16 WINDS. 



Gulf is sufficiently difficult for large vessels, while the river is per- 

 haps still more so for medium sized crafts. 



Next to the currents the winds are perhaps the most varying cause 

 of assistance or hindrance to the navigator in these same portions 

 of the water. During the greater part of the season " the pre- 

 vailing winds," says our best authority upon this subject, " are either 

 directly up or directly down the estuary, following the course of 

 the chains of high lands on either side of the great valley of the St. 

 LawTence." This appears to be in the main true, though the same 

 author tells us that " westerly winds do not appear to be so much 

 guided in direction by the high lands, excepting along the south 

 coast." Winds varying from west-northwest to north-northwest 

 frequently blow for days in succession, accompanied by weather in 

 every way fine and beautiful ; then the wind will often turn and 

 blow from corresponding easterly points as long again, bringing cold, 

 wet, foggy weather, and more or less rain. The easterly winds 

 prevail in spring ; the southwest — especially in the Gulf and at the 

 opening of the Straits — in the summer, and the westerly in the 

 autumn. The north and south winds occur only occasionally, in 

 the winter months the northwest and northerly winds prevailing. 

 Strong gales of wind are of frequent occurrence especially in the 

 Gulf, in autumn ; generally speaking, however, all winds subside 

 more or less at dusk, to be followed by light off-shore breezes dur- 

 ing the night. It will be seen, therefore, that the winds are perhaps 

 more regular than might be expected from the nature of the local- 

 ity ; a good navigator will soon learn to depend upon the weather, 

 and even in a measure foretell it with accuracy. Let him be in 

 whatever part he may of the gulf and river St. Lawrence, a care- 

 ful study of the sailing directions will lead him, except in unusual 

 weather, to pretty safe and sure conclusions as to what the morrow 

 will be, and plans laid upon these conclusions seldom fail of real- 

 ization. 



Besides and next in importance to the currents, and the winds, 

 the marine barometer is indispensable in determining the weather, 

 and guiding one's course both by day and night, here as in other 



