This is a relatively easy multi-cache at Deep Creek Lock Park (also my first). It came about when I first started getting into benchmarking, and I saw two on the map here. Original coordinates are at Reference Mark 2 for FX3146 (aka STATION GIL 1912). What is left of Reference Mark 1 can be seen at the southernmost corner of the cross-lock. All that remains is a circle of mounting cement. Reference Mark 3 has not been located, nor has the actual station. If you find it, feel free to tell me. I would love to include it in this cache. It can be logged here. Park hours are sunrise to sunset, so don't attempt in the dark. Don't attempt if there is an unusually high tide, or after a storm, unless you are willing to get your feet wet (not recommended). There will be lots of muggles at some stages, so use your best stealth.
Instructions
When you get to stage 1, look for a brass disc stamped CORPS OF ENGINEERS – U.S. ARMY • SURVEY MARK
Then, box the compass from 335° from the reference mark. When you sight down the line, (it helps if you use an actual compass), you will see a bench-mark.
When you get to the bench-mark, you will need to use the dates and letters on it to find Stage 2.
Get it? It's a bench, marking something.
N 36° AB' CD.E"
W 76° FG' HI.J"
A= fourth number of first year + 1
B= A
C= # of letters in second word – 1
D= # of letters in third word – 3
E= # in the alphabet of third letter, fifth word
F= E
G= third number in second date
H= number of commas
I=last number of second date
J= second number in first date – 2
When you get to stage 2, look under every nook and cranny made of element 26. It should be smooth sailing from here.
You will find a container with a paper inside. If the paper is unreadable, message me and I will replace it.
When you get to the final stage, you should look in a very aromatic tree. It might be a good place to look. There are two of them. (The tree, not the cache.)
Try not to drop the bottom half of the final container in the water. It is only big enough for the log and maybe a nano geocoin (if it's bigger and thicker than a quarter, it won't fit). Also, unless you find the actual benchmark (FX3146), not the reference mark, you can't log the benchmark as found.
This was placed on Blue Switch Day, May 2, 2020, the 20th anniversary of the day that the U.S. Government turned off Selective Availibility, allowing companies and individuals to get accurate GPS coordinates. If you found this, it is because of Blue Switch Day.
Congratulations to CO-FTFers steve-n-kim, JustJo3 and CatchmeAlways!
History
- STATION FX3146 was monumented in 1912 by the Coast & Geodetic Survey
- Recovered in 1947 by the US Engineers (USACE)
- Presumably recovered again in 1986. RM 2 is stamped CORPS OF ENGINEERS – U.S. ARMY, YEAR 1986. Recovery in 1986 was not recorded on the NGS Database.
Still in the process of trying to find the USACE datasheet.