The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-30
DEEP SEA CURRENTS
THE GULF STREAM AND ITS COURSE
THROUGH THE OCEAN,.

OF the Atlantic.
Seamen sometimes seem to forget
that even the most permanent of ocean
currents are occasionally driven out of
their usual track by a succession of
strong winds from one direction, and
the fairy tales with respect to the al
legged vagaries of the gulf stream told
so frequently only tend to show that
navigators rather too frequently re-
gard that river in the ocean as not less
firmly fixed in velocity and direction
than If 1t were flowing to the sea be-
tween banks formed by the solid earth
OF our planet. AS a matter OF fact,
ever since the gulf stream was first
discovered about four centuries ago it
was recognized by thoughtful naviga-
tors that flxity of tenure did not and
could not hold for that vast body of
relatively warm water cushioned off
from the Atlantic coast Of America by
the colder waters of the Labrador cur
rent even as far toward the equator as
Florida. Were it not for the gulf
stream, or, more accurately, the east
ern extension thereof, the average air
temperature in the winter would be
not less than 20 degrees below the
freezing point of water on Fahren-
heit thermometer registered at the
Shetland islands. AS matters stand
the presence of the relatively cold cur
~ 4 il
shores, inside Of the warmer gulf
stream, closes up the harbors of New
foundland at the same time as the gulf
stream extension is keeping the Nor
wegian coast clear of ice even as far
to the northward as the North cape
To put it another way, st. Johns,
n. f., is sometimes closed with ice
even rs late i'll the year as June, while
Liverpool, which Is . degrees farther
to the north, has never been in that
condition since the glacial epoch.
In fact, it has been seriously sug-
gested that by diverting the course Of
the gulf stream into the Pacific,
through the narrow neck Of land join
Ing the two Americas, it would be
quite possible to freeze out q consid-
erable portion Of Europe. The cool
Labrador current setting southward
from the icy regions adjacent to the
north pole impinges with greater veloc-
ity than usual upon the northern mar
gin Of the gulf stream in certain years.
Cyclonic storms travelling up from the
southward defect it also, and consc-
quently the gulf stream, although prob
nj fln N,f 30 al
great ocean currents, is not invariable
either in velocity or in direction. Gen
orally speaking, this ocean river in the
lower ATTITUDES Of the Atlantic is driv-
ell westward by the prevailing easterly
winds acting upon the sea surface un-
til the western side of the gulf Of Mex
leo is attained. Thence 1t follows the
land till an outlfResLl ls founi through the
strait 3, Florida, which, being both
narrow and shallow, causes the veloc-
ity of the current to increase. Thence
1t sweeps northeastward outside Of the
Labrador cool current hugging the
coast until the banks Of Newfound-
land are reached. About there the
gulf stream proper is said to lose its
identity as such, but the warm waters
thereof are driven by the prevailing
westerly winds toward the United
Kingdom, Norway and even Spitzber-
gen. Many Irregularities are known
to occur In both the direction and the
velocity of the gulf stream from time
to time, consequent on wind changes
and variations in barometric pressure
Prior to the age Of chronometers most
nt vito
by navigators and others in a hurry tc
the effect that by the aid Of an ordinary
thermometer the longitude could be ac
curately determined If the shipmasteI
would but trouble to take q series OF
sea surface temperatures when in the
vicinity of the gulf stream. Similarly
the sea surface temperature was re
garded in about the same geographical
position as an infallible guide to the
proximity of ice. Neither Inference is
true. High temperature indicates
tropical origia and low temperature in
dicates polar origin generally speaking
but beyond this it is dangerous to pred
fcate. The relatively warm water
may be in very abnormal position fol
the period of the year owing to natura
causes, and n fall Of % degrees Fahrcn
heit is sometimes experienced in 6
short ships length on the minglinl
places Of the warm gulf stream anC
cold Labrador current on beautifully
clear day without the slightest sign Of
ice Of any kind above the boundary line
Of sea and sky. Many a sailing ship
after vainly trying to reach New York
nd fn II.
warmer waters of the gulf stream tt
thaw out both her crew and her gear
but neither the longitude nor the pres
ence Of ice can be rightly determined
solely by the aid Of sea surface tenn
peratures. Nevertheless the use Of the
sea surface thermometer is not to bt
despised, because it is undoubtedly ot
approximate assistance In defining 6