The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-02-06
MATHEw F. MAuRY. Mathew Foun-

MAraiEsw F. MAuRY.-Mathew Foun-
taine Maury. formerly Commander in
the United Stntes Navy. died at Licking.
ton, Va, on Saturday. He was the son
OF Richard Manry, and was born at
Spottsylvaniu, Va, January IA, 1906.
His parents moved to Tennessee when
he was only three years old, and being
poor wereonly able to afford him plain
education. In 1925. he entered the
naval service as midshipman, and was
appointed to the Brandywine. then
Hitting out to convey General lafayette
to France. He returned with his vessel
in the following year, and made voyage
in her to the Pacific, where he WAS trans.
ferred to the VInceunes sloop, in which
he circumnavigated the globe. During
this voyage, lie began his treatise on
navigation. which has passed through
several editions. In 1886, he was regu-
larly promotcd to Il ieutenancy, and re-
celv.d the appointment of astronomer to
the South Sen Exploring Expedition,
but resigned it. Tn May, 1889, he met
with an accident which resulted in per.
manent lameuess, and incnpacitated him
for active service afoat. He was then
placed In charge Of the Depot of Charts
and Instruments ut Washington, after
yard known as the Hydrographical Or
| lice, which has served as the nucleus of
tue Naval Observatory Of the United
states. Deairing to supplement tho in
formation concerning the physical geo.
grapby OF the SEQ, which he had already
patiently accumulated, he communi-
Gated. in 1912, to the Bureau of Ord
nance and Hydrography, plan for sup.
plying model Iog-books to com manders
NJ
which q systematic series Of observations
| might be recorded, and for causing abb
stracts OF these records to be returned to
the department. This scheme was adopt.
ed, and tho reports thus acquired we're
afterward examined and summarized by
poard OF officers appointed for the pur-
pose. La 1874, Lieutenant Maury made
known his conclusions respecting tho
Oult stream, ocean currents and great
circlc-sailing, which wore very generally
discussed in scientific circles. He was
instrumental in bringing about tho gen.
eral maritime conference which met in
Brussels, III 1853. and recommended a
| form OF abstract log, with the view of
securing uniformity in recording
tue observations Of mariners. In
1851, he visited England and drew
attention to tho inquiries he was Prose-
cutlng, and two years afterward, pub
lished the Physical Geography of the
Sea, giving in popular style synop-
SIS OF the Information given more elabo.
rately IN the wind aud current charts
ana sailing directions published by the
observatory. The theory originated with
Maury CT the crossing Of the trade
winds at tho equator, whereby the excess
OF evaporation in the Southern hemis-
phere Is made to supply the greater re-
quircments Of precipitation upon the
dry land of the Northern. Among the
practical commercial results of his ex-
poratlons are claimed to be the shorten
| ing OF the passage from the Atlantic to
the Pacific ports OF the United States by
about forty days, and of voyages from
America to Europe in proportion; the
discovery Of the telegraphic ocean pla.
teau, and the indication of good whaling
grounds. In 1856, Lieut. Maury was
promoted to the rank Of Commander.
His services 10 science were handsomely
| acknowledged abroad. Humboldt ex-
pressed to him his ''hearty gratitude and
estecm;" leading Londen paper said
that "he will be remembered among the
great scientific men Of the age and the
benefactors Of mankinl;" and the King
OF the Netherlands presented him with a
6oN" iheuaI, luhcrlDeu 10 NJ. +. Mnury,
the Student of Nature, tho Ocean Pho
neer and Benclactor Of Scamen." uo
was admitted MS u member Of the princi-
pal scientific societies of America and
Europe. at tho outbreak OF the late
war, Maury joined the Confctlerates, and
was appointed Commodore in their small
navy. llo has Of late years beon Pro-
lessor OF Physics in tho Virginia Mill.
tnry Institute. Beside his larger works,
Commander Mnury was the author or
numerous essays and letters, many of
which were translated and published in
South American cities.
IHE E!SvEarIGATIoS BEFonE THE CouN-
cIL.-Ihe Investigation before the Town
Council, for the purpose of ascertaining
the gnilty parties to the late fire, has
been vigorously prosecuted during the
| past week. Much Of the Testimony ia