854: 



THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE SEA. 



performed voyages of complete circumnavigation before these 

 brave winds. 



Since, then, these winds are so much more constant and brave 

 than those of corresponding latitudes in our hemisphere, how is it 

 with the southeast trades as compared for strength with the north- 

 east trades ? 



1005. For convenience of description we will hereafter allude 

 to the " brave west winds," or rather to the westerly winds which 

 prevail on the polar side of Cancer and Capricorn in both hemi- 

 spheres, as the " counter- trades." 



Since the counter-trades of the southern are stronger and 

 steadier than the counter-trades of the northern hemisphere, we 

 should establish another link in the chain of circumstances tend- 

 ing to show the calm belt crossings of the wind, if it should turn 

 out that the southeast trades are also fresher than the northeast. 



1006. To settle this question, the knots run per hour by 2235 

 vessels through the southeast trades of the Indian Ocean, and 

 through both systems of the Atlantic, were compared. The 

 average speed of ships propelled by these winds is expressed in 

 the following tabular statement. The comparison is confined to 

 the rate of sailing between the parallels of 10° and 25°, because 

 this is the belt of steadiest trades. 



Average Speed theough the Trade-winds op the North Atlantic and 

 South Indian Oceans. 



January.... 

 February... 



March 



April 



May 



June 



July 



August 



September. 



October 



Novemlier,, 

 December.. 



Means 7 7f 



KNOTS PKE HOTJE, FEOM 



10° to 15°. 15° to 20°. 20° to 25°. average, cofese steered through 



ait 



H^ 



Gk 



N.E. Trades. 



W. 



w. 



N. 49 

 N. 46 



N. 47 W. 



N. 48 W. 



N. 46 W. 



N. 43 W. 



N. 46 W. 



N. 40 W. 



N.50 W. 



N. 45 W. 



N. 49 W. 



N. 48 W. 



N. 47°W. S.G9inV 



S.E. Trades. 



S. 69° W. 



do. 



do. 

 S. 70° W. 



do. 



do. 



do. 

 S. G9° W. 



do. 



do. 



do. 



do. 



Average course steered through the N.E. trades, N.W. i W. 

 " " " S.E. trades, W.S.W. 



