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Ewiiiitir in char/jt of Tidal SurLri/. OTTAWA GOVERNMENT PRINTING BUREAU 1895 " REPORT OF PROGRESS SURVEY OF TIDES m CURRENTS IN CANADIAN \VATERS [ Ottawa, 15th December, 1894. W. P. Andkrson, Esq., C.E., Chief Engineer, Department of Marine and Fisheries. SiR,_I have the lionour to submit the following report on the progress of the Hurvey of Tides and Currents in Canadian waters. As the work done falls naturally into t.wo divisions, it may be well to mention first the improvement and extension of the system of tidal stations; and then to describe the survey of the currents as commenced this season, with the results already obtained. Tidal Ohskhvations. The range of the tides is so varied on our coasts, that the tide gauges or instruments used to record the tides, were originally designed with a special scale to suit each lo(:ility. On examining the records made by these instruments, it appeared that an important improvement could be made at some of the stations by giving them a larger scale with greater range. A uniform scale could als(3 be adopted for ',he stations m the Gulf of St.''Lawrence. Accordingly three new recording instruments were ordered to replace some of the present ones, and their scale was altered to make them serve for the new stations to be established this season. These instruments are of Lord Kelvin's desi'^ii, of which Mr. James White of Glasgow is the maker. "At two or the stations, situated on islands, it had been necessary to make a tele--'raphic exchange of time once a week, to regulate the driving clock of the recording instrument. To avoid this expense, meridian instruments (named dipleidoscopes) are now employed, which when once set correctly in the meridian, give the exact time of llie sun's meridian passage. One of the.se of a rather primithe type was already in use at Anticosti ; and after considerable inquiry, three others of modern construction were obtained from a Paris maker. Two of these were defective when received ; but out of the three, two efficient ones were made, which were placed at St. Paul Island and at the new station in the Strait of Belle Isle. The third ont, intended for Anticosti, after being repaired, was received too late to place this season. The tide-gauge at St. John, N. B., had given some trouble from the beginning, although not such^as to interfere with the record of the tide. This gauge has a timber column three feet square, forming an open well in which the vertical tide pipes are placed. By this arrangement the pipes are surrounded by an open space which can be heated to prevent them from freezing up in winter. The column requires to bt longer than the whole from lowest to highest tide, which at St. John is over 28 feet. The preHdure ..f this head of water occasioned l.^lcaKe, and the coluum required to be with an outsuh. layer ..f 3 inch plankn.K "nd extra riJ.bin- inside. A double layer of 8h ppmK elt was placed under the new plankin« : and it ^a.s also thorougld v ta red a, caulked, to nmke .t watertight A large outsi.le ballast box had to l«, adc e^l tt.e of the column to keep it from floating up. The opportunity was also taken to put in the new form of inlet pipe ...cciallv designed to enable it to be cleaned out easily at any time. This is be in- 'put in at H the «au«e8 as opportunity offers. " ^ '" "^ "" ^u^" ^SL'i"'':r^ir^!^'l:'^''!^' 'r J-^-Tjath winch damaged the tide gauge. rri • I ^, " ^....^..•j itfiii vniifii iiama<'eci tne ,. ihis gale was the worst on record f-ince 187;') ; a lobster factorv on tl,« island twenty.five eet above high water, was co„.pl,.te!y wasl^;,! aw ^ A te iL^ev^ mg efforts durtt.g the renwuncler of Januaty, the iaug/cndd not be^ put . Trying beiinninLo MaT'o" iVr^ tins .station till the opening of navigation at thS beginning ot May. Une of the new recording instruments was taken there at the earliest opportunity (May 2th) but it was f.mn.l on setting it up that .ts driving Xk was defective, and would not work. As the com.mnncation with the island is'fortnTghUv this occasioned he n.ost unfortunate delay. The clock had to be returned to Hal fE; tor repairs : and after inuch trouble which interfere.l also with arrange.ne ts for o her ing o;df '"' ""'•' *'" "'''^'"' "^ ''"«"^^ ^'"^^ ^''« «^'^*'«» -- ulthLtely put in ^or" The other two recording in>truments were innnediately inspected ; and their defects con-ected after several weeks of careful examination. It was fortuna't^ tha hi.f'S done in time; as one of the instruments was intenderl for Belle Isle, and any le ect would probably liave caused the loss of a yea.-s observations at so isolated a st7tion XKW TIDE (iAlriKS KSTAIILISHED. hnt !\7''' "'^"^'"^f *« <'""'Pl«te during this s, ason the system of principal tide-gauges • but as the survey ot he currents was also commenced this year, an,, the funds for both purposes were hunted to the amount granted in former yea Js for tida bse" Sions o d^^^ It was necessary to curt^ail the total amount of work. A was only po siWe ,^Xe t^^^^ establish two additional stat ons for the (iulf of St I^iwrenn^ • ..Ll ,i :,\r'^'^^ ^" of stations on the Atlantic coast had to be postp.^ied " ' '^" ^-^^ablishment P«.J'"p'w'''"r."'':1 '''''"'''''*' *'"''^^''""'^'' ^^'^"'"^ i'^tf"^ '"Strait of Belle Isle and at Tn^'p^rislan^" Is hST"'" ''' "''"fM^'' '^ '''' ''''''' P^^^-- ^ companion to tTe one on fet-l-au. Island , as these command the two entrances oy which the tides of the (inlf and Kiver St. Lawrence enter from the Atlantic. It was also essenti d to hive a dl gauge in the Strait of Belle Isle this season, to furnish tidal data fo the uni; of tht ct^rrents. The ,leep channel of 100 fatho,„s which runs into the m.>uth of he^Lower trf77T"'ru" '" the vicmity of Father Point ; and from there to Quebe he Xr IS relatively shallow and the tides are n.ore liable to be affected by tL wind The range of the tide which in the Gulf is less than fivo feet, increa.ses at Fatirer PoinJ^to se-^nteen feet. It can thus be well observe.l, as all the fluctuations are so much^nip i^ fied. This is also a meteorological observaf.ry, as weU as the uilot stiti. n ""^''.''^P'' a most important and suitable point for a tidal station ' * '' ^''"' R„v \t' f if 1 ''•^'.•^l^'t tl'« tide-gauge was erected on the west side or lo-teau Bay. The sh3lter there is ta.rly good, as the bay is well within the strait -and it has . also he advantage of being at the narrowest p.rt. The chief dithcu ty"s to a o'd de.struction by ice in winter. The thickness of the ice alon- the shores of f 1 "?''!/. only limited by the depth of water in which it wiir;'.:;r"Hen: "athlrwrre to run out into six feet of water, i. would be struck by blocks of six feet i^ Th ckn^ss and so on m proportion ; and these blocks have often L impetus f rom ^1 y sea t J hTo them in their work of destruction. The fishermen's wharfs do not he refore extend into a greater depth than about three feet at low water ; and the tide-gauif was pS on a timber crib hlled with stone, set at the end o^' one of these whartf ^ ^ The inconvenience of the shallow water is that the wave motion is so -..-eat that. It records Itself on the tide diagram, and thus gives considerable troibLl'-SiS; the true tide curve. This clirticulty wan imt iiiitii'ipatfil ; as act(»i(liiij( ti» tlie l»e8t iiiformfttion that could be ohtained, a (h'ej) water wliaif was to \m found there. As the iiiateriais for the erection of the icauj^e had to he hroujrht from Nova .Scotia, it was not possihlo to meet this ditViculty at the time. The he^t inethcMl of fioin^ so will lie to connect a pijio with the inlet hy which the water is admitted to the ^'uage, and lay it out along the bottom into deep water -.vhere the wave motion ceases t(t be felt. At Father I'oiiit the shore between high and hiw water consists entirely of hard .shale ruck, running in ridijes or reefs parallel with the shore. At the outer side, tie reef falls oil' abruptly to low water murk, and tVom it a hard clay iMttt'un slopes gradu- ally oil' into deer)er water. There is no shelter, as there is a clear leaeh of 2'> miles in all directions from W.N.W. round by N. to K. ; and in north-easterly direc-tions, from whijh the worst rales come, the reach is from 45 to 00 miles. In wint* r there is also heavy ice which drifts up and down with the tide, and forma an ice-sl vo against the reef to a diiplh of '20 feet. In ihese circumstances the best method t•■•- to ".se. It is jointed with sail cloth saturated with white lead. The trencli is 1) to lU feet deep for most of its expensive to ha^e given it an additional depth of . chietly on account of the amount of pumping :•' .