m w f Nil 6 .^^ %a ^g<> LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CUIFORNIi LieRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY = X NIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY NIA ^, lIBRItT IF IKE UIDEISITI OF CHIFIRNIl & ^^X)€^^ LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY & ^Scv; f^r^^ ■ >7~^^^ 'K \: W % i /■y ■•,;';-'£0f»; ^m^ \ LIBRARY OF THE UNIVEF.SITY OF CALIFORNU LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFO \^ p^ ^ ^ I ^^^3<^^^^ LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 0^ LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAIIFO LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GALIFOflNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIF! — . 1.2 1 A Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/explanationssailOOapprrich EXPLANATIONS AND SAILING DIRECTIONS TO ACCOMPANY THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, APPROVED BY COMMODORE CHARLES MORRIS,, CHIEF OF THE BUREAtT OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY; AND PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF HON. J. C. DOBBIN, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. M. F. BY MAURY, LL.D., LIEUT. U.S.N., SUPERINTENDENT OF THE TJ. S. N. OBSERVATORY AND HYDROGRAPHICAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON. SEVENTH EDITION— ENLARGED AND IMPKOVED. PHILADELPHIA: E. C. AND J. BIDDLE, No. 8 MINOR STREET, 1855. H /SS'S' INTKODUCTION. The introdu£tion of a book, tliough the first in order to the reader, is generally the last to the writer ; at least it is so in the present instance, and it is proper to state the fact in order to explain and apologize for the appearance of matter here, which otherwise would seem out of place, as it' might b.e considered to belong more properly to the body of the work. This work is the fruit of common labors. By concert and with the most commendable spirit, saijprs of all nations are engaged in conducting a most noble and ennobling system of philosophical inquiry, the results of which, so far, have been embodied in the publi- cations of this office ; and for them to hear that the cause they have in hand is making good progress, first in this part of the world, then in that, is surely most encouraging. But before I go further, I wish to announce a rule of conduct by which I have been guided from the commencement of this work, and by which I mean to be guided to the end ; for not only has experience proved it wise, but it is in principle so good that to it I attribute much of the success which has attended these labors. This rule has been to keep the mind unbiassed by theories and speculations ; never to have any wish that an investigation would result in favor of this view, in preference to that, and never to attempt by premature speculation to anticipate the results of investigation, but always to trust to the observations. After tliese- have been discussed, until the phenomena they conceal have been sufiiciently developed, or developed as far as the materials on hand were capable of developing them, then, and not till then, has an explanation been sought. The plan has been first the fact, and then the cause ; • and in seeking to account for any one fact, though several explanations may present themselves, that one is preferred which, besides satisfying the case in hand, will serve also to explain the greatest number of other known facts. And even then, sucb explanation is offered only in place of a better, and it is held only until another, come whence it may, is presented, which will reconcile equally as well a still greater number of facts. In truth, these investigations have been strict investigations for facts, with the full conviction that facts, when grouped together in sufficient numbers, and catechized with reverence, will themselves reveal their cause, or place in our hands the clew to such explanation as man is permitted to comprehend. *" In some cases, hypothesis is not only wholesome in its bearings, but necessary to progress. When I have deemed such to be the case, I have felt it my duty to oifer hypothesis. But whenever, in this iy ' IKTEODUCTION. work, I have ventured an hypothesis, it has been for the purpose of stimulating observers or thinkers, expecting thus to make a step towards some hidden truth, by proving the hypothesis wrong, or by proving it right, for in either case there is generally a triumph and a step gained. That such will be the spirit among those who, in foreign countries, are about to participate with me in thVJabors of discussion, I feel confident when I consider the character of the men and institutions em^l'oy^dyi such as the Koyal Academy of Sciences in Sweden, such as Beechey and Fitzroy and Playfair in England, Ballot and Jansen and Tan Galen in Holland, Wrangell and Gorkovenko in Eussia, and Pegado in Portugal. And that such has •• • • # been the spirit presiding over this beEiutiful' system of investigation, I hope the pages of these Sailing ■Birections, and the face of the*" "Wind and Current Charts" themselves have shown. The facts they . • • * * , • contain I. believe to be true and'faithful results of yvhat the log-books contain, and so believing I will 'not yield them, for any others, unless these others 'be derived from .a greater •number of observations, from more faithfully keptrabstract logs, or from some more thorough systeni of investigation. But as for theory, if I have anywhere carried theory where the scaffolding of abstract logs and pertinent facts is not sufficient to support me, I am, as I have been and hope to be, most happy' to see sound opinion take its place. I reverence truth, and know that this work which I have so much at heart, and which has cost me so many hours of precious time, will stand, prosper and flourish only as I am right and it is true. Such are the principles which have guided me- in its progress, and to the observance of which I attribute whatever of success or of good, has been awarded to it. An account of the progress made with the Winds and Currents of the Sea, up to the time of putting this volume to press, is contained in the body of the work, and I have thought well to avail myself of the privileges of the introduction, to report the progress since made, and to review, plans and prospects for the future. This review shall be neither long nor tedious; and, to be properly understood, it should not be read until the contents of the book have been examined. The demand for the fruits of our labor is continually on the increase ; 140^000 sheets of the Wind and Current Charts have been distributed ; and the three thousand copies of the 6th edition of Sailing Directions that were published a little more than a year ago, have been exhausted. The work has met with favor in all parts of the commercial world; The most experienced seamen, the ablest navigators, the wisest philosophers, and the greatest statesmen, and the most powerful nations, have given it not only their approval, but they have lent it their aid, and given it encouragement also. It has already been stated, that all nations that may be called maritime, except France, are co-operating with us through their navies and merchantmen, ia making the required observations and keeping the abstract log, and that some of these— as Spain, Portugal, and Holland, England and Denmark, Norway and Sweden— have gone further, and provided for a discussion of the sea journals returned from their shipping, and for the contribution to the general stock of the results that may be obtained therefrom. But pp. 211-12, which contain that statement, went to press more than a month ago ; and since they were written, accounts of what is in progress elsewhere have been received, and it is a most encouraging circumstance to find that our labors have enlisted for their further prosecution, not only the active INTRODUCTION^ " V co-operation of governments, fleets, and navies, but that they have on their side the sympathies of com- munities and humane individuals also. In addition to the account already given as to the progress which the Wind and Current Chart cause is nlaking abroad, I now haVe'the gratification of stating that Prussia entertains the idea of establishing a Hydrographical Office, for the, pdrpo^e of entering the field of discussion as well as that df observation; that Eussia is about to do the same, Wth Baron Wrangell at the head of it, which is a sure guarantee to the nautical world that it will be well ^ and ably conducted. With the assistance of Captain Gorkovenko, the same who.represenied Eussia in the Brussels Conference, that distinguished admiral is now engaged in translating from this work,*and rendering it, with the formula of the E(bstract' log^itito Eusslan, for the use of the imperial marine. • . ■ . . . . " . . The Holy See has established a dpco'fation for the seamen of the TapoA. states, which can .be reached only by keeping the abstract log" of the Brussels Conference ; and a society has 'beed established for the encouragement of nautical science in Ihat country.* ^ * KOTICE. Translation. " Pontifical Govkekmsnt, Ministry of Commerce and Public Works. "Among the subjects which have always received the attention and care of the Pontifical Government, not the least has been that of the Mercantile Marine, and wishing to encourage, as much as possible, those who, by their industry, their courage, and their conduct, shall contribute to the increase and development of this marine, the council of ministers having proposed and received the special sanction of His Holiness, do an-ange and decree as follows : — Art. 1. Honorary distinctions shall henceforth be accorded to such captains of armed or mercantile ships of the Pontificate as shall have merited well of their State and Sovereign. Akt. 2. Every Pontifical subject who, on his own account, shall ship, in quantities of not less than 300 tons per vessel, a thousand or more tons of merchandise, in vessels entirely equipped and constructed in the dock-yards of the State, according to the law of Dec. 10, 1825, shall, besides the reward of construction, be entitled to an honorary distinction by the Pontifical Government. Abt. 3. Two flags, or honorary distinctions, are instituted ; one of the first, the other of the second class, to be given to those captains who, legally qualified for the gran corso o lungo corso, shall make distant voyages. Abt. 4. The form of these flags shall be the folio wing:— Those of the first class shall be yellow and white — the yellow being nearest the staff — turned up with a red band, and in the middle the full length figures of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Those of the second class shall be all white, turned up with a yellow band, and in the middle the full length figures of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Akt. 5. The dimensions of the flags shall be regulated by the size and'quality of the ship ; but their length shall be once and a half times, and the border one-sixth of their breadth. Art. 6. These flags, or honorary distinctions, shall be hoisted at the mast-head by the captains to whrai they are given ; those of the first class at the head of the mainmast, and those of the second class, at the head of the mizzen. But neither of these flags shall be hoisted without, at the same time, hoisting the flag of the State at the peak, in accordance with the law of Sept. 17, 1825. Art. 7. In order to obtain the honor of these flags, the sea captains of the Pontificate must prove, from documents of the proper authorities of the State, or its representatives abroad, or, in their absence, of those of friendly powers, that they have made, in ships registered in the Pontifical State and duly qualified for "il lungo corso e il gran corso," a given number of voyages to foreign ports, leaving the Pontifical ports with merchandise of the State, and returning with foreign merchandise. It is also required of captains who shall wish to obtain the said distinctions, either of the first or second class, that tliey shall keep, especially in voyages out of the Straits of Gibraltar, a meteorological journal, with observations made daily at four o'clock in the mom- VI INTEOD0CTION. The solid men of Eotterdam invited one of their number, Dr. Van Galen, well known in the scientific world, to deliver lectures for the information of seamen, upon the object of the Wind and Current Charts. The course embodied so much useful information, that the merchants and ship-owners of that commercial city caused it to be published and gratuitously circulated for the better information of Dutch seamen. And thus the services of many valuable observers have been obtained — for the Dutch navigators are skilful and faithful observers. ^ .... More recently, one of these lectures has been translated, expanded, and beautifully illustrated with plates, by Mrs. Janet Taylor, lO-i Minories, London. It is intended to interest British sailors, and to enlist their co-operation by making them acquainted with the subject, the object in view, the results obtained, the promise of more, and the plan of operations. ing, at noon, and at eight in the evening. The Minister of Commerce will, through the Board of Health and Police, in the ports of Ancona and Civita Vecchia, furnish gratuitously to shipmasters undertaking such voyages, the form of the journal, with requisite printed instructions for its compilation. At the return of the ship to the port whence it started, the officials of the port shall, without delay, receive back the original of this journal, signed by the captain and his secretary, whence it shall be forthwith transmitted to the said minister for its proper use. Art. 8. The foreign ports to which the captains may sail in order to obtain the flags, are classified into the following four cate- gories: — 1. Ports of the Black Sea. 2. Ports of Spain, France, Belgium, IloUandrand English seaports, ports of the Baltic, and African seaports, as far as the Cape of Good Hope. 3. Atlantic seaports of North and South America, and ports of the Arctic Ocean. 