Vm INTRODUCTION. 



A system of pliilosopliical research whicli is so rich mth fruits 

 and abimdant %Yith promise could not fail to attract the attention 

 and commend itself to the consideration of the seafaring community 

 of the whole ci\dlized world. It was founded on observation ; it 

 was the result of the experience of many observant men, now brought 

 together for the &st time, and patiently discussed. The results 

 tended to increase human knowledge mth regard to the laws and 

 phenomena of both sea and air ; 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 atten- 

 tion was called to the blank spaces, and the importance of more and 

 better observations than were generally contained in the old sea-logs 

 was m-ged 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 his voyage to the National 

 Observatory at Washington, he should, for so doing, be furnished, 

 free of cost, mth a copy of the charts and sailing directions that 

 mioht be founded upon those observations. 



The quick, practical mind of the enterprising ship-master 

 seized the proposition at once. To him the field was mviting, 

 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 navigators 

 engaged day and night, and in all parts of the ocean, in maldng and 

 recording observations according to a uniform plan, and in fur- 

 thering this attempt to increase om^ knowledge as to the w^nds and 

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

 navigation of its waters, and to its 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 dhected to 

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

 the advancement of knowledge, and a great step towards its spread 

 upon the waters. 



Important results soon followed, and valuable discoveries were 



lation. Take these into consideration, and also the foct that there is a vast 

 amount of foreign tonnage trading between these pkices and the United States, 

 and it will be seen that the annnal sum saved will swell to an enormous amount." 

 Extract from Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, May, 1S54. 



