Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-24
Wonderful Scientific characteristics of the Great Gulf Stream


cuiar motion, which, however, is very
slight; in the month of August, espe-
cially, this condition is marked, and
nearly all the drift from the rivers and
floating objects in the gulf work into
this center and remain there, while the
water is discolored and the temperature
of the water is 10 degrees lower than
outside the circle; a derelict schooner
remained there during the whole month
of January 1906. Tide rips are fire.
quently reported in or near the southern
part of this locality. but they are only
the indication Of the meeting of the
southwestern part of the main current
and the northwestern branch, which at
times approach each other very closely.
"There is large field of floating oil
in latitude 27 degrees north, longitude
81 to 92 degrees west. which appears
frequently and sometimes for months
at time. This oil apparently rises
from the bottom of the gulf and spreads
over large surface.
Effects of the Season
The direction of the currents shown
on the map is the normal course and is
the actual direction of the currents dur
ing the summer months of June, July
and August, and the winter months of
December, January and February.
September, October and November are
the hurricane months, and during
these months, in the storms which pass
over or near the gulf, the wind is
generally from the eastern quarter.
The surface flow is affected so that the
northwestern branch current reaches
nearly to Tortugas and is carried
straight to south pass, While the main
stream curves toward the west coast of
Florida. In the spring months of April,
May and June the effect of the water
from the rivers flowing into the gulf
has a decided influence. The western
counter current becomes stronger and
flows close to the coast from Mobile
around the delta; ii spreads over the
northern part of the gulf of Galveston
and continues to Zerez point; the tenn
perature of this counter current is
much lower than that of the stream,
and ii lowers the temperature of the
stream about five Segrees as soon as Ii
joins it, South of the delta the stream
runs through to the northeast, and, as
the Mississippi reaches its high stage
in April and May, large part of the
flow of the river runs directly south
| east from South pass and joins the
main current of the stream. lowering
the temperature again. The impetus
| of this fresh body of water causes the
stream to turn directly to the southeast
/ and increases it's volume and rapidity
/ During the spring months the current
runs at a velocity of from 1.5 knots to
three knots an hour but 1t is very SEN
sitive to the action of the wind
1T Is a fact worthy of notice that the
! current from all the rivers emptying
| into the gulf turns to the right-thau
| is, to west at Mobile and the delta, to
! the south along the Mexican coast. The
result of this is that shoals always form
| on the western or southern side of the
river mouth, while the opposite side has
clear and deep water Therefore, in
entering any of the harbors on the
coast, vessels should always make for
avoid the foul water on the western
side This rule holds at Mobile South
Pass, Galveston and Tampico espe-
] cially"