Above is the very first ocean currents map:  made by the American statesman Ben Franklin.
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He called it the "Gulf Stream".   Because of his chart--- people learned how to avoid the Gulf Stream or use the 
currents of the Gulf Stream on travels by ships across the Atlantic Ocean. 

The famous Titanic was affected by the Gulf Stream and the fact the trip was in early spring when "icebergs" were still around in the ocean waters.