[65] WOEK OF STEAMER ALBATROSS. 67 



The statements of currents in the above table are based on careful 

 estimates of their direction and strength while holding the sounding 

 wire vertical, verified by their influence on the ship's reckoning between 

 stations. 



From these frequent observations it appears : (1) There is a general 

 westerly drift throughout, as indicated on the charts, being strongest 

 in the eastern part. (2) The currents appear to depend mainly on the 

 wind, the direction of which they quickly follow api^roximately with a 

 velocity proportioned to its force. 



One exception to the first general rule was noted in latitude 12° to 12° 

 30', longitude 62° 20' to 62° 50', where a slight set to the southward and 

 eastward was experienced, the wind being light from ENE. It apj^ears 

 probable that vessels in this locality may be affected by the tidal cur- 

 rents of Grenada, although distant 40 to 60 miles from that island. The 

 rule used by the island seamen for determining the time of the turn of 

 the stream (see Navy Department H. O. Publication No. 63, page 554) 

 is as follows : " From the time of the moon's rising until her superior 

 transit or passing the meridian, the stream sets to the eastward ; from 

 the superior transit until she sets, it runs westward." While this vessel 

 was in the area mentioned above, the moon was rising, which, according 

 to the rule quoted, would account for the easterly set ; the westerly set 

 was again experienced two or three hours after the moon's meridian 

 passage, increasing from that time on as the ship, moving southward, 

 approached the western branch of the equatorial current flowing in 

 between Grenada and Trinidad. 



In connection with the second general statement made above, it should 

 be observed that in the northern part of the Sea the set was generally 

 to the southward of west, nearly following the winds; but south of the 

 parallel of 12° or 12° 30' the direction is to the northward of west, and 

 usually quite strong — much more marked than farther north. For 

 100 miles northward of the Bocas de Dragos the current rau 2 to 3 

 knots an hour to NW., and farther to the NW. and W. (for 200 to 300 

 miles) it ran between NW. and W., also strong, in spite of the wind 

 being in the NE. At the time of our visit to the Gulf of Paria (1st of 

 February) the rainy season had not yet ended, and it is probable that 

 the water from the Orinoco contributed to the stream in this vicinity. 

 A.S far westward as longitude 66° 30, latitude 13°, a strong northwest 

 current was experienced on the 8th of February. 



Under the lee of Orchilla Island no current was j)erceptible, although 

 running strong to NW. immediately north of it. In the broad channel 

 between the Leeward Isles and the Main, the drift was to the southward 

 of west until apjiroaching CuraQao Island, when the current was found 

 to be setting to about W. by N. The strength ^iroughout here was ^ 

 to 5 knot. 



Near the soul hern shores of Santo Domingo and Jamaica there are 

 many eddies that may be somewhat tidal -, but through them all is a 