4. Ports of India and the Great Southern Ocean. * Akt. 9. The honor of the flags shall be awarded with a certificate from the Minister of Commerce, when the following voyages shall be proved to have been made according to Art. 7 : — - To obtain that of the first class — Either one voyage of the fourth category, or three of the tliird, or five of the second; To obtain that of the second class — Either one voyage of the third category, or two of the second, or four of the first. Art. 10. To any merchant captain who shall have made four voyages of the third category, or two of the fourth, according to Art. 8, besides the flag of honor of the first class, shall be given the right to wear the official uniform of the navy of the Pontificate, with the rank of honorary lieutenant. * Art. 11. When a vessel, carrying one of these flags of honor, approaches a Pontifical port, it shall be saluted by the port-ship by hoisting the Pontifical flag at the head of the mainmast, or mizzen, according to the class to which the flag of honor belongs. If, also, the captain of the ship shall have the rank of lieutenant in the navy, he shall receive, in addition, the salute of three guns. Art. 12. In cases of extraordinary voyages, or those not contemplated above ; or of very honorable actions performed by captains, which shall redound to the honor of the service and the glory of the Pontifical flag, the Government reserves the reward of these for special action. . Art. 13. The present arrangements shall not apjly to voyages now in progress, or those anterior to the date of this notification. Art. 14. The Board of Health and Police of the ports of Ancona and Civita Vecchia, and the Consular Pontifical representatives abroad, are charged with the execution of these arrangements, each for the part which appertains to him. Given at Rome, from the Ministry of Commerce and Public Works, January 8, 1855. The Minister, G. MILESI." INTRODUCTION. VH la this connection, the following statement is interesting; it shows the estimated number of vessels and amount of tonnage belonging to the various States of Christendom: — THAT ARE CO-OPERATING. VESSELS. TONNAGE. THAT ARE NOT CO-OPERATING. VESSELS. TOSSAOE. England . 36,000 5,100,000 France 14,400 720,000 United States* . . 25,000 4,803,000 ' Tuscany and Naples 8,000 270,000 Eussia 800 240,000 ■ Greece . 4,000 265,000 Sweden and Norway- 2,100 550,000 German Principalities ■ 700 75,000 Denmark 4,000 2,100 200,000 460,000 Sandwich Islands, &c. 600 70,000 Holland . 27,700 1,400,000 Belgium . 150 36,000 ' Prussia . 2,000 370,000 Hamburg 2,400 220,000 Bremen . 500 160,000' Portugal . ■ 800 90,000 Spain 8,000 380,000 Sardinia . 4,200 150,000 Papal States 4,000 120,000 Austria . 7,600 324,000 Brazil 1,700 75,000 Chili 200 25,000 Peru 250 80,000 ' 101,800 13,333,000 This estimate includes coasters, fishing-smacks, river craft, and vessels of all sorts that the government takes cognizance of. Of this grand total of 129,500 vessels and 14,733,000 tons, the nations to which very nearly nine-tenths of the tonnage belongs have already joined hands, and are co-operating with us in collecting materials for the further prosecution of these researches. These vessels employ not less than a million of men and boys. Perhaps not more than one-tenth of the vessels are engaged in foreign trade, or perform voyages during which observations useful to us might be made ; and, of this tenth, perhaps not more than one-half are capable of contributing. Nevertheless, after allowing for these deductions, the size of the fleets that will probably be engaged in this work, in the course of a few years, .is imposing. It is the largest fleet that has ever been seen to act in concert, for any purpose whatever, since the world began. Thus, all who have lent a hand in bringing these investigations to their present state, have cause for mutual congratulation, for the work goes bravelyon ; and friends to encourage by precept, or to help with * The number of vessels belonging to the United States is estimated. The tonnage is according to official documents. VI 11 INTRODUCTION'. contributions, are springing up in all parts of the world. But, in reviewing our labors, our object is not to boast or to rejoice, it is to gather strength to do more and to do it better; for the eyes of good men are upon us. TVe are investigating the laws of the atmosphere. It covers the land as well as the sea. It is a whole, and for its influences to be rightly understood it must be treated as a whole : for it would be quite as reasonable to expect, by observing the currents of the Mediterranean^ to gain a complete knowledge of those of the whole ocean, as it is to expect, by observing the winds at sea, to understand the movements of the whole atmosphere. Often, in the course of these investigations, I have been compelled to give up a most interesting inquiry, because the observations that relate to it do not extend beyond the sea. I find, for instance, in the abstract logs, some phenomenon or another recorded which I am induced to trace to its genesis. I follow it up, trace it from the sea to the land, and there, having it almost within my grasp, yet have to let it escape for the want of corresponding observations. This ought not to be. Agricultural and sanitary meteorology is as important as nautical. Farmers and invalids are , quite as much interested in the development of meteorological facts on the land, as merchants and sailors are on the sea. The farmers and the savans of the shore are therefore appealed to, to come up, join forces, and do for the land what seamen and shipping merchants have done for the sea. The investigations for the land may be carried on in a way quite as unexpensive as those for the sea; but it is as necessary in one case as the other, that governments should lead. The states of Christendom were invited to a conference upon the subject of a uniforni system of observations at sea. After three weeks of free discussion and deliberation, a system was agreed upon; and nations owning nine-tenths of all the shipping in the world are now, through their navies and the voluntary co-operation of their merchantmen, engaged in carrying out that system; the governments simply undertaking the office expenses incident to the discussion and publication of the observations that are thus gratuitously made. There are public-spirited men ashore, and amateur meteorologists on the land in all countries, who, I am assured, would be most happy, at their own expense, to equip their meteorological observatories with the requisite instruments, and to observe according to a prescribed and uniform plan, provided the government would agree to have the observations so made compared, discussed, and published, for the benefit of the world. Every nation has already, and upon a scale more or less extensive, its; owa meteorological observa- tories on the shore ; they have also an office in which the observations are treated with more or less care, and published in some shape or another. So that, different from the system at sea, the nuclei for the observations on the land, their treatment a,nd publication, are already established ; and to cover both sea and land with observers and to make. the plan universal, but little now is wanting save that spirit of good will and co-operation for the land which has been found so beneficial and admirable for the sea. The Lords' Committee of the Privy Councilfor Trade, in England, appreciating the importance of the subject, addressed, last summer, a letter to the President and Council of the Koyal Society, requesting their views. I give the correspondence as far as I am enabled to do, regretting that I have not the replies of MM. Quetelet, Erman, ITeis, and Kriel to include in it, as well as my own. INTRODUCTION. IX EoYAL Society's Apartments, Somerset House, London, June 19, 1854. Sir : I have the honor to inclose a letter which has been received by the President and Council of the Koyal Society of London, announcing the intention of the British Government to institute an office for the discussion of the observations on meteorology to be made at sea in all parts of the globe by British vessels in conformity with the recommendation of the Conference held at Brussels last year, and requesting the opinion of the Koyal Society as to the expediency of giving such an extension to the system of meteoro- logical observations as may cause it to include in addition to the information required for the purposes of navigation, such scientific desiderata as may be decided best calculated for the investigation and establish- ment of great atmospheric and oceanic laws, and may be obtainable by observation either on land or at sea. The inquiry thus opened being one of general concernment, the President and Council of the Royal Society, before they make their reply, are desirous of obtaining the opinion of those amongst their foreign members, who are known as distinguished cultivators of meteorological science, as well as of others in foreign countries, who either hold offices connected with the advancement of meteorology, or have devoted themselves to this branch of science and may thus be consulted with advantage. In addressing this letter to you, Sir, I have therefore to express the gratification with which the Eoyal Society will receive a communication from you ; and to assure you that the fullest consideration will be given to the opinions or suggestions with which you may be pleased to favor them. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) EOSSE. P. S. In addressing your reply, be pleased to write "meteorology" in the corner of the direction. The English language need not be used unless perfectly agreeable to yourself. To Lieut. Maury, U. S. N. Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade, Marine Department, June 3, 1854. Sir : I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council for trade, to acquaint you that with the concurrence of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, my Lords have determined to submit to Parliament an estimate for an office for the discussion of the observations on meteorology which it is proposed shall be made at sea, in all parts of the globe, in conformity with the recommendation. of the Conference held at Brussels last year, and they are about to construct a set of forms for the use of that office, in which it is proposed to publish from time to time and to circulate such statistical results as may be considered most desirable by men learned in the science of meteorology, in addition to such other informa- tion, as may be required for the purposes of navigation. X INTRODUCTION". Before doing so, however, they are desirous of having the opinion of the Eoyal Society as to what are the great desiderata in meteorology, and as to what forms that Society consider the best calculated to exhibit the great atmospheric laws, which it may be deemed most desirable to develop. I herewith inclose a form of log (this is in the Eeport of the Brussels Conference) which will contain all that it is proposed to execute at sea, but it may possibly happen that observations on land, upon an extended scale, may hereafter be made and discussed in the same office; and in framing your reply, it is desirable that such a contingency should be borne in mind and provided for. I am, sir. Your obedient servant. To the Secretary of the Royal Society. (Signed) JAMES BOOTH. National Observatory, Washington, July 27, 1854. To THE Honorable Lord Kosse, President of the Boyal Society, London. My Lord : I have had the honor to receive your Lordship's communication of the 19th June, 1854, covering a copy of one of the 3d June, 1854, made by command of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade, to the Eoyal Society, concerning meteorological observations by sea and land. The British Government having determined to institute an office for the discussion of observations to be made in conformity with the recommendations of the Maritime Conference of Brussels, solicits the opinion of the President and Council of the Eoyal Society, as to the expediency of enlarging the plan so as to include such scientific desiderata as may be deemed best calculated for the investigation and esta- blishment of great atmospherical and oceanic laws, and which may be obtained by observations either on land or at sea. Before expressing their views in reply, the President and Council of the Eoyal Society desire to obtain the opinion, among others, of those in foreign countries, who either hold offices connected with meteorolo- gical research, or who have devoted themselves to this branch of science. In furtherance of this desire, your Lordship has done me the honor to address the communication aforesaid. I think my opinion is scarcely worth the having, though as the President and Council of the Eoyal Society are pleased to think differently, I do not feel myself quite at liberty to set the example of withholding small mites. In my judgment, the best plan of procedure for procuring such expansion for the system of meteoro- logical observations as will include the desiderata indicated, is, to carry out the idea of a universal system of meteorological observations, which formed the subject of correspondence between the Governments of Great Britain and America in 1851. The Brussels Conference recommended a mode for carrying out this system in so far as it relates to INTRODUCTION. XI the sea. No less than twelve nations have approved these recommendations, and have signified their intentions of carrying them out through the instrumentality of their naval and mercantile marine. By referring to the detail of the plan of the Brussels Conference, it will be perceived that it is some- what in the nature of a compact. In carrying out this plan, much is expected of the merchant service. We look to this branch for a large and valuable corps of observers; and to the merchantmen, the plan especially in this country is recommendatory, for the government has no power to require services of the kind from American or other shipmasters. The American Government, therefore, has caused it to be proclaimed, that it will grant certain works to the intelligent shipmasters of any country, who will render abstract logs according to a prescribed formula.