82 BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND NOVA SCOTIA BANKS. 



contiguous to, La Have bank, and with it forms an almost continuous 

 bank, following the line of coast off cape Sable at the distance of 50 

 miles offshore. 



Near the western extremity of Browns bank is a sandy rise about 

 10 miles long north and south, with from 14 to 30 fathoms, the for- 

 mer depth having been obtained in latitude 42° 47' N., longitude 

 66° 12' W. This depth lies about 44 miles south-southwest of cape 

 Sable. 



Outside the 50-fathom line of Browns bank there is a deep-water 

 channel 25 miles wide, separating it from the 60-fathom line at the 

 northeastern extremity of Georges shoal, off the Massachusetts coast. 



Inside Browns bank there is a narrow deep-water channel with 

 above 60 fathoms, dividing it from the same depth on the edge of 

 the shore bank, which follows, about 30 miles off, the line of coast 

 from cape Sable to Bryer island, abreast which the deep water ap- 

 proaches within 5 miles of the shore. 



There are many inequalities on the main shore bank off the south- 

 western coast of Nova Scotia which it would be useless to describe in 

 detail in these directions, inasmuch as they are clearly delineated on 

 the chart; and by studying this, the navigator will have a compre- 

 hensive idea, not only of the positions of, and depths upon, the 

 various small patches, but also of the relative positions of the larger 

 banks. 



Caution. — The bottom in the approach to Halifax is very uneven, 

 and soundings over this area have not yet been obtained in sufficient 

 detail to justify much confidence being placed in a position assumed 

 from depths alone. 



Fish. — The banks off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia abound in 

 cod and other fish, and during the summer large fleets of fishing ves- 

 sels anchor upon them. The ordinary track of the mail steamers is 

 left open, but northward and southward of this track there are numer- 

 ous American, French, and British colonial vessels engaged in the cod 

 fishery. 



Although these banks have been frequented by fishermen for over 

 300 years, the fish show no diminution in number. 



Bank eastward of Newfoundland and strait of Belleisle. — A 

 bank, with generally less than 200 fathoms over it, extends about 100 

 to 150 miles eastward of Newfoundland and Labrador between the 

 Great bank and about latitude 53° N., although a considerable area 

 with depths of 220 to 270 fathoms stretches south-southeastward 

 from a position eastward some 70 miles from the northern point of 

 Belle isle. 



The bank of soundings, on which the least depth of water yet found 

 is 86 fathoms, mud, lying about 28 miles eastward of the northern 



