ACEOSS THE EQUATOK. 495 



Crossing tho Equator. — As this question stood for some years, it was 

 that to cross the Equator in 30° W. was the best route in all seasons. In 

 1848, Lieutenant Maury published his Wind and Current Chart of the 

 North Atlantic, upon which he marked the Great Circle track joining New 

 York and long. 3i° W. on the Equator, distance 3,370 miles, and upon 

 this track was the following: — "The distance by the route usually pursued 

 is upwards of 4.100 miles. Outward-bound vessels are recommended to 

 try this route to Kio Janeiro. The tracks of vessels on this chart show 

 the average passage from the United States to the Line to be 38 days, and 

 to Eio 55 days. There is reason to believe that the prevailing winds along 

 the (Great Circle) route here indicated will be found more favourable — 

 steadier and stronger than they are by the usual route, and the distance 

 is nearly 1,000 miles less. Hence I respectfully invite the attention of 

 navigators to this route, under the expectation that, by taking it, they will 

 shorten their passage several days." 



By the chart on which this note is placed, it seems that the practice of 

 the American ships was to run down to Westward between 34° and 40° N . , 

 and cross the parallel of 30° between 30° and 38° W. Naturally, a better 

 course would suggest itself, and the Great Circle course is that which 

 would stand prominent. Captain Maury having received much encourage- 

 ment by the adoption of an approximation to this track, to the great 

 advantage of American voyages over the former Easterly track, argued 

 strongly on the advantages that would be gained hy the route from 

 Europe being made to cross the Equator on the same meridian 

 (about 30° W.). 



Of the vessels mentioned in the table on page 493, the mean longitude 

 of the American crossing is 26^° W., while that of the Dutch is 22f° W. ; 

 and yet the contrast between their passages is not so great as the difference 

 in the position with regard to the Equatorial Calms or "Doldrums " would 

 seem to warrant an inference. It may, therefore, be advised generally that 

 the meridian of 26° W.* is a good crossing, and that, if farther West, it is 

 questionable whether any advantage is gained. 



In an able discussion of the logs of several clippers, in the " Mercantile 

 Marine Magazine," the same conclusion is independently arrived at. 

 " We have yet to learn if the most favourable crossing be Westward of 

 25° W. for English vessels outward-bound to the East. The passage 

 Eastward of the Cape Verdes has been strongly recommended, and it is 

 certainly worth attention that the best passage here recorded was made 

 by a vessel (the Lady Baffles), which ran down her Southing Eastward 

 of the Cape Verdes." 



Captain Toynbee also discussed the Westerly crossing of the Line, as 

 tried by him in his ship, the Gloriana. This voyage was made in Octobe^, 

 1858, and the Line was crossed in 30^° W. 



" On the 2nd of October, 1858, the Gloriana was in lat. 17° 43' N., long. 28° 29" W. 

 From this position, being West of the Cape Verde Islands, I endeavoured to make 



• This has proved correct withia 1°, as will be seen by referring to Captain Toynbee's 

 remarks, given previously. His monthly routes are all between 26" and 28° W. 