|U The plan of sypiioiung between the levels of c». therefore adopted. An air-tap and a special air p . which may enter the pipe to escape, arul thus to keep i. In the outer end of the trei.ch, the sea surges in :>o heavily it. water is nmch mixed with air : and to avoitt any trouble from this liuisb, it was decided to lay an iron [lipe out along the bo'.toin for about lUO feet, extending from the end of the main pii)e into water which has a depth of about 12 feet at lowest tides. The end of the main pipe is protected by a cement dam which makes the connection between the two jjipes accessible : and it is idv/ays possiljle to ivnew the outer pij)e if necssai^ , A length of old boihr is [daced veitically in the well to form an open shaft for the tide-pipes, in which heating is provided in the usual way to prevent freezing in winter. The boiler is three feet in diameter, and is lined with wood foi' additional warmth. The completion of the excavation :\nd pipe laying have been delayed by gales which have been exceptionally severe this iuitumn ; but the tide-gauge will probably bo in worAing order within a week or two of the present date. At th(^ Anticosti station the recording tnstrument has been replaced by one of im- proved scale; and an important alteiatioii has also been made to secure better protec- tion in rough wether. It is not infrequent in heavy gales foi' the waves to break entirely over the tide-house which containos the instrument. On account of the importance of St. Paul Island as a. tide station, it was thought Ijetter to make sutlicient expenditure to establish it thoroughly, and to discontinue the observations at the neighbouring station on tiie Magdalen islands; as it also had failed to work in January, and some expei\diture would have bee. retjuired there in any case. A complete outfit remains there \\ hicli can be utilized for the equipment of a new station. it would have been very ach extreme low water, treme low water was ided to allow any air ,tly filled with water. ouL'h weather that the ltK(oni»H, TIDK T.VIILFH, ito. DurinK tl.« year, since lust Dfrember, th« record ot the ti.lo has beon curried fo.waru continr ,>usly at (^u..|.o.- an.. AMti.MHti. and also at Ht. John, N. H,. with the ex..epti..n of nix weekH. rlum.K th. altnafonn to the «auKe. The interruption at Ht. I'aul Island re.lures the record theiv to hve nu.nths. The new Kange in the Strait of Itello Isle hns h-en in STorkinronlei '""'^ ' '" '' '' ''"'"'*' ^'"'' ""^ """*^'' ''^' ''''^''^'" ^'"'"* ""'•' '•'"""^'i' ^« Tt woui.l hav,- been very desi.ahh. had fund, pern.itlod to have estahlinhed a ti.Ie gauKe at a .tax ll... .eason to oi,tain the Atiar.tic tid.-, for con.parison. ft was alHo aHC_erta,ned that a .•eco,d„f the Halifax tide, had h.-en n.ach, ,lu..,.V^ the years l8ol and 1N)2 a...i through the kindness of the Ad.nindty thin record was ohtained. It should be ut.h/ed to e.u.Mul the hasis f.o.u which the tide lahies "or Halifax .ire calculated, as tl.cy now ,ie,,end on the ,,.<.>«! taken du.in,; two years only, namely, 18(i0 and IHtil. The .•..u.parati'ely sn.ail outlay .v.iuired for this purpose cannot he n.ade at luvsent however. .Smce l.s!.! the ti,le tal.les f„r Hudfax h'.ve been issued annuallv l.y th-' I)epa.t.uent, ,n the to.Mn ut a sn.aii buuklet. fts ci.culation ha.<-, not been lar/e, and after rorrcpondcnce v.tl. book selleis in this count.y and in llrituin, with a view to ex- tending' Its usetulness It whh eventually dcci.l..d to supply the tables for public-tioii in two Low.Ma.-m-,n...Hdn.anacs he rabies u... accon.panied by ti.lal differences which make then-, available tor the v,». ,|m Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia An utte.npt was n-a.le tVoni the records a! idy obtained, to "determine direct tidal dilh .•enc.s with louK established stations. The tide at gu. bee is nearly simultaneous m absolute tiu.e with the u. le at I)..ver ; and the tide at St. .lohn, \. R. with M.est wh.ch IS tne best established station in Frnnce. Alsr, the tide at Halifax, althoiod ea.l.e,- tha.i at any of the Ku...pea.i ports, is nearly simultaneous with San.ly Hook, at the ent.ance to ^ew \ork harbour, which is the best ste'.ion establishcl by the I'n-ted fc,^ates Coa.st Survey It such tid.d diflcnm.cs coul.l be detcnnincl or the law of their variation ascertained it ini.d.t save the labour an.l expense of specifd calculations f.a- onie ot our ports. Po.ssibiy when a longer record i.s obtained, this nuvy be done with a I tetter ..ope ot sutv,e.ss. "^ oa culation ot pre i.nina.y tide tables for these ports. At places where the ..ange of the tide IS so j,reat, these tables should show the .-..se an.l fall of the tid.-, n s well as the times ot luuhand low water. At Quebec, the rise an.l fall can be refer.vd to the exis^'whtT r"""' ^^""V'S"'-; :^'''"'':'^l':>- ^•'""•»>^ ■• '^« tl.e reference bench-nni.k still eA St, which was cut ..n the bu.l.hnj. of the Departn.ent of .Ma.'ine, at the time the Admiralty surveys were uuxdy. At St. John. X. J5., there is no bench-mark or ..ther level t.'om which to a.sce.Uun with certainty the low water .lalu.n adopted in the me,^"!'f P„l l-'T' T "' T '" ""^''^'tr-'t •'""•veys .,f the hai^l^ou,- ma.le by th,- IVpart- r 1.. 1 r ■ \ '"'^:- ■ ^' u '!'"''■•"">' i'"l""'f'^'>t '^t «t. John, to have a correct low ^^atel datun., .e,t only 'n the interests of navigation, and fo.' such puri.oses as the construction ot s|,ps tor repair of vessels, but also because properties are .'.ften .lehned whi h'w^T 7T r- ^?''' '^b.sence .,f any perman,^nt mark to record the results ^^hlch were before ..bfained, the only curse to take was to commence the work ac.du ho,^sT'bnii;i; ''"' '^^•-•■'"•"«iy established on the footin. course of the new Cusl.m- house budding ; and tor further .security its level wa.s als.. cnnecte.l with the oundation course of the Post Office. To thi. bench-mark the ris,- an.l fdl If th. tkle is now referred ; and a satisfactory low water .latum will thus in time l,e obtained. E'THVKV OK Till-: CUl- KNT-S. in thltirS"*'"" "^ *'r ^^ir'"^^'^* '" making this Survey, is to obtain infor.nal.on nt]iej,stpla..3 regarding the currents to be found along the main routes taken by St amships aiui sailing ves.seLs thmugh the (Uilf <.f St. Law,-ence and off the Atlantic coast. It IS not T.roposed therefore to foll.,w inshore currents in detail. i<..r tli.'se purp.xses, there is very little in the way .,f existing information that is of value. The mformr.tion which fishermen and others living along the shores could furnish, althou-^h viiluahle Ui irnaller vi-bmcIh in entprinn local htirbours, in of little Her- ce for tho main nuiiMtsf ill vit'w ; hh Im curnmtrt iii tl.n upnti w.iterH in t\w fiHiiij{ are usually v»My dif- tSreut i'roin tho.«n« with >vhicli tliuy an' acnuainttxl. Tlu' tarxtT Hailiiij^ vcmn^Ih 'inu Hteamshii..' tlieiUHPlves an* not in a positio" to obtain sudi information with Hiillioicat (lertnitHneMH • as tli»' •■ffci-t ok" any rurn'nt is coinpliratcd with Ice-wuy aiul uLher cir- cuinstanecH which ■•aiiiiot Im- fliitiiiiatfd without spfcial ol)-if«rvations whiih they have not tlin tiiiio to make. Tim ves *'U which have most opj.crtunity to o. lin itit'orii.ation of \aluo, are men <>f-war, when they cruise r.^ularly on certiiin course,,, an.l can alFord time for special ohservations ; and steamers employed in repairing cables, while grap- ling, and placing aiuh.ned buoys in optn waters; as they have thus a fixed point to woik from, in determining the direition .if tlie current [nformation even of a c 'rsory character may be of value in cases where a current is constantly' in the same direction, without mush fluctuation; but as a rule the cur- rents iliciiiselves are atVcted by the tides and wind.-: and therefore reijuiro cf.ntiiuious t.bservi'tioii at definite posil-oiis to as-t-rtaiii their nature. The winds and barometer are already obi-erved continuously by the .\Ieteor()lo).cical Service in connection with this Department ; and i.ie tif Uelle Isle, and Cabot Strait between Cape Breton and Newfoundland. The most s.aist'actory jilan would have been .1 place a surveying ves.sel in each of these straits : to obtain simultant ous ol)S(uvations over a longer period of time. This couh! in;t be arranged f(r want of means ; and the best that could be done was to set apart t' " Lans- downe ■' for thre,' m inths in which it could be spared with least inconvt '< .lue rom its other duties. It was accordingly dccideil to di\ ide tl.is lime between llie two place-^. ; taking tlu nths of July and September for the Strait of Belle Isle, in order to olitain as dilVerent conditions as possible ; an 1 taking August for Cabot Strait, in the hope of obtaining more settled weather fo.' so ,>.\posed a position. On the first trip to Belle Isle, mat'iMials were taken for the erection of a tide gauge in that strait. The party consisted of myself, Mr. II. M. .cKay, B. A. S. ., and Captain Dou- ylas, B. N. It. Mr McKay acted as as-d-tant in the survey of the currents, with the fieli) of Mr. B. AIcKeeii foe the night work. Ho al.