18S ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



are also in these directions in line with the strait. The run of the ice 

 in winter is carefully watched, as it is here that the winter mail service 

 crosses to Prince Edward island in ice boats. 



In fine weather the ice runs regularly up and down, the drift being 

 about equal in the two directions. But a change is noticeable before a 

 heavy wind from the S. E. If the ice starts early to the north-westward, 

 that is, before the proper turn of the tide, this indicates that there is 

 wind back of it, which will come up from the south or east. The effect 

 of a S. E. wind is thus felt before it comes. From the N. W. the wind 

 comes more suddenly, and no effect is noticeable till after it begins. 



On one occasion, the ice stood for a whole tide, throughout the six 

 hours of flood, without moving south-eastward. It then turned north- 

 westward, running strongly during the ebb, and six hours later a heavy 

 wind came up from the S. E. 



In Miramichi bay, the main channel runs in between islands which 

 form a line across its mouth. A lightship is stationed in this channel 

 within the islands. The flood, running in from the Gulf and up the 

 Miramichi river, sets westward; and the ebb eastward. On account of 

 the river at the head of the bay, the ebb runs about an hour longer than 

 the flood. 



Before an east v/ind begins, there is an unusually strong flood or 

 very little ebb, as the case may be. A west wind has not so marked an 

 effect, but before a real gale comes on from the westward, the flood is 

 checked. This information is from the keeper of the lightship, who ha? 

 been in charge for seven years. 



These effects seem to be due to the action of the wind in first hold- 

 ing back the water and then releasing it; and the influence of the low 

 pressure area of the storm as it passes along, also increases the result. 



Wind effects in Belle Isle strait. 



This strait affords an example of the influence of wind and baro- 

 meter upon a current of a more complex character. The investigations 

 were made here in July and September, 1894, and throughout the season 

 of 1906. 



The current in Belle Isle strait is primarily tidal in its character. 

 AVhile under the control of the tide alone, it will turn regularly and run 

 with equal strength in each direction ; the flood setting westward and the 

 ebb eastward. But in addition to this tidal fluctuation, the water has 

 almost always a tendency to make through the strait in one direction 

 more than in the other. While the tidal fluctuation goes on uninter- 

 ruptedly, the water is thus making a continuous gain to the westward, 

 or to the eastward, as the case may be. This overbalance in the one 



