Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-02-10
The GULF STREAM.

Why has the region along the Allan.
tic coast, beginning with Hatteras and
extending to Maine, been enjoying, or
suffering, English weather" for two
years past?
No more interesting or important
question of its class can engage tho in
quiries and study of our able scientists.
1t Is safe to say that Prof. Maury, OF
the ante-war times, who brought storms
and currents of the great oceans within
the dominion of exact science, were oc-
cupying the same position that he then
held, thousands of masters of vessels
would, before this, ha," been making
observations and Zoo, lat would
have furnished a vas, a,4>, Of data.
Our weather bureau is IL military in
stitution, and its activities, observations
and inquiries stop at our saltwater
boundaries. But the hunt lily that Mas
changed our climate in this coast region
does not come from the West, and our
military observers are as ignorant of the
Eastern causes of revolution in tho
weather as any other equal number OF
intelligent men who are getting no data
for their speculation and theories.
All they have done and all that lies
within the sphere of duty that they I'M
dertake to fulfill, is to demonstrate that
the causes of our humid climate do not
come from inland.
But are there not in the navy and on
duty in Washington able and scientific
men who might follow Prof. Maury's
example and supply our naval vessels
and revenue vessels with instructions
as to making observations at sea, say
for one or two hundred miles off the
coast where humidity has been so great
ly increased?
Why should not inquiries so import
ant and practical be cond ucted system
atically, and all the reports carefully
collated and studied?
We have special faith in the utility Of
such Investigations, because for several
months past we have been possessed
with strengthening conviction that we
have had. English weather. because the
main condition of the popularity of that
weather, the influence of the Gulf
Stream, has come into existence through
q turn of the Gulf Stream landward.
Why not? The walls of that mighty
current are water. Causes not known or
movable might easily send that current
twenty or forty miles westward, and in
that case our humid seasons would be
completely accounted for. Any plaus-
ible theory that confirms to all known
facts, and explains any peculiar set Of
phenomena, is treated with respect by
all liberal scientists. The movement Of
the Gulf Stream twenty miles this way
would answer all the requirements of the
phenomena that are now treated as un-
accountable and not seriously investi-
gated.
1t was only a few days since that we
saw a report OF what was said by the
Captain of the steamer Claribel, which
had just arrived from Hayti. He was
surprised to find while crossing tho Gulf
Stream that it's current was setting 20
the west of north instead of toward the
east of north, its normal direction.
We should like to see reports from
other masters of vessels as to the pres
emit direction and precise whereabouts
Of the Gulf Stream.
Would it be outside its large range Of
usefulness for the Chamber of Commerce
to organize bureau for supplying mas
ters Of vessels with proper instructions
for determining where the Gulf Stream
ism. Y. Mail and Express.