PASSAGES SAILIXG ROUTES, 73 



about latitude 55° north; 30° ^Yest in 53- 40' north: 40° west in about 

 51° 30' north; and 50° west in 48= north. 



Caution. — From the character of the streams in Belleisle strait, a 

 vessel passing through it in either direction may overrun her reckon- 

 ing, or the contrary. 



Sailing vessels' routes — British isles to and from New- 

 foundland. — There are two routes, the northern and the southern. 

 The northern route should, as a rule, be taken only in autumn, when 

 it is free from ice. When clear of the English channel stand north- 

 westward and cross the meridian of 30° west longitude in about 

 latitude 55° north; then steer, according to destination, for the strait 

 of Belleisle. for St. Johns, or to pass a convenient distance southward 

 of cape Race. 



In this route, although heavy weather is frequently experienced, 

 the winds are generally favorable, and the Arctic current asists in the 

 latter part of the voyage. 



In thick weather the thermometer may be useful, as the tempera- 

 ture of the w^ater falls on the banks of Newfoundland. 



In spring the best route to follow on leaving the English channel 

 is to make a little northing, so as to cross the meridian of 18° west in 

 lat. 50° north, and thence direct if bound to the northern ports of New- 

 foundland ; but if bound to the southern part of the island or to the 

 gulf of St. Lawrence, steer so as to strike the Great bank between the 

 parallels of 45° and 46° north, keeping a good lookout for ice when 

 nearing the ice limits. At this season of the year a lane of water is 

 often found between the ice and the east coast of Newfoundland, ex- 

 tending from cape Race to Bay Bulls, at which latter anchorage a 

 vessel may await in safetj^ a clear passage to St. Johns harbor round 

 cape Spear. Vessels from ports on the east coast of England or Scot- 

 land with a westerly wind go northward and round the Orkney 

 islands; those from Liverpool or the Clyde pass northward of Ireland. 



Formerly the New York packet ships, when making their winter 

 voyage from Liverpool, kept in high latitudes until nearing New- 

 foundland. This they did for the twofold object of avoiding the 

 tempestuous weather so generally experienced to the southward, and 

 of obtaining fairer winds. The voyage by this route is shortened in 

 distance; and. although bad weather must be expected, it is not so 

 violent as farther south; besides which the easterly currents are 

 avoided. 



The southern route. — After clearing the channel, and if the wind 

 permits, steer to pass midway between Madeira and the Azores, or if 

 the wind does not favor, pass nearer Madeira, into the northeast 

 trade wind. When well in the trade run westward until in about 

 45° to 48° west longitude, then liaul gradually up for cape Race or 

 Cabot strait. 



