72 GENERAL REMARKS. 



Hook light-vessel. Total distance. Fastnet to Sandy Hook light- 

 vessel, 2,T28 miles; Bishops rock to Sandy Hook light-vessel, 2,857 

 miles. 



Auxiliary steamers may follow the routes given for full- 

 powered steamers or the directions for sailing vessels which are' given 

 below. 



To and from Newfoundland, etc. — Steamers between the Brit- 

 ish isles and any part of Newfoundland follow the great circle track; 

 and this route is also .taken to and from Belleisle strait, which is 

 much frequented from about June to November by vessels bound to 

 or from the river St. Lawrence. 



Those bound westward of cape Race pass southeastward of that 

 cape, making it if the weather is clear, and thence steer for a position 

 southward of St. Pierre island. While on the Great bank of New- 

 foundland during fog, or when there is uncertainty regarding the 

 position, soundings should be frequently obtained, and an indraft 

 toward the south coast of Newfoundland guarded against. 



In making the passage between cape Race and Cape Breton island 

 attention is called to the set of the currents (see pp. 52, 54) and to 

 the necessity of sounding in fog. 



The edges of the deep-water channel running through the banks 

 into Cabot strait are especially good guides. In fog cape Pine should 

 not be approached to less than 40 fathoms, nor cape St. Mary to less 

 than 50 fathoms. There is deep water of 100 to 142 fathoms in the 

 approach to Placentia bay. 



Cabot strait. — Steamers proceeding from the eastward through 

 Cabot strait, in the spring and with clear weather, should pass the 

 signal station on Galantry head, St. Pierre island, within signal dis- 

 tance, and obtain information as to the state of the ice; or, failing 

 this, obtain the information either from the signal station on cape 

 Ray or that on St. Paul island. After the ice has disappeared, gen- 

 erally about the end of May, keep farther off Galantry head, to avoid 

 the dense fog that prevails in that locality during June and July, and 

 beware of the strong current that occasionally sets into the bays on 

 the south coast of Newfoundland; in fact, during this period it is 

 better to be nearer St. Paul island than cape Ray. 



Belleiple strait. — From tlie eastward make Belle isle or its lights, 

 and then keep in the fairway of the strait. From the westward make 

 Greenly island or its light, and then keep in the fairway. For gen- 

 eral directions, navigating the strait in thick weather, etc., see p. 643. 



Steamers from the north of Ireland intending to pass through the 

 strait of Belleisle cross the meridians of 20° and 30° west in about 

 latitude 56° 30' north ; the meridian of 40° in about 55° north ; and 

 that of 50° in 53° 30' north. If bound to St. Johns, or south of New- 

 foundland, the same meridians are crossed as follows: 20° west in 