* Merchant-service observers are invited to give more than this formula requires ; but to demand more might, under present circumstances, be considered not altogether fair. This is one reason why the recommendations of the Brussels Conference should be adhered to at least for the present, but there is another. Nations owning more than nine-tenths of all the shipping in the world have come into this plan. Arrangements for carrying it out have either just been made, or are in progress, and I should tremble with apprehension were the idea to get abroad that this plan is to be changed, or that a proposition was seriously entertained at this early day for altering or amending it, or for materially interfering in any manner whatever with the arrangements which are in progress for carrying it out. The plan proposed by the Maritime Conference of Brussels may be faulty, it no doubt is. My reluctance to any alterations, my opposition to any material amendment to it whatever, does not grow out of any idea that I may entertain as to its completeness of purpose, or its perfection, but from the fact that with it we have on hand a grand experiment ; it is an attempt to bring the sea, by means of machinery already at work, regularly within the domains of systematic and scientific research ; to change without cost the common implements of navigation into philosophical instruments, and to convert the ships, for the safety of which these instruments are employed, into so many floating observatories all co-operating together for the advancement of science and the good of mankind. After this plan has been tried, after we shall have had an opportunity of ascertaining by actual trial the degree of skill possessed or attainable by such a corps of observers, and after experience shall have afforded us the benefit of its lights as to the workings of this scheme, then no one will be more ready than myself to profit by these lights, and to go into another conference for amendments and improvements. I take it for granted, therefore, that the points of inquiry now presented, do not involve any question that relates to any alteration or amendment in the plan of the Brussels Conference \at present]. The subjects upon which opinions are invited relate, according to my view, to concert of action among « Vide a letter from Secretary of the Navy, Deo. 6, 1851, page 11 of pamphlet, on the establishment of a system of meteorological observatioDS by land and sea. ^U INTRODUCTION meteorologists and meteorological observers on the land, as to how far they may assist in carrying out tliis plan, while at the same time the field may be enlarged so as to include observations on the sea also. This would make the plan complete, and an inquiry like this, having for its object the establishment of great atmospherical and oceanic laws, being, as the President and Council remark " of general concern- ±ient," ought to be undertaken under governmental auspices, for I conceive that neither individual enterprise, nor the activity of societies, can do much more than accomplish specialities in so great a field as the atmosphere. It ia a whole ; as a whole its workings and its laws should be investigated, and as a whole it should be -occupied with observers and treated by computers. Therefore, I am among those who advocate another meteorological Congress, for the purpose of arranging forms for observers and recommending a plan for co-operation on the land. In my judgment, co-operation, to the extent desired, is only obtainable by bringing meteorologists together for mutual consultation and advice, with the assurance that should their counsels be judged practicable, enlightened nations stand ready to adopt and carry them out. This Congress should, I conceive, be international ; that is, the members of it should be appointed by those governments that may be disposed to lend their co-operation or their countenance, to a scheme so rich with the promise of universal good. Men have entered this field single handed, and gathered laurels in abundance ; but they with their labors have satisfied us that, though there still remains a harvest rich and plenteous, they are not, after reaping it and gathering it together, equal also to the task of threshing it ; for with such gleanings it requires patient labor to separate the wheat from the chaff. For such a field and harvest, multitudes of laborers are wanted; they are wanted in numbers that will not come at the call of individuals or societies, however wise and excellent, but only at the call of nations. Indeed, it is not so difiicult to procure meteorological observations, as it is to have them properly discussed and published. Wherever the English language is spoken, wherever Christian churches have their missionaries, and science its followers, there are to be found laborers ready to enter this field, "Man by nature is a meteorologist," but no man likes to labor in vain; and when men are invited to enter this field as recording observers, to whom, or to what ofiice shall each one be directed to send his observations, that they may be prepared and discussed for use ; so that none shall have labored in vain ? Almost every government among the states of Christendom has already established its system of meteorological observations, and has also provided to a greater or less extent for their publication. These observations are made for the most part at hospitals, military posts, and public institutions and establish- ments of various kinds. Many of them are well furnished with self-registering instruments. They therefore constitute what, in the proposed plan, may be called government establishments. They occupy on the land the place which, in the Brussels plan, the man-of-war occupies on the sea, where the most complete meteorological journals may be kept. INTRODUCTION. XIB Many private observatories are, like many merchant ships, equally well fitted and found, and ready to undertake a series of observations according to the most elaborate formula that may be thought desirable. But the great body of laborers on the land, like the great majority of co-operators at sea, will be observers only of the minimum order. Many of these will be prepared to furnish such data alone as the eye, assisted by the thermometer and judgment, may gather. But even such observations— especially in . a comprehensive system, one object of which is to develop the great laws and plan of atmospherical circula- tion — will be far from useless ; for the value of such will be greatly enhanced by geographical position or by the numbers of the stations at which they may be made. The British Government has taken the lead in the plan of concert of action among meteorologists on the land. The plan could not be in better hands, nor could it be brought forward under better auspices. Such a system of research, though it may be as extensive as the air, and though it may look to the esta- blishment of meteorological observatories in all habitable parts of the globe, is simple, and, in my judgment, is susceptible of ready and successful execution without any more than really a trifling expense. I beg to make myself clear upon this point, and, that I may do so, crave indulgence for an illustration. Most of the governments, it is presumed, that will be represented in the proposed congress, have already a system of meteorological observations, which they are in the habit of publishing more or less in detail. The formula of observations for these establishments should be the most comprehensive : but each government, upon whose territories the Congress may deem it advisable to multiply stations, should encou- rage the establishment of them, by such means as to it may seem good ; let the Congress, however, propose a form for these also— a minimum of desiderata— with the suggestion that each government invite its ft- amateur meteorologists to co-operate in this plan, at least so far as to satisfy the minimum formula with observations; accompanying the invitation with an offer to every co-operator of a copy of published results. In case there be any governments, as there probably will be, that may not find it convenient or deem it expedient to make such publications of the observations to be made within its dominions ; then let the British Government do for the land what another government of kindred people has done for the sea, viz: offer to take charge of all the observations that no other government shall care for, discuss them, and send to each one whose labors may be there recorded, a copy of the printed results. What instruments shall be used at the stations, public and private, what forms of observation, and what the subjects, in short what the details of the plan may be, should be left for the deliberations of a meeting of meteorologists, invited for the purpose and representing nationalities. I conceive it very desirable, that so far as it may be practicable without interfering with the Brussels plan, that the pro- posed plan for the land should contemplate co-operation between the observers ashore and afloat; for in discussing the observations at sea, I am daily reminded of the want of such co-operation on the land. There are many phenomena that cannot well be traced out, without such concert. I hope I may be excused for mentioning a case, that just now happens to be. before me. I have lately received from Commodore Mayo, in command of the African squadron, a meteorological journal, kept at the American Mission, Gaboon, for 1852 and 1853, by Dr. Henry Ford ; by which it XI r INTRODUCTION. appears that the dry season there is from June to September inclusive, that the other eight months, comprise the rainy season. Now, though this journal does not give the direction of the wind at all, and though it only makes record of the thermometer, the rains, and state of sky, yet by referring to our investi- gations at sea, it appears that this prolonged rainy season is due to two causes which operate in succession; one a monsoon which brings rain, and before that is over, the equatorial cloud ring in its annual vibrations from north to south has overshadowed Gaboon (lat. 0° 22' N.) with its vapors, and thus, like the lunar and solar tides when in conjunction, we have one rainy season overriding and overleaping another. Begging pardon for having said so much in a case upon which there was need of but little from me, I have the honor to be, KespectfuUy, &c. (Signed) M. F. MAUKY. Reply of the President and Council of Ihe Royal Society to a Letter from the Board of Trade, r- ' • dated Jan. 15, {June 3, f) 1854. ' . . EoYAL Society, Somerset House, February 22, 1855. Sir: In the month of June last, the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council for Trade caused a letter to be addressed to the . President and Council of the Eoyal Society, acquainting them that their Lordships were about to submit to Parliament an estimate for an office for the discussion of the observations on meteorology, to be made at sea in all parts of the globe, in conformity with the recom- mendation of a conference held at Brussels in 1853 ; and that they were about to construct a set of forms for the use of that office, in which they proposed to publish from time to time, and to circulate such statistical results obtained by means of the observations referred to, as might be considered most desirable by men learned in the science of meteorology, in addition to such other information as might be required for the purposes of navigation. Before doing so, however, their Lordships were desirous of having the opinion of the Eoyal Society, as to what were the great desiderata in meteorological science ; and as to the forms which may be best calculated to exhibit ihe great atmospheric laws which it may be most desirable to develop. Their Lordships further state, that as it may possibly happen that observations on land upon an extended scale may hereafter be made and discussed in the same office, it is desirable that the reply of the •Eoyal Society should keep in view, and provide for such a contingency. Deeply impressed with a sense of the magnitude and importance of the work which has been thus undertaken by Her Majesty's Grovernment and confided to the Board of Trade, and fully appreciating the honor of being consulted, and the responsibility of the reply which they are called upon to make; considering also that by including the contingency of land observations, the inquiry is, in fact, coextensive with the requirements of meteorology over all accessible parts of the earth's surface ; the President and Council of the Eoyal Society deemed it advisable, before making their reply, to obtain the oi)inion of those INTRODUCTION. X* amongst their foreign members who are known as distinguished cultivators of meteorological science, as well as of others in foreign countries, who cither hold offices connected