256 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



perature of the water presents a means, if not wholly 

 positive, of determining- this. The water of the Gnlf 

 Stream flows fast, and nearly in a direct line, from 

 regions where there has been time enough for the hot 

 air and sun to give it a high degree of warmth, which 

 it in some measure retains throughout the greatest part 

 of its course, even in the winter months, and is thus 

 distinct from the waters of the rest of the ocean, from 

 many causes always less warmed in those parts to the 

 north of the Tropicks. If I remember aright, he 

 found the temperature of the water in the Gulf Stream 

 about 70 degrees Fahr., and that outside some 10 de- 

 grees and more less. 



It is a remarkable assertion of sea-men, their obser- 

 vation that, if the wind is north-east and thus blowing 

 directly against it, the Gulf Stream flows but the 

 stronger and faster. ' One knot faster,' (i. e. one mile 

 in the hour faster), says our skipper, who knows these 

 parts thoroughly. The reason is likely that by north- 

 east winds the Trade wind between the Tropicks is 

 strengthened also, and consequently a greater amount 

 of water is driven into the Gulf and, with heightened 

 force, out through the channel. 



For the rest, the movement of the water in the Gulf 

 Stream, if the wind sets from one or another northern 

 direction, is extremely irksome and difficult, casting 

 vessels pitilessly about. This is even a dangerous cir- 

 cumstance ; for it happens not seldom that by the oppo- 

 site movements of the wind and the current, and the 

 extraordinarily violent ' cross-seas ' thus arising, ships 

 are quite turned over, either sinking at once or driv- 

 ing forward ' on the beam-ends.' For this reason, es- 

 pecially in these parts where storms so often come up 



