4 EKV. (;E0RGE rATTKRSON 



lei with the shore on each side, over which the sea lireaks heavily, when there is any sea 

 running, rendering landing with boats difficult and often dangerous. 



These bars are more dangerous than the island itself. If a vessel strikes on the latter, 

 those on lioard may be saved, as, comnuMily, she will not lireak up for two or three days. 

 But, in bad weather, the rescue of a vessel striking on one of the bars is impossible. Their 

 sides arc somewhat steep, thirty fathoms of water being found on the north side of the east 

 bar and as much as one hundred and seventy off its eastern extremity, so that a few minutes 

 after finding no soundings a vessel may strike, and then, forging over, be entirely engulfed 

 in the waters beyond. After a gale or foggy weather some wreckage or bodies drifting 

 ashore will be the only memorial of such an event. The wrecks that have taken place on 

 the island since the founding of the relief establishment in 1801 are known and recorded, 

 but they are supposed to be considerably exceeded in number by the unknown. 



On the south side the water deepens gradually, and such is the swell and the distance 

 to be traversed, that landing is attempted only after a succession of northerly winds and in 

 fine weather. Hence vessels seldom anchor on this side. On the north vessels anchor from 

 one to two miles off, where there is good holding-ground of fine sand, but if the wind arises 

 from the north they nuist put to sea. Lauding can only be effected after a continuance of 

 fine weather, and with the wind off shore. Even in such favouring circumstances it is sel- 

 dom attempted but in the surf-boats belonging to the station on shore. 



Another circumstance greatly increasing the danger connected with the island is the 

 strength and irregularity of the currents. Of three of these it seems to be the centre and 

 meeting place. On the south the gulf stream passes it on its eastward course. Then, of the 

 great Arctic current, the main portion, passing down the east coast of Labrador and I^ew- 

 foundland till it reaches the great bank of jSTewfoundland, is there deflected to the west, and 

 vessels are carried forward so rapidly that sometimes they are upon Sable island before those 

 on board are conscious of their danger.' Another portion of this current, passing through 

 the straits of Belleisle, being joined l)y the outflow of the St. Lawrence, passes down the 

 east coast of Cape Breton, and, meeting the last mentioned, is deflected westward to the 

 shores of this island. From these, and perhaps other causes, the currents rouiul the island 

 are terribly conflicting and uncertain, sometimes being in the opposite direction to the pre- 

 vailing winds, and sometimes passing round the whole circuit of the compass in twenty-four 

 hours. As currents of water like currents of air meeting from different directions, produce 

 eddies, these produce marvellous swirls round the island. An empty cask will be carried 

 round and round the island, making the circuit several times, and the same is the case with 

 bodies from wrecks. 



Nor are these all the dangers which beset the mariner in the neighbourhood of this ill- 

 fated isle. Fogs of a density rarely experienced elsewhere prevail at all seasons of the year. 

 Then the northern edge of the gulf stream is noted for tlie severity of its storms. Mr. 

 Maury says that the most terrific storms that rage on the ocean have been known to spend 

 their fury on its northern border. The suddenness with which they arise and their awful 

 violence are among the most striking phenomena of the island. 



' Capt. Darliy, a former superintendent on the island, tlnis writes to 'Blunt's Coast Pilot ' : " The most of the 

 wrecks occurring here arise from error in longitude. I have known vessels from Europe that had not made an 

 error of one-half degree in their longitude till they came to the banks of Newfoundland, and from there, in mod- 

 erate weather and light winds, liave made errors from sixty to one hundred miles." This shows the strength of 

 the cuirenl we-^terly. 



