The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-04

A New Triumph Of maury's Science.

We have had frequent occasions 10 notice The extfaor
binary results produced BY scientific analysis within the
last three or four years yet few OF them have had more
valuable practical results for the welfare OF mankind
man Inc calculations OF our distinguished eounlryman
Lieutenant Maufy Some Of these investigators have
turned then attention exclusively 10 the stars, and have
enriched astronomical catalogues by the addition of
planets, whose time still 10 develops but Mauy
has devoted himself chiefly TO those more inexaet and
hokle elements OF modern pfosfessbe wndsi tides, and
currents By accumulating reports from naviga,ofs in
all quarters OF the globe at all seasons OF the year. and
BY their elaborate comparison he has been enabled
slowly and cautiousyi 10 form theories which, when
tested have we believe, 10 almost every instance proved
entirely correct
striking illustration is no before US few weeks
previous TO the departure OF the clipper ship Sovereign
OF the Seas, from New York to California her captain
addressed Lieutenant Maury letter requesting copies OF
the fourth edition OF his Sailing Directions, The fol-
lowing was Lieutenant M s reply
NArIoNAL OBSERVATORY,
Washington, July 2s 1852
Sir II you have the charts and old sailing directions
Manning, No. ll2 Pearl street, and no will furnish YOU
with them.
am driving through the press the fourth edition OF Sail
ing Directions hope to have the chapter route 10
California ont In time for the Sovereign of the Seas so
VIII send you them in the Sheets and yours will be the FIRST
Lyon get ihem stick to Them and have average luck,
predict for you passage of not over hundred and
Wishing you all the luck you desire, am. very
Captain L. MCKAY
[Care OF Messrs. Grnnell. Mnturn Il Co., New York;
= S--For fear the directions should not be out In
time do ths Follow the old brd edionJ they are for
doubling Cape Horn. After you get round make rs much
wesiing where the degrees short the con-
venlenty allow aiming 10 the parallel of 40
between 100 and l05 the parallel of 80 about no. Don't
fight head winds do this Cross the line
west, which you will do, considering You have clipper
under yonr feel, before the 18th Ocober. You WIN
hardly get the northeast trades ten degrees north
Make due moth course through the "doldrums" and
when you get the northeast uades along through them
with topmas snddng sails full OF going further
west Than the winds drive taking the
parallel OF ~ deg north to the east of l25 deg
When you lose the northeast trades, If get
reeze, make eastward. But if you have horse latitude"
weather, make The st of your way due moth until you
get good wind, find yourself in the yarsbes (vestey
wnds) between 35 and 40 deg Then stick her away for
port
The verifcaton of this prediction is singular The
voyage comprised distance OF seventeen thousand
miles The directions were scrupuously observed
Captain Mckay crossed the equator fourteen hours be-
hind the time specified, but did not in accomplishing
the whole passage than two hours beyond the time
that had been calculated by distinguished astronomer
al Washington
These material contributions 10 the safety and speed OF
the worlds should only secure the favor
able notice OF the press but deserve in eminent degree
the CHEST rewards that government besow for use
full scientific research. Congress would honor itself by
honoring Maury We sincerely hope that our country
will begin share lis rewards with literature and sci-
ence as well as with politics.