^o took the meteorological oliser- vatidiis. Captain l.^ougiax had charge of the erection of the tide guage at Belle Isle ; and at other times dering the season he superintended the alterations at St. Paiil Island and A',iticosti ami the construction of the tide gauge at Father Point. Dr. W. E. Decks accompanied us in duly to obtain informatitm for the Department on the renroduction and propagation of fish. Tlie Captain and oflicers of the ve.ssel also gave their hearty cooperation in facilitating the work. The general itinerary was as follows : — June 2'.).— Left St. .John, N.Ji., calling at Halifax for materials for Belle Ide and at Svdi,'^y for coal. '.July 6. — Arrived at Forteau Bay in the Strait of Belle Isle. July 7 to August !i. -Surveys in the Strait of 15elle Isle and vicinity ; and erection of tide gauge at Forteau Bay. August 10 to 12. — Beturned to Cabot Strait. August 13 to :n.--wSurvey& in.Cabot Strait; including also a call at Sydney for coal and supplies September 1 to 4.— Second trip to Belli; Isle. September 5 to 25.— Surveys in the Strait of Belle Isle. September 26 to 2!».— Returned from Belle Isle to Plctou : including a call at St. Paul Island, and .some work in Cabot Sirait. On the longer trips as much iniormation as possible was obtained. The patent log was first carefully checked against measured runs on the chart, to make sure of its accuracy. Ic was then used to ascertain the direction of the current by making runs between accurately determined starting and ending points. The actual course steered 8 vessel »„s either eli„i„„ed „,• allowed f„, '^''°""'°" " *■">■ Tl.e leeway of the one o,. other w„ tal- ,„ „,, .„.„,,|i ' ,„ VSl; t " '';r°"» 1"'"?'" ""■ '!"> »".k, .nd Cti'oss tonn;)gp. 'IG.'J tons. -Length of keeJ , . . .' (^SO " J5readtli of hecni I'^O feet. < 'rdiiiarv (irauglit •^- " Hor.se power. . " " 1 3 ft. G in. ^laximuni s|)eed SO Area on longitudinal section .- ^^ ''""'^• Above water Under water. . 2,9S0 .s(j. feet ^j^^. ite„.« a,.e of i^po,:...™ i;; .....lo,; ..;„;.,;e ,e.;::^:„,: „„,^,. ^,^.^__ MKTIIODS AMI APPMA.VCES. cun-enJs' ^"ich^u^UlrexJelld^Mniie or t!!^f ii'' Tl^'i •' r^'^'^T''"'' "'*'' ^'^^ «'>«re ^eldon less than :{ to a n.iles. and often 10 to 'o mile '"'' ^T' ''^"^' ^« t'i«'«fo''e adopt IS to anchor the vessel and use il -, i T *"' """''' ' '^"^^ the hest method to velcK-itv and direction of the c^^^^ tJ m.^^/""^^ /'""' ^^''"'^ ^" cletern.- 1^ tl^ while at anchor to detern,ine the p ,siti n he ve ''' t T^'^^''''^ »^"«t be taken shore or astronomically: and these detmird-,^'^^^^ '^^ ■^'^'X.s to the possible to make sure^hat no clmn 'e7n ; Z^ "^ '-er-peated as frequently as anchor. The current itself can tl en r- ' ' '"'T'''''- ^'■^'" dragging of the supplemented l.y the use of drif; h ^^ Zl X.'m^^h' )"' '" """" "' '^^'^ '-teJ^ The depths ui which it was neoess^ v t "'" """^"^ ''^ occasion offers, he 8trait of fielle Isle, and n tr-^O.^rVT^'L ''■''''' "^^ ^ ' ! • '^7"^.' ''' '*^ "^'"'^^'>' ''"^^ '"O'"*' "'" or velocity of the curren The to U .i L T ''l'^^' '''"^ '"^"^"^"^ ^^^^ ^''''•^^tior. fatho„,,s ; ;nd there wl liV.tie ap, lec d 7 'ff "''''• "f '''^''^™ ^^'^'^ ^^an thirty down to live fathoms from he TrfcerUf "■'"?: '^ V'" •^^•'^"«'^' °^ ^''^ ^"'•'■-'^t 6 in , and it svas therefor^decfded to do,.f 7"'"^^ "^ u ''': " ^-"^^^owne ^' was ^3 ft. for the observations of "he suSic ' ^t"'"?:";/^^!^ '; ''!''' (o'" three fathoms) almost always be seen distin^Hv l.lfj i '" '^''P'^''' the meter itself could position in tLwatrTirsf/ft^,^'^^^^^^^^^ the current was shown by its especially when the current w^'ssSl-ri ■^.,''"^-'' to /he position of the steamer, headh.giMhewind. rhe li^Su^^^^^^^^^ ^'»f «t' turn, and the steamer was wood weighted along one edg^^^'k^ep Tt verti'ca "rd ^^/,""^"^ ""' "^ "^^5 "'"''^' °^ give It a hold in the water. This w^s^u'ed !s 'nnt? Ti' .^'-i"^-- stretched upon it to to show the direction of the c reTrat n l' t ' V H ''^ "'"'*' ■"": ^^''"^^ ''P^'^''^^ "««f"l The meter which revolv,' , iLn/, f vu !", ^'^ "'^^^'" """''' ""t be seen. record, was used tl^-o^^^ tZli^^:^ f'^^^^^^ furnished by Messrs, W?,' £ £ ( urle T V v 't '''''^'''' '''''''''■ ^t was fan M-as of (ierman manufacture • " i. ' 7 i ^"T' ?"^ "'"''' ^^'^h the vertical The .nethod .>uLd"m,;s;^'l^ttr\ !! ^'!/^«^----*'- «^ the under- cur (• on currents. The metliod found most s- ti f i ..n tl.e determination of the under- ■m'rent as a percenta..^ of tL "u W ^, T ^^ "T *" "^""'^ ''"' ^P'^^^' "^^ the under- 'n any ratio between^he two merest I^^^^^^^^^ "'n""''^ '" ''"'" "'^'^^'"^^ ''^P-^ing half an hour at the standar .l^tVo l^Z .t" '" '"■ "' ""^ '^"'"^^^ ^^ '•"" ^^^ one hour ; and then a.ain for hal a hou t is Zt tT' '","'^' ''"^""^ ''^1'^'^ ^"^ ' each of these runs : an.l in this w vv mp n . / ;, ' '"^ /eadmgs were taken after with which the speed of Ve Ld rci r ent ^^'l"?/^'' the surface velocity was obtained, of the undercurrcL w' . btai^ ,' , l" T 1 r ''"T\'^' f'"?""^'- ^I'o cHrection or by means of a deep fan, 1:^^.'^^^^"'' "^ ^'^ '^^ supporting the n.eter ; resultsof theseas.;nwei:ba d:/;;f;,.^''°'' on at .u.chor. So„,e ^f the best wate;^.mlt;:.w ---^^^ ^ ^^^'S:^^^ buoy or lloat in the =^^'t1;:-:l-s ! iS'r ^^^^^^^ " - Jl-: while it lay at anchor, and t iete. n i .^T ? '''•''' '^^ *'"">' ^'•"'» ^^e stea.ner the steamer itself. I.i d ' ni/ini, . n^ P'*'' ^'^ '''•'""-'' '^"^' ^"^tances relatively to and from one of the,. Tn"Z^^^7T^' ^^^'" --'--'''-^"'^ '>-'y« -ere u,4l ; and could be lowered to anv "pi ! ' ir'''irTr"'r''^'""^'' ^"^^'"^ *° '''' ^'^^- ami the difference in motion .ave a nenfT '>»">• Vr'''"* •'*'''''^«^' together; current. The buoys for tins r,ur nos, v ^he amount a.ul direction of the under- h'on, al.out the si.^ two t.r n . , " '^ "' '" ,^'"P"; "'"''' "^ ^'^'-"'-^ in tlie water. The ..bJHct nf thi^ fW„ ! f '"^"^''.P'l'^' *,^'"l weighted to stand vertical waves. Each buoy cnrried an unri-d, .t'iff to avoid undue vertical motion from the feet apart, winch ,Lu.led he dXtil'hnr\^"^^^ '^'''' '^'^ --^'^ *-•« c.istanct of the buoy to be determined at any moment and work in tidal is was met by esistance coil 3nsion of the lation. It is mix the two satisfactory ; velocity and t is therefore of the water illy would be to lower the ' lay more or the direction than thirty the current y' was ^3 ft. iree fathoms) itself could liown by its the steamer, steamer was 1 triangle of i ii)H)n it to cially useful seen. • contiiujGus lit. It was tlie vertical the under- the under- j depending 1 to run for i depth for - taken after s obtained, e direction the meter ; to work in f tlie best oat in the . In this le clearest e steamer lativejy to vere u.sed ; the water, together ; he und(>r- ,'alvanize(l itl vertical from the actly five nient and i II 11 11 \ / from any point of observation by means of a liochon niiciometer telescope. The deep fan consisted of two siieets of j^alvanized iron passing through eacli other at right angles, and supported b}' a light wood frame ; the whole being just heavy enough to sink. It was suspended from its buoy by deep sea sounding wire to diminish tht" resis- tance of the intermediate water through which it passed. The depths at which it was mostly used were from 30 to 40 fathoms. These drift buoys and the deep fan were used considerably in the Strait of Belle Isle. The practical difficidty in their use was that a boat was re traffic cm the Lower St. Lawrence. Tlie record ke]it at Fatiir Point shows tliat during the present season there passed in each direction on the nveraue '.'S steamshi|)s per month, with ■■n\ aggregate tonnage of Ljr),fir)0 tons (registered), lepresenting an actual carrying capacity oi fully 50 per cen.t more than this. Tlie tridfic per n!onth thiou'.di the Strait of I'elle Isle is nearly equal to this, as nearly all these steamships pass also throui^h the strait during the months it is open ; and tlie figures do not include any sailing vessels, which pass almost always souili of Newfoundland. 12 Tlie strait itself has a width of 10 tol--> ,»;i^c, <• q- -i entirely free from any rock ,>,• shoal throi?,ho'ut T v" ""''', "^ ''' '"^'?*^ ' '^"^ ^^ north shore is hold all the water od it ?'Tep tirsoTS 1 ^^ ('^^'^f^''^^ The rapidly into about 30 fathoms. Fo.r..v weather i.' nnf f T " '"'''■ ^"^ ''^P« o^' time; and ft may be of service to mLrm^^^^ infrequent, even in the summer observations duriJ. July and 4,, enX^ tL?' ''^S'V'l.''''