XVIII ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



80 compensates for the outflow of the Gaspé Current from the estuary of 

 the St. Lawrence. This current, after rounding the Gaspé coast, makes 

 southeastward as a general set or drift across the gulf to the western 

 side of Cabot Strait, and its waters there leave the gulf in the outflowing 

 current off Cape North. This current is still felt along the sweep of the 

 northeastern coast of Cape Breton Island, sometimes as far as Scatari, 

 before it mingles with the waters of the Atlantic. 



This general movement of the water in the gulf is in accord with 

 the uniform and relatively high density of the water as found in its 

 northeastern portion, and explains why this density should be so nearlj^ 

 the same as in the open Atlantic, and also why there should be so small 

 an iuci'ease in the temperature of the surface water with the piogress of 

 the season. 



It also appears that the whole of the balance or compensation in 

 the gulf currents takes place at the surface and in the ordinary under- 

 currents, which do not probably extend to a greater depth than some 50 

 or (50 fathoms. There is nothing therefore to show the necessity for any 

 appreciable movement in the deep water from 60 or 80 fathoms down- 

 wards, which lies in the deep channels of the gulf. Such direct indica- 

 tions as have been obtained, also favour the belief that this deep water 

 is quiescent. 



How far the prevailing westerly winds may influence these general 

 movements of the water, it is difficult to say. The prevailing winds over 

 the gulf generally are northwesterly in winter and southwesterl}^ in 

 summer. These winds may have an appreciable influence in maintain- 

 ing the current on the western side of Newfoundland, and in canying it 

 further into the northeastern angle of the gulf before it returns. If this 

 effect is attributed to the wind, however, it makes it all the more difficult 

 to understand why it is that the water of lower density, in making its 

 way from Gaspé to Cape North, is not carried fui-ther over the gulf, but 

 keeps to the southwest, which is the windward side. Although a satis- 

 factory explanation is not yet apparent, it may be well to point out that 

 the bias of the current in both cases accords with the rotation of the 

 earth. As the Gulf of St. Lawrence lies between 46° and 52° north 

 latitude, it is possible that this may have an appreciable effect. 



The general examination of the currents within the Gulf of St. 

 Lawrence and in the straits connecting it with the ocean, which has 

 been made during the jjast three seasons, has had special reference to the 

 leading steamship routes which pass through it. Little attention has yet 

 been given to the currents in the wide bay formed by the sweej} of the 

 coast from Gaspé to Cape Breton, in which Prince Edward Island lies. 

 The strong tidal currents of the Lower St. Lawrence have not yet been 

 examined ; as they are usually parallel with the shore, and have less 

 tendency to set a vessel out of its course, and also because from Father 



