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The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — »> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. L'exempiaire fiimd fut reproduit grdce A la gAnirositA de: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reprcduites avec le plus grand soin. compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet6 de l'exempiaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim^e sont film^s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant ; -%, , , -,' ?• >• « , * > s' .*♦' < w^ i^^l ii<^: . . » r.n| '■!-,- ^ , ' l'"' ', ^'.4 ' N « ' tf '\* ' 1 ■=• I ^ il " V .^.' ', j'M 1 '' QrQ-Z --^-Vy RICI^ORT or ca:> W. BELL DAWSON, C.E. SURVEY •T: V. K: or TIDES AND CURRENTS IN CANADIAN WATERS. Ottawa, 13th January, 1894. W. P. Andeeson, Esq., C.E., Chief Engineer, Department of Marine and Fisheries. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report with regard to the Survey of Tides and Currents in Canadian waters. At the present stage which this work has reached, it may be well to begin by reviewing concisely the representations that have been made during the past years in bringing this matter before the notice of the Government, and the steps that have already been taken. As long ago as the meeting of the British Association held in Montreal in 1884, the importance of publishing tide tables for Canadian waters, and the necessity of establishing stations for tidal observations was discussed. The AHsociation adopted a resolution drawing the attention of the Government of the Dominion to the matter, and also appointed a committee to collect information and make representations to the Government regarding it. The committee consisted of Dr. A. Johnson, chair- man; Professor J. G. MacGregor, of Halifax; J. B. Cherriman, of Toronto; H. T. Bovey, of Montreal ; and C. Carpmael, Director of the Meteorological Service. The Montreal Board of Trade were at the same time considering the question independ- ently, and they concurred addressing a strong memorial on the subject to the Dominion Government. Ship owners and masters of ships were also practically unanimous as to the pressing need for knowledge on the subject of the tides and currents. During the following sessions of Parliament, petitions and representations were made through the then Minister of Marine. In reply, this Minister stated that owing to the outlay on the Georgian Bay Survey, and the expedition to Hudson's Bay dur- ing the summer of 1885, the Government did not propose to take action in the matter of tidal observations at that time. In January, 1886, a large deputation representing the British Association, and the Boyal Society of Canada, with representatives of the Board of Trade of Montreal, waited on the new Minister of Marine (the Hon. G. E. Foster), and also on the Premier, Sir John Macdonald. The matter was favourably received and fully dis- cussf i ; and in the ofBicial answer it was stated that while the Government was fully sensible of the importance of establishing stations for continuous tidal observations in Canadian waters, it did not propose at that time, owing to the large expenditure on surveys and explorations in other directions, to undertake the additional expense L&S^ ■ ^(af;J'!&: Involved ; it was, however, fully alive to the importance of the matter, and hoped in the near future to be able to carry out a work so necessary and useful to the com- mercial interests of tho country. On the return of the Hudson's Bay expedition, a new source of expenditure arose ; as the Government undertook to pay half the cost of a re-survey, by the British Admiralty, of part of the Lower St. Lawrence. In the summer of 1887, however, Lieut. Gordon, R,N., who had been in command of the expedition to Hudson's Bay, was authorized to make some test observations at a few points by means of the tide-staff with a view to ascertaining how far the accepted tidal estab- ments were to be relied upon. These observations were taken at Georgetown, P.B.L, at Louisburg, C.B., at Pictou, N.S., and at Port Hawkesbury in the Strait of Canso. In his report on this work, Lieut. Gordon explains that the object of these observa- tions was to show to what extent the means now in the hands of navigators for the prediction of the tides on the coasts of ( !anada were in error ; and he tinds the results to show, as far as they go, that the means of prediction are very imperfect, and in some cases (such as tne Strait of Oanso) actually misleading. While admitting that these observations were too few in numbor and too rough in their nature to found any conclusions on, Lieut, (iordon considers that the results certainly strengthen the opinion that the whole question of the determination of tidal constants should be taken up in Canada, and a number of stations established for taking tidal observa- tions ; as these would be of the greatest practical value to seamen. He further points out the special value which this work will have when