^/'' character, based on to the water. This appLrs otrdue to the oJ? '''''' }'^''' ^"^l '^l^-J^ clings closely invariable way in which it clear s bv d f>; *^ "'T^"'"" " *''" ^''''' ^^'^^^- The The best cleaWn. wind s fron t he n t Im ^^ ? /''*'r 7^"''^ *'''•"" ^^^^^^ ^Jirections. Directions that^all winds wh nor ^ tZ'"^ "'"} *'?' '*'^'^'"^"* ''^ 'h« ^'^iHng represent the probai,ilities in tL case \ the nor H '''"T^' T^Y'^' '"^^^ ^'^ ^^^en to lirst to clear, vessels will obt^Tiv advintn , K •'" '"u 'u ^'>« «trait is thus the side. "" ''"^ advantage there is to be had by keeping to that oonstII;^i:;;.;;;'rsl'3rr"fT'''^'"'T ««»« ^^-^ mns by the n.Lorolo,ical.Xa im t U i " S d'Sel" "" °" *'f "*''^*'^^^ ^^''"'^^^ '--^ Arctic current winch ru.LsoU™ddM^ ^ '^••^"'^^'' *"™>» ^he in at llelle Isle and to iind its wJv , ■ f ''"'''* °* Labrador, is shown to run tiie other hand th. 'rtshe e fa S/J eS ,' """f '\^f "^ Strait to the Atlantic. On in the same direction as rpSi ".Xd atn" ^" '''^'•«T,V'''' '^' '''"'''' ^' "«»^^"y chart is as follows :_." The inmen ent's i % ,P''' ''"''"'^ "" ^^^ Admiralty a general westerly set affV^t^b^Sld ^..t^rd'^^'^S^t:;' ''' T'' T ^ either direction.- This remaik «^nce in either .hore. It is^l |o' b ot th' onlTrr "T "'^"'^ '"^^^ '^^ "^--d — the outer end ot the s'rait everenter it^ ^fc "^ *'^*^ '^^--g^ off- Belle Isle, states in a pamphi " on t e subt:' j^.t for' t"' "'T '■"'^'"i' '"'■ ^'^'^ ^^ strait there are hftv that ,ass the n on-h .n l *^*'''Vr *1' ''"^'^'^'"■'^ ^^''™'i «"iter the the general drift ..f"the Arct ^ crrr „>/''' ''"p T';^; ^" ^"'".^' '^^ t''*T f^How ground at the entrance t^l ^sU-a V e r'Tt! "^ ^'^'^ ' ""^ *»- l-'Mer bergs also Norman shows no depth e.x eed n /'no'Vu om T " ,^"'"' T '^ ^'"^ """'^'^ fr^nrCape season at the outer end of the trait ua no " . ' ^'^t'^^T ''"'- ^^'''^'' ''^' «^«" tl d. Bay. Itsdimenslonsabove w'ue were' ^^T^*^"^' "I ''^ ^f '^"™^ °*' ^^^^er ofF Chateau Height, m feet. This may t^^^ere fo^br.; I 'k"^^?"'''' ''''^ ^''' = ^^'"'t''- 200 feet : can enter the strait. ^ " '''*'^^'"'^ *^ ^^^''^'^^ *''« li'»iti,ig .si.e of b;rgs which founcf\n:^^s:;:i;s,fr[ji,:rr ^TL^tT'-^^^^ ^^"^ ^^^^ - ^''''- ■' ' . •> -^ "«'^^ o"e. Ihe best comparisons of the current with the o ■■-■V ■•■ ^'""^^I'uuuence with tlie ri considered as the normal condition of the current With i , , ' - wnul the current would first run for a Ion "i tTi e with ^. ll "". ""' ^ •' ''^ ^'^"^^'^"^^^ and eventually would run eontinm.nslvin t .'''"' *'''"''^'^'' ''""«'^^'''in«t it ; 1 length ; and ia (magnetic.) The low, but clips off 1 in the summer racter, based on tys clings closely Iter itself. The good directions. '' in the 8ailing nay be taken to •rait is thus the keeping to that Helle Isle runs T charts issued ■aneh from the is shown to run 3 Atlantic. On rrent is usually I the Admiralty ire made up of ;,' set may l)e in V of a constant iny conditions. f icebergs ; and at this is the Jch nearer the i at the outer this indicates 1 the eastward tes a current or absence in nground near the bergs off four years on ich enter the > they follow •ger bergs also th fr'>ni Cape was seen tlii-j !• off" Ciiateau Ith, 290 feet ; ' Ijergs which ?lle Isle was 'nt with the le prevalence uring which i'.nd turned therefore be g continued leagi'inst it ; ind, with a might be in isually great 14, morning. North- ETASTERN entrancic to the Gulf or S^ L STRAIT OF BELLE ISLE SHOWING STATIONS OCCUPIED IN SURVEY OF CURRENTS SEASOM or 1 894. AWRENCE LABRADOR '".'ou.e- Cc^e ^ ^ \> 3 ^TS^t^JP-od curfs (^^TMO^/lS SE C TION SC/' L E S ~r'~^-' •'-jL^-^-J-'->--J NAUTICAL MILES 13 calm, clear and smooth ; barometer, 30*34 and nearly steady. During forenoon, wind sprauf,' uj> from the south-west and increased hy 2 )).m., to 35 miles per hour. At 4 p.m. waves were (> to 7 feet hi;;li and DO feet crest to ciest. Tlie total mileage of wind wliich produced these waves was 182 miles or an average of 30 miles an hour during six hours. Depth of water 40 fatlioms. The disturbance due to waves of this height would pro- bably not extend to more than a fourth part of this depth. In this strait also, where the range of the tide is only about four feet, and the current seklom exceeds two knots per hour, the effect of the wind upon the cuirent is all the more marked in proportion. It must not be too liastily assumed liowe\er that the wind alone is the cause of the movement of the water in the same direction ; as it appears probable that the tendency of the current to flow in the same direction as the wind, is due to the combined influence of the wind itself, and to difference in banmietric pressure over wide areas. When the pressure is exi'eptionally high or low over a large area like the Ciulf of St. Lawrence, the effect should be all the more noticeable, as the corresponding flow has to take place through comparatively narrow entrances oi' straits. It is also to be expected that the direct effect of the wind itself wonkl be to i)riiduce primarly a surface drift ; while diffe- rence of pressure would cause a more even tlow throughout the whole de})th. Hence to distinguish between the effect of the wind and barometer, it would be necessary to investigate fully the relation between the surface velocity and the undercurrent through- out the whole range of varying conditions. CUHKENTS IN THE STRAIT AS OUSEUVKD. The current in the8trait of Belle Fsle was examined in both July and September at its narrowest part near Amour Point. To avoid the tide rips which occur off this point, a section was chosen a little to the eastward, on a line from (Jreon Island at the south side, to the red cliffs on the north shore which lie immediately east of Loup Bay. The width of the strait is there III miles ; and three stations were chosen on the section, station A at one mile off (Ireen Island ; station B in the centref; and station C three miles from Red Clifl". The position of these stations and the section of the strait are shown on the plan herewith. The usual depth is 30 to 40 fathoms ; but the water is much deeper near the north shore. The bottom appears to be Ijare rock running in ridges parallel with the direction of the strait. The steamer was anchored at these stations for one or two days at a time : and was moved from one to another to ascertain any difference in the current at the two sicks of the strait while the same conditions of wind and weather prevailed. The tides were observed simultaneously at Forteau Bay, within 12 miles of these stations. In July the times of high and low water only were noted ; but in September after the tide gauye was erected there, a continuous record day and night was obtained for both tides and current^! ; although the latter was much interrupted by bad weather. In September only two stations were taken up ; one (station Q) being c incident with C ; and the other (station R) intermediate between A and B. Comparisons of the cun'ent on the noi'th and south sides of the strait were made by the best means available, to detect any diffei^nce between them. The best simul- taneous observation of the currents on the two sides was obtained on 15th September, at station R, three miles off Green Island, while an iceberg was drifting up and down with the tide four miles from the north shore. At that time the current was running east and west in fair harmony with the tides ; and complete data were obtained from the iceberg, as its height was measuretl immediately afterwards. The results were as follows : — (Morning: current inward from the East.) Turn of current at Station R at 1 1-15, Turn as shown by iceberg ft 12'15. (Aftei-noon ; current outward from the AVest.) Turn of current at Station R at lG-45. Turn as shown by iceberg at 16-] 5. (Evening : current inward from the East.) u W Tho current on the north nkh of the stmit thus van inwards from the east for a longer tune tlian on the soutli siile , and outwards from the W(.st for a shorter time Also, on the nortli side, the current from tlie rast as shown hy the path of the iceberu was stronj,'er than the current from th<. west, while on the south side the currents were practically etiual in the two directions. Also, during a period of persistent current troip the east (8th S ptemher), observations at station ( ', at the north side, C(jnipared with the speed of icebergs near the south shore, showed that the current was practically equal at the two sides of the strait. "^ From these observations, and al.so from a comparison of the current as measured successively at the ilitlerent stations, it appears that there is on the whole a tendency on the south Mde to greater tidal regularity, and on the north side to greater persistency of flow in one direction or the other. This is probably due t.. the greater deptii on the north side, and conse(|uently the greater momentum of the water there, a.'i compared with the tnctional resistance. With this explanation regi.rding the amount of diflerence in the current on the two sides of the strait, we may proceed to a clo-^er comparison of the relation between the tides and cuirents, based upon obser\ations during such times as the current ran in harmony with the tides, and turned in regular correspondence with them