CURRENTS. 233 



from oceanic currents, and bottles liberated on this area took one of two courses. If liberated well 

 inshore, they were di'ifted south as far as Dutch Bay by the prevaihng northerly wind. If hberated a 

 little further west to the overfalls or beyond, they eventually drifted over towards Cape Comorin, being 

 first blown south by the prevailing wind, and eventually they became involved in the oceanic current 

 named, which rmis along the west Ceylon coast in a northerly direction as far north as Tallaivillu Point, 

 and then takes a westerly direction to the Indian coast towards Tuticorin, from whence it runs south, 

 and, roimding Cape Comorin, has been traced as far north as Cahcut. The current thus sweeping west 

 runs out into the Indian Ocean, where it is lost, but it is exceedingly interesting to note that we have 

 had a bottle returned from the Maldive Islands. This current, as it sweeps round Cape Comorin, still 

 runs in a westerly direction, although owing to the configuration of the land offsets from the main current 

 have been traced as far north as Calicut. Prom the above it will be gathered that bottles hberated 

 along the Indian side and the Ceylon side (except on the inshore areas under lease) have usually been 

 lost. The percentage recovered is small (16'76 per cent.), and such bottles consist entirely of (a) those 

 liberated inshore on the areas under lease, which merely drifted south on to the beach by the prevailing 

 north wind, these form the bulk of those returned; (6) those which were hberated further out at 

 sea, west of the above area, which first drifted south ^v'ith the prevaihng northerly wind, and eventually 

 becoming involved in the westerly current, drifted over to the Tuticorin side ; while (c) those which were 

 liberated to the south became directly involved in the westerly oceanic current named and were carried 

 up the east coast of Lrdia. As we have seen, however, the vast majority (83 '24 per cent.) were lost, 

 being carried away into the Indian Ocean by the oceanic current. 



It is to be noted that during this monsoon a steady flow of water passes through the Paumbeu Pass, 

 from the north to the south side, and has been noted by such steamers as regularly pass through. This 

 current of water, however, passes out into the Gulf of Mannar and is never felt on the area under lease, 

 which hes to the extreme north-east of the gulf. 



The pass through the Mannar Channel may be altogether neglected. Durmg tire south-west 

 monsoon this channel becomes silted tip. With the advent of the north-east monsoon the water collecting 

 to the north and north-east of Mannar island quickly scours out the channel, but the effect of this is only 

 felt for a few days on the area under lease. After the channel is clear no further current is noticed. A 

 reference to the chart wiU show how insignificant and temporary the eiiect of this channel is. 



Over the area under lease then, occurring as it does in such a secluded position, away and protected 

 from all disturbing oceanic influences, the essential conditions for a calm sea (save such as is caused' by 

 wind, and therefore temporary in character) prevail. On this section of the plateau alone 300 drift 

 bottles have been hberated. Of these, 57, or only 19 per cent., were returned. We have in the above 

 been referring purely to the northern head of the gulf. 



South of Tallaivillu Point, however, an entirely different set of conditions prevail. Here, as we 

 have seen, a very decided current nms along the coast in a northerly direction, and in the face of the 

 north-east monsoon. This current is known to exist throughout the entire monsoon, and is reckoned 

 with and allowed for by local vessels. Its origin is a httle obscure, but its occurrence is beyond possible 

 doubt. Its rate averages • 3 knot per hour. It appears to rise as an offshoot from the current produced 

 on the east side of the Island during the north-east monsoon, which, running in a general southerly 

 direction, flows into the open sea to the south-west of Ceylon. A branch from this volume of water 

 rounds the south end of Ceylon, and runs north along the West Ceylon coast. This current on reacliing 

 Tallaivillu Point takes a due westerly course towards Tuticorui in South-east India. From tliere it 

 runs south, and rounding Cape Comorin flows north along the west coast of India, and has been traced 

 as far as AHeppe and Calicut, although the main current passes west and is lost in the Indian Ocean. 

 This current continues througli January and February, and ceases as the strength of the monsoon dechncs 

 in March. During April and May there is no current noticeable, and this condition continues until the 

 south-west monsoon sets in. The explanation of these facts may be difficult, but the presence of tlie 

 current under consideration is unquestionable, for not only have drift bottles liberated m the vicinities 

 concerned been recovered on the Indian side and in the Maldive Islands, but, as before noted, commander.'} 

 of vessels traversing this tract are perfectly familiar with its direction and liave helped the writers 

 considerably. 

 .57-11 