with the advancement of meteor- ology, or have otherwise devoted themselves to this branch of science. A circular was accordingly addressed to several gentlemen whose names were transmitted to the Board of Trade in June last, containing a copy of the communication from the Board of Trade, and a request to be favored with any suggestions which might aid Her Majesty's Government in an undertaking which was obviously one of general concernment. Keplies in some degree of detail have been received from five of these gentlemen,* copies of which are herewith transmitted. . The President and Council are glad to avail themselves of this opportunity of expressing their acknowledgments to these gentlemen, and more particularly to Professor. Dovd,. director of the meteoro- logical establishments and institutions in Prussia, whose zeal for the advancement of "meteorology inHuced him to repair personally to England, and to join himself to the Committee by whom the present reply has. been prepared. Those who are most familiar with the labors and writings of this eminent meteorologist will best be able to appreciate the value of his co-operation. ■ " The President and Council have considered it as the most convenient course to divide their reply under the different heads into which the subject naturally branches. But before they proceed to treat of these, they wish to remark generally, that one of the chief impediments to the advancement of meteorology consists in the very slow progress which is made in the transmission from one country to another of the observations and discussions on which, under the fostering aid of different governments, so much labor is bestowed in Europe and America ; and they would therefore recommend that such steps as may appear desirable should be taken by Her Majesty's Government, to promote and facilitate the mutual interchange of meteorological publications emanating from the governments of different countries. Barometer. — It is known that considerable differences, apparently of a permanent character, are found to exist in the mean barometric pressure in difierent places ; and that the periodical variations in the pressure in different months and seasons at the same place, are very different in different parts of the globe, both as respects period and amount ; insomuch that, in extreme cases, the variations have even opposite features in regard to period, in places situated in the same hemisphere, and at equal distances from the equator. For the purpose of extending our knowledge of the facts of these departures from the state of equi- librium, and of more fully investigating the causes thereof, it is desirable to obtain, by means of barometric observations strictly comparable with each other, and extending over all parts of the globe accessible by laud or sea, tables, showing the mean barometric pressure in the year, in each month of the year, and in the four meteorological seasons — on land, at all stations of observation — and at sea, corresponding to the middle points of spaces bounded by geographical latitudes and longitudes, not far distant from each other. * Dr. Erman, of Berlin ; Dr. Heis, of Miinster ; Prof. Kriel, of Vienna ; Lieut. Maury, of Washington ; and M. Quetelet, of Brussels. XVI INTKODUCTION. The manner of forming such tables from the marine observations which are now proposed to be made, by collecting together observations of the same month in separate ledgers, each of which should correspond to a geographical space comprised between specified meridians and parallels, and to & particular month, is too obvious to require to be further dwelt upon. The distances apart of the meridians and parallels will require to be varied in different parts of the globe, so that the magnitudes of the spaces which they inclose, and for each of which a table will be formed, may be more circumscribed when the rapidity of the varia- tion of the particular phenomenon to be elucidated is greatest in regard to geographical space. Their magnitude will also necessarily vary with the number of observations which it may be possible to collect in each space, inasmuch as it is well known that there are extensive portions of the ocean which are scarcely ever traversed by ships, whilst other portions may be viewed as the highways of a constant traffic. The strict comparability of observations made in different ships, may perhaps be best assured by limiting the examination of the instruments to comparisons which it is proposed to make at the Kew Observatory, before and after their employment in particular ships. From the nature of their construction, the barometers with which Her Majesty's navy and the mercantile marine are to be supplied are not very liable to derangement, except from such accidents as would destroy them altogether. Under present arrangements, they will all be carefully compared at Kew before they are sent to the Admiralty or to the Board of Trade ; and similar arrangements may easily be made by which they may be returned to Kew for re-examination, at the expiration of each tour of service. The comparison of barometers when embarked and in use, with standards, or supposed standards at ports which the vessels may visit, entails many inconveniences, and is in many respects a far less satisfactory method. The limitation here recom- mended is not, however, to be understood as applicable in the case of other establishments than Kew, where a special provision may be made for an equally careful and correct examination. At land stations, in addition to proper measures to assure the correctness of the barometer, and consequent comparability of the observations, care should be taken to ascertain by the best possible means (independently of the barometer itself), the height of the station above the level of the sea at some stated locality. For this purpose the extension of levels for the construction of railroads will often afford facilities. It may be desirable to indicate 'some of the localities where the data, which tables such as those which have been spoken of would exhibit, are required for the solution of problems of immediate interest. 1°. It is known, that, over the Atlantic Ocean, a low mean annual pressure exists near the equator, and a high pressure at the north and south borders of the torrid zone (23° to 30° north and south latitudes); and it is probable that from similar causes similar phenomena exist over the corresponding latitudes in the Pacific Ocean ; the few observations which we possess are in accord with this supposition ; but the extent of space covered by the Pacific is large, and the observations are few; they may be expected to be greatly increased by the means now contemplated. But it is particularly over the Indian Ocean, both at the equator and at the borders of the torrid zone, that the phenomena of the barometric pressure, not only annual, but also monthly, require elucidation by observations. The trade-winds, which would prevail INTKODUCTION. XVU generally round the globe if it were wholly covered by a surface of water, are interrupted by the large continental spaces in Asia and Australia, and give place to the phenomena of monsoons, which are the indirect results of the heating action of the sun's rays on those continental spaces. These are the causes of that displacement of the trade-winds, and substitution of a current flowing in another direction, which occasion the atmospheric phenomena over the Indian Ocean, and on the north and south sides of that Ocean, to be different from those in corresponding localities over, and on either side of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean, and (probably generally also) in the Pacific Ocean. It is important alike to navigation and to general science, to know the limits where the phenomena of the trade-winds give place to those of the monsoons ; and whether any and what variations take place in those limits indifferent parts of the year. The barometric variations are intimately connected with the causes of these variations, and require to he known for their more perfect elucidation. The importance, indeed, of a full and complete knowledge of the variations which take place in the limits of the trade-winds generally in both hemispheres, at different seasons of the year, has long been recognized. On this account, although the present section is headed " Barometer," it may be well to remark here, that it is desirable that the forms supplied to ships should contain headings, calling forth a special record of the latitude and longitude where the trade-wind is first met with, and where it is first found to fail. 2°. The great extent of continental space in Northern Asia causes, by reason of the great heat of the summer, and the ascending current produced thereby, a remarkable diminution of atmospheric pressure in the summer months, extending in the north to the Polar Sea, and on the European side as far as Moscow. Towards the east, it is known to include the coasts of China and Japan, but the extent of this great dimi- nution of summer pressure beyond the coasts thus named is not known. A determination of the monthly variation of the pressure over the adjacent parts of the Pacific Ocean is therefore a desideratum ; and for the same object, it is desirable to have a more accurate knowledge than we now possess of the prevailing direction of the wind in different seasons in the vicinity of the coasts of China and Japan. 3°. With reference to regions or districts of increased or diminished mean annual pressure, it is known that, in certain districts in the temperate and polar zones, such as in the vicinity of Cape Horn extending into the Antarctic Polar Ocean, and in the vicinity of Iceland, the mean annual barometric pressure is considerably less than the average pressure on the surface of the globe generally ; and that anomalous differ- ences, also of considerable amount, exist in the mean annual pressure in different parts of the Arctic Ocean. These all require special attention, with a view to obtain a more perfect knowledge of the facts, in regard to their amount, geographical extension, and variation with the change of seasons, as well as to the elucida- tion of their causes. Dry Air and Aqueous Vapor. — The apparently anomalous variations which have been noticed to exist in the mean annual barometric pressure, and in its distribution in the different seasons and months of the year, are also found to exist in each of the two constituent pressures which conjointly constitute the baro- metric pressure. In order to study the problems connected with these departures from a state of equilibrium c XVIU INTRODUCTION. under their most simple forms — and generally for the true understanding of almost all the great laws of atmospheric change — it is necessary to have a separate knowledge of the two constituents (viz: the pressures of the dry air and of the aqueous vapor) which we are accustomed to measure together by the barometer. This separate knowledge is obtained by means of the hygrometer, which determines the elasticity of the vapor, and leads to the determination of that of the dry air, by enabling us to deduct the elasticity of the vapor from that of the whole barometric pressure. It is therefore extremely desirable that tables, similar to those recommended under the preceding head of the barometer, should be formed at every land station, and over the ocean at the centres of geographical spaces bounded by certain values of latitude and longi- tude, for the annual, monthly, and season pressures — 1. Of the aqueous vapor; and 2. Of the dry air; each considered separately. Each of the said geographical spaces will require its appropriate ledger for each of the'tvvelve months. It may be desirable to notice one or two of the problems connected with extensive and important ■ atmospherical law^s which may be materially assisted by such tables. 1°. B^ tiie operation of causes, which are too well known to require explanation here, the dry air should always have a minimum pressure in the hottest months of the year. But we know that there are places where the contrary prevails, namely, that the pressure of the dry air is greater in summer than in winter. We also know that, when comparison is made between places in the same latitude, and having the same, or very nearly the same, differences of temperature in summer and in winter, the differences between the summer and winter pressures of the dry air are found to be subject to many remarkable anomalies. The variations in the pressure of the dry air do not, therefore, as might be at first imagined, depend alto- gether on the differences between the summer and winter temperatures at the places where the variations themselves occur. The increased pressure in the hottest months appears rather to point to the existence of an overflow of air in the higher regions of the atmosphere from lateral sources ; the statical pressure at the base of the column being increased by the augmentation of the superincumbent mass of air arising from an influx in the upper portion. Such lateral sources may well be supposed to be due to excessive ascensional currents caused by eoccessive summer heats in certain places of the globe (as, for example, in Central Asia). Now, the lateral overflow from such sources, traversing in the shape of currents the higher regions of the atmosphere, and encountering the well-known general current flowing from the equator towards the pole, has been recently assigned with considerable probability (derived from its correspondence with many other- wise anomalous phenomena already known, and which all receive an explanation from such supposition), to be the original source or primary cause of the rotating storms or cyclones, so well known in the West Indies and in China under the names of hurricanes and typhoons. A single illustration may be desirable. Let it be supposed that such an excessive ascensional current exists over the greatly heated parts of Asia and Africa in the northern tropical zone — giving rise, in the continuation of the same zone over the Atlantic Ocean, to a lateral current in the upper regions ; this would then be a current prevailing in those regions from east to west ; and it would encounter over the Atlantic Ocean the well-known upper current proceed- ing from the equator towards the pole, which is a current from the southwest. An easterly current INTRODUCTION. ^'^ impinging on a southwest current may give rise, by well-known laws, to a rotatory motion in the atmo- sphere, of which the direction may be the same as that which characterizes the cyclones of the northern hemisphere. To test the accuracy of this explanation, we desire to be acquainted with the variations which the mean pressure of the dry air undergoes in the different seasons in the part of the globe where, according to this explanation, considerable variations having particular characters, ought to be found. 