On the Gulf Stream and Currents of the Sea. 163 



graved at Tower Hill, and sent copies of it to the Falmouth 

 captains, who paid no attention to it. The course of the Gulf 

 Stream as laid down by that fisherman, from general recollec- 

 tion, is retained on our charts at the present day, almost without 

 an alteration. 



If philosophy can vindicate a claim to property in discovery, 

 the present case is of that description. A river in the ocean ! 

 American in its source and origin, it is found in the waters of 

 America, and closely concerns its navigating interests ; first dis- 

 covered by the fishermen of New England, it attracted the atten- 

 tion of the great American philosopher ; he determined its most 

 remarkable characteristic ; and he left it to his countrymen as a 

 field to be reoccupied by them at some future day, and with a 

 like spirit of philosophical research. 



Therefore the Gulf Stream offers a field of investigation pe- 

 culiarly American, and we the Americans are in duty as we are 

 in honor bound to show ourselves curious as well as diligent in 

 whatever there may be about it of undiscovered mystery or of 

 philosophic interest to navigation. 



To the philosopher, every newly discovered fact in physics, 

 however trifling it may seem to others, is a gem. Our knowl- 

 edge of nature and her laws, is only a collection of such facts, 

 grouped together and made the basis of induction. As they ac- 

 cumulate, they reflect light upon each other, and each generation 

 becomes wiser and wiser ; for every fact in physics is but another 

 clew placed in our hands, which, if carefully followed up, will 

 lead us farther and farther out of the labyrinths of ignorance, and 

 bring us nearer and nearer to the doors of knowledge. 



Dr. Franklin's discovery of the Gulf Stream temperature was 

 looked upon as one of great importance, not only on account of 

 its affording to the frosted mariner in winter a convenient refuge 

 from the snow storm, but because of its furnishing the naviga- 

 tor with an excellent landmark or beacon for our coast, in all 

 varieties of weather. It was at that time, not uncommon for 

 vessels to be as much as 10° out in their reckoning. He him- 

 self was 5°. Therefore in approaching the coast, the current of 

 warm water in the Gulf Stream, and of cold water on this side 

 of it, if tried with the thermometer, would enable the mariner 

 to judge with great certainty, and in the worst of weather, as to 

 his position. 



