VIU INTRODUCTION. 



A system of philosophical research which is so rich with fruits 

 and abundant with promise could not fail to attract \h.e attention 

 and commend itself to the consideration of the seafaring com- 

 munity 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 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 

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

 more and better observations than were generally contained in 

 the old sea-logs 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 his voyage to the 

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

 furnished, free of cost, with a copy of the charts and sailing 

 directions that might be founded upon those observations. 



The quick, practical mind of the enterprising ship-master 

 seized 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 

 making 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 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 directed 



aggregate of ^2,250,000 saved per annum. This is on the outward voyage 

 alone, and the tonnage 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 foreign 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 frum Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, May, U'54. 



