400 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CURRENTS. 



0-46; and at 86 miles, 0-77, 0-82, and OCl. East of Fowey Rocks, at 

 Smiles, 266, 2-38, and 1-07; at IH miles, 3-46, 183, and 164; at 15 



miles, 3-16, 1-67, and 092; at 22 miles, 2-73, 0-36, and ; at 29 miles, 



2-12, 0-58, and 042; at 36 miles, 1-71, 0-95, and 0-65. At the edges of the 

 Stream in both cases, the surface directions of the currents incline toward 

 the axis at times of low declination, but run nearly parallel to it at high 

 declination. 



Directions. — Lieutenant Pillsbury, in conclusion, gives the following 

 directions: — A steamer bound from the Northward to Havana or the Gulf 

 ports crosses the Stream off Cape Hatteras ; a fair allowance to make in 

 crossing it at right angles is 1^ knot per hour, for a vessel's speed of 5 

 knots, for a distance of 40 miles from the 100-fathoms line. Erom the 

 Southern edge of the Stream to Matanilla Shoal no allowance for current 

 can be given. Upon sighting Bahama Bank, time will be saved by running 

 down the Stream on the East side as far as Gun Kay, instead of crossing 

 at Jupiter Inlet and running the latitude down on the Florida side. The 

 current is weak on the Bahama side, though this route will be difficult by 

 night until a lighthouse is built at Matanilla. From Gun Kay, an 

 allowance for current of 2^ knots an hour (the average velocity of the 

 Stream) will make a course of "West good to Fowey Rocke for a 5-knot 

 vessel. The weakest current will be experienced about 3 hours before the 

 transit of the moon. At high declination the strongest current will be 

 found at 7 miles off Fowey Rocks lighthouse, while at low declination it 

 will be found 4 or 5 miles farther Eastward. 



A vessel running inside the Stream should keep inside the 100-fathoms 

 line from Hatteras to Canaveral, and then as close to the Florida shore as 

 prudence will allow. Crossing the Stream at Havana, a fair allowance 

 for the average current between the 100-fathoms lines is 1*1 knot per 

 hour for a 5-knot vessel. 



(389.) We here give the remarks by Captain W, C. Berry, on the naviga- 

 tion of the Gulf Stream, in continuation of those previously given on 

 page 355. Bound from New York to New Orleans, he passed through 

 Providence N.W. Channel. He says: — " The last three voyages, having 

 reached the vicinity of the Little Isaacs in the day time, I have hauled in 

 on the bank between Western Little Isaacs and East Brother Rock, and 

 steered S.W. by W. by compass, which has brought me out in good 

 passing distance from Moselle Shoal. During one of my summer passages 

 out, after passing the above shoal, I was compelled to anchor, and 

 remained there for six days. The wind during all this time was light 

 from the Southward, and I could not help remarking the regularity of the 

 Current setting along the Bemini Islands, ebb and flow, about 2 miles 

 per hour. This continues as far as Gun Kay ; when close in, little or no 

 Current is experienced, except the ebb and flow, which is directly off 

 the bank. 



" In Santaren Channel, the Current is governed greatly by the winds ; 

 with strong Southerly winds the Current sets about N.N.W., 2 miles 

 per hour ; on the other hand, with strong Northerly winds, little or no 

 Current is felt. After leaving Double-headed- Shot Kay, I have genei-ally 

 hauled over for Florida Reef, and in the day time kept close-in, when I 



