Mr. Rennell on the Effects , &c. 401 
the Goodwin, she struck on the north-eastern extremity of 
the southernmost of those sands. And this difference between 
the reckoning (after due allowance being made for the tides) 
and the actual position, I conclude was owing to the northerly 
stream of current, which caught the ship when she drifted to 
the back , or eastern side of the Goodwin. 
The fact of the high level of the Channel, during strong 
winds, between the W. and SW., cannot be doubted : because 
the increased height of the tides in the southern ports, at such 
times, is obvious to every discerning eye. Indeed, the form 
of the upper part of the Channel, in particular, is such as to 
receive and retain, for a time, the principal part of the water 
forced in; as may be seen by the sketch (No. 2) : and as a 
part of this water is continually escaping by the Strait of Dover, 
it will produce a current ; which must greatly disturb the 
reckonings of such ships as navigate the Strait, when thick 
weather prevents the land, or the lights of the Forelands, and 
the North Goodwin, from being seen. 
I observe in a new publication of Messrs. Lawrie and 
Whittle, entitled “ Sailing Directions f &c. for the British Chan - 
“ nel, 1808/’ that throughout the Channel, it is admitted by 
the experienced persons whom he quotes, that strong SW. 
winds “ cause the flood tide to run an hour, or more, longer, 
“ than at common times: 5 ’ or in other words, that a current 
overcomes the ebb tide , a full hour : not to mention how much 
it may accelerate the one, and retard the other, during the 
remainder of the time.* 
* It is also asserted, that in the mouth of the Channel, the extraordinary rise of 
tide, in stormy weather, is ten feet: that is, at common springs twenty, and in storms 
thirty feet. See pages 28, 41, 70, and 133. 