Also the best instances that were observed of a jH-rsistent or i.redoinin.nt current for severnl days, tn,m the east or west respectively, ,uid the conditions under which this took place Ihetideitselt^as recorded at Fortcau Hay, has a range which does not exceed tour teet. The differe.ice between the spring and neap tides is not usually noticeable : while on the other hand, when the moon's declination is great, the diurnal ine.iuality in the tides IS quite distinct. The currents in the strait slmw the same characteristics ; there is no distinct difference -n the velocity at spring and neap tides, as the currents are much more disturbed by the winds than any such diflerence would amount to But the diurnal inequality in the current is well marked when this incrualitv occurs "in the tide itse f. The greatest \eIocity of the current in either direction under ordinary con- ditions does not exceed two knots per hour. The dates during which the currents followed the tides with the greatest regularity and the conditions of weather then j.revailing, are given below. The directions of the wind are magnetic, as these corresi.ond best with the direction of the strait itselt The magnetic variation is 3") W. Monday, July 9 to Friday, July l:i. Wind moderate; fr.nii the west or variable in direction. During the four days there were 60 h.airs westerly wind, averaging !) miles per hour. "• " " Thursday, July 26 to Saturday .July 28.— During two days previous (.July 21 to -6) there were .36 hours of westerly winds averaging 1" miles per hour : and 12 hears ot easterly and variable winds averaging U miles per hour. From July 26 to '>9 winds from N. W. to S. W. tor bi hours, averaging 15 miles per hour Monday September 17 to Friday, .September 21.-Including the two days pre- vious, or m all from September 15 to 21, there were 72 hours of westerly winds aver- aging lo mi es per hour : and 72 hours of easterly wiii.ls averaging 8 miles per hour Ihe toliow.ng summaries show the velocity of the current in the two directions, which in these periods is nearly equal • , nd also the relation between the times of hi-rh and low water at lorteau Bay, and the turn of the current in the strait, as observed "at stations on the line ABC. Veloci/i/ of the Current. July 9 to 11 at Station A. July 12 and 13 at Stition B. Current from east, maximum : M(i to 1-98 knots per hour. Current from west, maximum : I'lO knots per hour. July 26 to 28 at Station 1!. maximum.: 1 Current from west, maximum : 1 -Qs to to ] •' nots per hour. do oni the east for a >r a shorter time, ith of the iceberg, the currents were ersistent current h side, compared it wa.s practically •lent as measured rt'hole a tendency •eater persistency liter depth on tlie ere, a.«, compared e current on tlie relation between lie current ran in them. Also, the rrent for sevenil h this took place, does not exceed ually noticeable : nal inec|uality in 3 characteristics ; as the currents unount to. But ty occurs in the ler ordinary con- mtest regularity, directions of the trait itselt. The .est or s-ariable ind, averaging 9 ious (,)uly 21 to • ; and 12 hears July 2G to 29, e two days pre- ■ly winds, a\er- les per hour, s two directions, e times of high as observed at I 15 Sepiemlier 17 to 21 at Station C. Current fr «» « ... W. is from observation In Septu'uiber it is taken from the self-registering tide-gauge.) I)ir»'ctiiiii ami Turn of Current. July ,1(1 do do do do do July do' do do do do .Sept. do do do do do do do do do do do 10. 10. U. 11. 1'2. do 12. IS. 21). IH.W !l \v H.W L.W H.W L.W H.W. ut l!C20. L.W. lit l','1.5. lit H-M) at 17'. 2:<-55. do • lo do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do V do 0.40 do L.W. E. do 2 30 do H.W. E. do 0.15 do H.W. W do 1.15 do L.W. E. do 2.55 do H.W. K. do 0.00 (at H.W.) E. do 1.30 aftfi H.W. W do 2.30 do L.W. E. do 1.30 do H.W. W. do 1.15 do L.W. E. do 2.30 do H.W. E. do 1.40 do H.W. W do 1.30 do L.W. K. do 2.Xi do H.W. W do 1.05 do L.W. E. do 2.15 do H.W. W do 2.05 do L.W. E. do 2.15 do H.W. W do 1.(H( do L.W. 16 Further Comparison of CuirentH with Tid.-. .luring the sain,. perioJa of greatest regu- lanty. Di.wt coiiipaiisons with tii.ir of imo.,i,\s tinnsit ; in Htandard time for the ()Olh rnnruhan. Datr. Tidf after .M(K,iiV TniiiHit. .lulv 'In' do (l» do do do do July do" do do d" 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 2ti H. W. S.47 L. W. 10.47 10.30 11.3.*) 14. -10 Ift.'ilV ict.'Vi 'I'lini ipf r'urrciit iifhr .Mimiu'h 'IVaiiHit, From R to W. Fwin W. to K. 10.32 l6!47 12.31' 12, in o.l'j 2H 28 0.42 it, 43 (lO do 2" 'Jit . . it 34 IO.L'7 0.40 Sfiii 17 do 17 df. 17 it. 18 do IH do 18 "m do 1!» i| ,",(; do 10 do do 10 2(t 8!.3(i do 2(t !t 20 do 20 do do 21 21 ■t.lK) Hi. 14 it!. 13 11.40 irii) iH.'o4 iH.ra i8!2i ir..3o 1(1.03' 1.5.51 'ia'.'M 'itUMt 1U.54 12.12 0.5H 17.28 12,20 10.27 11. lit 18.00 10.48 17 18 12.2.-I 11. 3(! 11.11 ii 44 'ii'i:)' Means Mean intcivul ufti r HIkIi Water, do do Low Water. . 1.47 l.-i.4r) 11.27 1.40 lti.41 '18 '.14' 'lii'.ih' 17.33 1.48 At other tii.ie.s the current was often iiuich more persistent in one direction or the other. The most markeil example of a persistent current running out of the Strait from the westward wa.^ as folliiws : - Monday, July IGth .o 'Jliurviuy, July lilth. During these three davs the current as olwerved at statioi^ H i,it. jr, from the m ,t for only ;, hours and out frcm the west for 19 hours each dny ' l.e n.aximui.j velocity of the current from the east v as 1 -.-{S knots i)er hour; and from the west 2 44 knots per hour. The long run from the west was stronger at the beginning and end of the time, with an intervul of weaker flow be- tween the two. The times of high water corresponded with this iiiimum in the cur- rent from the west, and with the maximum current from the ea.st This ctmdition of the current may tlu'refore he considered as consisting of two components -v steady flow from the west, together with the usual tidal current in the two dirtctions As the moon's declination was at its maximum at the time, the diurnal ineiiualitv would largely account for the diflFerence between the actual current from the east at'the one tide, and t'- minnnum of the current from the west at the other. The best example or a persistent current running in tiu-ough the strait from the eastward oeeurrotl frum Wcdncsflay, September 5th to Saturday, September Sth All the indication.^ concurred in showing that the current ran continuously in the one direction during thescj days ; although the observations w.;re much interrupted by bad 17 of j(reat98t regu- Inrd time t'or the rent iiffcr MiMdiM raiiHit, Fnnn W. to K. 17.10 1H.<(4 iH.'r)3' 1H.21 'i('i!r)4' L'« 1H.(MJ 'iris' 17 21 IH.U Id'io' 17.33 1.48 lirectioii or the the Strait from lys tlie current from the west east v. as 1 • .'58 from tilt; west veaker flow be- uui in the cur- lis condition of ; "i steady flow tions. As the 3(|uality would ■ast at the one strait from the iber Sth. All isly in the one rupted by bad \ Wll weather. There were also about a dozen icebergs seen in the strait during this time; and their motion agreed with the regular observationH, in .sliowing th"t the current ran continuously inward from th«! east. The curroiit as observ«'d at station (.' varied from a mininunn 'it' Jo I knots per hour to a ma.ximum of .'Mo, in the one direction. The tides tlu'iMiiclves were anomidous ; as the low water for five .sun-essivi tid«s scarcely fell i»elow mean sea level, and tin' whole rise was less than two feet, or about half the usual amount. In stating the conditions of wind and barometer lUiring these \ .-riods of predomi- nant How, it may be well to recall that a dillereiice of barometric pre wure should tend to products flow from the higher t<.v\ai'(ls the lower presaure, just as in the case of the wind. At the tiuK^ of the j)redominant flow from tlie -'estward, (July 16th, to 19th), the id raiii,'ed from N. W. to S W. Vo/- tjiree days previously, from July l.'hli to 16th the average for 72 hours was It" unles per hour; and from ./i]y 16th to i'er than the surface current when the flow was from the east, and it was always weaker than the surface current wheu the flow was from the west. From the best ratios obtained while the current ran steadily, and omitt'ng observations near the turn of the tide, the following per'centages have been obtained : — Current fi'oni the east. Undercurrent T; per cent stronger than the surface curi'ent. Curi'ent from the west. Undercurrent 70 per cent of the velocity of the surface current. During the period of predominant current from the westward (July 16-19) the undercurrent ran with much greater regularity in the two directions than the surface current. This indicates that the surface current it^ 'f was of the nature of a "wind drift," and that the time was not suflieiently prolongeJ for the wind to influence the current to the bottom. 