completed, as it will enable an intelligent ship master not only to see at what time the tide will be high or low, but also to see at once how the tidal current is sotting bis ship, when once the cur- rents are charted for the waters of the Gulf. As Staff Commander Maxwell, E.N., was at that time carrying on the re-survey in the Lower St. Lawrence, his attention was called to the memorial of the com- mittee of the British Association, and he was asked by the department to state the nature and extent of such tidal observations as he was making. His reply is to the effect that he was doing what he could to observe the tides and currents with the means at his disposal ; but that they were confessedly imperfect, and were confined to a limited area, and did not "necessarily establish any comparison with any other portion of the river. To do this work in a comprehensive way, he considers the most trustworthy method to be the establishment of self-registering tide gauges at various points in th<- Eiver and Gulf of St. Lawrence ; with one or more vessels from which to observe day by day the condition of the tidal streams under varying states of wind and weather. Up to the time of the accession to office of Sir C. Hibbert Tupper, K.C.M.G., as Minister of Marine in the autumn of 1888, no steps bad been taken to carry out the work in accordance with the representations made. As Lieut. Gordon bad spent the summer of 1888 in navigating the watei-s of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, he ad- dressed a report to the Minister based upon the further information he there gained, after carefully watching the effects of currents on his ship's course. In this re- port he expresses the conviction that until we have an exhaustive examination of the whole system of tidal movements, carried out on similar plans to those which have been made on the United States' coasts, and on the coasts of Great Britain, we shall always be subject to an annual amount of maritime loss due to the lack of informa- tion m regard to tidal currents. He also points out that in the 18 years from 1810 to 1887, the aggregate loss was a little over 50 million dollars, or an average of 92,782,000 per annum; and in the same period the loss of life has been 4,308 lives. A certain proportion of this loss of life and property is certainly due to imperfect knowledge of the currents ; and if the number of narrow escapes of vessels from disaster or wreck were known, it would add a powerful argument in favour of proceeding with the work forthwith. He also adds that if we could only get a record of the narrow escapes, the delays, and the errors of position discovered when a fog clears away, no further argument would be required ; but captains of vessels as a rtr'e dislike to admit that they have been out of position ; and dangers escaped are only remembered in a practical sense by giving the ship a little more offing the fe.:- -."J' next voyage, when, if the weather is thick, it may be found that the ship ia an far to the north as she was on the previouK trip to the south. It is the more diffloult under these circumstances to collect evidence on the subject. He is himself con- vinced, however, of the extreme desirability, if not the absolute necessity of pro- ceeding with this work as soon as possible. During the summer season of 1889 little was done of a practical character, beyond exploratory trips miule by Lieut. Gordon and Mr. Carpmael, with a view to ascertaining the best points for the establishment of tide gauges. At the conclusion of the re-surveys in the Lower St. Lawrence with this season, the expenses of which were being shared by the Canadian Government and the British Admiralty, the time was regarded as opportune to make further representations as to the pressing need for information about our tides and currents. Accordingly, in Deceraoer. 1889, a petition was addressed to the Minister of Marine and Fisheries which was drawn up by the Committee of the British Association, and the Boyal Society of Canada, and was signed by 393 masters and officers of vessels, to the fol- lowingeffect : — "We, the undersigned masters and officers of vessels engaged in the navigation of the Gulf uf St. Lawrence and of the waters on the Atlantic coast of the Dominion of Canada and of Newfoundland, desire earnestly and respectfully to petition the Government and Parliament of Canada, that they would promptly take such steps as they may deem advisable to obtain as thorough a knowledge as possible of the currents in these waters, whether due to the tides or to any other cause, and to dis- tribute amongst mariners the information obtained. We believe that the serious loss of life and property due to shipwrecks attributable to unknown currents during fogs or hazy weatner may thus be greatly diminished. In such weather these cur- rents are a cause of great anxiety and danger." A f\irther memorial was presented to the Minister by the Shipping Interest of Montreal, bearing the representative