Final answer:
Benjamin Franklin charted the Gulf Stream on an oceanographic chart, marking the warm ocean current that greatly impacted the shipping times between North America and Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin Franklin was well known for his vast array of contributions as an inventor, writer, printer, diplomat, scientist, humorist, and statesman. Among his notable accomplishments as a scientist,
Franklin made significant observations related to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean. In his oceanographic chart, he noted the Gulf Stream for the first time, indicating the strong, warm ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows into the Atlantic at the Florida Straits, extending to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.
Franklin observed this important ocean current which affected the sailing time of mail ships traveling between North America and Europe.
Additionally, Franklin's understanding of the Gulf Stream helped improve the efficiency of maritime navigation. His charting of the Gulf Stream was a significant contribution to oceanography and the understanding of global ocean currents, which is still relevant in modern-day science and shipping practices.