Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-28
CHANGES IN GULF STREAM
Warm Current of the south Ap-
preaching the north Atlantic
Coast.


No more important news, as effecting the
Atlantic coast Of the United States. has
ever been brought into New York than that
communicated by Captain Ruser OF tho
Hamburg liner Moltke. His statements
make the predictions Of Sir John Tyndail
regarding the steady approach OF the gulf
stream to the New Jersey and Long Island
coasts a verify. When the distinguished
British scientist was in this country about
twenty years ago he saJd in an interview
that was had with him and afterward re-
peated the declaration upon the lecture
platform: 1T believe the child is born that
will see palms growing upon the southern
shore Of Long Island, owing TO the change
Of climate that will be caused by the near
approach of the gulf stream" At that timS
these words appeared to be the widest talk
ing from dreamland. People who knew the
course OF the gulf stream or had studied
that now obsolete volume, "The Geography
of the Sea" by Lieutenant Maury L. S. N,
thought the prediction a bit of fancy that
had no basis of reasoning Captain Ruser,
however, was detained more than half a
day by the unsual strength OF the river in
the ocean" which he found running within
less than 300 miles off the Long Island coast,
or several hundred miles nearer than usual.
The air had a temperature of 80 and the
steamers to Havana and New Orleans have
been bringing reports OF the greatly In
creased velocity of the current in Florida
strait through which the dark blue guif
waters now rush at a velocity OF eight to
ten miles per hour. Steamers bound south
have found their progress noticably de-
layed by the velocity of the stream. But
this nearness Of approach TO the coast is
| something new. It is q subject that the
government should have investigated with
| out the loss OF day. II the coasts OF Vir-
gina Maryland and New Jersey are TO as
| sumo semi-tropical conditions the entire
country will be interested in knowing the
! fact. II our winters are TO be less rigorous
but more humid we shall probably soon
come to have a climate similar TO that of
Ireland or southern Italy. The impression
| is general that snow does not fall in Spain
or Italy, but this is an error. Madrid. for
example, is generally visited by at least one
| heavy snowstorm every winter If the gulf
stream is coming to warm us every reader
| of this column should look up about this
most remarkable OF all natural phenomena
on earth.
The cause of the remarkable "river in
the ocean" as Maury accurately de-
scribes IT, is doubtless the rotation OF the
earth. The globe turns from west toward
| the east at tremendous velocity. and the
ocean waters at the point of greatest cir
| cumference tumble into the mouth OF the
Amazon, DETECTED northwestward and
| find their way into the Gulf OF Mexico.
! This sea is a big bowl and the influx fills
| It to overhowing. Navigators insist that
| the surface of this watery area Is oftcn
several feet higher than the tides Justify.
| But that fact is capable of establishment
J and does not explain the tremendous
|
emerges into the Atlantic past the southern
extremity of Florida. The volume OF
water at that point is ninety miles broad
and 1900 feet deep. 1t becomes a mighty
! torrent distinctly differentiated from the
surrounding green water. At Jupiter inlet
/ for instance, II is possible to steam within
| fifty feet of the edge of the stream with
It's ripping edges hurrying northward.
| There is always a favoring eddy outside
| the mighty current that sets in the oppo-
site direction and ia always awaited Of by
! experienced navigators. The gulf stream
at that point is as clearly defined as is
the course of a brook through a green
meadow It is not more than twenty miles
off shore and often is found much closer.
Upon it's surface float innumerabe nautili
Myriads OF flying fish are darting out of
its surface like miniature dolphins with
| wings. Jellyhsh with delicate hues never
seen in our northern waters are the sport
! of the waves. Sharks, kngfsh and many
species OF aquatic life that we know not In
our latitude abound. The whale is never
seen in the warm water of the gulf stream
That mammal takes his water cold But
/ the wonderful thing about the gulf stream
is it's indigo blue color which It retains
far off the banks OF Newfoundland There
It is found in streaks. II the blue water
would not mix with the green. II we are
| 10 have the wonderful gulf stream for a
| neighbor II will reduce the product of our
importations and production OF woolen
goods 80 per cent The summer dress
will become that of the semi-tropics-mean-
ing Cuba and Porto Rico. There the white
duck is universally worn by rich and
poor This will be a great boon TO people
| OF moderate means. A suit OF duck can
be bought in Jamaica or Cuba for "a. and
one can possess enough of them to have
a change every day The silk and worsted
pajamas make admirable clothing for mid
| day at San Juan. Kingston or Santiago
de Cuba.-Joe Chambers In Pittsburg
Dispatch.
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