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It is a custom often practiced by seafaring people to…

“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.” quote by Matthew Fontaine Maury
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“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

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Sailors historically used time‑stamped bottles as simple navigational aids to share current information.

In simple terms: Sailors used bottles to record time and place.

Key Takeaway

Use simple tools to share critical data.

Themes

navigation communication maritime tradition

Mood

practical historical

Type

educational informative

When to use this quote

  • fishing expeditions
  • coastal research
  • educational demonstrations

Key Concepts

information sharing low‑tech solutions

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can modern technology improve this practice?
  • What are low‑cost alternatives for sharing navigational data?
A Different Perspective

Reliance on physical messages can be unreliable in modern contexts.

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