Matthew Fontaine Maury - It is a custom often practiced by seafaring people to throw a bottle overbo

It is a custom often practiced by seafaring people to throw a bottle overboard, with a paper, stating the time and place at which it is done. In the absence of other information as to currents, that afforded by these mute little navigators is of great value.

- Matthew Fontaine Maury

source: Matthew Fontaine Maury (1858). “Explanations and Sailing Directions to Accompany the Wind and Current Charts”, p.91

topic: Time, Science, People, Navigators, Great Value