The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-03-07
Interesting to Scattering Men.

r.,
Sir: have noticed in Your introductory remarks
10 Abstract Log, tits stated that our knowl-
edge OF the navigation of the Gulf of Mexico Is de-
fectlve, and that more tracks are wanted Tor sheet
No l." | navigated for ten years the ship st.
Mary, packet sailing between NewYork and New
Orleans, with only one deviation from the route,
viz: to Havana and Ragged Island. herewith
furnish you with such observations as | made on
currents, etc, during that period.
The currents on the coast of Louisiana, as a gen.
eral rule, and which is cOrroborated by the BaZe
pilots, are Influenced by the winds The swelling
of the sea by the outpourings of the Mississippi,
tends materially to increase this influence. With
n. n f. and Easery winds the stream sets strong
to the Southwark sweeping round South Pass
Point, it commngles with that running to the west
ward. When the winds blow from the opposite
points the current flows to the northward and east
ward; until checked by The shores of Florida, it
sets rapidly 10 he southwark and eastward extend
ing 10 the Tortugas, and even to the Colorados. In
light winds, however. from any quarter, current
10 the westward of South Point may be setting 10
the westward, while TO the northward of that point
a northeast current will be felt.
The southwesIerly current which sets by the Tor
tngas. and often quite over TO the CoOradOs, is,
think the effect of two causes. In vigating to
the westward, along the Florida reef, with eastery
winds, and in day time, always kept in green
colored water, and as near 10 the reef prudence
would permit BY so doing was invariably IA
yored by current of one and half to two miles
an hour. This current meeting the set, as already
mentioned. the West Florida side, tends to the
enthusiastically; and, although it will be felt
often with the southeast current TO the norhward
and westward of the Fortugas. with the wind from
the northeast boari, more than degree TO the west
ward of those keys, and on the some parallel,
have felt with eastery winds the influence of the
easter!y stream also, very often shortly after having
passed to the southwark of them.
During the summer months, at a time when
Gains, light airs. and variable winds try the patience
of the navigator, the currents are irregular, as
will he seen by two abstracts which | forward to
the Hyde IraDhcil Office.
In performing passages to New Orleans, from
October until March, always made it point,
gardless of currents to keep well TO the norhward.
Many vessel negeCting this precauiion, has, with
the strong North winds, been driven South of the
parallel of the Passes, thence to the westward, by
which the passage has been prolonged many DAYS.
In returning from New Orleans even with South
or westerly winds, always endeavored to secure
casting; for a ship draws up with the southerly
parts OF Florida, the winds in general veer to the
eastern points OF the compass.
Currents in the uicinuy IF the Northern Bahamas.
With the winds strong from the nOrthward, the
currents TO the eastward of Abaco rapidly the
southwark quite down 10 Elethura and New Provi-
dence. L have, such occasions experienced
sixty miles southwark current in twenty four hours.
Also, with easterly winds, the current sets with
great force toward Abaco and along the northern
Keys, often at the rate of three miles an hour-the
causes of numerous disasters which occur on or
about Elbow Reef. Since the year 1910 not less
than one million Of American property has been
destroyed on these reefs. The last vessel wrecked
there, to my knowledge, was the ship Empire, with
United States troops, destined to Mexico.
1t might possibly be the duty of our Government
TO represent to the British Government the neces-
slty of having lighthouse on Man-of-War Key.
The subject has frequently been discussed even by
the authorizes of Nassau but the inhabitants of
the various keys depend principally upon wrecking
for support, and as it is principally on Elbow Reef
that their richest harvests reaped, it is to be
doubted whether they would give to the undertake
ing cordial support. Certain it is that light ex.
hlbIted on Elbow Key would prevent the loss of
many an American vessel, and perhaps be the
means of saving many valuable lives.
Very respectfully, w FosiKR
AisaA ID. J. Many, =. 6. EsYy