FKOM THE WEST INDIES. 5] 5 



witn Cyclones, which follow very nearly the Great Circle course toward 

 the N.E., is important, and therefore during their season, July to October, 

 as shown in (161), on page 223, a more Easterly route had better be pur- 

 sued, that is, if the Florida Channel be taken ; but if, as is more probable, 

 the Windward Passage is taken in this season, the Great Circle coarse 

 fhence will be the most advantageous. 



But upon this subject Major Eennell has said, " Notwithstanding the 

 advantages to be gained, in point of distance, by ships returning from the 

 West Indies by the favouring current of the Gulf Stream, which may be 

 perhaps reckoned equal to several days' sailing; yet experienced navigators 

 are still of opinion that, on the whole, it does not present equal advantages 

 with the Southern route. 



" It was, until latter times, held as a maxim not to advance to the 

 Northward of the parallel of lat. 33°, in returning from the West Indies, 

 because of the prevalence of storms Northward of it. This wise rule of 

 our ancestors has again been taken up, and His Majesty's ships, and of 

 course convoys, will be, in future, directed to proceed by the South of Ber- 

 mudas, and to cross its parallel at a few degrees to the Eastward of the 

 isles, and thence to steer direct for Corvo. 



" But, it may be observed, that a track which should cross the parallel 

 of Bermudas at a very few degrees to the Eastward of it, and then lead 

 directly toward Corvo, would cross a most critical portion of the space, in 

 which several gales have been actually experienced. Therefore, it would 

 seem that the parallel of the Bermudas should not be crossed at less than 

 about 15° (or say 14°) to the Eastward of the islands. 



" But, it may be asked, Where is the necessity of going to Corvo or 

 Flores at all, for by it ships are placed in a situation proverbially known 

 as a place of storms; that is to say, on the West and N.W. of the Azores? 

 Why not go between them and the greater Azores, or rather to the South- 

 ward of them all, and thereby pass through a kindlier climate at all times ? 



" Any calculations or comparisons of time in making the dilferent 

 passages would be nugatory, since the security of lives and property is the 

 main object ; but it even happens that ships, which have had all the 

 advantage of the Gulf Stream, have been crippled, and made more delay 

 than in the Southern passage with adverse currents." 



We are indebted to Captain E. J. Sharpe, of the steamer Garih, who in 

 1890 wrote to us as follows, on this subject : — 



" Now we come on very debatable ground, and that is the best track 

 home from the West Indies. The Admiralty Pilots and general practice, all 

 recommend the Southern route, and it almost seems like presumption on 

 my part, when I state I entirely differ from them. My experience is that 

 the Northern route, when carried out in conjunction with the Pilot Charts, 

 is much to be preferred, passing through a region of fair winds and 

 favourable currents, facts not to be despised in a slow steamer or a sailing 

 vessel. And again, as ships are now so much stronger built than formerly, 

 the little extra wear and tear is nothing in comparison to the shorter 

 distance, and the shorter time gained by the ship making better runs. 

 Again, if bound to the English Channel, how much better it is to enter on 

 a parallel than obliquely, in thick weather." 