2°. We have named one of the explanations which have been recently offered of the primary cause of the northern cyclones. Another mode of explanation has been proposed, by assuming the condensation of large quantities of vapor, and the consequent influx of air to supply the place. In such case, the pheno- mena are to be tested in considerable measure by the variations which the other constituent of the barometric pressure, namely, the aqueous vapor, undergoes. 3°. The surface of sea in the southern hemisphere much exceeds that in the northern hemisphere.' It is therefore probable that, at the season when the sun is over the southern hemisphere, evaiooiration o.ver the whole surface of the globe is more considerable than in the opposite season when the sun . ia oyer the northern hemisphere. Supposing the pressure of the dry air to be a constant, the difference (Dflfg-^aporation in the two seasons may thus produce for the whole globe an annual barometric variation, the aggregate baro- metric pressure over the whole surface being highest during the northern winter. The separation of the barometric pressure into its two constituent pressures, would give direct and conclusive evidence of the cause to which such a barometric variation should be ascribed. It would also follow that evaporation being greatest in the south, and condensation greatest in the north, the water which proceeds from south to north in a state of vapor, would have to return to the south in a liquid state, and might possibly exert some discernible influence on the currents of the ocean. The tests by which the truth of the suppositions thus advanced may be determined, are the variations of the meteorological elements in different seasons and months, determined by methods and instruments strictly comparable with each other, and arranged in such tables as have been suggested. A still more direct test would indeed be furnished by the fact (if it could be ascertained), that the quantity of rain which falls in the northern is greater than that which falls in the southern hemisphere ; and by examining its distribution into the different months and seasons of its occur- rence. Data for such conclusions are as yet very insufficient ; they should always, however, form a part of the record at all land stations where registers are kept. In order that all observations of the elasticity of the aqueous vapor may be strictly comparable, it is desirable that all should be computed by the same tables ; those founded upon the experiments of MM. Regnault and Magnus may be most suitably recommended for this purpose, not only on their general merits, but also as being likely to be most generally adopted by observers in other countries. Temperature of the Air. — Tables of the mean temperature of the air in the year, and in the different months and seasons of the year, at above 1000 stations on the globe, have recently been computed by Professor Dov^, and published under the auspices of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin. This work — which is a true model of the method in which a great body of meteorological facts, collected by XX INTBODUCTION. different observers and at different times, should be brought together and co-ordinated — has conducted, as is well known, to conclusions of very considerable importance in their bearing on climatology, and on the general laws of the distribution of heat on the surface of the globe. These tables have, however, been formed exclusively from observations made on land. For the completion of this great work of physical geography, there is yet wanting a similar investigation for the oceanic portion ; and this we may hopefully anticipate as likely to be now accomplished by means of the marine observations about to be undertaken. In the case of the temperature of the air, as in that of the atmospheric pressure previously adverted to, the centres of geographical spaces bounded by certain latitudes and longitudes will form points of concentra- tion for observations, which may be made within those spaces, not only by the same but also by different ships ; provided that the system be steadily maintained of employing only instruments which shall have been examined, and their intercomparability ascertained, by a competent and responsible authority ; — and provided that no observations be used but those in which careful attention shall have been given to the precautions which it will be necessary to adopt, for the purpose of obtaining the correct knowledge of the temperature of the external air, amidst the many disturbing influences from heat and moisture so difficult to escape on board ship. In this respect, additional precautions must be used if night observations are to be required, since the ordinary difficulties are necessarily much enhanced by the employment of artificial light. Amongst the instructions which will be required, perhaps there will be none which will need to be more carefully drawn, than those for obtaining the correct temperature of the external air under the continually varying circumstances that present themselves on board ship. In regard to land stations, Professor Dov<^'s tables have shown that data are still pressingly required from the British North American possessions intermediate between the stations of the Arctic Expeditions and those of the United States; and that the deficiency extends across the whole North American continent in those latitudes from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Professor Dovd has also indicated as desiderata observations at the British military stations in the Mediterranean (Gibraltar, Malta, and Corfu), and around the coasts of Australia and New Zealand ; also that Jiourly observations, continued for at least one year, are particularly required at some one station in the West Indies, to supply the diurnal corrections for existing observations. Whilst the study of the distribution of heat at the surface of the globe has thus been making progress, in respect to the mean annual temperature in different places, and to its periodical variations in different parts of the year at the same place, the attention of physical geographers has recently been directed (and with great promise of important results to the material interests of men as well as to general science) to the causes of those fluctuations in the temperature, or departures from its mean or normal state at the same place and at the same period of the year, which have received the name of "non-periodic variations." It is known that these frequently affect extensive portions of the globe at the same time ; and are generally, if not always, accompanied by a fluctuation of an opposite character, prevailing at the same time in some adjoining but distant region ; so that by the comparison of synchronous observations a progression is traceable, from a locality of maximum increased heat in one region, to one of maximum diminished heat in another region. INTRODUCTION. XXI For the elucidation of the non-periodic variations even monthly means are insufficient; and the necessity has been felt of computing the mean temperatures for periods ©f much shorter duration. The Meteorological Institutions of those of the European States which have taken the foremost part in the prosecution of meteorology, have in consequence adopted Jive-day means, as the most suitable intermediate gradation between daily and monthly means: and as an evidence of the conviction which is entertained of the value of the conclusions to which this investigation is likely to lead, it has been considered worth while to under- take the prodigious labor of calculating the five-day means of the most reliable existing observations during a century past. This work is already far advanced; and it cannot be too strongly recommended, that at all fixed stations, where observations shall hereafter be made with sufficient care to be worth recording, five- day means may invariably be added to the daily, monthly, and annual means into which the observations are usually collected. The five-day means should always commence with January 1, for the purpose of preserving the uniformity at different stations, which is essential for comparison: in leap years, the period which includes the 29th of February will be of six days. In treating climatology as a science, it is desirable that some correct and convenient mode should be adopted, for computing and expressing the comparative variability to which the temperature in different parts of the globe, and in different parts of the year in the same place, is subject from non-periodic causes. The probable variability, computed on the same principle as the probable error of each of a number of independent observations, has recently been suggested as furnishing an index "of the probable daily non-periodic varia- tion" at the different seasons of the year; and its use in this respect has been exemplified by calculations of the "index" from the five-day means of twelve years of observations at Toronto, in Canada {Phil. Trans., 1853, Art. v.). An index of this description is of course of absolute and general application ; supplying the means of comparing the probable variability of the temperature in different seasons at different places (where the same method of computation is adopted) as well as at the same place. It is desirable that this (or some preferable method if such can be devised for obtaining the same object) should be adopted by those who may desire to make their observations practically useful for sanitary or agricultural purposes or for any of the great variety of objects for which climatic peculiarities are required to be known. Having these three data, viz: the mean annual temperature — its periodical changes in respect to days, months, and seasons — and the measure of its liability to non-periodic (or what would commonly be called, irregular) variations — we may consider that we possess as complete a representation of the climate of any particular place (so far as temperature is concerned) as the present state of our knowledge permits. It is obvious that much of wjiat has been said under this article is more applicable to land than to sea observations; but the letter of the Board of Trade, to which this is a reply, requests that both should be contemplated. Temperature of the Sea, and Investigations regarding Currents. — It is unnecessary to dwell on the practical importance to navigation of a correct knowledge of the currents of the ocean; their direction, extent, velocity, and the temperature of the surface water relatively to the ordinary ocean temperature in the same latitude; XXll INTRODUCTIOX. together with the variations in all these respects which currents experience in different parts of the year and in different parts of their course. As the ioformation on these points, which may be expected to follow from the measures adopted by the Board of Trade, must necessarily depend in great degree on the intelligence, as well as the interest taken in them by the observers, it is desirable that the instructions to be supplied with the meteorological instruments should contain a brief summary of what is already known in regard to the principal oceanic currents ; accompanied by charts on which their supposed limits in different seasons, and the variations in those limits which may have been observed in particular years, may be indicated, with notices of the particularities of the temperature of the surface water by which the presence of the current may be recognized. Forms will also be required for use in such localities, in which the surface temperatures may be recorded at hourly or half-hourly intervals, with the corresponding geographical positions of the ship, as they may be best inferred from observation and reckoning. For such localities also it will be necessary that the tables, into which the observations of different ships at different seasons are collected, should have their bounding lines of latitude and longitude brought nearer together than may be required for the ocean at large. In looking forward to the results which are likely to be obtained by the contemplated marine observa- tions, it is reasonable that those which may bear practically on the interests of navigation should occupy the first place ; but, on the other hand, it wonld not be easy to over-estimate the advantages to physical geography, of general tables of the surface temperature of the ocean in the different months of the year, exhibiting, as they would do, its normal and its abnormal states, the mean temperature of the