Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-08-27

ents and in fact. is the most 1nagnin-
cent of all natures wonders. This Is
the gulf stream. The name gulf
stream was first suggested by Ben
jamin Franklin. because it comes from
the Gulf OF Mexico. While it is a por-
ton Of the grand scheme OF ocean cir
culation. and the Gulf Of Mexico y
in reality only a stopping place,as Il
We're for its waters, the name is gen
orally applied TO the current when Il
reaches the straits Of Florida, north Of
Cuba. In the large funnel-shaped open
Ing toward the Gulf Of Mexico the cur
rent mt first is variable IN direction ard
velocity, but by the time havana IS
reached il has become a regular and
steady flow. As It rounds the curve OF
the Florida shore the strains contract.
and the water then practically fills the
banks from shore 10 shore, and reach
es almost 20 the bottom, which is at this
point about 1900 feet deep. As 1t
leaves the straits Of Florida it's course
Is about north. but it gradually changes
It's direction, following approximately
the curve Of 100 fathoms deep until it
reaches Cape Hatteras. From this
point 1t starts on it's course to Europe.
~ has lost something in velocity as
wen as in temperature. and as it jour
ngys 10 the eastward it gradually dim.
inishes in both. until it becomes n gen
tie dow as IL approaches Europe.
People think the Mississippi river a
grand stream. and 1t is so in truth as
far as land rivers go;but great as II
Is it would require 1000 such rivers to
make one gull stream. The great
ocean river In an irresistible food of
water, running all the time. winter and
summer, and year after year. 1t is as
difficult for the mind 10 grasp it's I'M
mensity as it is to realize the distance
OF the nearest stars. At its narrowest
part in the Strait Of Florida it is thirty
nine miles wide, has an average depth
Of 1000 feet, and a velocity at the axis
the point Of fastest flow Of from
three 10 more than five miles per hout
To say that the volume In one hour 3
flow past Cape Florida is 100000.
.uO tons in weight does not convey
much 90 the mind. If we could evan
CRATE this one hours flow Of water.
and distribute the remaining salt TO
the inhabitants of the United States,
every man woman and child would re-
ceive nearly sixty pounds
tt is curious 10 note In the history Of
the gulf stream how great its influence
has been on the fortunes of the new
world Before the discovery of Ameri-
lea strange woods ana fruits were fire.
QUeudy found on the shores of Europe
and oGlyinE islands Some OF these
were seen and examined by Columbus
and Co his thoughtful mind they We're
confirming evidence that strange lands
were not far to the westward. These
woods were carried by the gulf stream
aud hy the prevailing winds from the
American continent, So that I'D part
the gulf stream Is responsible for the
discovery OF The new world Ponce
de Leon, while ON bis famous search
rs, tue Fountain ~ Youth made the
discovery of this more practically heuc-
dcial phenomenon. The whalers fairly
accurate knowledge of these limits Of
,he current between America and Eu-
rope. by following the hauntS of the
whales, which We're found north ~
one line and south Of another, bst
never between the two This. they
reasoned. was the gulf stream current
benjamin Franklin received this i'm
formation from the whalers, and pul-
Hshcd 20 on charts for the benefit OK
the mail packets plying between Eng
land and the colonies The chart was
first issued about 100, but was not
accepted by the English captains. Be
fore it came 10 be generally known
ana the trouble between England and
the colonies began aud Franklin,
knowing the advantage the knowledge
would De to the British naval officers,
suppressed 1t an he could until hosrli-
ties ceased.