The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-24
NATIONAL OBSERVATORY, !
WASHINGTON, May ID, 1850. (

NATIONAL OBSERVATORY, !
WAsHNGTos, May ID, 1850.
Sin: The Investigations carried on at this office
with regard to the winds and currents of the
have led me To the discovery of a new route hence
70 the EQUATOR by which the passage Of all vessels
trading under canvas, whether to South America,
China India, Austral Asia, to California, Polyne
sia, the markets of the Pacific has been shortened
several days.
This discovery has been duly made known to
navigators, many of home have availed themselves
Of it.
In order to enable the Department to judge of
the Importance of this discovery, and to compare
the passages by the route with passages made
by the old, l submit herewith tabular statement,
showing the passage of eighty eight vessels by the
new, and of seventy three by the old or usual route.
These passages were taken at random from those
that have been returned to the Office, and are be-
eved to afford fair average
The average passage by the old route to the
Equator is forty days
You will observe, by the tabular statement, that
the passage by the new route has frequently been
made in about half that time, and even in less-as
by the "Helena,a the "Houqua,' and the "Mem-
non"-which three ships made the passage from
New York in March and April, lS49, in nineteen,
twenty, and nineteen days respectively by this
route.
. You will observe also, that the vessels which have
taken it in February and March have had ON the
average passage of fourteen or fifteen days less
than those which have taken the old route at the
same season, and that, consequently, during this
period of each year, the markets OF Brazil, China,
and the Indies, and of all other countries beyond
the EQUATOR have been practically brought by these
invest cations, charts, and discoveries, two weeks
nearer to our own doors than they were before.
-. :. a.
until you the Equator, and these charts have
shortened that part of the route during these two
months by more than one third OF the time hitherto
required for its performance.
1t will be further observed by this tabular state
ment, that the average passage to the equator dur
ing the half year which comprises the winter and
spring months, has been shortened ten days by the
new route, and by more than week, on the aver
age, the year round.
In view of these important and practical results,
beg leave to call the attention of the Department
to the fact, that the vast amount Of observations,
data and materials which it necessary to col
ect and discuss in order to arrive such valuable
conclusions, have been obtained without cost or
charge to the Government.
American ship-owners and masters, in the broad
spirit of those enlarged and enlightened views for
which they celebrated, have at my solicitation
not only furnished me gratuitously with abstracts
and copies Of old journals, from which the ma
terias for the 'wind and current charts have been
gathered, but they have agreed also to cooperate
with me in the undertaking, and to make daily, and
in all parts of the wherever American ship
may CO. series of observations for the completion
and perfection of these charts. More than a thou
sand private ships now engaged daily in this
important undertaking.
The only expense entailed by it upon the Govern
ment far, is the expense of making this informa
ton available after it has been obtained, by the
publication thereof in cheap and convenient
form.
The charts that have been published hitherto re-
late principally to the north Atlantic ocean. But
similar charts and investigations, with the view to
like improvements in the navigation Of the south
Atlantic OF the Pacific and Indian oceans, also
in progress.
Many important subjects, such the existence
of rocks shoals and vigias the true character and
locality of dangers Of distractions and facilities to
navigation, with many other subjects Of practical
interest 10 commerce, and which relate to the winds
and currents of the sea, require more careful and
tedious investigation or examination than these
private ships, which aiding me, have the time
TO give
In view of this fact-of what has already been
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in consideration Of the very
great value Of such service, ! beg leave again 10
call your attention 10 the act of Congress which
authorizes the employment of three small vessels
of the navy to assist with these Investigations.
Hoping that the exigences Of other branches Of the
public service longer such TO prevent
suitable vessels from being detailed upon this i'm
portant work,
have the honor to be, respectfully, &c,
(Signed) M. +. MAURY.
Hon. WIN. BALLARD PRESTON,
Secretary Of the NavY-Present.