CHAPTER V 

 His Wind and Current Charts 



At the top of all the pilot charts issued by the Hydro- 

 graphic Office of the Navy Department are written these 

 words: "Founded upon the researches made and the 

 data collected by Lieutenant M. F. Maury, U. S. 

 Navy". This is an appropriate memorial to Maury's 

 most practical contribution to science, — that which has 

 given him the name "Pathfinder of the Seas". 



For a long time he had recognized the need for charts 

 showing the winds and currents of the sea at different 

 seasons; and it will be remembered that, when he was 

 sailing master of the Falmouth, 1831-1833, he was first 

 made to realize how little of the nautical experience of 

 other sailors could be taken advantage of by one about 

 to set out on a long voyage. On the way down to Rio 

 in this ship he first conceived the idea of a wind and cur- 

 rent chart ; but he had no opportunity to make practical 

 investigations into the meteorology of the sea until the 

 year 1842, when he was placed in charge of the Depot of 

 Charts and Instruments. 



He had been in this office but a short time when he 

 set about examining the old log books which had been 

 stored away as so much rubbish by the Navy Depart- 

 ment. By the middle of the year 1843, these investiga- 

 tions had proved so illuminating that he was able to 

 write a paper, which was read before the National 

 Institute, on "Blank Charts on Board Public Cruisers". 

 According to his plan, these charts were to have parallels 

 and meridians showing the latitude and longitude laid 



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