The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-23

Ths water ThsrmOuaetsr-Wlnd ana O~rrcnt
Chart Sc
We permitted to lay before readers the follow
ing very interesting letter. called forth by that of Lieut.
Msury to the owners and masters of the New Bed
ford and New London whale ships" which was also
published in the Union few days ago.
We were aware that Lieut.. Maury attaches great I'M
portance to the water thermometer nautical instru
ment for have observed the earnestness with which
he has appealed through the press navgators favor
Of its more general and frequent use at sea- We had
not however. supposed it 10 be really applicable to any
such important and practical purposes learn it
is, from Captain Codman's letter
Captain c. is an experienced seaman, and one OF the
most intelligent navigators OF Baltimore 1t appears that
he has been in the habit of consulting his water -ther
mome,er much constantly than ii is customary for
seamen to do. He has found it Of great service. In
making the capes Of Virginia he ascerains the position
of his ship by it, and of the Cape OF Good Hope he
takes it for his guide, when the lights of heaven fail
him. Not only this it enables him also to decide
and wisely, too. as to routes in other parts of the
world The fact that this instrument should warn the
navigator of icebergs off Cape Horn before he reaches
its latitude and enable him to shun them by going
through the Straits of Magellan, instead OF attempting
the passage of the stormy cape" cannot fail to impress
this instrument to the practical navigator The calling
of IT. therefore, into general at may be regarded
not only as point gained for philosophy, but as bene
fit bestowed upon and the great interests of
navigation And this is one of the many valuable re-
suits OF the "wind and chars for all who use
them required to return to the observatory regular
series Of observations the temperature of the
We are glad TO see the interest manifested by those en-
of ~
which carried at the National Observatory for it
is sure index Of their practical value
The French government has sent an order to
purchase these charts any price Baron Humboldt and
Sir David Brewster have both bestowed high compli.
ments upon Them and the French Academy OF Sciences
and the British Association have commended them in de-
cided terms
But better than alt this-and what we regard as a
higher complment-the merchants ship owners, and
masters the principal seaports of country are
pouring their memorials and petitions praying govern
ment to lend its aid by aordng increased facilities fox
this great work in the hydrographica department-sbe
legitimate OF the "depot OF chars-at the Ma
tional Observatory.
These petitions speak loudly in favor OF properly
organized hydrographica bureau for the navy II our
navy officers, by their knowledge and experience to
the wants OF navigation, can, without aid from the gov.
eminent. enlist tie whole commercial marine OF the coun
try to collect photographed information in every sea-if
they with the resources of ingenuity alone produce
works Of such importance to the navigating interests OF
the country Lieut. Maurys "wnd and current charts"
are admitted to bef with other aid from the gov
eminent than merely permission to work. these officers
produce such results what might be expected of
them if they allowed proper means and facilities for
carrying out the plan of these chartsi
We observe by the letter of Lieut. Maury to the New
England whaemen, that he has been led to suspect the
existence of westwardly current of two or three miles
the hour along the north shore of Cuba, and that the
usual of sailing vessels from the Hanava to New
Orleans. and other Gulf ports, is against also of
two three miles the hour for much OF the way The
average rate Of sail vessels Is not more, told than
five miles the hour and the difference which this newly
discovered current would make is FIVE miles for two
thirds the distance to New Orleans
Our ship owners and merchants are praying to have
this current thoroughly examined and reported by the
vessels OF the Gulf squadron This they could do with
out the least inconvenience or expense for it would be
only necessary for them place themselves, when cruis
ing about tie Gulf. within the influence OF this current
We hope the prayer OF the petitioners for naval CO.
operation will be granted We understand that the Sec
e'dy VI TIC NAVY Iuiy appreciates ue importance Oh the
subjects and, deng the enlightened policy and lib
eral views which have characterized Judge Nasons ad
minstration of the Navy Department would be strange
if he did not By this he has endeared himself to the
navy. and won which will be long and gratefully
remembered in connection with this popular branch Of the
public service.
BALTIMORE, January IL, lS49.
DEAR My attention was drawn this morning 10 a
in q
and of the New London and New Bedford whale
the Of nautical and CONNIE information that has
been condensed by your praiseworhy and interchangeable
exertions for few past give commercial
marine in general the advantages that individual
have Experienced and thus PLACE all In situation to
look with pleasure the nautical works charts of our
country instead of to those of others
The name Of the undersigned may be familiar or known
to you as think have met with you abroad in the Pa
,ife.
was about eight and half years In the brig Arrye of
this place, owned by VIM. Wilson Sons, trading voy
ages the brig under sail 45O days. sailing distance
about 100000 mcsthree times around the Globe once
around New Holland, from Canton 70 Valparaiso; once
Inc northern passage from Baltimore Canton to Valpa-
faiso, and homo and once from Baltimore Valpara
Canton (by middle passage) and home In addition
was from Baltimore Valparaiso and hack and once
from Valparaiso to Canton and back, besides other voy.
igss her journals W i'll show. During the time this
vessel kept regular private journal circumstances
and my situation would allow, and with view TO con-
iense then, future day for my private well
public benefit but the pressure oil business and uoa
iutci came too heavy upon mo, and my hea,b bsing
broken down i'm l8lO forced abandon for time