'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎24] (45/458)

xxiv
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY.
supplies as could be conveniently spared by them of the 500 copies of the Paper about to be
forwarded by the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. to India for the service of meteorologists. Dr.
Ford was not aware of this having been intended, at the time his proposal to the
Committee wrs made.— Dr. Buist stated that as a considerable number of mountain
thermometers and anemometers of the former consignment of instruments remained
unsold, and as the funds of the Society were never meant to be taxed in providing
instruments for those desiring them, that a small percentage should, if found requisite, be laid
on the price of the present invoice of instruments, which had also arrived in perfect safety,
very favorable terms having been allowed by the makers in consequence of the magnitude of
the order; also that the instruments should be detained for a week or two until time should be
allowed for the half-hourly ratings for twenty-four or thirty hours of the barometers,
sympiesometers, and aneroids. They had been thus rated on two previous occasions, and
great interest was experienced by meteorologists at home in the results. It seemed most
singular that two barometers as nearly as possible identical in structure, should, when hung
side by side, correspond exactly at certain hours of the day, and a few hours after be found
to differ two or three hundredths of an inch from each other. Both suggestions were
assented to.
Mr. John Smith stated that in 1849 the following report, which he would read to the meet
ing, drawn up by a Committee of the Congress of the United States, had been presented to
Congress, and its recommendations complied with
*< Lieutenant Maury has undertaken to collect from the log books of both private and public
ships, the results of the experience of their officers with regard to winds, currents &c., in all
parts of the ocean, and to embody these results in a set of charts called ‘Maurj’s Wind and
Current Charts,’ in such a manner as to give to every navigator the benefits of the experience
of all whose records are thus combined and collated.
“ For this purpose, the track of each vessel is delineated on the chart, in colours according
to the seasons of the year, and in characters according to the months. The winds daily ex
perienced by the vessel making the track are laid down on that track in symbols so ingeniously
contrived, that the navigator, without any written description, sees at once not only the
direction of those winds in the different months of the year, but perceives at once their
precise character. They are seen to be fresh or light, moderate or strong, gales or squalls.
“ in like manner he is apprised of the set and velocity of the sea currents, the variation of
the compass observed, the temperature of the water, and such other facts as may have been
noted ; all tending to a more general and correct knowledge of wind and weather, and thus
furnishing new helps towards making ocean navigation more safe, speedy and sure.
“ In consequence of his investigations, Lieut. Maury has been induced to recommend a more
northerly route than the one usually taken by vessels in the European trade. This recom
mendation is made not only on the principles of great-circle sailing, as being nearer, but also
on account of the winds, which are in that region believed to be more favourable. The log
book of Captain Mumford, of the ship Wisconsin, lately arrived at New York from Liverpool,
has been, with many others, exhibited to your committee. The Wisconsin had Lieutenant
Maury’s charts on board, and kept well to the north, as recommended by him. She arrived at
her port of destination twelve days before two other ships which sailed in company, but which
went further to the south. It is not claimed that such a difference will invariably occur in
the length of passage by the two routes, but the result we record is nevertheless full of signi
ficance, and indicates the great importance and value to be attached to the subject under con-