TO THE NOETHERN POETS OF AMEEICA. 543 



On pages 511 to 520 we have already given directions for vessels taking 

 the Southern Eoute to the West Indies and the ports of North America, 

 and this is especially used by sailing vessels, or small powered steamers. 

 If bound from the British Isles to Halifax, for example, after making the 

 necessary Westing to insure not bemg set into the Bay of Biscay, shape a 

 course for Madeira, which may be passed on either side, except during 

 November, December, and January, when it is preferable to pass to the 

 Westward, on account of the prevailing strong Westerly gales producing 

 eddy winds and heavy squalls on the East side of the island. 



After passing Madeira steer to the South- Westward until within the 

 Northern limit of the N.E. Trade, when alter course gradually to the 

 Westward. Cross the meridian of 40° W. in lat. 26° N., continuing on 

 this parallel to 48° W., when pursue a more North-Easterly course, 

 passing about 200 miles Eastward of Bermuda, and thence laying the 

 course for Halifax. In crossing the Gulf Stream, between 38° and 42° N., 

 the current will be found to set about E.N.E., 20 to 70 miles a day. 



A reference to the diagrams, facing page 475 will clearly show what 

 route it is advisable to follow, according to the mouth or season in which 

 the voyage is made. 



Gulf of St. Lawrence, &c. — Those bound to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 

 after passing to the Southward of the Virgin Eocks, on the Grand Bank, 

 and the Island of St. Pierre, should keep a middle course between New- 

 foundland and Cape Breton Island ; not forgetting what has been hereto- 

 fore said on the winds and currents. Recollecting also, that the harbours 

 on the coast. Westward of Fortune Bay, are impeded with dangers ; there 

 are many rocks about the entrances, and many of the harbours are 

 imperfectly known. The rocks are not to be seen in thick weather, and 

 fogs prevail very much on the coast. 



Commanders of vessels bound to the Gulf of St. Lawrence will do well 

 to observe that, off the South coast of Newfoundland, between the 

 meridians 55° and 56°, and the parallels of 45° and 46° 15', is a deep gully 

 in the sea, extending about 90 miles in a true North and South direction, 

 and separating the Bank of St. Pierre from the Green Bank, its centre 

 being in lat. 45° 50', long. 55° 15'. The method adopted by the French 

 vessels bound to St. Pierre, for making that island, is as follows : — 



From the longitnde of 52° W., in lat. 45°, they steer a N.W. course by 

 compass, which carries them across the Green Bank, in 48 fathoms of 

 water; and when on the meridian of 55° 10', in about 45° 35' N., they 

 suddenly deepen their water, from 45 to 90 fathoms. A further run on 

 the same course of about 10 miles carries them across this gully, when 

 they shoalen their water again to 35 and 30 fathoms ; and, after a further 

 run of 23 miles, they steer about N.N.E. directly for the island, and 

 seldom or never miss it. 



Those who have lost their reckonings, on finding this gully, which may 



be known by the water shoaling on the East and West sides of it, an 



experiment that is frequently made for ascertaining whether they are 

 actually in it or not, — may safely take it as a fresh departure. Com- 

 manders, not being aware of it, when they have found their water deepen 



