In Figure 2hA , within the dashed lines west of 60°W, 77 percent 
of the observations show a prevailing set toward 072°T at a mean speed 
of 1.1 knots and a maximum speed of about 3.2 knots; east of 60°, 
81 percent of the observations show a prevailing set toward 088°T at 
a mean speed of 1.0 knot and a maximum speed of about 2.9 knots. 
SHIP 
DRIFT OBS. IN 
SAME DIRECTIONS 
AS GEK OBS. 
SHIP DRIFT (ALL YEARS) 
PREVAILING CURRENT 
GEK (1960) 
REGION Dire Speed range 
Dir. Freqe 
(°T) (kn ) 
Dir. Freq. Speed (kn ) 
(9T)  (per- 
(°T) (per- Mean Maxe 
cent ) 
Table 11 Comparison of surface drift and GEK data 
Table 11 compares the flow determined from ship drift data and from 
1960 GEK data for the specified Regions A, B, and C in Figure 2A. The 
prevailing surface flows indicated by drift observations differ 
considerably from those observed by GEK. For example, the total of all 
south-setting drift current observations in Regions A and C average 
less than 5 percent, whereas the frequency of the east-setting current 
is as high as 85 percent. 
The meandering pattern of the current in Figure 2)A, which has 
been described as a permanent feature, closely approximates data 
obtained in June 1950 (Figure 2B); if detailed measurements were 
obtained at Locations 4, 5, 6, and 7 in Figure 2A, they would help 
to clarify the apparent complexities of the current. The June 1950 
data also indicate a cyclonic eddy divorced from the main stream; the 
main surface flow of the stream probably is located as shown by 
62 
