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1839 Maury began the publication of a series of articles on naval reform, and other subjects of general interest, under the title of "Scraps from the Lucky Bag," and with the "nom de plume" of "Harry Bluff." They first appeared in the Southern Literary Messenger of Richmond, Virginia and the incognito was preserved for some time; but the essays attracted much attention, and were generally approved by the navy. Amongst other matters, he urged in these papers the adoption of steam as a motive power. Perceiving the change that steamships, rifled guns, and hollow shot would bring about, he proclaimed "a new era in naval warfare, that of big guns and small ships." Under the old system, the power of a man of war was expressed by the number of her guns, some having as many as 120. He predicted that in future wars few vessels would have more than six. Experience has shown how sound was his judgment.

In the early part of the same year he drew attention to "great-circle sailing,"—as a means of shortening the distance between American and English ports. He also wrote on the subject of "Direct Trade in Southern Bottoms." This question was warmly discussed by the Richmond Whig and the New York World.

In another scrap for the same paper he advised that "a