signatures of Messrs. H. and A. Allan, David Torrance & Co., H. E. Murray, Anderson McKenzie & Co., and F. W. Henshaw. This memorial points out the special deficiency in Canada of such information to mariners as is supplied by the Imperial Government in the British Tide Tables ; which show not only the change in the depth of water due to rise and fall of the tide, but also supply very i'uU information about the currents in the waters surrounding the British Islands, whether due to the action of the tides, or influenced by atmospheric causes. The annual wreck list is referred to, as showing the urgent need of similar information for Canadian waters; and as far as ascertained, ship-masters were unanimous in their anxious desire for information on the subject. The need of taking immediate action in the matter is urged, as the necessary observations will occupy some years, and every year before their completion will show its list of preventable wrecks. This memorial was also heartily endorsed by the President of the Quebec Board of Trade. It was referred to Captain W. H. Smith, E.N.E., Chairman of the Board of Examiners of Masters and Mates, who has had thirty years' experience in the Atlantic service ; and in reply he concurs in recommending that self-registering tide gauges be placed at all the prominent ports, and observations taken by competent persons. About the same time a further communication was received from Dr. Johnson, on behalf of the Committee of the British Association, which reviews the represen- tations already made by them. Amongst other reasons adduced, the rule of the Imperial Board of Trade is referred to. This requires all masters of ships to obtain a certificate of competency, and for this purpose to pass an examinatioa ; which examination, in the case of masters desiring a certificate for the coasting ti'ade, includes a knowledge of the tides and tidal currents. The information enabling them to pass this examination is found in the tide tables published by the Admiralty. This is cited to show the need of obtaining data for Canadian waters on which similar information could be based. The recent re-survey of part of the Lower St. Lawrence under Staff Commander Maxwell, is also referred to ; and his endeavour as far as time permitted him, to investigate the tides and currents in the part of the river in ^2 . i-&ifi6fi^ii'i ■"' which he was at work ; nlthoash he acknowledges hia means to be limited and insufflcient to eatabliHh coropariBons with other points. The opinion of Captain Leoky, H.N.B., is also quoted from his work on " Practical Navigation." This work has received the approbation of the naval authorities of Great Britain and of the United States, and is supplied to the fleets of both these ooantries. In it he gives a list of 16 bookH which he says " may be considered absolutely essential to safe navi- gation in the present day, when the question of speed enters so largelv into the calculation." His list includes the Admiralty " Tide Tables " and Galbraitb and Hanghton's " Manual of the Tides and Tidal Currents " for the waters surrounding the British Islands. COMMENCEMENT OF THE WORK. In the following season of 1890 a practical commencement was made. It was proposed to make some further preliminary observations; to purchase a few tide gauges; and also to make available, as far as mi|^ht be possible, some old tidal records for the years 1860 and 1861, which were discovered in the archives of the Hydrographic Office, formerly at Halifax. For these purposes a sum of $2,000 was made available; and out of this amount a sum of tl,6&4.96 was expended on the above objects. The proposed observations were made by Lieut. Gordon at two points on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia ; the object in view being to check th^ accuracy of the tidal differences between Halifax and other points along the coast, in order to make Halifax if possible a " port of reference " for the whole eastern coast of Nova Scotia from Scatarie Island to Cape Sable. This was the most important thing to do first, because of the hope that the records above referred to might prove a sufficient basis ftom which to compute tide tables for Halifax, which might serve in the meantime until a longer series of observations could be obtained. A further object in these preliminary observations, was to ascertain by the use of different appliances and methods, those which promised to give the best and most economical results. The details of this work and the descriptions of the appliances used are given in Appendix No.