74 GEXER.^ EEMAKKS. 



The routes from Xewfoiindland to the British isles are direct by 

 the great circle, care being" taken to avoid ice. 



To the gulf of St. Lawrence through Cabot strait, after passing- 

 southward of the Virgin rocks and St. Pierre island, endeavor to make 

 St. Paul island (see p. 2G3) which, being of considerable elevation, 

 bold all round, and well lighted, may be made both at night and by 

 day ; with proper caution it may be steered for even in fog, unless it 

 is very thick. 



Between cape Race and Cabot strait give the south coast of New- 

 foundland a wide berth, attend to the set of the current (see pp. 52. 

 54), and take frequent soundings on the banks, the n^-ual state of 

 weather being fog. 



Caution. — In ai^proaching St. Paul island from the eastward 

 with northerly winds, the prevailing south-southeasterly current 

 which at times sets toward Cape Breton island, should be guarded 

 against by sounding on the bank extending off the eastern coast of 

 Cape Breton island. 



The south coast of Newfoundland, eastward of cape Ray, is broken, 

 rocky, and dangerous; there is often a strong indraft toward the 

 land, and the tidal streams are influenced by the winds ; while south- 

 erly and easterly winds, and often also southwesterly winds, bring- 

 a thick fog, which is most dense near the lee shore. This coast there- 

 fore should not be approached, excepting with a decided northerly 

 wind and clear weather. 



Note. — AYith soutliAvesterly winds, while the weather is foggy east- 

 ward of the meridian of Flint island. Cape Breton island, it is fre- 

 quently clear for some miles off the land westward of it. 



Magnetic variation. — The magnetic variation changes rapidly 

 from place to place on the coasts of Newfoundland and I^abrador. 

 This change, which is shown by the crowding together of the lines 

 of equal magnetic variation on the charts, amounts to 1° in about 45 

 miles in the vicinity of caj^e Race, in about 37 to 32 miles on the west 

 coast of Newfoundland, and in about 32 miles near cape Chidley. 

 Great attention is therefore necessary to the course steered by compass. 



Observations obtained during recent years show that the secular 

 change in the magnetic variation is in some cases very different from 

 what was anticipated. The results of these observations have been 

 embodied in the chart of the variation of the compass at the beginning 

 of this volume and in H. O. chart No. 2406, curves of equal magnetic 

 variation for 1910. and these charts should be consulted on all occa- 

 sions when deciding on the variation to be allowed in shaping- 

 course, etc. 



The deviation of the compass should be ascertained when ap- 

 proaching Newfoundland, as the large angle of magnetic dip and the 

 small horizontal force in this region may cause the deviation to be 



