PHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS OFF THE NEW ENGLAND COAST. 
401 
ji August 3, 1889, we were storm-staid in Block Island Harbor. 
I August 4, 1889. (Table 6 aud Plate 6.)— We started another line to the east- 
t ward. The same depressions in the temperature curve of the water were noticed, 
I although we were 10 miles farther offshore than on August 2, aud the temperatures 
I were recorded in the p. m. on August 2 and in the a. m. to-day. When we started on 
I this line it was high tide, aud when we reached line G it was low tide, exactly the 
reverse conditions of August 2. These depressions will be noticed at 7 to 9 hours, 
as we crossed the entrance to Narragansett Bay, at 11 hours off Buzzard’s Bay, and 
![ at 14 hours off Vineyard Sound. The temperature curve of the air does not show any 
! marked differences from those of New York or Boston, except those due to the general 
influence of the ocean, which would naturally cause a lower temperature. At 18 hours 
we notice a depression in the water curve caused by our taking an outward course 
I along line E and passing through colder water. After this was passed the tempera- 
I ture rose again as we reached warmer aud denser water. 
August 5, 1889. (Table 7 aud Plate 7.) — On the Grampus the conditions of the 
i water remained nearly unchanged until 9 a. m., when the wind commenced to blow 
I strongly, aud this was followed by a heavy rain. At 11 a. m. we were struck by a 
[ severe squall, which forced us to lie to under the mainsail. The sudden drop in the 
air curve will of itself explain why we headed for shore again. The fall in the water 
curve as we entered the cold baud off the coast is clearly seen. The meteorological 
conditions at New York and Boston appear to have been decidedly mixed, and offer 
some explanation of our treatment upon the ocean between these points. 
August 6, 1889. (Table 8 and Plate 8.) — The air temperature of the Grampus 
follows the curve at New York in the main. The Boston curve apparently was affected 
by some cause which may have hindered the full development of our curve in the a. m., 
and also may have hurried the descent of the curve in the p. m. We spent nearly 
the whole day “jogging” off Martha’s Vineyard for lack of wind. The only break in 
the water-temperature curve which needs explanation occurred at 13 hours, when we 
had nearly reached the entrance to Muskeget Channel (Station D 1) just before high 
tide. The contrasts given in the air and water curves during the entire day can be 
taken to represent the effect of the sun upon the shoal water near the coast, since we 
hardly varied our position by more than 10 miles all day long. The sky was nearly 
covered with clouds all the a. m. and in the late p. m., but at 15 to 17 hours, when the 
clouds were least, the highest temperature was reached. The increase in temperature 
was soon overcome when the sky was covered again and the temperature of the water 
became the controlling element. 
August 7, 1889. (Table 9 and Plate 9.) — In the early a. m. the same general 
conditions prevailed. During the day the Grampus air curve reached the same max- 
imum as reached by the New York air curve. This was due to the high water temper, 
ature, clouded sky, and exceedingly light winds. It is noticeable that an increase in 
the water temperature took place quite early in the a. m. and the maximum was 
reached at 13 to 15 hours, when we had a light specific gravity (1.0251, Station D 3). 
The long continuance of the high temperature into the night hours at New York is 
noteworthy, aud was probably due to westerly continental winds. 
August 8, 1889. (Table 10 and Plate 10.) — A day of extraordinary changes in 
the air temperature. The Grampus air curve reached a higher point than the New 
York curve, the maximum occurring before noon. Unless this day’s curves be taken 
Bull. U. S. F. C. 89 26 