* 16 to 23rd Annual Report, Department of Marine and Fisheries for 1890. To ascertain the best form of tide gauge to employ, the most careful and ex- haustive inquiiies were made by the Minister, aided by the advice of Mr. Carpraael. Director of the Meteorological Service. The difficulties in the case were exceptional as at most points any ordinary apparatus is liable to freeze up in winter, ana so to interrupt the record; and further, on grounds of economy, it was considered impos- sible to employ skilled observers for this special work, at the requisite number of stations. The Tides thomsolvesou the coasts of Canada, vary so much in their amount (from a height of four or five feet in the open Atlantic, to twelve and eighteen in the St. Lawrence River, and thirty feet and over in the Bay of Fundy) that a relatively large number of stations are required in order to follow their movements in any satisfactory way. In these circumstances a self-recording tide gauge, which will do the work of making the record of the tide day and night, with the least amount of supervision, is the most suitable and economical to use. To prevent freezing, and so tq secure the record in winter as well as in summer, Mr. Uarpmael made special inquiries and experiments which are referred to in his report of December, 1890. (Appendix No. 16 to Annual Report, Department of Marine, 1890.) In making choice of the best foi-m of tide gauge. Professor G. H.Darwin, of Cambridge, the most eminent specialist on tidal questions, was consulted. He kindly gave his advice in the matter; with a view also to the reduction of the observations, and calculation of tide tables from them. The gauge finally decided upon was the one devised by Sir William Thompson, and three of these were accordingly purchased to begin with. The records of the Halifax tides above mentioned wore submitted to Mr. Edward Roberts, of the Nautical Almanac Office. Although there were breaks and imperfections in the record, he devised a special method of double computation by which these could be successfully overcome; and he was therefore able to report 't-„'. lited and Captain 'his work Dd of the le gives a lafe navi- into the raith and rounding favourably upon them, and to recommend that tide tables should be computed ftrom them. In malting the calculations of these tides an ingenious and expensive com- puting machine was placed at ihe service of this dupartmont for a merely nominal fee. This machine was dovirted to facilitate the oxtonsive tidal caloulationn made by the Government of India. It this way tide tables were prepared for Halifax, Brst isHueva Scotia o do first, sient basis neantime > in these inces and ilts. The A.ppendix ?90. il and ex- !/arpraael, ;ceptional and so to ed impoB- lumber of unt (from n the St. relatively bs in any ch will do mount of Qg, and 80 le special ber, 1890. ing choice the most advice in iulation of led by Sir in with, r. Edward reaks and itation by to report In order to decide upon the most suital)lo points at which to erect the tide gauges, the advice of Mr. T. C. Mendenhall, superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, was asked, which ho kindly gave, and Mr. Carpmael also visited personally a number of localities along the Lower St. Lawrence and in the (iulf, at such times during the following season as his olhor duties would permit. At this time also the ill health and subsequent death of Lieut. Goi-don, removed him from further participation in the work, and left it entirely on Mr. Carpmael's hands. The points considered most suitable for the erection of the first gauges were Father Point, the south-west point of Anticosti Island, and the harbour of St. John, N.B. ; and the sites which have been chosen for three additional gauges since pur- chased, were the Magdalen Islands, St. Paul Island, C.B., and the harbour of Quebec. For the purchase and erection of these gauges, an appropriation of $10,0(»0 was placed at the disposal of this department in each of the fiscal years of 1891-1892, 1892-1893, and 1893-1894, but the actual expenditure in the first two of these fiscal years was little over one-fourth of the appropriation voted. The tide gauge itself consists essentially of a cylinder in an upright position, which is made up to revolve by clock-work, once in 24 hourn, and around this cylinder, a sheet of graduated paper is placed. The tide, as it rises and falls, causes a float to move up and down in a vortical pipe, which communicates by a suitable opening with the sea. This float is connected by a fine wire with the wheels and gearing of the gauge, in such a way as to cause a pencil to move up and down along thecvlinder, in exact accordance with the movements of the tide, but with a much reduced range. The combined oft'ect of the motion of the pencil and the rotation of the cylinder, is to trace on the paper an undulating "curve which represents the tidal wave itself on a reduced scale. From this curve the height of the tide, the times of high and low water, and all the other elements required can be measured. Also as high water is an hour later each day, the ourv^js showing the tides on successive days will fall behind each other, and the gauge may therefore be allowed to go on making its record for a week on the same sheet without confusion of the curves. Alongside of this recording gauge a ''sight-gauge" is placed to check the record on the other, and also to furnish