INTRODUCTION. j^ 



A sj^stem of philosophical research which is so rich with fruits 

 and abundant with promise could not fail to attract the attention 

 and commend itself to the consideration of the seafaring commu- 

 nity of the whole civilized world. It was founded on observa- 

 tion ; it was the result of the experience of many observant men, 

 now brought together for the first time and patiently discussed. 

 The results tended to increase human knowledge with regard to 

 the sea and its wonders, and therefore the system of research 

 could not be wanting in attractions to right-minded men. 



The results of the first chart, however, though meagre and un- 

 satisfactory, were brought to the notice of navigators ; their at- 

 tention was called to the blank spaces, and the importance of 

 more and better observations than the old sea-logs generally con- 

 tained was urged upon them. 



They were told that if each one would agree to co-operate in a 

 general plan of observations at sea, and would send regularly, at 

 the end of every cruise, an abstract log of their voyage to the Na- 

 tional Observatory at Washington, he should, for so doing, be fur- 

 nished, free of cost, with a copy of the charts and sailing direc- 

 tions that might be founded upon those observations. 



The quick, practical mind of the American ship-master took 

 hold of the proposition at once. To him the field was inviting, 

 for he saw in it the promise of a rich harvest and of many useful 

 results. 



So, in a little while, there were more than a thousand naviga- 

 tors engaged day and night, and in all parts of the ocean, in mak- 

 ing and recording observations according to a uniform plan, and 

 in furthering this attempt to increase our knowledge as to the 

 winds and currents of the sea, and other phenomena that relate to 

 its safe navigation and physical geography. 



To enlist the service of such a large corps of observers, and to 

 have the attention of so many clever and observant men directed 

 to the same subject, was a great point gained: it was a giant 



of $2,250,000 saved per annum. This is on the outward voyage alone, and the ton- 

 nage trading with all other parts of the world is also left out of the calculation. 

 Take these into consideration, and also the fact that there is a vast amount of for- 

 eign tonnage trading between these places and the United States, and it will be seen 

 that the annual sum saved will swell to an enormous amount." — Extract from Hunt's 

 Merchant's Magazine, May, 1854. 



