TRACKS FOR STEAMERS. 561 



Between Gibraltar, &c., and New York.— In January, 1893, the 

 United States Hydrographic Office issued a Supplement to the Pilot Chart, 

 on which routes were laid down for the consideration of owners and 

 masters of steamers trading between the Mediterranean and New York, 

 having regard to the Winds, Weather, and Currents likely to be encoun- 

 tered. These tracks, as modified by experience (up to 1917), are marked 

 on the diagrams of Passages facing pages 459 and 475. 



Briefly, these routes follow those routes already given so far as con- 

 cerns the region West of the 47th and 50th meridians, while East of thosa 

 meridians they follow the Great Circle to (and from) Cape St. Vincent, 

 with the addition, however, of alternative Southern routes Westward, 

 for steamers of low power especially. These Southern routes will, it is 

 thought, be preferred during all seasons of the year by many masters, 

 because, although about 600 miles longer, it takes advantage of a decided 

 Westerly current for about 1,500 miles, and at the same time avoids the 

 opposing Gulf Stream current, and the full force of the severe and long- 

 continued Westerly gales and head seas which are likely to be encountered 

 farther North, especially during winter. 



The Current likely to be encountered is, of course, a factor of greater or 

 less importance, according to the speed of the vessel, and it varies con- 

 siderably during the year. Generally speaking, however, a vessel bound 

 West along the September 1st — January 31st route may expect to 

 encounter a Westerly current of from 10 to 20 miles a day for about 1,000 

 miles, and an Easterly current of from 6 to 20 miles a day for about 1,600 

 miles ; bound West along the February 1st — August 31st route a Westerly 

 current of 10 to 18 miles a day for about 500 miles, and an Easterly 

 current of 10 to 20 miles a day for about 2,000 miles ; bound West along 

 the Southern routes, a Westerly current of 10 to 20 miles a day for about 

 1,500 miles. 



Finally, East-bound vessels, along the routes recommended, will find a 

 Westerly current of 10 to 18 miles a day for about 300 miles, and an 

 Easterly current of 6 to 24 miles a day for about 2,500 miles. 



Bound Westward. — The approximate courses {true), and the distances 

 in nautical miles, along these routes, are as follows : — 



Northern Route {September ist to January 3lst). 



Course. Miles. 

 Gibraltar Strait to lat. 36° 50', long. 8° 59' (off Cape St. Vincent) N. 71" W. ... 165 



From off Cape St. Vincent to lat. ii° N., long. 50" W. ... Great Circle ... 1902 



„ lat. 44" 0', long. 60", to Sandy Hook lightvessel 



Courses as before (p. 559) ... 1090 



Total Distance ... 3157 



N. A. 0. 72 