a datum from which to measure the height of the tide. For this purpose there is a second vertical pipe, and a float with a staff upon it, which moves up and down with the tide itself. It the range of the tide is great, a steel tape pass- ing over a pulley is used instead of the upright stiiff. The readings of this stalfor tape need only be taken twice a day at convenient hours, and the corresponding points marked on the continuous record. In placing such an appliance in position to record the tide, it is evidently neces- ary to secure the whole range of the tide within the vertical pipes. On ordinary beaches this can only be done by setting the whole appliance out in the water beyond the line of low tide ; or else by placing it on shore and leading the tide to it by a trench or piping. It is this that occasions the chief expense in erecting the gauges in positions where there is no wharf already available, against which the gauge can be placed. The vertical pipes require to be surrounded by an open space in which heating is supplied in winter to prevent freezing, and their connection with the sea is made by means of a rose of small holes, so arranged as to reduce or efface the motion of waves within the vertical pipes. mmm r In oBtftbliHhing the tiste, Chief the Atlan- Bayfield's recognized e. d at com- rom these d. In the are often t-; ^/^l"' the least suitable to use im stationH from which to determine the tidal ditl'eronoes of other points along the coast. The reason for this is, that many harbours such as Quebec, Ht. John, N. B,, and New York, are :it the mouths of tidal rivers; and this has theett'eot of complicating the times of the tide with local conditions. To avoid this difHculty, Sandy Hook has been chosen instead of New York harbour, as a point of reference for other places along the Atlantic coast. At Quebec and St. John, the same local difficulties occur ; and although it is necessary to observe the tides at these harbourH on account of their own importance, it is doubtful whether St. John will answer satisfactorily as a port of reference for the Bay of Fundy. On this account it is advisable to establish an additional tide gauge as soon as poxsiblo at Yarmouth, which is the best available point. It is free from local influences, and the tides have a more medium range than at St. John, making results more reliable, and it best commands the entrance to the May of Fundy, as iho tides enter the Buy from the southward. For the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Halifax is undoubtedly the locality to select, as it has the advantage of combining both the objects referred to. It is a question however, whether it would be best to place the gauge in the harbour of Halifax, where the influence of the accumulated tide in BedHird Basin may have an appreciable effect. It may be found on examination that a point outside the har- bour, such as Chobucto Head, may give bettor results for the actual tide of the Atlantic. In recommending the establishment of a tidal gauge at Halifax, it may bo well to explain that to obtain a satisfactory basis for tide tables at so important a point the observations should be t-ontinued for a period of 10 years. This is the period of revolution of the moon's nodes, and the period in which eclipses recur successively in the same order. Although there is a recurrence in each year of unusually high tides nt the equinoxes in the spring and autumn, due to the combined influence of the sun and moon at those seasons, yet the declination of the moon is different at each succeeding equinox until the period of 19 years has elapsed. At the end of that time the sun and moon are again in positions with respect to the earth which are practically identical with those which they had at first; and the whole of the associated phenomena, including the tides, recommence again in the same sequence. This is therefore the shortest available lunar cycle for the correct computation of tides at any standard point. As the Gulf of St. Lawrence forms a large area which is nearly land-losked, it is of the first importance to obtain complete information regarding the tides and currents at the two main entrances which connect it with the ocean. The northern entrance by the Strait of Belle Isle is only about 10 miles wide and 40 fathoms deep, while the other opening between Cape Breton and Newfoundland, known on the charts as Cabot Strait, has a width of 60 miles and a depth over the greater part of this extent of about 250 fathoms. In comparison with these the Strait ofCanso need noi be taken into account in its relation to the tides and currents of the Gulf as a whole; but with regard to these two main entrances themselves, it must not betaken for granted that their influence depends solely upon their relative dimensions. Judging by the movement of icebergs in the Straits of Belle Isle, the general opinion is that a large amount of cold water finds its way through it into the Gulf. This may be in reality a branch of