470 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



interested in tliese modes of transportation to define as clearly as it can 

 be done the precise line of navigation it is intended to pursue. 



In connection with these considerations, Professor Benjamin Peirce, 

 who had previously given much reflection to the subject, presented a 

 paper at a meeting of the Fellows of this Academy in May last, the 

 object of which was to suggest the expediency of some friendly action 

 in the way of promoting a general co-operation toward the attainment 

 of this desirable end. The most obvious one is that proposed by him 

 of inviting the concurrence of the various associations in this navigation 

 in establishing a course of what may be denominated Ocean Lanes; in 

 other words, two distinct tracks of specified breadth over the Atlantic, 

 in one of which the steamers bound eastward should direct their course, 

 and those bound westward should as uniformly move in the other. 



"This idea cannot be said to be new. It was suggested twenty years 

 ago by private individuals ; and it has been in some sense adopted and 

 carried out, so far as it was possible for a single company to do it. It 

 is well known that the Cunard Company has laid down a clear course 

 for the direction of its own ships. This rule prescribes for the out- 

 ward passage to America one crossing the meridian of 50° at 43° 

 north latitude, or nothing to the south of 43° ; and for the home- 

 ward track crossing the same meridian at 42° latitude, or nothing to 

 the north of 42°. A plan like this is eligible on account of its sim- 

 plicity ; and for that reason, if there was no other, it would seem to 

 recommend itself to general adoption by all other companies. Should 

 each of these, on the other hand, select a distinct and separate course 

 for itself, it is obvious that confusion would be likely to spring up, 

 especially among masters of sailing vessels, who would be best guarded 

 from interposition by the plain and single idea that within certain 

 specified lines of latitude the swift steamers -which they most dread 

 are to be met with, and to that end extraordinary watchfulness should 

 there be required. 



But, if this track be adopted at all, it would seem to be desirable 

 not only that it be adopted by all steamers crossing the Atlantic in the 

 contrary directions, but that it be steadily adhered to through all sea- 

 sons of the year. The deviation from the shortest line is scarcely 

 sufiicient to make a variation a temptation to save time, especially in 

 view of the advantage of escaping the notorious hazards clustei-ing 

 about the banks of Newfoundland. The anxiety of the best naviga- 

 tors in making that passage at certain seasons of the year, is so 

 strongly felt by them that they would be among the first to rejoice to 

 be relieved from it. 



