EXX 
‘CG UL Boas 7T REA MM 
is faid to begin where foundings end, yet its influence extends feveral leagues 
within the foundings ; and veffels often find a confiderable current fetting to 
the northward all along the coaft, till they get into eight or ten fathom water, 
even where the foundings ftretch to twenty leagues from the fhore; but their 
current is generally augmented or leffened by the prevaling winds, the force 
of which, however, can but little affect the grand unfathomable ftream. From 
Cape Cannaveral to Cape Hatteras the foundings begin to widen in the extent 
of their run from the fhore to the inner edge of the ftream, the diftance being 
generally near twenty leagues, and the foundings very regular to about feventy 
fathoms near the edge of the ftream, where no bottom can be afterwards found. 
Abreaft of Savannah river, the current fets nearly north ; after which, as if from 
a bay, it ftretches north-eaft to Cape Hatteras, and from thence it fets eaft- 
north-eaft, till it has loft its force. As Cape Hatteras runs a great way into the 
fea, the edge of the ftream is only from fiv2 to feven leagues diftant from the 
cape ; and the force and rapidity of the main ftream has fuch influence, within 
that diftance, over fhips bound to the fouthward, that in very high foul-winds, or 
in calms, they have frequently been hurried back to the northward, which has often 
occafioned great difappointment both to merchant fhips and to men of war, as was 
often experienced in the late war. In December 1754, an exceeding good failing fhip, 
bound from Philadelphia to Charleflown, got abreaft of Cape Hatteras every day 
duiing thirteen days, fometimes even with the tide, and in a middle diftance be- 
tween the cape and the inner edge of the ftream; yet the fhip was forced back 
regularly, and could only recover its loft way with the morning breeze, till the 
fourteenth day, when a brifk gale helped it to ftem the current, and get to 
the fouthward of the Cape. This fhews the impofibility of any thing which 
has fallen into the ftream returning, or ftopping in its courfe. 
On the outfide of the ftream is a ftrong eddy or contrary current towards the 
ocean ; and on theinfide, next to America, a ftrong tide fets againft it. When 
it fets off from Cape Hatteras, it takes a current nearly north-eaft; but in 
its courfe meets a great current that fets from the north, and probably comes 
from Hudfon's Bay, along the coaft of Lalrador, till the ifland of Newjfoundland 
divides it; part fetting along the coaft through the ftreights of Be/leife, and {weep- 
ing paft Cape Breton, runs obliquely againft the gulph-ftream, and gives it a 
more eaftern direction: the other part of the northern current is thought to 
join it on the eaftern fide of Newfoundland. The influence of thefe joint cur- 
rents muft be far felt; yet poffibly its force is not fo great, nor contraéted 
in fuch a pointed and circum{cribed direction as before they encountered. ‘The 
prevaling winds allover this part.of the ocean are the weft and north-weft, and con- 
I fequently 
