8 PHENOMENA AT SEA. "^ 



ced ; which appears singular, for they are (I belieYe) ge- 

 nerally supposed to be the efFe6l of currents. 



These ripplings extend in long narrow ridges, with 

 smooth spaces between them of considerable extent :— 

 they are alarming to strangers in the night, from the 

 noise occasioned by the broken water. — The collision of 

 the water in these ridges, produces breakers so high, that 

 at times it would be dangerous to risk a boat amongst 

 them, although the weather was serene. — They more 

 with considerable velocity : when they pass a ship, a de- 

 crease of the strength of the wind accompanies' them ; a 

 trembling motion is given to the vessel by the great colli- 

 sion of the broken water, and frequently some spray is 

 thrown on the deck. — The ridges are seldom more than a 

 few minutes in passing ; the wind then resumes its former 

 strength, which continues regular until another ridge 

 assails the ship. — Probably these must proceed from the 

 south-west monsoon blowing from the ocean, round 

 Achen Head, into the entrance of Malacca Straits ; but 

 it is singular that no currents are experienced with these 

 high ripplings. 

 Phenomena of In the ocean, and also in narrow seas, currents frequent- 

 currents, ly j.^.gg ^i^g gp^^ ^j^^ agitate the surface greatly. — Wlien 

 the wind and current coincide in their direction, the sea 

 generally is moderately smooth ; but it is agitated, and 

 turbulent waves are produced, when the current runs in a 

 , contrary direction to the wind. — This is a general remark 

 among nautical men, which often holds good ; although 

 it does not always ensue : for turbulent waves are "some- 

 times the effect of a strong current, when the direction of 

 ^__ . it and the wind agree. — It is singular that currents are 

 geable. very changeable in some parts of the ocean, far distant 

 from land ; particularly near the equator. — I have seve- 

 ral times, in low latitudes, experienced the current run 

 upwards of sixty tnilcs in twenty-four hours, to the east- 

 ward or westward ; then change suddenly, and set with 

 equal velocity in the opposite direction, during the sub- 

 .sequent twenty-four hours. — The rise and fall of tides in 

 most parts of the globe, appear to be much greater in 

 - high latitudes, than within the tropics-: though currents 

 seem to prevail more here, than in situations of the for- 

 mer 