different parallels, and the deviations therefrom, whether permanent, periodical, or occasional. The knowledge which such tables would convey is essentially required for the study of climatology as a science. The degree in which climatic variations extending over large portions of the earth's surface may be influenced by the variable phenomena of oceanic currents in different years, may perhaps be illustrated by circumstances of known occurrence in the vicinity of our own coasts. The admirable researches of Major Eennell have shown that in ordinary years, the warm water of the great current known by the name of the Gulf Stream, is not found to the east of the meridian of the Azores ; the sea being of ordinary ocean temperature for its latitude at all seasons and in every direction, in the great space comprised between the Azores, and the coasts of Europe and North Africa; but Major Eennell has also shown that on two occasions, viz : in 1776 and in 1821-1822, the warm water by which the Gulf Stream is characterized throughout its whole course {being several degrees above the ordinary ocean temperature in the same latitude), was found to extend across this great expanse of ocean, and in 1776 (in particular) was traced (by Dr. Franklin) quite home to the coast of Europe. The presence of a body of unusually heated water, extending for several hundred miles both in latitude and in longitude, and continuing for several weeks, at a season of the year when the prevailing winds blow from that quarter on the coasts of England and France, can scarcely be imagined to be without a considerable influence on the relations of temperature and moisture in those countries. In accordance with this supposition, we find in the meteorological journals of the more recent period (which are more easily accessible), that the state of the weather in INTKODUCTION. XXUl November and December, 1821, and January, 1822, was so unusual in the southern parts of Great Britain and in France, as to have excited general observation ; we find it characterized as " most extraordinarily hot, damp, stormy and oppressive," that " the gales from the "W. and S. W. were almost without intermis- sion," "the fall of rain was excessive" and "the barometer lower than it had ever been known for 35 years before." There can be little doubt that Major Kennell was right in ascribing the unusual extension of the Gulf Stream in particular years to its greater initial velocity, occasioned by a more than ordinary difference in the levels of the Gulf of Mexico and of the Atlantic in the preceding summer. An unusual height of the Gulf of Mexico at the head of the stream, or an unusual velocity of the stream at its outset in the Strait of Florida, are facts which may admit of being recognized by properly directed attention ; and as these must precede, by many weeks, the arrival of the warm water of the stream at above 3000 miles distance from its outset, and the climatic effects thence resulting, it might be possible to anticipate the occurrence of such unusual seasons upon our coasts. Much, indeed, may undoubtedly be done towards the increase of our partial acquaintance with the phenomena of the Gulf Stream, and of its counter currents, by the collection and co-ordination of observa- tions made by casual passages of ships in different years and different seasons across different parts of its course ; but for that full and complete knowledge of all its particulars, which should meet the maritime and scientific requirements of the period in which we live, we must await the disposition of Government to accede to the recommendation so frequently made to them by the most eminent hydrographical authorities, of a specific survey of the stream by vessels employed for that special service. What has been recently accomplished by the Government of the United States in this respect, shows both the importance of the inquiry, and the great extent of the research ; and lends great weight to the proposition which has been made to Her Majesty's Government on the part of the United States, for a joint survey of the whole stream by vessels of the two countries. The establishment of an office under the Board of Trade, specially charged with the reduction and co-ordination of such data, may materially facilitate such an undertaking. Storms or Oaks. — It is much to be desired, both for the purposes of navigation and for those of general science, that the captains of Her Majesty's ships, and masters of merchant vessels, should be correctly and thoroughly instructed in the methods of distinguishing in all cases between the rotatory storms or gales, which are properly called cyclones, and gales of a more ordinary character, but which are frequently accompanied by a veering of the wind, which, under certain circumstances, might easily be confounded with the phenomena of cyclones, though due to a very different cause. It is recommended, therefore, that the instructions proposed to be given to ships supplied with meteorological instruments, should contain clear and simple directions for distinguishing in all cases, and under all circumstances, between these two kinds of storms ; and that the forms to be issued for recording the meteorological phenomena during great atmospheric disturbances should comprehend a notice of all the particulars which are required for forming a correct judgment in this respect. xxiv INTEODUCTION. Thunder-storms. — It is known that in the high latitudes of the northern and southern hemispheres, thunder-storms are almost wholly unknown ; and it is believed that they are of very rare occurrence over the ocean in the middle latitudes, when distant from continents. By a suitable classification and arrange- ment of the documents which will be henceforward received by the Board of Trade, statistical tables may in process of time be formed, showing the comparative frequency of these phenomena in different parts of the ocean, and in different months of the year. It is known that there are localities on the globe where, during certain months of the year, thunder- storms may be considered as a periodical phenomenon of daily occurrence. In the Port Eoyal Mountains in Jamaica, for example, thunder-storms are said to take place daily, about the hour of noon, from the middle of November to the middle of April. It is much to be desired that a full and precise account of such thunder-storms, and of the circumstances in which they appear to originate, should be obtained. In recording the phenomena of thunder and lightning, it is desirable to state the duration of the interval between the flashes of lightning and the thunder which follows. This may be done by means of a seconds-hand watch, by which the time of the apparition of the flash, and of the commencement (and of the conclusion also) of the thunder may be noted. The interval between the flash, and the commencement of the thunder, has been known to vary, in different cases, from less than a single second to between 40 and 50 seconds, and even, on very rare occasions, to exceed 50 seconds. The two forms of ordinary light- ning, viz: zigzag (or forked) lightning, and sheet lightning, should always be distinguished apart; and particular attention should be given both to the observation and to the record, in the rare cases when zigzag lightning either bifurcates, or returns upwards. A special notice should not fail to be made when thunder and lightning, or either separately, occur in a perfectly cloudless sky. When globular lightning (balls of fire) are seen, a particular record should be made of all the attendant circumstances. These phenomena are known to be of the nature of lightning, from the injury they have occasioned in ships and buildings that have been struck by them; but they differ from ordinary lightning not only by their globular shape, but by the length of time they continue visible, and by their slow motion. They are said to occur sometimes without the usual accompaniments of a storm, and even with a perfectly serene sky. Conductors are now so universally employed in ships, that it may seem almost superfluous to remark that, should a ship be struck by lightning, the most circumstantial account will be desirable of the course which the lightning took, and of the injuries it occasioned ; or to remind the seaman that it is always prudent, after such an accident has befallen a ship, to distrust her compasses until it has been ascertained that their direction has not been altered. Accidents occurring on land from lightning will, of course, receive the fullest attention from meteorologists who may be within convenient distance of the spot. Auroras and Falling Stars. — Auroras are of such rare occurrence in seas frequented by ships engaged in commerce, that it may seem superfluous to give any particular directions for their observation at sea ; and land observatories are already abundantly furnished with such. It is, of course, desirable that the INTRODUCTION. XXV meteorological reports received from ships should always contain a notice of the time and place where auroras may be seen, and of any remarkable features that may attract attention. The letter from Professor Heis, which is one of the foreign communications annexed, indicates the principal points to be attended to in the instructions which it may be desirable to draw up for the observa- tion of "Falling Stars." For directions concerning halos and parhelia, a paper by Monsieur Bravais, in the Annuaire Meteorologique de la France for 1851, contains suggestions which will be found of much value. Charts of the Magnetic Variation. — Although the variation of the compass does not belong in strictness to the domain of meteorology, it has been included, with great propriety, amongst the subjects treated of by the Brussels Conference, and should not therefore be omitted here. It is scarcely necessary to remark, that whatever may have been the practice in times past, when the phenomena of the earth's magnetism were less understood than at present, it should in future be regarded as indispensable, that variation charts should always be constructed for & particular epoch, and that all parts of the chart should show the variation corresponding to the epoch for which it is constructed. Such charts should also have, either engraved on the face or attached in some convenient manner, a table, showing the approximate annual rate of the secular change of the variation in the different latitudes and longitudes comprised : so that, by means of this table, the variation taken from the cbart for any particular latitude and longitude may be corrected to the year for which it is required, if that should happen to be different from the epoch for which the chart is constructed. A valuable service would be rendered to this very important branch of hydrography if, under the authority of the new department of the Board of Trade, variation charts for the North and South Atlantic Oceans, for the North and South Pacific Oceans, for the Indian Ocean, and for any other localities in which the requirements of navigation might call for them, were published at stated intervals, corrected for the secular change that had taken place since the preceding publication. Materials would be furnished for this purpose by the observations which are now intended to be made, supposing them to be collected and suitably arranged with proper references to date and to geographical position, and to the original reports in which the results and the data on which they were founded were communicated. By means of these observations, the tables of approximate correction for secular change might also be altered from time to time as occasion should require, since the rate of secular change itself is not constant. All observed variations, communicated or employed as data upon which variation charts may be either constructed or corrected, should be accompanied by other observational data (the nature of which ought now to be well understood), for correcting the observed variation for the error of the compass occasioned by the ship's iron. It also is strongly recommended that no observations be received as data for the formation or correction of variation charts, but such as are accompanied by a detailed statement of the principal elements both of observation and of calculation. Proper forms should be supplied for this purpose; or, what is still better, books of blank forms may be supplied, in which the observations D XXVI INTRODUCTION. themselves may be entered, and the calculation performed by which the results are obtained. Such books of blank forms would be found extremely useful, both for the variation of the needle and for the chrono- metrical longitude (as well as for lunar observations, if the practice of lunar observations be not, as there is too much reason to fear it is, almost wholly discontinued). By preparing and issuing books of blank forms suitable for these purposes, and by requesting their return in accompaniment with the other reports to be transmitted to the Board of Trade at the conclusion of a voyage, the groundwork would be laid for the attainment of greatly improved habits of accuracy in practical navigation in the British mercantile marine. The President and Council are aware that they have not exhausted the subject of this reply in what they have thus directed me to address to you ; but they think that perhaps they have noticed as many points as may be desirable for present attention ; and they desire me to add, that they will be at all times ready to resume the consideration if required, and to supply any further suggestions which may appear likely to be useful. