Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-11-04
THE KURO sLWO-THE GULF
STREAM OF THE PACIFIC.
BY T. b. AIAURv.

So much for the Gulf Stream. Let us
turn now to the Kuro Siwo, the other
factor in the result claimed by the new
theory for a thermometric approach to
the Pole. The Equatorial Current Of
the Pacific is wider and grander even
than that Of the Atlantic. 1t is the par
ent stream, out of which so many other
bodies of water obtain their volume. Il
moves, as do all such currents Of the
ocean, on the line Of a great circle inter
secdng the equator at an acute angle of
only a few degrees. 1t sweeps to the
westward, in uninterrupted grandeur
as one expresses it, around three eighths
Of the circumference of the globe, until
diverted by the continent of Asia, and
split into innumerable streams by the
Polynesian Islands. Reaching the La
drones, it imparts a much warmer Cli-
mate than It has given to the Sandwich
or Marquesas. The Philippines are
made oppressively hot even in the win
ter, and one familiar with it has said:
"The fervOr increases as we reach Ma
lacca. is all aglow in India, and becomes
sitting in its itensity as these equatorial
waters, after travelling fifteen thousand
miles and being fully three hundred
days under vertical sun, are thrown
against the eastern shores of Africa.
This Equatorial Current is as broad as
the Torrid Zone, and out of it comes the
Kuro Siwo
The latter possesses a temperature
more striking in its contrast with the
surrounding waters than does the Gulf
Stream of the Atlantic.
Striking off at Formosa from the great
Equatorial, it moves with majestic pow
e-vs r.FH Ia .H
the eye of the thoughtful observer is
bent upon the discharge of some mo-
mentous mission. Reaching the forteth
parallel of north latitude, its surface is
swept by the "brave west wind" of the
northern hemisphere. 1t now seems 20
turn aside from its course, and curve
away to the American shores. On the
track of its northeasterlv flow the man
maker writes another name, as III suriu
mighty power had diverted it. But it
has not been turned; only a little of It's
foamy surface has been born along in
the easterly set. The vast torrents only
SKINNED
The recurvation which pours around
the southern coasts of Alaska, aud
laves the western shores Of Sitka
Island, is but a GgIH. The tremondu-
Gus bulk Of equatorial water rushes On
in a ohangeless course. It is moving
in obedience to a steady aud almighty
hand. Every drop feels the impulse of
a force it cannot resist. Every drop ls
lighter than the drop Of polar water,
with which it is Fastening TO exchange
places, lest the equilibrium OF nature
be overthrown.
But on its way il receives, every mo-
ment, an impact from the earth'5 rota-
ton. And thus it moves on the line
of a great circle to the northeast and
entering Behring's Sea, knocks or ad-
mission at the very gates Of the Polar
Ocean. In its course it's pathway Is
streWed with the marks of It's thermal
and climatic power. IF the GulfStTeam
has clothed ireland with its robe of
vendure, aud made il the Emerald
Isle" tho Kuro Siwo has done as
much for the Aleutian Islands aud
Alaska. They are mantled with living
green. The hocks scarcely need shol-
ter in winter If their soil Is troeloss.
their Gulf Stream richly supplies
them with timber for their canoes, and
camphOr-wood Of Japan aud China fyr
their furniture -Ahl11tc if0uftJ.