564 PASSAGES OVER THE ATLANTIO. 



The daily distances give to the navigator practically the best idea 

 possible as to the difference in the winds by these several routes as they 

 cross the N.E. Trade Wind belt, supposing that belt to lie all the year 

 round between the Equator and the parallel of 30° North. Thus, in 

 Bome months, as in October, for instance, there appears to be practically no 

 difference in the winds, the average rate of sailing being 87 miles per day 

 by the Old route, 88 by the New, and 90 by the Middle — a difference 

 purely accidental, for the N.E. Trades are, at this season, pretty nearly 

 broken up. The gain by the New Eoute, for this month, is not in crossing 

 the Trade Wind belt, but in reaching it. It takes, from our Atlantic 

 ports, 12-6 days to reach it by the New Eoute, 19 by the Old, and 16 by 

 the Middle; and having crossed 30° N., the Trade Winds thence to the 

 Equator, at this season, are the same for all routes. Not so at other 

 seasons. 



From 30° N. to the Line, the average distance sailed daily during the 

 winter months is 92 miles by the Old route against 134 by the New. To 

 what is this difference owing ? Are the ships that take the New Eoute 

 the faster ? That can hardly be. They are better navigated I have no 

 doubt, for, as a rule, the log books show that. But still that is not 

 sufficient to account for all this difference. In winter, a ship that takes 

 the New Eoute from 30° to the Line will go nearly as far, on the average, 

 in one day as she could go in a day and a half by the Old Eoute. This 

 is owing, in a great measure, to the fact that the New Eoute lies through 

 a region of the ocean where the breezes are brisk, and brisk breezes 

 always help to make both officers and crew brisk. This great difference 

 of time and speed is probably owing to this circumstance more than to 

 any other." 



By a reference to the diagrams accompanying this Section, it will be 

 readily seen what route it is advisable to take, according to the seasoia. 



