GEOGRAPHICAL DATA. 



EXTRACTS FBOM BLTTNT'S AMEBICAN COAST PILOT. 



[Pub. New York, 1842.] 

 GULP OF ST. LAWRENCE. 



The following directions for navigating this Gulf are taken, with 

 some alterations as to arrangement, from those of Captain H. W. 

 Bayfield, R. N., who has been employed in a minute survey of this 

 gulf for some years. 



The main entrance into this Gulf is between Cape May, the South- 

 western point of Newfoundland, and Cape North, the North-East 

 point of Cape Breton Island. 



Ice. Among the difficulties of the navigation may be mentioned 

 the ice. In spring the entrance and eastern parts of the gulf are 

 frequently covered with it, and vessels are sometimes beset for many 

 days. Being unfitted for contending with this danger, they often 

 suffer from it, and are occasionally lost; but serious accidents from 

 this cause do not frequently occur, because the ice is generally in a 

 melting state, from the powerful effect of the sun in spring. In 

 the fall of the year accidents from ice seldom occur, except when the 

 winter commences suddenly, or when vessels linger imprudently 

 late from the temptation of obtaining high freights. 



Fogs. But all danger from ice is far less than that which arises 

 from the prevalence of fogs ; they may occur at any time during the 

 open or navigable season, but are most frequent in the early part of 

 summer; they are rare, and never of long continuance during west- 

 erly winds, but seldom fail to accompany an easterly wind of any 

 strength or duration. The above general observation is subject, 

 however, to restriction, according to locality or season. Thus winds 

 between the south and west, which are usually clear weather winds 

 above Anticosti, are frequently accompanied with fog in the eastern 

 parts of the gulf. Winds between the south and east are almost 

 always accompanied with rain and fog in every part. E. N. E. 

 winds above Point de Monts, are often E. S. E. or S. E. winds in 

 the gulf, changed in direction by the high lands of the south coast, 

 and have therefore in general the same foggy character. I speak of 

 winds of considerable strength and duration, and which probably 

 extend over great distances. Moderate and partial fine weather 

 winds may occur without fog at any season, and in any locality. 

 In the early part of the navigable season, especially in the months 

 of April and May, clear weather N. E. winds are of frequent occur- 

 rence, and they also sometimes occur at other seasons, in every part 

 of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence. 



The fogs sometimes last several days in succession, and to a vessel 

 either running up or beating down, during their continuance, there 



9290e S. Doc. 870, 61-3, vol 6 10 



C43 



