Major Kennell on the Currents between the Parallels 
The rate of motion of this current vai’ies very considerably 
at different times, that is, from twelve to twenty or more miles 
in twenty-four hours. I consider sixteen as rather below the 
mean rate. I have one example of 140 miles in eight days> in 
one of his Majesty’s ships ; equal to 17J miles per day ; and in 
aoo.ther of only twelve. And in a very well kept East India 
ship’s Journal, 170 in nine days to Madeira, or nineteen per 
day. The direction of the stream likewise varies, but com- 
monly more towards the south than the east, after passing the 
mouth of the Strait. 
Near the coasts of Spain and Portugal, commonly called the 
Wall, the current is always very much southerly, owing per- 
haps to the falling im obliquely on the shore, of the great mass 
of water brought by the SE. current ; which can only run off 
towards the south,, and round Cape St Vincent towards the 
Strait’s mouth,. And amongst the Canary Islands, and between 
them and the coast of Barbary, the currents are less regular. 
I have endeavoured to describe this in the sketch. 
It may be taken for granted, that the whole surface of that 
part of the Atlantic Ocean, from the parallel of 30° to 45° at 
least, and to 100 or 130 leagues off shore, is in motion towards 
the mouth of* the Strait of Gibraltar. 
According to what has been said in the course of the above 
remarks, it must be expected that a ship sailing in the usual 
track to Madeira or the Canaries, will be carried to the south- 
eastward at the rate of sixteen miles per day ; that is, even if 
she has a fair wind, she will be carried by the current 150 or 
160 miles to the south-eastward, in the course of her voyage to 
Madeira or the Canaries ; and, consequently, on a SE, by S. 
course will be carried eighty or ninety to the eastward of her 
intended port. If we suppose a SE. course, the error in east- 
ing will be no less than 109 ; which distance, if they were bound 
to Teneriff, would carry them to Allegrcmza or Fortaventuray 
and if intending to make Allegranza, would place them on 
shore on the coast of Barbary. The French and Spaniards 
report, that their ships have often made Alhgranza when they 
supposed themselves on the line towards Teneriff. It must be 
added, that if a ship had a long passage, the error would be 