2 mill i HI 18 During tlie period of pprsistent flow frnn, ^h^ ^ , /r. current was decidedly streioo, tha"^hesuS. 1 t'"'*^ (Sept. 5 to 8) the under- nearly 2u per cent 7ore. f.is Sul wa'^ tl ned'-Iu h:7" "" ■''" '^^•'"■''»- *« TEMPKRATURKS.-Ti.e temperature of^ the w ! ^ f™'" ^'"^ '"^*'"" «*' icebergs, to the direction of the eurren^tW h tl e «t. H ""^u '"^'" '" '''''"'''' ^'^ '-'^^^'^^^ the strait is colder than the water at the L^ ' ''',' """ '"f*"' ^* '^'« ^^^'""tic end of It was th..refore to he e.p t^rtl at th o .^en^'l-r """"t ''^' ^"'^ «^ '^^- ^'^-''^^^e- colder of the two ; and tl e ten r,e ^mi o7 /h ^ "^ I'' ^'■"'" ^'^"^ '^^^^ ^^'""If' be the to vessels of the pr;i,ableXSo^^^^^^^^ *'-« ^■-•-«'' - in«^-ation below, were taken across the strait from u-fL J^''T^'''''}^'^ '^^^^^onn >,s tahu]aied nearly as far west as Rich Point Tircolumn. . '""'"' ^''""^ ^^''^"•^ ^^'« ^^^^^f to intervals across the width of thl\t7a!n-l" ^r^'ar^TL^'t P"''^^'^^ ^^"'^^ Fahrenheit. '"Jiui to .soutn. ihe temperatures are Tempei-ature Serf Ions, at outer end of Strait of Belle T.Ip n i- magnetic) from Chateau Bay to Belle Isle, August 7th S04r ' ''"''''?« '^•^• trom Js.IS.E. magnetic) velocitv at Sfition 7 1 no i . ' i Current at the time at the time. ' ^^''^^ -^^ '^t-^tion .), 1 00 knot per horn-. Icebergs numerous CHATEAU BAY To BELLE ISLE. Surfac" . . . . 10 fathotiiH. 20 do . 2;"") do 30 do 3.-) do 40 do 3:- 31 Total del )tl 3S 33 31 30 55 F. 39^ 3!!" 3« ;is 32 33 — 31 31 30 30 43" 41 32 31 41= 35 32 30 itO E. ^t., S9rSr^;rrthr^:;:^l;T''S^^,^^"f ^^^^ - cape Bauld, August per hour. Icebergs numerous near Beile r^r»"'''^> ^"^'^'-'^ty at station K, M5 kfiots BELLE ISLE To CAPE BAl'LD. Siirfacf 10 fathoms. , 37" 20 do ;<•> 30 do ;<1 40 do '.''..'.'.''.'..'.'. "'•^ Total d.-i.th 41 i s-2 35 32 30 30 43 F. 40 1 i 40,, 1 3.- 42 32 ai 31 32 30 31 54 F. WF. 52" 51 44 3(J 33 50 F. Temperature section acr( temperature section across .Strait of Beile T^lo nn ., r from Wreck Bav to f'ln^ V >.. \ . , '*' °" '^ ''"e runt icun. x>,iy to i^ape ^>()rjiian, August (it 1 IS'U n.. rumiing in from the eastward. .-use oui, i,sj4. Current; WKECK I'.AV To CAPE NOKMAX. nning magnetic south It the time probably 19 to 8) the under- 1 the average to )tion of icebergs, tain its relation Atlantic end of of St. Lawrence. i«st would be the li an indication ions as tabulated le Isle itself to points at equal !mperatures are le running S.E. ent at the time bergs numerous 43" 41 32 31 41= 35 32 — 30 30 F. 40 F. Bauld August K, 1- lo knots Oo 1 ». I 51 1 44 3(J I 33 \v. 50 F. ignetie south iuie probably B'. .53 52 44 22 F. Temperature section at the west end of the Strait of Belle Isle, on a line running magnetic south from lllanc Sablon Bay to Ste. Genevieve Bay, August 3rd and 4th, 18U4. Current from the west. BLAXC SABLOX TO STE. GENEVIEVE BAY. 52- 41 30 as 38 54' 40 43 30 38 F. 53' 53 47 42 39 5»i F. .53- 53 52 4!t 4(; 52 F. .54= 53 20 do 30 fi„ .53 52 40 di) Total (lei)tli 48 F. 38 F. Same section as above ; repeated September 13th. Current at the time probalily from the eastward. Surface 10 fathoms ''Q fli , 40- .39 3S 37 41= 40 38 3ti 44' 43 37 3(i 47= 4() 44 37 49= 48 46 30 (io Temperatures west or the Strait of Belle Isle. Section on a line running magnetic south from Whale Island (Esquimaux Islands) to St. John Bay, between stations E and F, Augr-.t 1st, 189-1. Surface current from the west. WHALE ISLAND TO .ST. JOHN BAY. Surface ■ 53= 10 fatlioins i 51 20 (hj ' 41 3(» do i 39 40 do ' 50 do I 3fi 85 do ; 35 Total depth 110 F. Same .section as above ; repeated Sei)tember 25th. Current slight ; direction not ascertained. .50= 51° 52= 40 43 51 41 31 i 38 38 33 .34 32 33 32 30 100 F. 55 F. 40 F. Surface . . . 10 fathoms 20 do 30 do 40 do 50 do Temperatures at Station G, 19 niiies N.W. of Rich Point iid above section. August 2nd, 1894. Surface current from the wt . 24 miles west of Surface ■ 5'- 5 fathoms 51 7 do 44 8 do 40 lOfatiionm oa" •ill t' '.V.V. v. ■....'.■.•.■.: 32 -8 do Qi Total depth ^ 33 F. ... .....!.... '. 2i 10 The following temperatures at the middle of the r.trait at station B, may be given for comparisc n with these temperature sections. They give a good average, being at the centre of the strait ; and they were taken as nearly as possible at the same dates as .riven above. The lower temperatures in September are probably due to the continuous curr •ent from the eaistward, shortly before that date, and also to the presence of icebergs. .Stiiticjii B Surfiice... 10 fatlioius 20 fit) 30 do .Tulv L'S. 53 r.'> Sept. IL'. 40 37 39° 3!) 37 37 These temperature sections show that the water at the eastei'n end of the Strait is distinctly colder than at its western end towards the gulf. It is therefore to be expected that the cun-ent from the east should be the colder of the two. It will be seen from the following examples that the ditlerence is apprecialile although very slight. These examples are selected from the numerous observations taken in the central part of the strait (Stations A, P., C). and show the greatest differences observed during periods when the current was running regularly with the tides. The temperatures were taken at slack water after the How from the east or the west respectively. Station A, .hih 11 Surface . . . 10 fathoms 20 do 30 do After ciirrent After cmrent from tlie ¥j. from the W. 4(>' 4.5 37 33 Station H, .fuly •J"i ami '2>'<. Surface . . . 10 fathoms 20 do 30 do AftiT current from the K. 40' 45 40 35 48^ 45 41 30 Aftei c\nTent from tlie w. 5r 51 46 37 The difference is naturaUy more marked during the periods of predominant flow in one direction, already mentioned. After the period of predominant flow from tlie west, the temperatures were hig'.er for the average of the whole depth than at any other time : — Station A July 21 Surface. 10 Fath .")(>" 20 fathoms 44" 47 30 do 41 The lowest temperature was found on September Sch, after three days of continu- ous flow from the east. The surface temperature at Station C "as then 37'. The.se observations show that there is little appreciable difference in the tempera- ture of the currents in the two di'-ections so long as the current maintains its tid&l character. The. difference between the temperatures to the west of the Strait, at the dates t'iven in August and September descrx es, however, a few words of explanation, as it appears probable in the circumstances that the difference is as gieat as would ever occur in the summer season. 21 From July 24 to 'M there were in all 124 1. rs of westerly wind averaging 20 miles per hour, and only 48 hours of easterly wind averaging I'J nules per hour ; or in all 2,050 miles westerly win.l, and 890 miles easterly wind. The westerly winds also continued during August 1 and 2. The stations E, F, and G, were occupied between July 31 and Aug. :i immediately after these prolonged westerly winds ; and the current was found to h./from the west at all three stations, with a velo-iiy of somewhat over one knot per hour at E and F, and three-iuarters of a knot ai (i, as observed in the early part of the afternoon on three successive days. It was also found that tlie thiclc- ness of the laver of water which was in motion from the west corresponded closely with the surface laVer of higher temperature, which ranged from o t.. 10 fathoms in thiekiess at these stations. . , . These conditions explain the hi-her temperature of the water at t u? time ; and it is also probal.l<> after so much westei^ly wind, that the current at E and F had as high a velocity as it is ever lik. Iv to attain fr..m a westerly direction. The clear width here between the mouth of St, John Bav and Es(iuimuux Islands is 32 miles. The low temperatures of Sept. 13 on the section at Ulanc Sablon must be attributed to the current which ran predominantly from the east for some time previous to that date. We thus have an example of the cold water occupying the whole fetrait to its western end. . v . • ..u !•«„ It is thus clear that during periods of predoninant tlow m one direction, the ditie- rence in temperature is well marked ; and it might perhaps be possible to ascertain trom extended observations the amount of iIh' dillerence to be expected under such conditions, a'bove or below the te rmal temperature i.v the season. lUit at best, the temperat^ire could > / CAPE BRETON J , C. Norch ^S'. Paul 1. cN S' Paul T. I ,P ^ ^ SC/'lC s isot- J^ftL ll M I 1 ■ M I I I I 1 il-^-i-i 1 i I I I I I O i .0 15 is H NAUTIC AL MILE S SEC'l^rON nt-CA BOl- S'lIiAlJ 23 Cahot Sthait, or the south-eastern entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Cape Breton and Newfoundland. . • This entrance to the gulf forms a portion of the deep channel or gully which runs in from the Atlantic between the St. Pierre Bank on the Newfoundland side and Banquereau and Misaine Bank on the Nova Scotia side, and thence traverses the entire width of the -nilf, passes between Gasp.'