PROCEEDINGS FOR IS'JH XV 



town, and this shows ihc caution that is required in assuniin<;' tliat tidal 

 differences will be relial)le between ports in the interior of the gulf and 

 the Atlantic coast. It is proposed this season (18!»6) to obtain tidal 

 ditïerences by simultaneous observation to show whiclx of the principal 

 tidal stations now in operation, the ports in the gulf can best be 

 referred to. 



Survey of the Currents. 



The investigation of the currents in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has 

 been carried on during two seasons, and the currents have been examined 

 at the two entrances to the gulf, namely, the Strait of Belle Isle and 

 Cabot Strait between Cape Breton and Newfoundland, and also at its 

 third angle in the passages lying between the Ciaspé coast and the Mingan 

 shore on each side of Anticosti Island, which connect the St. Lawrence 

 River with the Gulf. The endeavour has also been made to trace &.v\j 

 general set or drift which may lie across the area of the gull from one 

 to another of the above enti-ances. 



For this work, one of the light-house sup])ly steamers has been set 

 apart for three months in each year, which is as long as it can be spared 

 from its regular duties. The general method adopted is to anchor the 

 steamer and use it as a fixed station from which to determine the 

 velocity and direction of the current. This necessitates anchoring at all 

 depths up to 250 fathoms. There is considerable ditticulty in holding at 

 anchor, as the bottom at the greater depths is soft mud, and the steamer 

 itself is heavy and unsuitable ; and great vigilance is required when far 

 out in the gulf, to make sure that no dragging of the anchor is taking 

 place to vitiate the observations. Also in rough weather it is usually 

 impossible to hold at anchor, which occasions considerable interruption 

 to the observations of the currents, although the rough days can be 

 utilized for temperature observations and other work. To make up for 

 this, the observations of the currents are taken continuously day and 

 night, b}^ means of current meters which register electrically on board. 



The current in the Strait of Belle Isle has proved to be funda- 

 mentall}' tidal in its character, and when undisturbed by heavy winds it 

 turns regularly with the tides and runs out and in through the strait 

 with velocities which are nearly equal in the two directions. The old 

 theory of a constant inward current through the strait is now disproved, 

 and the evidence for this and the true character of the current in the 

 strait is given in the last annual report. (Marine and Fisheries for 1895, 

 appendix No. 3, pages 74-87.) 



It is difficult to account for the currenc}^ gained by the theory of a 

 constant inward flow through the Strait of Belle Isle. The true nature 

 of the current was known long ago to those who investigated the matter. 

 Its tidal character is distinctly stated in an old report by Mr. M. H. 



