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significant contributions to sea travel and navigation.

The Falmouth rounded the Horn and in 24 days reached 'Valparaiso' ahead of another ship sailing at the same time but had tried to round the Horn farther to the north. This ship was severely battered for 38 days as a result of fierce gale force winds avoided by the 'Valparaiso'. These observations and findings were published in the first of three scientific reports that, in spite of reservations by publishers, were well received. During later voyages, Mathew sought to simplify navigational procedures and in April 1835 he published his second manuscript: A new Theoretical and Practical Treatise on Navigation.

An accident that left him invalid with a severely broken leg provided time for thought and reflection and more study. Mathew decided to write a series of articles that summed up a collection of ideas previously unexplored and these were published in the July 1890 issue of The Popular Science Monthly. A new assignment in 1842 with Navy's Depot of Charts and instruments became one of the focal points where to Mathew's great pleasure he discovered a huge archive of ships' logs dating back to the first days of the United States Navy. Mathew realised the significance of these chronicles describing events at sea with observations recording wind and ocean current patterns.

Using this treasure trove of information, Mathew began to collate and re-order data by area and devised a system of symbols representing winds, radiating lines representing wind velocities where long lines denoted more powerful winds and a shuttlecock head pointing direction. Arrow symbols indicated the direction of ocean currents with numbers alongside to indicate speed, and in each area, Mathew included compass variations and water temperatures. Never before had such a detailed and comprehensive oceanographic map included such details of precise recordings specific to sea-lanes and shipping routes. It was the culmination of a restless mind, years at sea and a desire to seek out a better way that resulted in new and cutting edge mapping that changed an entire system of sea navigation.

The contributions of Mathew Fontaine Maury led to shorter sea passages all over the world, and to merchant houses greater profits where the fastest ships made the greater return. Sea Captains and Navigators universally accepted a system of sharing information that continues to this very day by the world's navies. Mathew became ill in 1872 and died February 1, 1873. The legacy of Mathew Fontaine Maury resides in ships logs in the 21st century of seamanship.

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