New-York tribune., 1873-02-03
OBITUARY.
MATHEW 2. MAuRY.


Mathew Fountaine Maury, formerly Com
in the United States Navy died at Lexington
Va. Saturday. He the OF Richard Maury.
aud was spOtsy gania, Va. Jan. H. 1906. His
parent removed to Tennessee when he only three
years old, and being poor were only able 20 afford him
plain education In 1928 he entered the naval service as
midshipman, and was appointed 10 the Brandywine,
fitting convey Gen. lafayette 10 France. He
returned with this vessel In the following year, and
made voyage In her 20 the Pacific where he was trans
ferred 10 the vncennes soop, in which he creumnavi
gated the globe. During this voyage he began his
treatise on Nav CATION which has passed through
SEVERAL AedioHs In 1896 he regularly promoted to
a Heufenaney. and received the appointment
OF astronomer TO the South Sea Exploring
Expedition, but resigned it. Iu May 1888, he met with
an accident whichiresuted in permanent lameness and
incapacilated him for active service ahOat. He was
then placed charge Of the Depot Of Charts and Instru
nents at Washington. afterward known as the HYDRO
graphical Oce which has served the nucleus OF the
Naval Observatory Of the United States. Desiring to
supplement the information the physical
geography OF the sea, which ne had already patiently
accumulated he communicated IN 342, 10 the Bureau OF
Ordnance and HydrOgTaphy plan for supplying model
lOg-bOOks to commanders in the naval and merchant
marine in which systematic series Of observations
hi ght be recorded and for causing abstracts OF these
records returned to the Department This scheme
was adopted and the reports thus acquired were after
ward examined and summarized by board Of officers
appointed for the purpose In 1874 Lieut. Naury made
known lis conclusions respecting the Calf Stream
ocean currents and great sailing which were
generally DISCUSSED in scientific circles. He was
mental in bringing about the general maritime con-
frence which met in Brussels in 1885, and recommended
a form Of abstract log. with the view OF securing
uniformity in recording the observations OF marhers
In 1854 he visited England and drew attention TO the
ipaues he was prosecuting. and two years afterward
published the Physical Geography OF the Sea-" giving
in popular style synopsis OF the information given
more eaIoratey in the wind and current charts aud
sailing directions published by the Observatory. The
thenrv originated with Maury or the crossing or the
trade-winds at the equator, whereby the excess VI
sunDly the greater requirements or precipitation upon
I the dry land of the northern. Among the prae-
teal commercial results Of his explorations
ore claimed 10 be the shortening NJ the
limited sates by about 40 dBys. ana or voyages foh
AmericaO Europe in proportion; the discovery OF ths
eleeraphc OCEAN plateau; aud the lndcailOn O ROOl
Whaling grounds In 1855 Lieut. Maury was promoted 10
the rank uf commander His services 20 science were
handsomely ged abroad Humboldt expressed
"a MIN his gratitude and esteemi leahine
TondOn uaper that he will he remembered among
fbe great scientific Of the and the beneIac0r Oi
mankind and the King of the Netherands presented
MIN with a gold metal inscribed, To NJ r. MAury, the
5tndeut OF Nature the Pioneer, aud Beneacor OF
Seamen- He admitted as member OF the pTinSl-
nal scentlic societies Of America anu Europe Al ihe
outbreak Of the Rebellion MAry Joined the Ooniedef-
es and was appointed Commodore IN their sual navy
He has 0f late been Proiessor OF PM sizes 10 the
enia Military Institate Beside his larger works Com
uauder Mnury the author Of numerous ESSAYS ahu
letters. many OF which we're Translated and pubisAed ~
/ South American cities