514 TASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC. 



ward. These Westerly winds cause fluctuations in the atmosphere, which 

 prevail more about the Western end of Cuba than farther Eastward ; and 

 near Havana they have little influence. At this season, vessels from 

 Jamaica have met a Westerly wind in the Channel of Yucatan ; others have 

 experienced a fair breeze at some distance after passing Cape Antonio ; 

 and the wind here will be found sometimes at N.W., West, and S.W., 

 veering about variably. 



The wind in the Eastern quarter sometimes fluctuates about the Western 

 end of Cuba, but not generally. 



At this season the wind blows impetuously off Jamaica, and in frequent 

 squalls ; and sailing vessels bound thence to Europe should universally 

 prefer the Leeward Passage. They will probably pass through the Strait 

 of Florida before they could gain the entrance of the Windward Channel, 

 though straining, with every effort, against the wind. The appearance of 

 a favourable opportunity for passing through that channel should not be 

 suffered to deceive ; for it may be no indication of the general state of the 

 wind Eastward. 



From the West indies to the English Channel. — After having cleared 

 the Strait of Florida or Windward Passages, vessels may pass either to 

 the Northward or Southward of the Bermudas, giving the islands a good 

 ofiing, and attending to the preceding remarks on the currents, &c. In 

 summer, the track to the Northward of these isles has been recommended, 

 passing thence to the Northward of the Azores. In winter, the track to 

 the Southward of the Bermudas is to be preferred ; because, in this 

 season, gales of North- Westerly wind may be expected from the coast of 

 America ; and, therefore, vessels should continue a little to the Southward 

 of lat. 30*^, or in about lat. 29° 40', if wind permits, until certain of being 

 to the Eastward of the Bermudas} nor should they run to the North- 

 ward of lat. 35° or 36°, until within a few degrees of the Azores. Thus 

 will the heavy gales be avoided, which frequently rage more to the 

 Northward.* 



In shaping a course at any season, it should be remembered that the 

 Great Circle course from Cape Florida to the Lizard follows the outer edge 

 of the Gulf Stream in ks earlier course, and passing about midway 

 between the Bermudas and Cape Hatteras, it bears away North-Eastward 

 over the tail of the Newfoundland Banks, and reaches the parallel of Scilly 

 on a due Easterly course. The vertex of the Great Circle being in lat. 50P 

 and long. 13° 48' W., of course its direction is nearly East and West for 

 several degrees on either side of this point. The shortest distance between 

 Cape Florida and the Lizard is 3,671 miles. It leaves the Strait of Florida 

 on a nearly due N.E. course true (N. 45° 35' E.), and reaches the Channel 

 on an E. ^ S. true course. 



During a great portion of the year, it is probable that this course could 

 be strictly followed to advantage. Of course, the consideration of meeting 



• As the most destructive Hurricanes on record, in this part of the Atlintic, have 

 occurred in the vicinity or on the borders of the Gulf Stream, this is an important 

 reason for ships from the Wast Indies, bound to Europe, not to advance too far to the 

 Northward. See further remarks on this subject, attached to the desctiptian of the 

 Aaures Islands hereafter 



