The New York herald., 1922-10-15

Statements concerning tn0 dredulHi
things which are to happen because OF
the eccentricities OF the Gulf Stream
come quite as regularly as epidemics of
the influenza, but about thirty times as
frequently. The influenza visits us only
about once In generation. The vaga-
ries of the Gulf Stream are rehearsed
every summer about as certainly as
August follows July In order to under
stand what may be the changes In
warm ocean currents and their connec-
ton with the weather one would better
begin with first principles. namely, the
Equatorial Current.
In equatorial regions a steady wind
blows from the east-northeast and
southeast in different ATTITUDES. but al
ways from the east. The skin friction
of this great wind belt in the course of
has finally dragged enough water along
In westerly direction to set in motion
a feeble current, 1000 miles or more in
width. which flows westward. Tho
Eouatoria Current is the greatest of all
ocean currents. There are other factors
involved in the formation OF ocean cur
rents. such as differences in tempera-
ture, differences in specific gravity-for
salt water is specifically heavier than
fresh water-and the earth's rotation
but the factor chiefly to be considered
Is the direction of the wind.
The South American continent pro-
1ects fairly sharp angle against the
Equatorial Current, splitting It squarely
in two, turning one part along the Bra
lillian coast, the other in a northerly
direction. The latter finally becomes
the Gulf Stream.
AS a definite current the Gulf Stream
hasNnot nearly the extent with which
common opinion credits 1t. The waters
which form It gather rather broadly. but
gradually concentrate at Santaren Chan
mel and Florida Strait. At this locality
they become the Gulf Stream. Years
ago common tradition had 1t that the
Gulf Stream made a complete circuit
of the Gulf Of Mexico, and hence the
name. AS a matter Of fact a small
amount Of water Is drawn out OF the
Gulf by a process akin to that of aspi-
ration. but It is not Stream water; IT
differs therefrom In temperature color
and salinity.
In extent one may safely assume
that the Gulf Stream begins in Florida
Strait. At point roughly between
Miami and islands lying eastward-one
Of which is Birnini, with a stream not
associated with the Gulf-the Gull
Stream is a powerful current with a
maximum velocity between five and six
knots and minimum of about three
knots. At this point its flow reaches to
the bottom and sweeps the ooze there
from as far north as Cape Hatteras.
| Off Cape Hatteras at point where
the 1000 fathom curve Is nearest the
coast the velocity rarely exceeds one and
one-quarter knots. Thence northeast
ward the velocity gradually decreases
until, at the southern limit of Grand
Banks, off tho Newfoundland coast, Its
force is lost and 1t becomes merely 9
wind drift.
The velocity of the Gulf Stream along
the Florida coast varies with tho season
and even with the passage of the moon
that Is, the, variations are both seasonal
and monthly. It's flow is swiftest II
summer, when its flood is pushed as fal
as Grand Banks. and slowest In winter
when 1t does not reach much furthei
than Cape Hatteras. It's temperature II
midsummer off the south coast OF Florida
may be as high as Sc degrees. oven a.
Grand Banks its waters may be warmer
by twenty degrees or moro than the
surrounding waters.
The Gulf Stream water is saltier thar
the cold water which forms Its banks
Off the Florida coast its waters show 6
strong color contrast In comparison will