THE GULF STREAM. 257 
which, as has been shown, is derived from the western set of the 
equatorial current joining the Gulf Stream in its way towards 
the European shores. (See Figs. 170-175.) 
Commander Bartlett thus describes the general course of the 
Gulf Stream : — 
“The Gulf Stream has for its western bank the one-hundred-fathom 
curve as far as Cape Hatteras. It has a depth of 400 fathoms as far as 
Charleston, where it is reduced to 300 fathoms; but the Arctic current 
has for its western bank the one-thousand-fathom eurve, which is quite 
close to shoal water from the George's Dank to Hatteras. 
“ The average surface temperature in the axis of the Stream rarely 
exceeded 83° F. in June and July. On one or two occasions the ther- 
mometer read as high as 86°, and once 89°; but it was at high noon in 
a dead calm. The temperature at five fathoms did not range above the 
average of 815°. 
“ The increase of temperature of the surface was found as we entered 
the current. . . . 
“The surface temperatures did not indicate a cold wall inside of 
the Stream, and the water inside of the one-hundred-fathom line to 
the shore seemed to be an overflow of the Stream, as the temperatures 
to five, ten, and fifteen fathoms were nearly as high as those found in 
the Stream. 
“ The temperatures at the bottom in the Stream, at corresponding 
depths, were the same as those found in the Windward Passage, and 
in the course of the current to the Yucatan Passage. The average 
bottom temperature at 400 fathoms was 45°, and, as off Charleston;? in 
300 fathoms, 53?. The temperature at 300 fathoms, off the George's 
1 It might, perhaps, be advisable to to the eastward of 45° W. Long. "There 
distinguish between the eastern exten- seems to be no reason for changing the 
sion of the Gulf Stream combined with name of the Gulf Stream because so many 
the Atlantic drift, and the Gulf Stream other liberties have been taken with it. 
proper, understanding by the latter the We should retain the original name, limit- 
water which passes through the Florida ing it to the Florida Stream coming from 
Straits. This has been called by Peter- the Gulf of Mexico, and apply to its east- 
mann tlie Florida Stream ; and the name ern extension, in connection with the At- 
of Gulf Stream he has applied to the im- lantie easterly drift, some new name, 
mense body of warm water which super- such as the Equatorial Drift, or the Car- 
heats the basin of the Eastern Atlantie ibbean Stream. 
? About eighty miles from Charleston a line was run parallel to the coast, along 
the axis of the Gulf Stream. 
Depth in Surface Tem- Temperature Bottom Tem- Nature of 
Fathoms. perature, at 2 fathoms, perature. Bottom. 
257 88° 88° 50° No specimen. 
291 83° 83.5° 45° Fine sand, 
274 83.5? 83.5? 44.5? Coarse sand. 
288 87.5? 83.5? 45° No specimen. 
265 84° 83,5? 45? Coarse sand. 
