"An Act was passed in 1849 giving authority to the Secretary of the Navy to use national vessels for testing new routes and perfecting the discoveries made by Lieutenant Maury. I confess I felt some pride in having the science and naval genius of our own country to continue foremost these great ocean surveys, and in illustrating the practicability of so grand a conception as harnessing the lightning and making it obedient beneath the profound depths of the great sea which Providence has placed between the Old and the New World. There was no difficulty in finding a competent officer to make these soundings, directed by Lieutenant Maury. Lieutenant Berryman, of large experience and established reputation in deep sea soundings, full of that enterprising spirit so characteristic of American officers, was not only ready, but earnestly solicitous and eager to be permitted to execute the task. The small steamer 'Arctic' was lying idle at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and was pronounced suitable. The order was issued, and Lieutenant Berryman, accompanied by Lieutenant Strain, passed Midshipmen Mitchell and Thomas, Midshipman Barnes, and a few men, left New York on the 18th of July, crossed the ocean, and returned on the 14th of October, bringing with him abundant supplies of curious and interesting specimens from the bed of the ocean. In order to make his soundings approximate accuracy as nearly as possible, Lieutenant Berryman returned in the same latitude, and re-examined points where he had doubts. The length of the route surveyed is about 1600 miles; the greatest depth found was 2070 fathoms (about 2½ miles), the average, however, being much less. These soundings and specimens have been turned over to the Naval Observatory. The Superintendent has already caused the specimens to be analysed, and in the hands of a learned professor[1] whose
Page:A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury.pdf/116
This page has been validated.
102
LIFE OF MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY.
