146 TABLES OF OBSERVATIONS, ^'C. 



traversing this current, that it is impossible to define, with 

 any degree of accuracy, its precise limits ; as it is influenced 

 to a great degree by the wind. 



Sometimes you find it spread to a greater breadth than 

 usual, with diminished force and altered directions, (at least 

 of several points,) at other times compressed into a narrow 

 stream, and running with increased rapidity. 



However, in the above Taljle, I have kept nearly in the 

 middle of it, seldom approaching near either limit, or so far 

 to the north or south as I have often experienced its influ- 

 ence. 



I have observed, that after it passes the tail of the Grand 

 Bank of Newfoundland, the main stream proceeds in a south- 

 east direction, while several ramifications, generally not very 

 strong in their currents, branch oft' to the INE. and from that 

 to east, with counter currents in the intermediate spaces. 



About two years ago, having been detained several days 

 in that neighbourhood by light baffling winds, I had an op- 

 portunity, by my chronometer, and repeated observations 

 through the day, of ascertaining the various directions of 

 the currents, as well as their velocity. On both sides of the 

 Gulf Stream, a counter current, running in the opposite di- 

 rection, is invariably met with. I have frequently, with a 

 free wind, by often attending to the temperature of the wa- 

 ter with the thermometer, succeeded in availing myself of 

 its assistance, so as to have the ship drifted 4° ahead of her 

 reckoning. From the longitude of aliout 55° to soundings, 

 (in the south side of the Stream) to the northward, the same 

 effects are produced, but I think not quite in so great a 

 degree. In George's Bank, there are regular tides. And 

 the Gulf Stream often trespasses on the soundings to the 

 southward of Nantucket. From thence as far as the capos 

 of the Chesapeake, I have seldom failed to experience a 

 SW, current. 



By the frequent use of a thermometer, the navigator may 

 always discover when he touches upon tlie Gnlf Stream ; 

 and if he is bound to the eastward, benefit by its current ; 



