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| Baltazar Keeper's Dwelling and Lighthouse, 2008. Photo: Lakwatserong Sulit |
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| Earlier photo of Baltazar Keeper's Dwelling. Baltazar is one of the Tres Reyes Islands |
Historical significance:
1. Baltasar
Lighthouse was built during the American occupation between 1901-1903, when
Howard Taft, a future US president and Marinduque visitor during those days,
was the Governor-General. The director of the Bureau of Coastal Surveys was the
famed George R. Putnam at that time.
It was eventually ravaged by time and typhoons, but in 1954 RA
1144 was passed appropriating funds for lighthouse stations including the
repair of the said Baltasar Lighthouse keeper's dwelling.
The
lighthouse was eventually rehabilitated through a 1991 deal with Japan's ODA Loan executed
by MARINA. The keeper's dwelling apparently remained untouched. Latest
picture taken in 2008, shows the structure damaged by typhoons/elements but later stronger typhoons finally brought it down.
Until then it was the oldest American-built standing structure in
Marinduque but now it’s gone.
2. Azimuth
Station Baltasar:
Station Balanacan (more popularly known as Luzon Datum), in Brgy. Hinanggayon had
for its geodetic azimuth mark the Station BALTASAR (azimuth: 90 12'
37".00) located in Baltazar Island, one of the Tres Reyes Islands.
O.W. Ferguson established both stations with H.D. King as Chief Of
Party. The historical document on the triangulation of the Philippine Islands
gives the establishment of this Azimuth Station as 1906.
In view of
this, there exists AN AZIMUTH MARKER in Station Baltasar (such a marker's actual existence is,
however, not mentioned in any currently available literature). But with GPS coordinates specified it, it is
right there for the curious adventurers to trace, where might be found even more intriguing
relics.
Background:
The
Philippines has a long history of diverse settlers. Chinese traders were here
in the 10th century AD (Don’t forget that the Marinduque Celadon Jar
has turned out to be the oldest jar of foreign origin found in the
Philippines). The Muslims settled in the southern part of the islands in the 15th
century. Then the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan rediscovered these
islands in 1521, the first European settlement was made here by Spain under
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1565. In fact the national government is advising those interested to join the quincentennial
anniversary of Magellan’s discoveries which has begun.
What about
the Americans? They were here in the country later of course at the turn of the 20th century. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic
Survey (USC&GS) executed the earliest topographic work of significance from
1901-1942. Numerous local datums were established at “Astro stations” in various
parts of the Philippines. But as the triangulation was extended to the central
and southern part of the islands it was found necessary to establish a new
datum, the Luzon Datum of 1911. It is defined by its origin near San Andres
Point on Marinduque Island. Making this island the geographical center of the Philippines.
That point is
at station Balanacan (name of the port) where: Fo = 13° 33’ 41.000” North, Do =
121° 52’ 03.000” East of Greenwich, and the geoid/spheroid separation Ho - ho = 0.34 meters.
But it cannot exist without an azimuth. The defining geodetic azimuth (from
south) to station Baltasar is: ao = 009° 12’ 37.000”, the ellipsoid of
reference is the Clarke 1866 where: a = 6,378,206.4 meters, and 1/f = 294.9786982. *
It was well
controlled by 98 measured base lines, 52 observed azimuths, and 49 latitude and
telegraphic longitude stations. The supplementary triangulation extended along
the shores of bays and harbors and up rivers and creeks.
CONCLUSION:
The defining geodetic azimuth (from
south) to station Baltazar is ao = 009°
12’ 37.000”, the ellipsoid of reference is the Clarke 1866 where: a =
6,378,206.4 meters, and 1/f =
294.9786982. Baltazar Island is one of the Tres Reyes Islands.
The historical documentation on the
triangulation of the Philippine Islands provides the establishment of this
Station in 1906.
It isn't wishful thinking to make a claim that there still exists an AZIMUTH MARKER in Station Baltasar (such a
marker is, however, not mentioned in any of currently available
literature, but only waiting to be discovered). This, however, may be a
challenge to other historical researchers and investigators. But it brings to mind
how the stone marker with a hole (6cm deep and 1.5 cm in diameter) was found at
the summit of Mataas na Bundok in Brgy. Hinanggayon.
As far as
the lighthouse keeper’s dwelling ravaged by typhoons is concerned, the
possibility of the structure’s rehabilitation should continuously be explored
as the place, alongside other tourist curiosities (underwater caves, rare
marine species discovered), is another tourist spot just waiting there to be explored, for protection and further development.
*Used as a source for this blog is PE&RS Grids and Datums, August 1999 Issue - Philippines, by Clifford J. Mugnier
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Sample of Azimuth Mark. Geodetic Survey Benchmark - Image Courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Commerce
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