410 OBSEEVATIONS ON THE CUEEENTS. 



(400.) The Counter- Ctirrent along the Florida Beefs is marked on all the 

 old surveys of these reefs, and is, during the summer months especially, 

 frequently met with. It may be readily accounted for. On page 387 (374) 

 it >?vill be seen that the main strength of the Gulf Stream runs past the 

 coast of Cuba, and that the channel is by much the deepest close to the 

 South side, and slopes more gradually from the North. On the shallower 

 water, but not within the reefs, this counter-current runs, by which a vessel 

 may with ease and knowledge work to the "Westward. It may be taken 

 as an eddy, aided by the Trade Wind, which may give it an additional 

 impetus. It was well elucidated by Lieutenant E. B. Hunt, U.S. Engineers, 

 who, having stayed in the neighbourhood for some time, obtained some 

 particulars from the well-informed residents of these Kays.*" 



(401.) Captain Geiger, who for some thirty years observed the waters of 

 this vicinity, most of that time having acted as a pilot off Kay West Har- 

 bour, and who was, perhaps, better acquainted than any other person with 

 the Currents there prevailing, gave the following statement of facts : — 



A strong North or N.E. wind keeps the Gulf Stream back, and makes 

 a Westerly current near the shore. During June, July, and August, the 

 Westerly current prevails more than the Easterly current from 5 to 15 

 miles from the reef. The direction of the current depends mostly on the 

 wind. The Westerly current prevails from one-third to two-fifths the 

 entire time from year to year, for 2 to 15 miles outside the reef off the 

 West. He had known it 25 to 30 miles off Sand Kay. 



When the Gulf Stream is strongest on the Cuba shore, the Westerly 

 current is strongest on the North side ; and when it is weakest along the 

 Cuba shore, the Gulf Stream sets close along the reef. He had found the 

 Westerly current as far up as Carysfort Eeef, but not frequently, and not 

 broad or strong. The current broadens from Carysfort Eeef to the West- 

 ward, and continues about constant along its course. 



The Tides on the two sides of the reef are about six hours apart on an 

 average, but set, on the whole, as much one way as the other over the reef. 

 Sometimes there is a narrow Easterly current for a mile from the reef, then 

 a Westerly current, and then the Gulf Stream. A considerable number of 

 the Gulf traders know of, and make use of, this current in going Westward. 

 After Northers, the Westerly current may be expected. Sometimes in cross- 

 ing to Havana no Gulf Stream indications are found, and sometimes a 

 Westerly current is found along the North shore of Cuba. 



Notwithstanding Captain Geiger's long observation of these Currents, he 

 was quite unable to reduce them to rule, or in any way to know before- 

 hand how the current will be found to set. 



Captain Eichardson, pilot, of the United States Coast Survey steamer 

 Corwen, says: — "The Westerly current appears irregularly, chiefly in 

 winter, but sometimes during the prevalence of the regular Trades. It 

 extends from 10 to 15 miles off from Sand Kay, and runs sometimes 2 miles 

 per hour. It never prevails over the reef proper. It spreads farther from 

 the reef as it goes West. Off Indian Kay it sometimes extends 7 miles 



• Silliman's American Journal, vol. Jixvii., pp. 207 — 214. See also the remarks on 

 page 388, relating to the " White Water" of the Tortugas. 