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, W. SIIARPEY, Sec. R. S. To the Secretary of the Lords of the Commiltee of Privy Council for Trade. The correspondence is instructive as well as important, and I have quoted with it a letter of my own in reply, not because it deserves to be classed with this correspondence, but because it also belongs to the history of the work already in hand. The state of affairs in Europe makes the present moment an inauspicious one for the further con- sideration of this subject by that enlightened government just now. But as soon as the war will permit ministers and officials to turn their attention to the peaceful affairs of science, it is hoped that this question of a meteorological conference for the land will be taken up and carried out. The French Academy of Sciences has always favored the plan ; Kupffer, of Eussia, is one of its earliest projectors and advocates. That admirable man of science, M. Quetelet, the President of the Brussels Conference, is most earnest in favor of it ; and M. Dov^, one of the great meteorologists of the Continent, went from Berlin to Liverpool last year, to attend the meeting of the British Association, and to advocate in person, the measure, with other friends there. Kamtz of Dorpat, Heis of Miinster, Kreil of Vienna, Lamont of Bavaria, and Secchi of Rome, are also understood to be in favor of it. Spain, Naples, and the Holy See have already assented to the proposition. The governments of South America, the authorities of India, Portugal, Holland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, have also either directly signified their readiness to go into such a conference, or, by their enlightened and liberal course, given us reason to infer that, when properly solicited, they would not be found in opposition to any such plan for advancing the cause of science, and the good of the human family. EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. Plate I. is intended to illustrate the Pilot Charts, and is a section taken from one of the manuscripts of that series. It illustrates the method for co-ordinating for the.se charts the winds as reported in the abstract logs. For this purpose, the ocean is divided into convenient sections, usually five degrees of latitude by five degrees of longitude. These parallelograms are then subdivided into a system of engraved squares ; the months of the year being the ordi- nates, and the points of the compass being the abscissae. As the wind is reported by a vessel that passes through any part of the parallelogram, so it is assumed to have been at that time all over the parallelogram. From such investigations as this the Pilot Charts are constructed. (Vide p. 226, et seq.) Plate II. is a diagram of the winds, and is intended especially to illustrate the circulation of the atmosphere, as described in Chapter I. p. 14. The arrows and bands within the circumference of the circle are intended to show the calm belts, and prevailing direction of the wind on each side of those belts. The arrows exterior to the periphery of the circle — which is a section of the earth supposed to be made in the plane of the meridian — are intended to show the direction of the upper strata of winds in the general system of atmospherical circulation ; and also to illustrate how the air, brought by each stratum to the calm belts, there ascends, or descends, as the case may be ; and then, continuing to flow on, how it crosses over in the direction in which it was travelling when it arrived at the calm zone (Vide p. 11.) Plate III. is a sample of the Storm and Rain Charts. It is an extract from one of them. ( Vide p. 250.) Plate IV. is intended to demonstrate how the winds may become geological agents. It shows where the winds that blow, in the general system of atmospherical circulation, over the deserts and thirsty lands in Asia and Africa (where the annual amount of precipitation is small), are supposed to get their vapors from ; where, as surface winds, they are supposed to condense portions of it; and whither they are supposed to transport the residue thereof through the upper regions, retaining it until they again become surface winds. To make clear the course of such vapor- bearing winds, let A be a breadth or swarth of winds in the northeast trades ; B, the same wind as the upper and counter-current to the southeast trades ; and C, the same wind after it has descended in the calm belt of Capricorn, and come out on the polar side thereof, as the rain winds and prevailing northwest winds of the extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere. When in the northeast trades, it was the evaporating wind ; as the northeast tnidc-wind, it swept over a great waste of waters lying between the tropic of Cancer and the equator. Meeting no land in this long oblique track, over the tepid waters of a tropical sea, it would, if such were its route, arrive somewhere about the meridian of 140° or 150° west, at the belt of equatorial calms, which always divides the northeast from the southeast trade-winds. Here, depositing a portion of its vapor as it ascends, it would, with the residuum, take, on account of diurnal rotation, a course in the upper region of the atmosphere to the southeast as far as the calms of Capricorn. Here, according to the hypothesis which this plate is used to illustrate, it descends and continues on toward the coast of South America, in the same direction, appearing now as the prevailing north- west wind of the extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere. Travelling on ihe surface from warmer to colder regions, it mu.st, in this part of its circuit, precipitate more than it evaporates, XXVlll . EXI'LANATION OF THE PLATES. Now it is a coincidence; at least, that this is the route by which, on account of the land in the northern hemisphere, the northeast trade-winds hare the fairest sweep over that ocean ; that this is the route by which they arc longest in contact with an evaporating surface ; that this is the route by which all circumstances are most favorable to complete saturation ; and that this is the route by which such winds can pass over into the southern hemisphere most heavily laden with vapors for the extra-tropical regions of that half of the globe ; and, moreover, that this is the supposed route which the northeast trade-winds of the Pacific do take to reach the equator, and to pass from it. I have also marked on this plate the supposed track of the sea-dust, showing where it was taken up in South Ame- rica, as at P, P, and where it was found, as at S, S ; the part of the line in dots denoting where it was in the upper current, and the unbroken line where it was wafted by a surface current ; also, on the same plate is designated the part of the South Pacific in which the vapor-springs for the Mississippi rains are supposed to be. The hands (|^p") point out the direction of the vapor-bearing wind. When the shading is light, the vapor is supposed to be carried by an upper current. (See p. 50, et seq.) Plate V. is explanatory of the Pilot Charts as they appear when published. It is a sample of them, and is fully explained at p. 228. Plate VI. illustrates the manner in which the calculated routes to and from Europe for each month (pp. 293, 304), and the calculated routes to Rio (pp. 330, 425) are got out. The method of computing these routes, and the explanation of the plate, are given at pp. 229-30. Plates VII. and VIII. are drawings of Brooke's Deep-Sea Sounding Apparatus, which is fully described at p. 1 29. Plate IX. illustrates the method of co-ordinating for the Whale Charts, in order to show how many days in each month for each district have been spent by vessels in search of whales, and on how many of these, days whales have been seen. It is fully explained at p. 256. Plate X. is the type of a class of gales of wind. It was suggested by Lieut. Porter, and exhibits the actual path of a storm, which is a type of the AVest India hurricanes. Mr. Redfield, Col. Reid, and others, have traced out the paths of a number of such storms. All storms of this class appear to make for the Gulf Stream ; after reaching it, they turn about and follow it in their course. Mr. Piddington, of Calcutta, has made the East India hurricanes, which are similar to these, the object of special, patient, and laborious investigation. He calls them cyclones, and has elicited much valuable information concerning them, which may be found embraced in his Sailor's Hornbook, Conversations about Hurricanes, and numerous papers published from time to time in the Journal of the Asiatic Society. ( Vide pp. 115, 287.) Plates XI. and XII. afford diagrams of the steam lanes across the Atlantic (p. 308), and of the computed tracks or routes tabulated at pp. 293, 304, and pp. 330, 342, 365, 3T6, 389, 391, 403, 409, 418, and 425. Plate XIII. is a sample of the Whale Charts that are constructed after the materials for it have been co-ordinated in the manner of Plate IX. It is fully explained at p. 286. Plates XIV. and XV. are orographic of the Atlantic Ocean, and exhibit completely the present state of our knowledge with regard to the elevations and depressions in the bed of that sea ; Plate XV. exhibiting a vertical section of the Atlantic, and showing the contrasts of its bottom with the sea-level, in a line from Mexico across Yuca- tan, Cuba, San Domingo, and the Cape de Verde Islands, to the coast of Africa, which line is marked A on Plate XIV. The first and darkest shade of stippling — Plate XIV. — going from the shore, represents all depths of less than 1,000 fathoms ; the next, of more than 1,000, but less than 2,000 ; the next, of more than 2,000, but less than 3,000, and so on, each shade representing 1,000 fathoms. The unshaded place south of Newfoundland is, probably, the deepest part of the North Atlantic. (Vide pp. 125, 130, 148, 153.) Plate XVI. shows the forms of clouds, and is intended to enable navigators to fill up properly the column in the abstract log, headed Forms and Direction of Clouds. They are named according to Howard. ( Vide p. 19T.) Plate XVII. illustrates many phenomena connected with the Gulf Stream, and the general movement of the EXPLANATION OP THE PLATES. XXIX water in tlie North Atlantic Ocean. It shows the mean place of the Sargasso Sea, also the channel way of the Gulf Stream. The diagram A shows a thermometrical profile presented by cross sections of the Gulf Stream, according to observations made by thehydrographical parties of the United States Coast Survey. The elements for this diagram were kindly furnished me by the superintendent of that work. They are from a paper on the Gulf Stream, read by him before the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at its meeting in Washington, 1854. Imagine a vessel to sail from the Capes of Virginia straight out to sea, crossing the Gulf Stream at right angles, and taking the temperature of its waters, both at the surface and at various depths. This diagram shows the elevation and depression of the thermometer across this section, as they were actually observed by such a vessel. The black lines x, y, z, in the Gulf Stream, show the course which those threads of warm waters take. The lines a, I, show the route that the unfortunate steamer San Francisco would, according to calculation, take after her terrible disaster in December, 1853. (Vide pp. 88, 9t, 101, 108.) Plate XVIII. is intended simply to show, in a very general way, the prevailing quarter of the winds, the calm belts, and some of the principal routes, as derived from the series of investigations illustrated on Plate VI. When the cross lines representing the yards are oblique to the keels of the vessels on the plate, they indicate that the winds are, for the most part, ahead; when perpendicular or square, that the winds are, for the most part, fair. The figures on or near the diagrams representing the vessels, show the average length of the passage in days. The arrows denote the prevailing quarter of the wind ; they are supposed to fly with it; so that the wind is going as the arrows point. The half-bearded and half-feathered arrows represent monsoons ; and the stippled or shaded belts, the calm zones. In the regions on the polar side of the calms of Capricorn and of Cancer, where the arrows are flying both from the northwest and the southwest, the idea intended to be conveyed is, that the prevailing direction of the wind is between the northwest and the southwest, and that their frequency is from these two quarters, in proportion to the number of arrows. ( Vide pp. 37, 38, 39.) Plate XIX. is a diagram illustrative of the general circulation of the ocean as induced chiefly by changes of temperature as well as difiFerences of temperature ; it also shows the most favorite places of resort to the whale. Just west of South America, there is a large region of the Pacific which seems to be avoided by the whales as well as by other creatures. Seamen have described it to me as the most desolate and lifeless part of the ocean through which they have ever passed. Even the birds, the cape pigeons and stormy petrels, and others, which have followed them for many days, disappear here, and almost all signs of animation cease. It is traversed by the homeward bound vessels from Australia, including those that go to Peru for guano. Captain Leighton, of the English ship Marion, in an abstract log kept by him, on a voyage, in 1855, from Australia to Callao, and returned to this office, thus speaks of it :— "Between the positions of 44° and 39° S. and 122° and 88° W. appeared to me remarkably desolate. There was nothing seen in the water and the air, which, in the great Southern Ocean, are so generally alive with birds ; we were almost deserted. Those desirable companions, the cape pigeons, were never seen, and very rarely the whale bird ; but the universal petrel was never seen, and they had stuck to us constantly even through the tropics. Two or three albatrosses, or the bird like and next in size to it, were all that we saw." The attention of navigators is invited to this place and circumstance, for I should be glad to have more light upon this subject. Plate XX. — Isotherms for March and September in North and South Atlantic. It is very instructive, and shows at a glance not only that there is a marked difference of the climates of countries situated at equal distances from the equator north and south, but the cause of that difference. The isotherms of 50° and 60° run nearly east and west across the South Atlantic; but in the North, they run northeast with the Gulf Stream. (Vide pp. 169, 248.) Plate XXI. has for its object to present the average ratio of fogs, calms, rains, and gales, both fair and XXX EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. adverse, that prevail along each section of each steam laue, p. 308. These lanes run nearly east and west, they arc exhibited in the Plate. For further description of it see p. 314. divided into lengths or sections of 5°, and the conditions of the weather for each month and every section are Plate XXII. illustrates the tidal waves of the atmosphere within the tropics, and shows their rise and fall by the barometer at Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, in comparison with the daily record of the needle at Hobarton and St. Helena. The horizontal lines count for the barometric scale, parts of inches ; for declination, angular spaces in minutes and seconds ; for inclination, parts of the force. The arrows show what motions and ends of the needle are represented when the curves move up or down. ( Vide p. 654.) Plate XXIII. — Illustration of the landmarks under foot, which mark the way from sea to Sandy Hook, is fully explained at page 849. