundredths, as 1.25. Care will be taken
to have the decimal point in its proper position.

30. Care must also be taken to enter on Form 180 all observa-
tions made, they being needed to audit the bills of the observers.
On the first day of the month succeeding that during which obser-
vations have been taken, each rainfall observer will mail to

Observer, Signal Service, U. S. Army,

all retained copies of Forms 203, and a bill for services as rain-
fall observer during the mouth.

31. Bills for services as observer will be made on Forms 8 and 9.
The instructions on the back of said forms will explain the manner
of their preparation.

32. Observers will not prepay telegrams on official business, as
settlement with the telegraph companies will be made by this
office.

33. All telegrams will be marked "COLLECT, GOVERNMENT
RATE."

34. Observations will be made on Sundays and holidays, as on
other days, and at the regular hours.

35. All necessary blank forms will be supplied by the observer
in charge of the section-center.

30 Cipher-words to indicate the amount of Rain or Snowfall,

These words will be used only when the amount of rain or melted snow / tt*le<jnq>h?<l.

In inches and hundredths of an

0.01 to 0.49 inches.

0.01 Rabbit
0.02 Rabble
0.03 Raccoon
0.04 Race
0.05 Racer
0. 06 Rack
0.07 Racket
0.08 Racy
0.09 Haddock
0.10 Radiant
0.11 Radiate
0.12 Radical
0.13 Radish
0.14 Radius
0. 15 Rattle
0.16 Raft
0. 17 Rafting

0.18 Rag -H

0.19 Rage 03

0.20 Knerefnl H

0.21 Ragged c_,

0.22 Ragman

0.23 Raid

0.24 Rail A

0.25 Railing
0.26 Rain
0. 27 Rainbow

0. 28 Rainless r-i

0. 29 Rainy

30 Raise M

0.31 Raisin

0.32 Rake

0.33 Raking

0.34 Rally r/j

0. 35 Ramage (H

- 0. 36 Ramble O

0. 37 Rampage H

0. 38 Rampant
0.39 Ramrod
0.40 li am so n
0.41 Ranche
0.42 Rancid
0.43 Rancor
0. 44 Random
0. 45 Range
0.46 danger
0.47 Rank
0.48 Rankness
0.49 Ransack

0.50 to 0.99 inches.

0.50 Hap

0.51 Rapid
52 Rapine
0. 53 Rapture
0.54 Rascal
0.55 Rash
0.56 Rashly
0.57 Rashness
0.58 Rat
0.59 Rather
0. <>0 Until y
0.61 Ratio*
0.62 Ration
0.63 Rattle
0.64 Ravage
0.65 Ravel
0.66 Raven
0. 67 Ravish
0.68 Rawley
0.69 Raymond
0.70 Razor
0.71 Reaching
0.72 Read
0. 73 Reading
0.74 Ready
0. 75 Really
0. 76 Ream
0.77 Reap
0. 78 Rear
0. 79 Reason
0. NO Rebate
0.81 Rebel
0.82 Rebound
0.83 Rebuff
0.84 Rebuild
0.85 Rebuke
0.86 Rebut
0.87 Recall
0.88 Recast
0.89 Recede
0.90 Receipt
0.91 Receive
0.92 Recent
0.93 Reception
0.94 Recess
0. 95 Rechange
0.96 Recite
0.97 Reckless
0.98 Reckon
0.99 Reclaim

All cipher-words must be printed distinctly.

Cipher-words to indicate the amount of Rain or S lowiail.

These words will be u*?J only wlum th amount of rain or molt-/ i M

In inches and hundredth* of an inch.

1.4:' indie.-.

1.00 Keclasp

1.01 Recline

1.02 Reclining

1.03 Recluse

1.04 Recoil

1.05 Record

1.06 Recount

1. 07 Recourse

1.08 Recover

1.09 Recruit

1. 10 Rector

1. 11 Recur

1. 12 Recusant

1.13 Red

1.14 Redden

1. 15 Redeem

1.16 Redoubt

1. 17 Redound

1.18 Redraw

1.19 Redn ->

1.20 Reduce

1.21 Reed

1.22 Reef

1.23 Refer

1.24 Refill

1.25 Refine
1. 26 Rent

1. 27 Reflect

1.28 Refloat

1.29 Reflux

1. 30 Refold

1.31 Reforge

1.32 Reform

1.33 Refrain

1.34 Refresh

1.35 Refuge

1. 36 Refund

1.37 Refusal

1.38 Refuse

1.39 Refute

I 40 Regain

1.41 Regal

1.42 Regard

1.43 Reiratta

1.44 Regent

1.45 Regiment
1. 46 Region

1. 17 Register
1.48 Regrade
1. 19 Regret

.50 Regular

.51 Regulate

. 52 Rehash

. 53 Rehearse

.54 Reject

. 55 Rejoice

.56 Rejoin

. 57 Rejudge
.58 Relapse

.59 Relate

.(.0 Relation

.61 Relative

.62 Relator

. 63 Relax

.64 Relaying

. 65 Release

.66 Relent

. 67 Relenting

. 6S Reliance

.69 Relic

.70 JJeliel

.71 Relieve

. 72 Religion

.73 Relish

.74 Reload

. 75 Reluctant

. 76 Rely

. 77 Remade

. 78 Remain

. 79 Remake

.M) Remand

.81 Remark

.82 Remedv

. 83 Remember

. 84 Reminder

. <s."> Reini.-^

. 86 Remit

. 87 Remnant

.88 Remodel

.89 Remold

.90 Remorse

.91 Remote

.92 Remotelv

.93 Remount

. 94 Removal

. 95 Remove

.96 Render

.97 Renerv.-

;

Hew

.99 Rennet

-M. rcN must . -tinctly.

