S.E. Brcmch of Gulf Stream. SS 



We overtook some other ships, which were sailing towards 

 the west. As we saw nothing of the Caroline^ we concluded 

 that she was considerably ahead. The current, which near 

 Gibraltar has a westerly direction, tending towards the Me- 

 diterranean, loses its power at a distance from the land, and 

 half-way to Madeira it changes its direction in such a way 

 that the ship is carried imperceptibly southwards, though only 

 a few miles a-day. This current is a lateral branch of the 

 great Gulf Stream, which from the Gulf of Mexico is directed 

 towards England, but about the latitude of New York sends off 

 a branch in a south-easterly direction, which passes round Ma- 

 deira, and, near the Canaries, takes a parallel direction with the 

 coast of Africa and forms the commencement of the Guinea 

 current. The temperature of the sea water, which in the 

 midst of this current is generally rather higher than that 

 of the air, indicates to the mariner that he is in the 

 Stream, and he must take care that his ship is not carried 

 more to the south out of its course than he wishes. This 

 shows clearly of what importance ocean-currents are to navi- 

 gation ; and it becomes evident that it is the duty of the 

 scientific navigator not only to find out their direction and 

 strength, but to use all means at his command, in order to 

 ascertain their general movement in given districts of ocean. 



For this latter purpose, it is customary (as often as circum- 

 stances seem to render it advisable) to throw overboard, and 

 commit to the mercy of these currents, a well-corked empty 

 bottle, in which has been deposited a card with the name and 

 position of the ship. The bottle thus prepared, and made 



