Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-01-04
DEEP SEA CURRENTS
The eULF STREAM AND irs COURSE
THROUGH TIE OCEAN.
MANY irregularities Are Known 90
occur Tn Both the Direction and Tn
the Velocity of Thi. Peculiar River
OF the Atlantic.


occur Tn Both the Direction and n.
the Velocity of This Peculiar River
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 tails with respect TO the al
legged vagaries OF the gulf stream told
80 frequently only tend TO show that
navigators rather too frequently re-
gard that river IN the ocean as not less
firmly fixed I'm velocity and direction
than IL II were flowing TO the sea be
tween banks formed by the solid earth
or our planet. As matter OF fact.
ever since the gulf stream was first
discovered about four centuries ago IL
was recognized by thoughtful naviga-
tors that fixity OF tenure DID not and
could not hold for that vast body OF
relatively warm water cushioned OF
from the Atlantic coast OF America by
the colder waters OF the Labrador cur
rent even as far toward the equator as
Florida. Were IL 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 % 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
rent from the Arctic washing our
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 II another way. ST Johns,
y. F.. Is sometimes closed with ice
even as late in the year as June while
Liverpool. which is = degrees farther
10 the north. has never been in that
condition since the glacial epoch.
In fact. IL 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. il would be
quite possible 70 freeze out a consid-
cradle portion OF Europe. The cool
Labrador current setting southwark
from the icy regions adjacent 10 the
north pole impinges with greater veloc-
fly than usual upon the northern mar
gin OF the gulf stream I'm certain years.
CyclOnic storms travelling up from the
southwark defect ii also, and conse-
Quently the gulf stream. although prob
ably the most permanent OF all the
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-
en- westward by the prevailing easterly
winds acting upon the sea surface IN
III the western side OF the gulf OF Mex
leo Is attained Thence IL follows the
land TIL an outlet IS found through the
strait OF Florida, which. being both
narrow and shallow. causes the veloc-
ity OF the current TO increase. Thence
ii 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 10 lose its
identity as such, but the warm waters
thereof are driven by the prevailing
westerly winds toward the United
Kingdom. Norway and even Spltzber-
gen. Many irregularities are known
20 occur in both the direction and the
velocity OF the gulf stream from time
10 time. consequent on wind changes
and variations in barometric pressure.
Prior 10 the age OF thermometers most
extrayagant views were put forward
by navigatOrs and others IN a hurry TO
the effect that by the aid OF an ordinary
thermometer the longitude could be &C
curately determined II the shipmaster
would but trouble 10 take a 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 origin and low temperature In
dicates polar origin generally speaking,
but beyond this IL is dangerous 10 pred
icate. The relatively warm water
the period OF the year owing TO natural
causes. and a fall OF % degrees Fahren-
belt is sometimes experienced in a
short ships length on the mingIing
places OF the warm gulf stream and
cold Labrador current on a beautifully
clear day without the slightest sign Of
ice OF any kind above the boundary line
or sea and sky. Many q sailing ship,
after vainly trying TO reach New York,
has got badly iced up and run TO the
warmer waters OF the gulf stream 10
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 be
despised. because II Is undoubtedly OF
approximate assistance in defining a
ships geographical position. The line
OF separation OF the two currents, the
cool Labrador and the warm gulf
stream, is often noticeable either by
the vivid blue Of the salter gulf stream
In close proximity TO the green color
OF the fresher Labrador current or by
the ripple on the margin. 1t IS said
that blockade runner from Whining
ton, y. C., when chased by a Federal
cruiser. managed to escape by the OBJ
servation Of this friendly ripple. The
blockade runner edged into the cur
rent more favorable for her. while the
cruiser kept in the adverse current and
lost the prize.-American Syren and