Matthew Fontaine Maury
(14 Jan 1806 – 1 Feb 1873) is known as the ‘Pathfinder of the seas’, being regarded
as the father of modern oceanography and naval meteorology after founding the
scientific study and charting of ocean currents and prevailing winds.
He
was superintendent of the U.S. Naval Observatory from 1844 to 1861 and was
honoured post-humously by interment between Presidents Monroe and Tyler in Richmond’s
Hollywood Cemetery and induction to America’s Hall of Fame.
Even today, NASA’s Aquarius
- Sea Surface Salinity program using Argentina’s SAC-D satellite, pays tribute
to Maury and his contribution to oceanography and meteorology.
So what is that book beside his left leg? Surely it must be a navigator’s handbook or science textbook. Well, here’s a clue - a quote from Maury:
"…reason assures
us that they move in obedience to some law of Nature, be it recorded down in
the depths below, never so far beyond the reach of human ken; and being a law
of Nature, we know who gave it, and that neither chance nor accident had any
thing to do with its enactment."
Whoever is he talking
about?...who enacted a law of Nature in the depths?
We find Maury’s efforts to chart the world’s
ocean currents were motivated by this:
“…and the fish of the sea,
and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the sea.”
Hang on….that sounds like the Bible which is not
supposed to be scientific!
Yes, in fact Psalm 8. So what about this one?
“Thus saith the Lord, which
maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters.” Isaiah 43
…or this…
“The wind goeth toward the
south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the
wind returneth again according to his circuits.” Ecclesiastes 1
Do you think perhaps young Matthew (meaning ‘gift
of Jehovah’) was well named by his parents when you consider how much time and
fuel ships (and aircraft) have been able to save thanks to charts from Maury
and his successors?
Next time you buy an imported product or travel
overseas, spare a thought to Maury and that Bible of his, with those scriptures
written some 2,500 years before his charts were made. Despite all the hi-tech
engineering, we’re still very much at the mercy of the world’s winds and
currents.
When I set out to research ‘Pathfinder of the seas’ I expected to find Americans claiming yet another world first - the discovery and charting of ocean currents – only to be gladly proved wrong when it turns out Maury gave our Creator the credit.
ReplyDeleteOf course this is conveniently omitted by secular organisations today, such as NASA.