Lee, as the commander in chief of its land and naval forces.Īmong those in that memorable scene was the man whose memory we, as fellow Virginians, honor today: Matthew Fontaine Maury. Within these walls one can almost hear the echoes of long ago when Virginia, in a proceeding of the utmost solemnity on April 23, 1861, confirmed the appointment of Gen. Madam President, members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a great privilege to address this fine gathering of traditional Americans in this historic hall. Introducer of chinchona cultivation into Mexico.įather of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Inventor of the first electrically controlled submarine mine successfully used in warfare. Leader for international cooperation in Antarctic research. Planner for Amazonian, Mississippian, and Antarctic explorations. Locator of the first transatlantic cable.Īdvocate of naval reform and reorganization.Ĭhampion for establishment of the U.S. (Born January 14, 1806, died Februappointed February 1, 1825, resigned April 20, 1861)Īuthor, First Book on Nautical Science by an American Naval Officer, 1836.įirst Superintendent, U.S.

Matthew Fontaine Maury: Benefactor of Mankind His ideas still challenge us today to carry on in this field so essential to the Navy's role in our National Security. Maury charted the Navy's course to the fascinating and mystical world of oceanography-a world that includes all of the basic sciences as they apply to marine problems. It is published with the permission of its author, noted historian and lecturer Captain Miles P. This biography of Maury, first given as a lecture before the Daughters of the Confederacy in the old House of Delegates Hall at the State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia, is intended to highlight Maury's many contributions to Naval Science. The status of the Navy within that organization, however, remains unclear.įoundation members will be interested in the foresight and accomplishments of young Lieutenant Maury more than 125 years ago. 4 of established the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. Ultimately, Presidential Reorganization Order No. The mission of the Oceanographer of the Navy is to act as the Naval Oceanographic Program Director for the Chief of Naval Operations, under the policy direction of the Secretary of the Navy, through the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research and Development) and to exercise centralized authority, direction and control, including control of resources, in order to insure an integrated and effective Naval Oceanographic Program. In 1966, SECNAV Instruction 5430.165 established the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy and prescribed its mission: In 1962, an act of Congress changed the name of the Hydrographic Office to the Naval Oceanographic Office. When the functions of the Bureau of Navigation were redefined in 1942 and its name changed to Bureau of Personnel, the control of both the Naval Observatory and Hydrographic Office was given to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.īy that time, Oceanography had been given a separate section in the Hydrographic Office, and in 1943 the Joint Chiefs of Staff made the Navy responsible for all military oceanographic data. In 1909, the Bureau of Equipment was abolished and cognizance of the Naval Observatory and Hydrographic Office reverted to the Bureau of Navigation. Between 18, however, cognizance of practically all scientific activities was assigned to the Bureau of Equipment.

The Naval Observatory, the Hydrographic Office, the Nautical Almanac Office, and the Naval Academy were all assigned to it. When the Bureau of Navigation was created in 1862, it was intended as a scientific bureau. He was assisted by one draftsman and three clerks.

Although Secretary of the Navy Upshur had recommended a separate Bureau of Hydrography, Congress instead created a Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, with William Ceaver as its first chief. In that same year, the Board of Commissioners of the Navy was superseded by the Bureau system of Naval Organization. Established in 1830, this unit later became the Naval Observatory and Hydrographic Office in 1842. Matthew Fontaine Maury.Īt the age of 36, Maury culminated ten years of intensive original work in what was then called Hydrography by becoming the Officer-in-Charge of the Navy's Department of Charts and Instruments. No one was more aware of that requirement, even during the infancy of the American Navy, than Lt. To accomplish this goal, the Navy must know all about them. The military role of the Navy is the control of the seas. DuVal, Jr., USN (Ret.)Ī Naval Historical Foundation Publication

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