Matthew Fontaine Maury bookmark

Front: January 14, 1806, February 1,1873, “Pathfinder of the Seas”, Founder U.S. Naval Observatory, Commodore Confederate States Navy, Inventor, Electric Torpedo Back: In 1825 at age 19, Maury joined the U.S. Navy as a midshipman …

Front: January 14, 1806, February 1,1873, “Pathfinder of the Seas”, Founder U.S. Naval Observatory, Commodore Confederate States Navy, Inventor, Electric Torpedo Back: In 1825 at age 19, Maury joined the U.S. Navy as a midshipman on board the USS Brandywine which was carrying the Marquies de La Fayette home to France. Almost immediately he began to study the seas and record methods of navigation. This was followed by a four year bruise circumnavigating the globe aboard the USS Vincennes. In 1839 a permanent injury resulted in his inability for sea duty. In 1841 he was placed in charge of the depot of charts and instruments, out of which grew the U.S. Naval Observatory. Maury published twenty scientific texts on oceanography, navigation, ocean meteorology, geography, whaling, and wind. The invasion of his native home of Virginia resulted in his resignation from the U.S. Navy. His services were welcomes by the Confederate States of America.