OCEAN CURRENTS 165 



water resulting from its melting. There is, consequently, on 

 the east coast of Greenland a higher sea-level, due to the 

 présence of this light (in density) water. This increase of 

 level is on the east coast of Greenland 15 centimètres and on 

 the west coast 40 centimètres as compared with the mean level 

 of Davis Strait. Consequently a current flows not only along 

 the land down the east coast of Greenland, but also around 

 Cape Farevv^ell and up along the west coast. This current is 

 also assisted by the secondary barometric minima on the east 

 side of Davis Strait, which produce a south-east wind and 

 consequently a drift of water to the northward. The East 

 Greenland or Arctic Current brings ice with it, so that the 

 southernmost harbours of the west coast of Greenland — 

 Julianshaab and Frederikshaab — are bedecked with ice for 

 weeks at a time when, owing to the melting of the ice in the 

 warmer Atlantic water, the harbours on the west coast in 

 higher latitudes from 64° to 65° N. Lat. are free from ice, and 

 the sea east of 55° W. Long, is similarly free. 



The suction of the Labrador Current certainly draws part 

 of the East Greenland Current straight across the Straits to 

 the west. The deeper waters of Davis Strait are warmer and 

 of a high salinity (34"4 per mille), and consequently of Atlantic 

 origin. The old idea of a sinking of the East Greenland 

 Current under the warmer West Greenland Current must be 

 abandoned, because its water is of less density. The older 

 idea of the East Greenland Current making straight across to 

 the Labrador coast is also not in accordance with modem 

 investigation. The origin of the West Greenland Current 

 from the warmer Irminger Current is also established by 

 drift-wood. Mahogany-trees hâve been found washed ashore 

 on the south point of Greenland and on Disco Island as well. 

 This drift-wood is becoming scarcer of modem times, owing 

 to the settlement of the American coasts. 



The velocity of the East Greenland Current is from 5 to 

 10 sea-miles per day, being less nearer the land. The ice-field 

 drifted for 243 days on an average 4"6 miles per day. 