the Arctic Current on its way south from Baffin's Bay. Although this entrance to the Gulf may seem unimportant ascompared to the other, it should be remembered that a current of even half a mile an hour through this Strait would admit to the Gulf a volume of cold water more than 20 times greater than the volume discharged by the river St. Lawrence. As regard tide however, there is little doubt that the amount entering the Gulf by the Strait of Belle Isle is relatively very small ; but owing to the nature of tidal undulations, it is quite possible that its effects may bo felt further than at first sight would seem likely. In addition to this, the tide is sure to have a direct influence on the movement of the current in the Strait. It is therefore necessary to establish a tide-gauge there as soon as possible. The best position will probably be at Forteau Bay, where there is a wharf and good shelter. This bay is also at the narrowest part of the Strait, where the currents can best be observed. -jW^ r The main tide found in the Gulf undoubtedly enters by Cabot Strait (between Cape Breton and Newfoundland) from the general tidal wave in the Atlantic, which advances from the south-east. It is a remarkable fact that the tidal wave which enters here, does not lose itself is the great espanse of the Gulf area, but is again found with a range even greater than before in the passage between Gasp^ and Anticosti, and from there continues its course, with ever increasing height, up the St. Lawrence to Quebec. This is well illustrated by the curves already recorded by the tide-gauges. Tiie progress of the tidal wave in this leading direction, must be largely due to the existence of a deep channel, which crosses the whole extent of the Gulf from Cabot Strait to the passage referred to, between Gasp^ and Anticosti ; and thence extondn up the St. Lawrence nearly to the Saguenay. This channel thus extends for a distance of 500 miles, with an average width of 35 miles, and a con- tinuous depth of over 150 fathoms. It is this channel which forms an avenue of least assistance foi- the progress of the tidal wave. This will explain in general the leasons for the positions chosen for the tide f;auge8. It was evident that observations at some point in Cabot Strait would urnish a key to the situation; but the rocky cliffs on both sides at Cape North, and Cape Eay, and the rocky character and exposed situation of St. Paul Island, made it appear impracticable to place a tide-gauge there. In locating the gauge on the Magdalen Islands, however, although it was placed on their eastern side, it soon became apparent that the tidal wave had already lost its full range in the expanse of the Gulf, A careful examination was therefore made to find if possible a position on St. Paul Island sufficiently sheltered to protect a gauge from destruction. The sheltered site at which the gauge now stands, was eventually discovered ; and obser- vations in Cabot Strait itself are thus secured. On the main line of the progress of the tidal wave from St. Paul Island to Que- bec, a distance of 650 miles, the intermediate tide stations which have been selected as most suitable are the South-west Point of Anticosti Island, and Father Point. These two points have the following important advantages : They are near to the edge of the main channel above described, which traverses the Gulf; and they are similarly situated with regard to it, as they are both within six or eight miles of the 100-faihom line; they are both situated on the open coast, where they are unaffected by such local conditions as might exist in a bay or inlet. Or these grounds they are admirably adapted to follow the progress of the tide and serve as reference stations. The only position that can claim superiority to Father Point as command- ing the mouth of the St. Lawrence, is Point des Monts on the north shore ; as this stands more truly at the dividing line between the river and the Gulf, Against this, however, Father Point has the practical advantage of being the Pilot Station, where direct information regarding tides and currents is of the first importanje and can be made directly available. In this chain of tidal stations an important region is still omitted. The line of the main channel across the Gulf from Cabot Strait to Gasp^, is very direct with only a slight bend to the north-east in passing the Magdalen Islands. This main channel thus forms the deep water edge of the large semi-circular bay of compara- tively shallow water, which is bounded by the wide sweep of coast from GaspiS along New Brunswick to Cape Breton ; and in which Prince Edward Island lies. The depth of water throughout this bay averages only about thirtj' fathoms ; and the tidal wave has to pass over an extent of about 200 miles of this shallow water to reach its shores. It is therefore most important to establish at least one tide station somewhere near the centre of the sweep of coast which bounds it. The position I would recommend would be in the vicinity of Miramichi Bay ; as this is the point furthest removed from the deep-water and from the tidal entrance at Cabot Strait. The tide-gauge now on the Magdalen Islands will give, in a comparatively short time, a record sufficient to establish its tidal difference from St. Paul Island ; and it can then be utilized for the more permanently important position at Miramichi. This change may therefore be made with advantage before the end of next season. At Father Point the ereccion of the tide-gauge was not finished, up to the begin- ning of the present winter, v/hen the ice stopped further operations. It is a position K ^. Sf"./.