The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-04
5 No: 46.

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We find the following new and interesting
theory in regard of the gulf stream IN the Mis-
sissippi Conservative. The wrlteris the vene-
rable father of the late Thos. j. Redus, of this
place, whose demiseacal!ed forth the u8lYerSal
regret of our citizens: f
The GULF FSTREAM-MEssRs EDIToRs: There &
| are variety of conflicting opinions as to the
cause of the gulf stream and therefore hope
it will not be considered vanity on my part to
give my views upon that subject.
In the outset will assume that the equlnoc-
tical current and the gulf stream differ only IN
names, hence it will only be necessary to ac-
count for or give the cause of the former which
seems to me almost to explanStself
As the earth has motion from west to east
of about one thousand miles an hour at the
equator. it causes the waters of the ocean as
well as the stars to appear to move from east
to west, and by the centrifugal force OF the
earth the water is raised much higher at the
equator than al the poles, and as the velocity OF
the earth's rotary motion decreases from the
equator towards the poles, the water partakes
of the earth's motion at about eighteen degrees
north and south latitude. This belt OF thirty
six degrees, more or less, (the equator beng
the centre) includes the equinoctical current,
and the motion of the earth beng as much
greater than the water. as the velocity OF the
current is computed to be, say six miles an hour,
this current is divided at cape St. Rogue, IN
about the sixth degree south latitude, and part
passing down the south west angle OF South
America, being but small portion of the cur
rent its force is lost by the confusion OF coun-
ter currents about cape Hem. The larger por-
ton of the current is detected, from cape st.
Rogue opposite the stream obliquely, to the
) north east the water being backed from the
shore and raised above the true level, by this
elevation and the motion of the earth it rushes
into the gulf with greatvelocity. The ping up
of the waters is forcibIy illustrated by the bay
! of Fundy where the same causes produce atde
< of sixty or seventy feet. Being thus accelera-
ted in its velocity, this vast volume rushes
v through the Caribbean sea, into the gulf OF
S Mexico, between Yucatan and Cuba, and thence
# takes the name of the gulf stream. and is from
e its direction less susceptible Of the earth's mo-
e ton But from the momentum 1t has receiVea
it is carried around the capes of Florida with
S great impetuosty, retaining great part olelts
equinoctia temperature and passing otf New
Foundand where it is again detected by
a northern current-the same which drives the
II icebergs into the ocean highway between New
York and Liverpool-round by the coasts OF
: Europe and Africa, with diminished current
e and temperature, until finally it enters the equl-
n noctial current at the point from whence 1T
started, thus forming what Humboldt called the
|, great Whirlpool of the world -
This is what conceive to be the cause OF the
e gulf stream-a cause in accordance with nail
- ral laws. So<far as | am concerned this IS
e original and thrown as waif before the public
- for what it is sworth. A REDUs.
d We find in the Southern Cultiyator another
n communication from the same gentleman, ,whlc
s. will prove interesting to our mechanics:
The WAGoN-It is evident that the larger
e. the wheels of vehicle are, so mach the lighter
is the DRAFT, until the centre of their clrcumler
er ence becomes equal in height to the horse 8
e, breast Besides large wheels produce less
b. friction, because their velocity less than small
be wheels, and the latter sink deepern soft road
be thereby increasing the difficulty Of transporta-
be ton The advantage of larger wheels thar
Y those in common use will further appear when
ry we take into consideration that the fuIcum is at
ty the bottom The aver&ge height of the fols-
ID wheels is not commonly over forty inches whisil
I'd would only give, the horses lever power OF
s. twenty inches over the weight, moreover the
s. weight is at a great distance below the horses
breasts If we should increase the height OF
in the wheel to sixty inches it would give the beam
es lever power of thirty inches, still leaving tie
N weight sufficiently low, making, a difference IN
er favor of the horses of fifty per cent.
r We can see no good reason why the hiad
4 wheels should be larger than those before. 1:
seems to us that they should be equal, the opin-
oc to tb,c
al standing. Suppose for instance the fore wheels
TO should be four and the hind wheels six. TIE
TO inclination forward of the line of traction would
nc tend to press the load into the earth and conse
re quently increase the difficulty Of drawing. N
en- there be any advantage in having the wheels
" Of different heights, why is it that the inteHi
Vs. gen. constructors of steam cars have net
IN ayailed themselves of it? The advantage O.
OF larger wheels is somewhat lessened, it is true
n by the increased difficulty of turning in mar
H. row compass, but wheels being of equal height
III does not increase this difficulty.
re As the fulcrum of the wheel is at the bottom
e. it follows that its motion increases, as the Gis
"a tance from the bottom increases and if her
H. zortal line Imaginary be drawn, pa~s.Hg
'a' through the centre Of motion, the velocity o
~ that part above the line will be FIVE times great
~ than the part below
n A wagon with two inch tire will sink in tne
ur ground four times deeper than four inch tir~
'r all things being equal. The latter having do4
0! OF bic the space to sustain the load and only hal
ell the weight on any given space. | merely men
IS ton the four inch tire for sake of Illustration
ar three or three and half being amply sufticien.
al Hoping some intelligent mechanic may possibly
re improve on these hints, am gentlemen,
ne A. REDUs.
ny
ed Strange revelations are made in the Nov
ed York Sun concerning certain leading American
n flIbuSters--Ot such character as to demand
IS prompt explanation from the parties IMPLICATED
:ss The pth Of these disclosures is, that gene
TX raj Quitman, together with sundry retired off
nd GERS Of the United States army agreed ts &c
military force to protect the landing Of arms