- and Anticosti and into the mouth ot the Lower St. Lawrence. This channel fmrn the Atlantic inwards, has a width of 40 miles between the Banks on each side, and a continuous depth of over "200 fath.mis. In passing througli Cabot Strait, it is not contracted in width or diminished in flepth ex- cept l)y the occurrence of St. Paul Island which lies near the western sule ot the deep water. This island rises iibruptly from the bottom, and if left dry would proi)ably present the appearance of one of the "Sugar-loaf" mountains of the adjacent coast. Al'owin-' for the encroachment of this island on the western side of the channel, there is still ld:'t between it and Cape Ray a width of 32 miles in which the depth exceeds •200 fathoms ; and for the greater part < f this width it averages 2.)0 fathoms. The width of the strait lies east and west (magnetic) and the channel above de- scril)ed runs through it from south to north (magnetic), which makes the magnetic di- rections the most convenient for reference. The magnetic variation is 2S \V. Ihe currents were examined m August, between the 13th and the 31st witn the inter- ruption of the trip to North Sydney for supplies ; and althougn the tune was sf) short, much work was done by taking advantage of the calm weather for current measure- ment, and the r..ugh days for temperature work. The record of the current was also taken continuously dav'and night. The stations at wiiich the steamer was anchored, were kept to the north and south of the straight line jmnmg Cape North and Cape Rav to avoid the telephone and telegraph cables which lie along that line. Ihe posi- tions of the stations are shown on the accmi.anying map. The two principal stations were chosen near to the two sides of the dee], channel ; one of them (Station L) in -.lO fathoms at 10 miles N. E. of St. Paul Island, and the other (Station M) in 230 tiithoms at 13 miles W. of C.ipe R.iv. Thcv ..re thus symmetri al in position with respect to the deep channel itself ; and each station was occupied twice to check any variation in the conditions. , The current speaking generally, was found to run out of toe gulf trom the north- ward (macmetic) at St ition L on the West side, and into the gulf from the south-east (magnetic) at Station M on the east side. On this account a third station P was selected where still water mi^iit be expecteil between these two currents: and a favourable opportunity found to ascertain whether the deep water at the bott.»m of the strait was in motio;i. The steamer was anchored at this station at the centre ot the strait in '^.■)0 fathoms. The surface cuirent was there found to be very vanable in direction and at times very weak. On August 20, at a time when the surface current was almost i. apr>reciable, the deep fan, weighted with an ordinary deep-sea lead, was low.'red to a d-pth of 200 f:.thoms. This fan presented a surface of four square teet to the water which was sutH.Ment to indicate the slightest current, by th" inclination of the line to which it was attached. This line showed an inclination ..f about lo; tVomthe vertical » far down as 30 fathoms : between 30 and 50 fathoms it came within o" ot tlie vertical : and from .-)0 to 20(» fathoms it remained perfectly plumb. The same in- dications were given a-.ain in raising it, Also on the following day, at a time when thesurfacecurrenthadavelucityof alittleless than one knot an h.mr, the deep tan showed in a similar way that there was no motion below 20 fathoms, ihe layer ot water in motion had thus a thickness of only about 20 to 40 fathoms from the surtace, and below this the water was pertectly still. T!ie relation of this thickness t(. the tem- perature at ditrerent depths will be referred to further on. This also shows that there is no constant bottom current of any appreciable velocity. Station L. on the vvest side was occupied from August 13th to lotii. there was some trouble Imm draguing of the anchor at hr^t ; but a continuous record of the current for S'^ hours was obtarned! The velocity of the surface current measured at the standard depth of 18 feet varied from 0-74 to 1 -50 knots per hour, and t'.e direction veered 24 gradually from N. W. to N. E. and })ack a<;uiii to N. W. The regularity of this change in direction niaices it probable that it is tidal in its nature; but the observations were not continued long enough to establish any difinito relation l)et\veHn the two. On Augitet lilst tl'.e station was again occuiiicd for a few hours, and the direction and velocity were found in correspondence with the previous ol)servations. The average direction is thus as nearly as possible from the north (magnetic) with an average A-elocity (»f very little more than one knot per hour. While the curient ran from the X. ]-]. tiie undercurrent was stronger than the sur- face current as far doun as 50 fathoms. Two measurements at 30 and 40 fathoms (made August 14th and 31st) showed the velocity at that depth to be 38 to 40 per cent strongei- than at the surface. On the other hand, wliile the current ran from directions west of north, two measurements of the undercurrent at 40 fathoms (made August loth) show( d the velocity to be only 50 per cent of the surface current, and its direction to be 20' more westerly. The total thickness of tiie current at this station was not ascertained. This thickness might have l)eon ascertained iiere and at the other stations much more definitely, if the meter which was intended for the jurpose, had not failed to work electrically. Station M, on the east side of the strait was occupied on August L'L'nd and again from August :27th to L'Oth when a continuous recoid of the current for 41 liours "was obtained. The velocity of the surface current varied from O-oO to 1-40 knots per hour ; and the direction veered from E. to S. (mag.) the dominant direction being from the S. E. The change in direction was much less regular tiian at station L, and "no relation can be seen between the variations in direction and velocitv and the tides as recorded by the gauge on ,St. Paul Islam'. On August, 27th, at a time when the surface curnnt had an average velocity and its usual direction fntm the 8. E., the indication of tiie deeji fan showed that tlie under- current extended to a depth of no fathoms and possibly to lOO fathoms; and that it ran from S. by E., or from a direction about 30" more southerlv rhan the surface current. The velocity of the undercurrent at 30 and 40 fathoms Vanged from 44 per cent of the surface velocity, to an e(pialiiy with it : but was never urearei'. On the western side of the stiait, between Cape North and St. Paul Island, one station was selected at X. in GO fathoms on the edge of the shallow water extending from Cape North. This station was occu])ied from August 23i(l to 25th: and the current was found to run from the X. W. During the jieriod of IS hours innnediately previous to the occupation of this stati.-n on the 23rd, the wind had ran-ed from X. to X^. \V., with an average velocity of 24 miles per hour, making a total ot''l,l22 miles of wind in tliat time. It is thfM'efure probaljle that the velocity of the current as then fount!, was as great as it ever is. A continuous record o,' the current for 40 houis was obtained : and the \elocity ranged from 1 •31) to 2-25 knots per hour, the average being nearly 1-sO knots. In direction, the extreme variation was from X. to X'.W. (mag.) the dominant direction being nearly from t lie X.W. There is no relation discernable between the variation indirection and the tide ; "out the :;reater vehjcity of the cuii-ent seems to occur during the fall of th'> tiile. The undercurrent at 40 fathoms hns only about one-third the strength of the sur- face curi'cnt ; but it appears probable tha; the water was in miction throuyhout the wliole depth of (iO fathoms. y'i),rp>-r((hircf<.— The water was foun5 58 5.S i;4 l>ii 4(1 43 41 41 31 i 3(i 35 35 35 35 33 33 3-.' l-'o F. 34 S3 y. !»0 ]•■. 140 F. Same section as above, repeated Septembin' I'Tth. Current ivom N. W., (the usual direction). Surf IK*. . . 5 Fathoms. 10 do . 15 d(j 20 do 30 do 40 do 51 4!t 4!) 4!» 4!l 3S 34 47 47 45 45 as 35 47 42 3S 3(! 34 50 45 41 35 35 35 34 ST. I'Al'L ISLAXDTOCAI'K l;A^■. Tempeiature .scctiiin, August Idth, l^'.^i. Surface ,-,!! 10 Fathoms 4J 20 do -M 30 do .S-> 40 do .SI 50 .lo ;U 100 do ;-!7.i, 150 do 4or, 200 do 3<),r „ 5!) .50 55 44 41 41) 3S 3(; 37 34 33 35 33 .« 34 26 (>n account of the rapid full of t»'iiiperatiire from tlie surtace to 30 fathoms, the following additional temperaturcn were taken, at the points mentioned. Surfiui'... .") Fiitliiiiiis N (III 1(» ill) 12 (li> 1.