[w. BELL DAWSON] TIDES IN GULF AND RIVER ST. LAWRENCE S7 



Souris. P.E.I., at the mouth of JSTorthumberhind strait, nearest to Cabot 

 strait. These five stations were provided with self-recording instruments 

 of a smaller type than those used at the principal stations ; and the 

 observations were continued throughout the season from June to Novem- 

 ber. Arrangements were also made for obtaining time, and for referring 

 the observations to a suitable datum. 



The results obtained at these stations were supplemented by observa- 

 tions at places Avhich stood next in importance. On the coast between 

 Miramichi bay and Pictou, short series of start' readings were taken at 

 Richibucto, Buctouche and Pointe du Chêne ; and a gauge record during 

 two months was obtained at Cape Tormentine, where the strait is nar- 

 rowest. Also on the north coast of Prince Edward Island, short gauge 

 records were obtained at St. Peter's bay and at Alberton, and staff read- 

 ings at Rustico, in order to trace the progress of the tide along the shore 

 of the open Grulf. 



The observations thus obtained ai'e specially valuable because they 

 were simultaneous, and were taken while the principal stations alsa 

 afforded a continuous record. The whole of the results were reduced ta 

 standard time for the 60th meridian ; and all the differences in the time 

 of high water are, therefore, in absolute time. The range of the tide 

 throughout the greater part of this region is usually from three to five 

 feet. On the north coast of Prince Edward Island, and sometimes at 

 Neguac also, the tide is almost effaced at the neaps. Its greatest range 

 is at Charlottetown and Carleton, where it reaches a maximum of nearly 

 nine feet. 



From a careful digest of these observations and an exhaustive série» 

 of comparisons with the principal stations, the following description of 

 the general course of the tide in the Grulf can now be given : — 



When the tide enters Cabot strait, a branch passes to the south- 

 west between Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island, into Northumber- 

 land strait. The large diurnal inequality at St. Paul island affects this 

 region, and is very marked at Fictou and Charlottetown, though some- 

 what altered in amount. The latest tide in this region is at Charlotte- 

 town, where high water is, on the average, 2'' 21'" later than at St. Paul 

 island. The main tidal undulation from Cabot strait undoubtedly' follows 

 the line of the deep channel which runs directly across the Gulf towards 

 the entrance of the St. Lawrence, as already described. The time which 

 the tide takes in crossing from St. Paul island to Southwest Point, Anticosti, 

 is 5^ 35"' on the average ; although this varies through a wide range. A 

 part of the tidal undulation, no doubt, turns into the northeastern arm of 

 the Gulf, and runs between Newfoundland and the north shore of the 

 Gulf towards the Strait of Belle Isle ; but the tides in this region have 

 not 3-et been examined. On reaching the Anticosti side of the Gulf, a por- 

 tion of the main tidal undulation turns off towards Chaleurs bay and 



