Read the claim and counterclaim. claim: the marine chronometer was the most historically important artifact because it made it possible for international trade to flourish. counterclaim: at the time the marine chronometer was invented, international trade was already taking place. which statement is the strongest rebuttal to the counterclaim? however, thomas earnshaw’s invention of an affordable chronometer meant that virtually any ship could carry one aboard. even so, it was the marine chronometer that allowed charles darwin to make his famous voyage and publish his findings about evolution. however, the marine chronometer finally made accurate maps possible, creating safe, rapid, and efficient shipping routes. even so, international trade would have continued to expand and prosper by finding alternate ways to make trade by sea more effective.