--*;' !...•!»;- it- i.'IVw'Jt^Jii'is. ,^fj-:i.ifylC^'^w-' it soon I which presents much difficulty, as the gauge has to be placed above high- water mark to prevent it from being carried away by the heavy ice which drifts up and down the river with the tide. This necessitates the excavation of a trench 280 feet in length across a foreshore of shale rock to lead the tide to the gauge. On account of these difficulties the wharf at Rimouski, some six miles distant, was examined before the work was commenced. The dredging of the silt to deepen the water at this wharf has caused it to settle, and there is no certainty that further settlement may not take place, which would interfere seriously with observations made by a gauge placed upon it. Also in winter, there is no one at the warf in the employ of the Government to carry on the observations ; and the employment of a competent observer for the purpose would be less economical than to make the expenditure required to establish the gauge at Father Point. The practical advantage of Father Point as the Pilot Station, is a still more important argument in its favour. The erection of the gauge there should therefore be completed as soon as possible next season. . , , , To complete the number of principal stations for the tidal observations in accordance with the explanations above given, three additional tides gauges should be erected at Yarmouth, Halifax, and Belle Isle respectively ; the station at Father Point should be completed, and the tide gauge on the Magdalen Islands should be removed to the vicinity of Miramichi Bay. I would recommend ihat this be done during the coming season in order that' the stations may be in operation at the earliest possible date. as this \ CCRBENTS. There are two ways in which marine currents may be classified. From the point of view of the main routes of navigation which traverse the Gulf and follow our coasts, they may be termed Speed Currents or Cross Currents, according as they assist or retard a vessel, or tend to carry it laterally out of its course. The Gulf Stream off the American coast affords an example on a large scale of a speed current; as vessels between New York and the West Indies can obtain a distinct advantage in time by following or avoiding it. On the other hand with reference to the causes which give rise to the currents, a distinction may be made between tidal currents and those produced largely or wholly by the wind. In this connection also, the relation between surface currents and under currents is important ; as the wind may displace a surface current from its normal position, and thus allow the water beneath to replace it to a greater or less extent. There are other causes also, such as difference of temperature, which may bring an under current to the surface, or occasion a surface current to sink. It must not, therefore, be hastily assumed that information regarding under currents is of no practical use for the purpose of navi- gation. In addition to these causes the height of the barometer may also have an appreciable effect on the movement of currents. In illustration of the above points, some examples may be given from what is already more or less distinctly known or supposed to take place in the Lower St. Lawrence and Gulf; and these examples may also serve to show the nature of the information that it is so exceedingly important to obtain with at least some degree of certainty. . . . » . From Quebec to Father Point the tidal currents occupy the whole width ot the Eiver ; and although they may class as speed currents, it is only the smaller sailing craft that take any advantage of them. The steamships take their chance of gain or loss and disregard them ; although the direction of the current has to be con- sidered in calculating time of arrival in port, and making railway connections. Where the Eiver widens the case is different, as part of the width is occupied by a constant downward current which appears usually to run parallel to the south shore at no great distance from it, all the way to Gasp^. It is possible that this current may prove to be due in some measure to the warmer and fresher waters of the St. Lawrence river, which would naturally float to the surface ; and its tendency to keep to the south side may be occasioned by the prevailing direction of the wind. •it ' *~'>fIW.IWIW>|'« I