552 PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIC. 



Europe from New York, and if one were to go straight for it by steering 

 East, and the other were to follow the European Lane from Halifax as 

 projected on the chart, this one would reach the point of destination quite 

 as soon as the other, the drift of the Gulf Stream compensating for the 

 greater distance. 



J' 



DISTAHCB IN MILES TO AMERICA, 



By Lane. By Great Circle. 



From Scilly Isles to Halifax 2,351 2,305 



Capes of Delaware 2,948 2,909 



'' „ Sandy Hook 2,882 2,840 



From Cape Clear to Halifax 2,192 2,170 



„ „ Capes of Delaware 2,789 2,765 



„ „ Sandy Hook 2,723 2,695 



^^ „ „ by actual average 2,754 



" This statement shows that by the Lane to America the distance is 

 actually shorter, both to Sandy Hook, and, we may infer also, to the 

 Delaware, than the average distance by the present route ; for the route 

 actually pursued by the steamers now, both to Sandy Hook and the 

 Delaware, may be considered the same from Gape Clear or the Scilly Islea, 

 as far West as long. 70°. 



DISTANCE IN MILES BY LANE TO EUROPE. 



To Scilly Isles. To Cape Clear. 



From Halifax 2,436 2,285 



„ Capes of Delaware 3,024 2,873 



„ Sandy Hook 2,980 2,829 



•' Besides the detour from the Great Circle which a vessel from New 

 York, Halifax, Boston, or Philadelphia, would necessarily make by fol- 

 lowinc' the European Lane to Cape Clear, it would require an additional 

 detour of only 15 miles for vessels bound into the English Channel to use 

 it also as far as Cape Clear. This Lane, therefore, will, in consequence of 

 the favourable currents of the Gulf Stream, put a vessel into Southampton 

 quite as soon as she could reach that port from New York or Philadelphia 

 by the Great Circle route. Vessels from Halifax will have to make the 

 greatest detour of any by adopting the Lane to Europe ; but for them it 

 is less than 100 miles out of their way as they now go, and it will prolong 

 their average passage Eastwards, perhaps two or three hours. 1 say 

 perhaps, because I am not sure but that the steamers from Halifax and 

 New England are set back by the cold current 20 or 30 miles on the route 

 now used for the Eastern passage. The Gulf Stream, even from where 

 they will join it by this Lane, will set them forward, on an average, 

 40 or 50 miles at the least. It seems, therefore, that the attractions of 

 this Lane, as regards safety, should more than outweigh the j^robable loss 

 of an hour or two during the passage. When I speak of distances by the 

 Lanes, it should be recollected that the middle of the L^.ne is meant, as 

 in the following table of courses and distances. 



