156 A TEXTBOOK OF OCEANOGRAPHY 



In the narrowest parts of the Florida Straits, especially 

 between Bernini Keys and the mainland, the current attains a 

 velocity not recorded in the case of any other ocean current. 

 The yearly average is 72 miles per day, but in the coldest and 

 warmest seasons from 100 to 120 miles is attained. This is 

 from i -5 to 2-5 metres per second i.e., more than that of 

 the Mississippi between Ohio and Arkansas, 1-91 metres per 

 second. With prevailing northerly winds the force of the 

 current is much increased, but with a barometric depression 

 over the Gulf of Mexico the reverse is the case, and water 

 rushes into the Gulf. The northerly winds are met with when 

 there is a barometric maximum over the Gulf or over Texas 

 or Louisiana. Consequently, in the Florida Channel the 

 strongest current runs against the wind i.e., the north-east 

 wind and vice versa. 



Under average conditions the axis of the greatest velocity 



of the current is to be found : 



Miles. 



In Yucatan Strait east of Contoy Island 35 



North of Havana ... ... ... ... 25 



East of Fowey rocks (Florida) 1 1 



East of Jupiter Inlet and Fort (Florida) 19 



South-east of Cape Hatteras ... ... 38 



The current shows many variations in direction and 

 strength. Along the Florida reefs a counter current setting 

 south-west and west into the Gulf is occasionally met with. 

 According to Pillsbury, the velocity in knots measured 6'5 

 metres under the surface is as follows : 