Cipher-words to indicate the amount of Rain or Snowfall.

Tliee-e -words will be used only when the amouut of rain or melted snow /.- t>-!i'-j;-<tphftl.

2.00 to 2.49 inches.

2. 00 Renown

2.01 Rent

2.02 Rental

2.03 Replace

2.04 Repack

2.05 Repaint

2.06 Repair

2.07 Repast

2.08 Repay

2.09 Repeal
2.10 Repeater

2.11 Repel

2.12 Repent

2. 13 Repine

2. 11 Replacing

2.15 Replant

2. 16 Replete

2. 17 Repleven

2. 18 Replevy

2.19 Replunge

2 20 Reply

2.21 Report

2.22 Reposal

2.23 Repose

2.24 Repress
2. 25 Reprieve
2.26 Reprint
2. 27 Reproach
2.28 Reproof
2. 29 Reprove
2. SO l{<]>1il

2.31 Repugn

2.32 Repulse

2.33 Repute

2.34 Request
2. 35 Require
2.36 Rescind
2. 37 Rescue
2.38 Research
2. 39 Resencl

2.40 Reserve

2.41 Reset

2.42 Reship

2.43 Reside

2 44 Resident

2. 45 Resign

2.46 Resin

2.47 Resist

2.48 Resolute

2.49 Resolve

In inches and hunclredths of an inch.

2.50 to 2.W

iches.

2 50 Resort

2.51 Resound

2. 52 Resource

2.53 Respect
2. 54 Respite
2.55 Respond
2. 56 Response

2.57 Rest

2.58 Restful

2.59 Resting
2. <0 Kestless

2.61 Restore

2.62 Restrain

2.63 Restrict

2.64 Result
2. 65 Resume

2.66 Retail

2.67 Retainer

2.68 Retake

2.69 Retard

2. 70 Ret ire

2.71 Retort
2. 72 Retouch

2.73 Retrace

2.74 Retreat
2. 75 Retrench
2.76 Retrieve
2. 77 Return
2. 78 Reunion
2.79 Reveal
2.S< Revenge

2.81 Revenue

2.82 Reverse
2. 83 Revert
2.84 Review
2 85 R evince

2.86 Revise

2.87 Revival

2.88 Revive

2.89 Revoke
2. t'O Revolt

2.91 Revolve

2.92 Rewake

2.93 Reward
2. 94 Rhubarb

2.95 Ribbon

2.96 Rich

2.97 Richly

2.98 Richness

2.99 Rickets

All cipher-words nni<t K- i>,-n,t<-<l disti

Cipher- words to indicate the amount of Rain or Snowfall.

These \vorclswill lie used only when the amount of rain or melted snow !. !,'l,-/trnj>Ji>"!.
3. no tu 3.4H inches. In in, /-. ,,,/ /,, iwltlt* "f >ni ini-ti. :;..>> to 4.n;i inches.

5. 00 Riddance

3.01 Kiddle

3.02 Rid.-
3. 03 Ridge

3.04 Riding

3.05 Rife

3.06 Rifle

3.07 Riggs

3.08 Rigging

3.09 Right

8 10 Rightful

3.11 Rigid

3. 12 Rigor
o. 13 Rimple
3.14 Ring

3 15 Ringlet

3. 16 Rinse

3.17 Riot

3. 18 Ripen

3. 19 Ripley
8/20 Ripple

3.21 Rise

3.22 Risk

3.23 Rival

3.24 River

3.25 Roach

3.26 Roadway
3. 27 Roaming

3.28 Roars

3.29 Roast
.'.30 Roasting-
3.31 Robbery
3. 32 Robin

3.33 Robe

3.34 Robert

3.35 Robust

3.36 Rocky
3 37 Roddy

3.38 Rogers

3.39 Rogue
3 40 Roil

3.41 Rolling

3.42 Roman

3. 43 Romance

3.44 Roof

3.45 Root

3.46 Rope
3. 47 Rosary

3.48 Rosette

3.49 Rosland

400 Rut I edge

.50 Ross

3.51 Roster

3.52 Rostrum

3.53 Rosy

3.54 Rotary
3. 55 Rotate
3.56 Rotten
3. 57 Rotunda

3.58 Rough

3.59 Roughly
3 <<) lion iid

3.61 Rouse

3.62 Rousing

3.63 Route
3. 64 Routine
3:65 Roving
3.66 Row

3. 67 Rowdy
3.68 Royal"
3. 69 Rub
3,70Ruibage
3.71 Rubber
3. 72 Rubbing
3. 73 Rubbish

3.74 Ruby

3.75 Rudder

3.76 Rude

3. 77 Rudeness

3.78 Ruffian

3.79 Rufus

3.81 Ruinous

3.82 Rule

3.83 Ruling

3. 84 Rummage
3. S5 Rumor
3. 86 Rumpus

3.87 Run

3.88 Running

3.89 Ruption
8 iW Rural

3.91 Ruskin

3.92 Russell

3.93 Russia

3.94 Rust

3.95 Rustic-

3.96 Rusty

3.97 Ruth

3.98 Rutland

3.99 Rutter

All cij&er-worda must be printed distinctly.

\Vlu-ii the H-iiount of rainfall >ine l;i-t

words must lie used to ox]ir -.-
4. 89 inches.

inches, two or more

it, as " Itutled--.'." "Recede," which would indicnt'

of- 368061

If S

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