86 A Retrospect of Oceanography 



when the cable was being laid from Fernando Noronha to 

 Senegal, and is referred to in Captain Thomson's paper. This 

 current consists of comparatively dense water; the counter 

 equatorial or Guinea current, which sets to the eastward 

 at the surface, consists of comparatively fresh water. This 

 current is evidently as important a factor in oceanic circulation 

 as the westerly running surface current at the equator. It 

 requires to be traced. Work of this kind cannot be done 

 in a hurry, and it costs money. Were only one or two of the 

 owners of large yachts to follow the spirited and enlightened 

 example of the Prince of Monaco, and to combine for the 

 thorough sifting of such a fundamental problem in the physics 

 of the globe as the one here indicated, they would have great 

 satisfaction themselves in the prosecution of the work, they 

 would confer a lasting obligation on science, their names 

 would be for ever connected with the solution of a great natural 

 problem, and there would be value for the money expended. 

 For the present purpose, only steam-yachts and such as are of 

 considerable size are of use. Considering only yachts belonging 

 to private owners, there appear in Lloyd's register 1895 



8 steam-yachts of over 1000 tons 



50 ,, between 1000 and 500 tons 



28 ,, ,, 500 400 



61 400 300 



59 300 200 



115 ,, 200 ,, 100 ,, 



The supply of vessels, therefore, is sufficient. Two out 

 of the fifty-eight yachts of over 500 tons, carrying captains 

 with the necessary navigating qualifications and an interest 

 in the work, and. crews prepared for boat and other 

 work, detailed for three months' work in the winter, 

 would make a beginning; and if the same yachts did not 

 repeat the experiment, they would speedily find imitators. 



