[DAWSON] EFFECT OF WIND ON CURRENTS AND TIDAL STREAMS 185 



their own vicinity, and many of them have had the experience of half a 

 lifetime. Their accounts harmonize well with each other when care- 

 fully sifted to distinguish the effects of tide and weather from the more 

 constant conditions. 



They state that any decided set to the E. or IST. E. is a sign that 

 bad weather is coming. The current may only veer as far as S. E. be- 

 fore an east wind comes up ; but a strong set to the E. or N. E. usually 

 indicates a northeast wind ; and although it is possible that the wind may 

 come from the E. or S. E., it will always be from the easterly side. Any 

 set in these directions is more usual and will be more accentuated durmg 

 the ebb tide; but the current has been known to set N. B. for a whole 

 day, previous to a northeast wind. After the northeast wind sets in, 

 the wind, sea and current all go together. In general, the more unsettled 

 the weather the more set there will be towards the eastward quarter, 

 which is across the usual direction. 



These wind effects are no doubt complicated with tidal influence ; and 

 even the wind itself is often known to set in strongly at the turn of the 

 tide. But the above statement is the result of a long experience; and is 

 as well balanced and concise as it can be made, without describing 

 individual storms. 



Strong tidal cuj-rents. — The Bay of Fundy affords a noteworthy 

 example of these. Its currents were investigated during the two seasons 

 of 1904 and 1907, throughout the lower part of the bay and its ap- 

 proaches, from St. John to Cape Sable, In this region the currents are 

 predominantly tidal in their character, running strongly during flood 

 and ebb in the two directions, which are almost opposite. In this, they 

 are in marked contrast with currents which veer widely or continuously 

 around the compass, as in regions where they are weaker. Here, any 

 veering or set in a cross direction occurs only about the time of slack 

 water. There is, however, more tendency to a wider veer in proportion 

 to the greater distance of the point of observation from shore, which 

 appears to be a characteristic of the current on all open coasts. There 

 is little indication of any general movement of the water in a dominant 

 direction. The stations were from S^o to 18 miles from shore, at which 

 anchorages were made in depths of 20 to 105 fathoms. The maximum 

 strength at half tide usually ranged from 3 to 3i^ knots. 



Almost ever}^vhere, the current is as strong down to a depth of 30 

 fathoms as it is on the surface ; and at most places it turns in direction 

 on the surface and below at practically the same time. This has an im- 

 portant bearing upon wind disturbance, as it shows that the current will 

 soon regain its noitnal direction and strength after a storm moderates. 



