354 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CURRENTS. 



West, it has been found setting to the N.W. Its velocity was found to be 

 greater here than in the passages more to the Northward, as already stated 

 At some distance below the surface the Blake found a tidal current, below 

 which the water set out to the Eastward. 



In Martinique Passage, between St. Lucia and Martinique, the current 

 has been found to run nearly North, but very variable on the Western sido 

 of Martinique. 



The U.S.S. Kearsarge, on March 19th and 20th, 1889, to the South- 

 Eastward of Barbados, found a South-Basterly current, of 30 and 20 

 knots a day respectively ; on the 29th, between Barbados and Martinique, 

 the current set due North, 10 knots in 14 hours ; and between Martinique 

 and Santa Lucia, 4 knots in 1 hour, and 8 knots in 4 hours. 



In Dominica, Ghiadaloupe, and Antigua Passages, there is usually a gentle 

 Westerly current. In Dominica Passage, between Martinique and Domi- 

 nica, it has also been found to run nearly North, and between Montserrat 

 and Antigua N.W. 



At the distance of about 60 miles, within (or Westward of) the range of 

 the Caribbee Islands, and to the Virgin Islands, the Current has been found 

 setting, in general, to the W.N.W., from 1 to 1^ mile an hour. On the 

 leeward side of the Virgin Isles devious currents are found, frequently to 

 the South-Eastward. The same have been observed on the Western side 

 of St. Christopher's, &c. 



(322.) On the Northern coasC xjj Hayti, and in the Windward Passages, 

 there does not appear to be any general Current. On the North side of 

 Cuba the case is nearly the same ; but in the channel there is a regular 

 tide throughout the year, subject, however, to certain variations. 



In Anegada and Mona Passages, the Blake found irregular and weak 

 tidal currents, with probably a slightly preponderating current out of the 

 Caribbean Sea on their Eastern sides, and into it on their Western sides. 



Other observers state that in Mona Passage, between Porto Rico and 

 flayti, the Current has been marked as frequently setting to the N.W., and 

 we have instances of a set through to the S.W.; but Captain Monteath, in 

 February, 1816, when proceeding Southward toward Porto Rico, from lat. 

 234° ^^ 22°, long. 64° to 65°, found the Current setting N.N.E. at the rate 

 of 20 miles in the 24 hours ; and he says, that off the N.W. point of Porto 

 Rico it invariably sets from the Caribbean Sea to the North and N.N.E. 

 On the Western side of the passage it set North, 2 miles an hour ; but there 

 have been instances of an inset from the N.W. 



In the Windward Passage, between Hayti and Cuba, the Blake found 

 the currents to be the same as in Anegada and Mona Passages, but more 

 decided in velocity, probably depending upon the strength of the wind. 



In the Bahama Passages the Currents are devious ; both weather and lee 

 currents having been found. These, also, appear to be influenced by the 

 tidal causes ; for the tides are operative on the banks, and sometimes set 

 strongly. 



In Bahama Old Channel and St. Nicolas Channel the current has been 

 found to run North-Westward and South-Eastward, its direction depend- 

 ing mainly upon the prevailing wind. In Santaren Channel it is very weak 

 and irregular. 