-) (Ill 2 37 ... — tltl 34 3;^ 31 i 1 41 34 37 34 35 33 3-) 32 33 32 33 32 D''ei) Teiiipi'mtm-'s from '>0 to -JilO fathoms, between St. Paul Tslaiul and Capo Ray. Taken with det'p-s(,«a revcrsii-.t,' tlnTiiiometers, left down for •") to L") minutes. I. Temiieratures on August Kith as already given. II. At Station M, August :22nd : surface current runiiing l-'J.J knuta from the S.E. III. At Station M, August L'Sth ; surface c-urrent running one knot from tin- S.S.E. IV. At Station P, at centre of Strait, August 3Uth. Surface current less than one knot per hour ; thei-mometers left down for 10 to V2 minutes. V. On a line running Xortli (mai;.) along the centre of the Strait. Teuiperatures at three points seven miles apart, Scptemlier 'Jlth, D.iitli. II . III. IV. V. M(- .■.0 1 100 150 200 I-'lltl|lllM.-^. Fathoins. FiitluiniM. FiitliouH. " 40 40.', — 3S.l> 4oJ; 30.\ 371 Wl — . 3!) 40 32.1. 40 40.^ 31P.1 3."i 41 40 3!t.': 32.'. 37 38 40 32f 40.'i 3!).'. 32.:; 3(1 M>1 3ay. This bay is cut off from the ser. bv a line of comparativf'ly shallow -vater not exceeding 30 fathoms : and the Kast Aim is again separated from the rest oi the bay by a bar on which there is only 7 fathoni.s, while the dejith in the Arm itself exceeds 100 fathoms. This deep wat< / in so isolated .. situation would natiirally take the order of density according to dei>th. The temperatures down to 100 fathoms were as follows : — ■ Surface "'-1 10 Fatlis 4.S 20 ilo 3!) 30 (111 ^'1 40 Fatli.s. ."lO (1(1 80 (111 . TOO (1(1 32 32 31 30.1 The decrease is thus regular, and in cf)nformity with the density of sea-water which unlike fresh water, increases continuously in density as the temperature falls. Sl'MVAHY f'OU CaIIOT SxitAIT. \V»> thus fiiul ill Ciil)(»t Strait a current running out of tli<^ gulf on the western side, ami into tlie gulf on t\w eastern side ; wliile in the niiddh- tlie current is weak and un- certain in direction. The temperature of tlie water is practically the same in both cases, except within eight miles of C^ape North, where it is apprecial)ly warmer. T\n' depth of water in motion appears to e greater on the western side, while on the eastern side the width of the flow is greater and the junder-current weaker in proportif»n. P'rom a comparison of the under-current with tin temperatures at various depths, it is to he inferred that the movement of the water does not extend to a greater depth than per- haps (■)() or NO fathoms at the most ; and lielow that deT)th the water appears to he per- fectly (piiescent. The voiunu) of water ' aving the gul: on one side is thus balanced by the volume entering o the other ; and as tlie tempe'-atures /ire nearly the same, the loss or gain of heat to the ^..'f is much less marked than it would be if 'he balance of volume lay between a surface and a bottom current. The actual balance however, is on the side of loss of heat ; as it is the outflowing water near the western side which has tin? highest temperature. As to causes, it is not possible to speak very detinitively from observations so limited in time and extent. It is more than likely that t\w layer of very cold water betwet^n 20 and oO fathoms is the result of the chillirg of the water during the winter ; and that the warm-r water at the surface is due to rise in temperature with the progress of the season. ISut the reason that the coldest water does nut sink to the bottom is by by no means clear. !f fr.sh water were in (juestitm, the temperature of '.VJ or 10 would then correspond with maximum density; but the density of sea water increases uniformly as the tem[)erature falls. The increase however is exceedingly slight i'or the range from 41' to .'52 which we have here todeal with ; and this allows a possible explanation to be suggested. It would re(iuire the admixture of less than 1 .1 per cent of fr'esh water with sea water at ;32' to give it the same density as unmixed 'sen water at 41. The cold water might thus be prevented from sinking if it were chilled by fresh water ice from the river, which is not utdikely in the circumstances. The l)ottoia water m.-.v enter direct from the uimiixed water of the Atlantic ; as a depth of over 200 fathoms extends uninterru[)tedly from this strait to the ocean. It is clear in any case that there is no cold under current running out alnij,'e (if surt'act' water ( 1 7 Aiiu'., I* ' ) 1 "0227 At Station N, K milas off Ca|«! North ; — Surface wator, (23 Auk., '91) l-021y Surfaiv wator (2."» Auj,'., '9-*) 10-.'21 At 40 fathoms (25 Aug., '91) 102H> The lesser densit}' of the surfaro water lietweeii St. Paul Island ami Cape North is evident; while it 40 fathcMns its density is nearly (''orth anil St. I'aul IsLviid, woidd inditMte an admixture of l) per I'onl. of fresh water. Althouj,'h tiiis result is liased upon a few oliservations it aifiirds an indication of inijiortame, as it points to the presence of river watfci, and therefor" a jHjssihle oonnei'tion between the (Jaspt- cuirent and the current tlowinj,' out- ward"^ at Cajie Xorth ; and thus fuinishes a clue wiiich should he followed up and further investigated. OEXKUAL UKMAHKS. Dne of the aims in this season's work, was to ascertain the nature of the currents in the two entrances to the (iulf of St. J,awrenct^ as a liasis for tlit; examination of the currents throughout its area. From this point of view a few general remarks may now be made. In the Strait of Belle Isle, while the current maintains its tidal charactei', there is only a difference in favour of inward I'ow from th<* east ; and rluring the sinnmer months the actual balance of flow dors not proliahly give nioie than a moderate percent- ajie in favoui' of the in\v'ai'il direction. The iiiMuence tiierefore on the (iulf as a whole cannot he very great. Puring times however wh'ii the current runs predominantly in one direction for sc'ei'al days with a \elocity which may attain a maximum of three knots, the effect upon the gun mu-^>. he moie marked, and the distance to which its influence extends may lie coiisiderahlc. A predominant current ruiuiing inwards througli ^lie strait in t!ie early spring, may not have a very niaiked inlluence so far as temperature is concerned ; because at that season the '.vater in the north-eastei-n end of the gulf nnist be nearly as cold as the water entering through the strait. This incoming volum<> of water may help howes'er to ac (lunt for the increased xclocity which the outwaid current on the west side of Cabot Strait is reported to have in the spring. Even if the water it.self does not reach Caijot Strait, it may still act by displacement as the total volutne of the gulf must remain nearly th" same. This is much more probaiile tliMii the ex] lanatioii often made that this increased velocity i.s due to the sjiring Hoods in the triliutai-ies of the St. Law- rence Rivei'. 1'he influence of the St. Lawrence upon the currents in the gulf is usually much exaggerated. It may therefore be well to nientioii that a current of only half a knot per hoi.i- through the Strait of r.,,-'le Isle, would admit a volume of water 40 times si'eater tli'in the discharge of the St. Lawrence as measured between Montreal and Lake St. Peter. The two main currents at the two sides of Cabot Strait are the most important with reference to the interujc (jf the gulf. It is posdlih? that the current on the west- ei'ii side may ha\'e .some I'elation to the current running outward along the (Jaspi'' coast, and tlie reported direction of the current near the Magdalen Islands seems tf> make this the less improbable. The current along the west coast of Newf(mndland might possibly prove to be a continuation of the inward current on the eastern side of Cabot Strait. Further to the north-east, in the narrower part of the gulf town.rds the ^tra.it of l^elle Isle, the current was also found on (jne occasion to be running from the westward at both sides simultaneously ; but the circumstances appear then to have been exceptional, as already pointed out. 29 Iheso suggeHtioiis a.« made tu show that th« currents in Cabot .Strait re. ,!-••« to be turther traced ; and this .should i e done both within and without the strait 'nd tlie farts already aseertained will be hel,>ful as a basis in doinjf so. ft may also i,r..ve of importance to tolluw the proj^r.ssive chanj?.- of temperature in the.se currentH fr.m» the early sprni- t.m.uKhout the summer; as this should give light as t- the nature (,f these curreiit,s, and would also lielp in tracing their direction and influence There is thus an ample choice in deciding upon the best direction in which to carrv forward the survey of the currents from the basi.« already obtained. It will also be novsible to speak with gre<;ter certainty regarding these currents, when they have been more extensively followed and investigated. ^ I have, sir, the honour to remain, Your obedient servant, * W. BELL DAWSON, EnyineerincliK.rye of Tidal Survey,