54 GENERAL REMARKS. 



In the middle of Cabot strait the current is variable and usually- 

 weak. 



On the west coast of Newfoundland. — The rate of the current 

 in most of the open area of the gulf of St. Lawrence seldom exceeds 

 1 mile an hour; its direction, therefore, is very variable, being easily 

 affected by strong winds, and on this account it is necessary to exercise 

 caution in navigation. 



Generally on the west coast of Xewfoundland, the current sets 

 northeastward; it is scarcely appreciable from cape St. George to 

 bay of Islands, but thence to Eich point it may be considered con- 

 stant, with a rate of about 1 mile an hour; it is stronger near this 

 land than farther out, and in the vicinity of bays and inlets the cur- 

 rent is deflected by the inset and outset of the tidal streams. It is 

 stronger than usual before a southwesterly wind commences, but a 

 strong northeasterly wind causes it to slacken and even turn south- 

 westward. 



In the area between a line drawn from Rich point northward to 

 Eskimo islands and the western end of Belleisle strait, the currents 

 are variable and uncertain, being intermediate between the above cur- 

 rent and the tidal streams of the strait. In the western part of this 

 area the rate is usually less than 1 mile and rarely over 1^ miles, but 

 towards the entrance of the strait it increases. A current sometimes 

 sets southeastward from the vicinity of Greenly island and sets 

 strongly on shore about Flower cove. 



In Belleisle strait. — The movement of the water in Belleisle 

 strait is tidal (see p. 55). but a strong wind through the strait either 

 way makes a drift, which causes the opposing tidal stream to slacken, 

 and eventually overcomes it altogether; a continuous current then 

 runs in the direction towards which the wind is blowing, but its rate 

 increases or decreases according as the tidal stream is with it or 

 against it. This appears to take place earlier on the Labrador side 

 of the strait than on the Xewfoundland side, which is more under 

 tidal influence. (See also p. 641.) 



The general Arctic current setting southward past the Atlantic 

 mouth of the strait is influenced by the tidal inflow and outflow of 

 the strait itself; the greater inflow towards the strait takes place on 

 the northern side of the entrance and the greater outflow on the 

 southern side. 



Tides. — The range of spring tides on the coasts of Xewfoundland, 

 and also on the coast of Labrador northward to Eclipse harbor, near 

 cape Chidley, is from 4 to 7 feet. 



Tidal streams. — On the south coast of Newfoundland the 

 tidal streams are very variable, changing Avith the locality aud influ- 

 enced generally, both in direction and rate, by the prevailing winds 

 of several preceding dnys. Between St, Lawrence and Lamalin har- 



