Mr. Renneli/s Observations on a Current 
day, the observation shewed two miles northing ; which 
however proves nothing. Again, on the succeeding day, (the 
sd) in a most important point of the track, there was no ob- 
servation of latitude. 
In the Hector, precisely in the same track, and at the same 
season of the year, the current had, as has been observed, 
a considerable degree of northing in its course. On two days 
it was about 12 miles, each ; on another day 13, and on two 
others, and 8 ; and this, in weather very favourable for 
keeping a reckoning, and with observations of latitude, on 
every day save one ; not to mention the strong circumstances 
of a visible set to the northward, indicated, as well by the 
lead line, as by the ripling on the surface of the water. It is 
in the nature of currents, to expand their streams or columns 
of water, after being projected into the ocean ; and therefore, 
according to this law, the middle part of the stream should 
preserve its original course, in a greater degree than the 
borders of it ; so that the middle part may run to the 
NW by W, whilst the eastern border may run more nor- 
tberly, and the western border more westerly. It is certain, 
that in the Hector, we felt the northerly current much 
stronger, close on the west of Scilly, than further out ; and 
it appeared by the distance we ran, after sounding in 73 fa- 
thoms, that the current must have set much more westerly , 
than northerly, the whole time. 
The following remarks obviously occur, on the effect of this 
current. 
1st. Whatever may be the breadth of the stream, (which 
is at present unknown) if a ship crosses it very obliquely , that 
is, in an E by S, or more southerly direction (as may easily 
