TIDAL STREAMS. 55 



bors the flood generally runs southwestward ; on the southern side of 

 Fortune hsij, eastward; and on the northern side of the same bay, 

 westward. Between cape la Hune and cape Ray the flood runs west- 

 ward irregularly, and continues 2 to 3 hours after high water on the 

 shore. At cape Eay this stream is very variable, generall}^ setting 

 into the gulf of St. Lawrence, and sometimes attaining a rate of 2 

 knots an hour within a short distance of the cape. 



Between St. Pierre and cape Ray the tidal streams are felt from 

 10 to 15 miles off the coast, and westward of Penguin islands the flood 

 runs west-northwestward, and the ebb east-southeastward. 



While the stream inshore is running in one direction, it sometimes 

 happens that it is going in the opposite direction at 5 to 6 miles from 

 the land. Vessels beating into the gulf of St. Lawrence would do well 

 to try both streams before making a long stretch seaward. 



On the west coast the flood stream runs generally southwestward 

 and the ebb northeastward. 



On the east coast the flood stream sets northeastward and retards 

 the current usually setting southwestward, the ebb stream setting 

 southwestward accelerates it. 



In Belleisle strait. — When uninfluenced by wind the stream in 

 the strait runs east and west for nearly equal periods, and turns regu- 

 larly in accordance with the rise and fall of the tide. (See p. 641.) 

 On the whole the westerly, or inward, flow seems to be slightly greater 

 than the outward flow. 



It appears, as yet, impossible to predict with accuracy the direc- 

 tion of the streams in the strait, but under normal conditions the 

 westerly stream begins about 4 hours before high water at Forteau 

 bay, and the easterly stream about 2^ hours after high water there; 

 the streams turn in the direction of the hands of a watch.. The ordi- 

 nary rate during the strength of the streams is 1 to 2 knots an hour, 

 but the greatest rates observed have been, of the westerly stream, 3^ 

 loiots, and of the easterly 2^ knots. Both their rates and directions 

 are greatly affected by any strong winds blowing at the time, or just 

 previously. 



On the Labrador side the westerly stream predominates, especially 

 towards the eastern end of the strait and near the shore, where it is 

 so strong at times as to prevent fishermen hauling tlieir nets. 



On the Newfoundland side towards cape Norman, the reverse ap- 

 pears to be the case. Certainly there is more slack water in that 

 locality than on the Labrador coast. The easterly stream runs round 

 cape Norman with considerable strength, while the westerly stream 

 is comparatively weak. The streams do not always run fairly 

 through the strait, and with both the easterly and the westerly there 

 is an indraft towards Cook and Pistolet bays. 