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE ATMOSPHERE. The Circulation of the Atmosphere, Plate II. p. 15 — Southeast trade-wind the larger, 18 — The offices of the atmo- sphere, 21 — It is a powerful machine, 22 — Whence come the rains that feed the great rivers, 22 — How vapor passes from one hemisphere to the other, 23 — Evaporation greatest about latitude 17°-20°, 24 — The rainy seasons, 25 — Rainless regions, 27 — ^Why mountains have a dry and rainy side, 27 — The immense fall of rain upon the western Ghauts in India : how caused, 28 — Vapor for the Patagonia rains comes from the North Pacific, 28 — The mean annual fall of rain, 29 — Evaporation from the Indian Ocean, 29 — Evidences of design, 30 — Adaptations, 30. CHAPTER II. RED FOGS AND SEA DUST. Tallies on the wind, p. 33 — Where taken up, 34 — Information derived from sea dust, 34 — Its bearings upon the theory of atmospherical circulation, 36 — Suggests magnetic agency, 3t. CHAPTER III. THE WIND. Monsoons, p. 37 — Why the belt of southeast is broader than the belt of northeast trade-winds, 37 — Effects of deserts upon the trade-winds, 39 — At sea, the laws of atmospherical circulation are best developed, 39 — Rain winds, 40 — Precipitation on land greater than evaporation, 40 — The place of supply for the vapors that feed the Amazon with rains, 40 — Monsoons : how formed, 41 — Monsoons of the Indian Ocean, 41 — How caused, 41 — IIow the monsoon season may be known, 42 — Why there are no monsoons in the South Pacific, 42 — ^Why the trade-wind zones are not stationary, 43 — The calm belts, 43 — The westerly winds, 44. CHAPTER IV. ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. To appreciate the offices of the winds and waves, Nature must be regarded as a whole, p. 45 — The Dead Sea, 46 — The effect produced by the upheaval of mountains across the course of vapor-bearing winds, 47 — The Andes, 49 — Geological age of the Andes and Dead Sea compared, 51 — Rain and evaporation in the Mediterranean, 53 — Evaporation and precipitation in the Caspian Sea, equal, 54 — The quantity of moisture the atmosphere keeps in circulation, 55 — Where vapor for the rains that feed the Nile comes from, 55 — Lake Titicaca, 57. XXxii " C03SrTENTS. CHAPTER V. THE EQUATORIAL CLOUD-RING. Equatorial doldrums, p. 68 — The offices performed by clouds in the terrestrial economy, 59 — The barometer and thermometer under the cloud-ring, 60 — How its vapors are brought by the trade-winds, 63 — Breadth of the cloud-ring, 63 — How it would appear if seen from one of the planets, 64 — Observations at sea, interesting, 64. CHAPTER VI. THE SALTS OF THE SEA. What the salt in sea water has to do with currents, p.' 65 — Coral islands, 67 — What would be the effect of no system of circulation for sea water, 68 — Its components, 68 — The principal agents from which dynamical force in the sea is derived, 69 — Sea and fresh water have different laws of expansion, TO — The Gulf Stream could not exist in a sea of fresh water, TO — The effect of evaporation in producing currents, Tl — How the Polar Sea is supplied with salt, T3 — The influence of under currents upon open water in the Frozen Ocean, T4 — The influence exerted by shell-fish upon currents, T5 — They assist in regulating climates, T6 — How sea-shells and salts act as com- pensations in the machinery by which oceanic circulation is conducted, TT — Reasons for supposing that the sea was made salt "in the beginning," T8. CHAPTER VII. CURRENTS OF THE SEA. Governed by laws, p. 80 — The inhabitants of the sea the creatures of climate, 80 — First principles, 81 — Currents of the Red Sea, 81 — How an under current from it is generated, 82 — Why the Red Sea is not salting up, 83 — Mediterranean currents, 84 — Currents of the Indian Ocean, 88 — A Gulf Stream along the coast of China, 88 — Points of resemblance between it and the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic, 88 — Geographical features unfavorable to large icebergs in the North Pacific, 89 — Arguments in favor of return currents, because sea water is salt, 90 — Currents of the Pacific, 90 — Discovery of an immense body of warm water drifting south, 91 — Currents about the equator, 91 — Under currents: proof of, afforded by deep-sea soundings, 92 — Currents caused by changes in specific gravity of sea water, 93 — The great equatorial current of the Atlantic, 93 — The Cape St. Roque current not a constant current, 94. CHAPTER VIII. THE GULF STREAM. Its color, p. 95 — The Sargasso Sea, 9T— Galvanic properties of Gulf Stream water, 100 — Agents that make water in one part of the sea heavier than in another, 101 — Temperature of the Gulf Stream, 102 — Why the drift matter of the Gulf Stream is sloughed off to the right of its course, 103 — Currents run along arcs of great circles, 105 — Dynamical force derived from changes of temperature, 106 — Limits of the Gulf Stream for March and September, lOT — A cushion of cold water between the bottom of the sea and the waters of the Gulf Stream, lOT— It runs up hill, 108. CONTENTS. XXX Ul CHAPTER IX. INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STREAM UPON CLIMATES. The sea a part of a grand machine, p. 113 — Influence of the Gulf Stream upon the meteorology of the sea, 114 — Dampness of climate of England due to it, 115 — The pole of maximum cold, 115 — Gales of the Gulf Stream, 115 — Influence of the Gulf Stream upon commerce and navigation, 117 — Thermal navigation, 119. CHAPTER X. THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. The depth of blue water unknown, p. 121 — Besnlts of former methods of deep-sea soundings not entitled to confidence, 122 — The deepest soundings reported, 123 — Plan adopted in the American Navy, 124 — Why the sounding-twine will not stop running out when the plummet reaches bottom, 126 — Indications of under currents, 126 — Sound- ings to be made from a boat, 128 — Brooke's deep-sea sounding apparatus, 129 — Rate of descent, 132 — The greatest depths at which bottom has been found, 153. CHAPTER XI. THE BASIN OF THE ATLANTIC. Height of Chimborazo above the bottom of the sea, p. 153 — the deepest place in the Atlantic, 154 — The utility of deep-sea soundings, 154 — A microscopic examination of them, 155 — Brooke's deep-sea lead presents the sea in a new light, 158 — The agents at work upon the bottom of the sea, 158 — How the ocean is prevented from growing Salter, 160 — Knowledge of our planet to be derived from the bottom of the sea, 160. CHAPTER XII. THE CLIMATE OF THE OCEAN. Gulf Stream a milky way, p. 161 — The hottest months in the sea, 162 — A line of invariable temperature, 165 — How the western half of the Atlantic is heated up, 165 — How the cold waters from Davis' Straits press upon the Gulf Stream, 168 — How the different isotherms travel from north to south with the seasons, 169 — The polar and equa- torial drift, 169. CHAPTER XIII. THE DRIFT OF THE SEA. Plate XIX. p. 110— The polar drift about Cape Horn, 171— How the polar waters in the South Atlantic force the equatorial aside, 172 — A harbor for icebergs, 173 — Drift of warm waters out of the Indian Ocean, 176— The opinion of Lieut. Jansen, of the Dutch Navy, 176 — A current of warm water sixteen hundred miles wide, 176 — The pulse of the sea, 176— The circulation of the sea likened to that of the blood, 177— Number of vessels engaged in the fisheries of the sea, 179 — The sperm whale, 179 — The torrid zone impassable to the right whale, 179. E XXXIV CONTENTS. MARITIME CONFERENCE AT BRUSSELS. Origin and objects of, p. 182 — Abstract loo, columns for, 184 — Explanation of, 184 — Form of, 191 — How to be kept, 195 — Report of Conference, 200 — Members of, 205 — Another conference wanted, 206 — The most im- portant objects and hours for observation, 208 — A new leaf — Marine meteorology, 208 — Accurate instruments, importance of, 209 — Co-operation in India, 210 — New barometers and accurate thermometers, how and where obtained, 210 — Nations co-operating in this system of research, 211.* The Track Charts, p. 212. The Trade-Wind Charts. — N. E. and S. E. trades, p. 213 — Belt of calms, 217— Letter to Baron Von Gerolt, 221. The Pilot Charts, p. 226 — How to find the best route, 229. The Thermal Charts, p. 233 — Banks and bottom of the Gulf Stream, 235 — Movements of isotherms, 243 — Subma- rine mountains, 245 — Gulf weed and light drift cannot cross the Gulf Stream, 24T — It is roof-shaped, 24T — Phy- sical relation between shore-lines, 248. Storm and Rain Charts. — Moon without iniluence upon trade-winds, 250 — Rain, fog, thunder, and lightning to be always recorded in log, 251. The Whale Charts, p. 252. — N. W. passage indicated by whales, 254 — Spitzbergen, new whaling ground, 255 — Temperature of the sea there, 256. Letters from Whalemen. — Daniel McKenzie, p. 257 — Capt. Post on the spermaceti whale, 260 — Capt. Crocker, 270— Capt. Chappel, 276— Capt. Roys, 277— Capt. Rose, 278— Mr. Havens, of Sag Harbor, 282— Diagram on Whale Chart, explanation, 286. Physical Chart of the Sea, p. 287. Gales of the Gulf Stream, p. 287 — Typhoons and extra-tropical gales, 288. Routes to and from Europe, p. 289 — The Hartshorne shoals, 290 — The best route between America and Europe. 291 — Ditto for each month to Europe, 293 — Ditto for each month to America, 298 — Opinions of shipmasters, 305 — Explanation of the route tables, 306 — Average length of passages and distance to and from Europe, 308. Steam Lanes across the Atlantic, p. 308 — Letter from the merchants of Boston, 310 — Gales, fogs, calms, and rains along each lane, 314 — Distance by each lane, 316 — Letter to American Chamber of Commerce of Liver- pool, 316 — Advantages to accrue to sailing vessels from adoption of the lanes, 319. Passage to New Orleans, Capt. Berry, p. 321. CoATZACOALcos RivER, Capt. Foster, p. 322. From Cape de Verde to Coast of Africa, Lieut. Porter's letter, p. 323. General Remarks on the Passage to Ports beyond the Equator, p. 324 — Average passage by the old route, 827 — The turning point to the line, 328— Best routes to Rio, 830 — Ditto for December, 330 — Ditto for January, 342 — Crossing the line west of 32°, 852 — Commodore Mervine's experience, 853 — Difficulties in the way of navigators, 354 — Route for February, S65 — Ditto for March, 376 — A suggestion which holds good the year round, 379 — Difficulties of crossing the doldrums far to the eastward, example, 383-4 — Route for April, 389 — Where to cross 20° North, 394— Route for May, 397— Bad advice, 400— Route to Rio for June, 403— Ditto for July for fast vessels, 409 — Head winds to be expected by any route, 410 — Route to Rio, No. 2, for July, * See Introduction. COKTKNTS. - XXXV 412 — for August, 418 — Falling to leeward by going too far east to cross the doldrums, 421 — Passing St. Boqne in August, 424 — Route to Rio in September, 425 — Captain Sinclair's remarks, 426 — Tide rips subject of special inquiry, 449 — Tracks to Rio (Plates XI. and XII.) illustrated, 450 — Current off St. Roque, 453 — How to pass the Cape, 454 — Monthly crossings by the new route, 456 — Ditto by the old and middle route, 468 — Splitting the difference, 4t0 — Where to cross the calms, 471 — Average by the new, middle and old routes, 41 2 — Actual and computed tracks, agreement of, 473 — Average monthly gain by new route, 474 — Feom Europe to the Equatoe, 475 — Monthly crossings, 476 — Where to cross 30° N., 479 — Emigrant ships, the best course, 480. Passage Abound Cape Hoen. — Letter from Capt. Bryson, p. 481 — Letter from Capt. Smyley, 483 — Letter from Capt. Linnell, 489 — How to proceed, 500 — A port of refuge near the cape, 502 — Tracks around Cape Horn, 503 — Tables of crossings, 617 — Best season for doubling the cape, 623. Sailing Directions for Straits of Magellan, by Lieut. Thos. S. Phelps, U. S. N., p. 624 — The U. S. ship Deca- tur's passage through, 625. The Barometer off Cape Horn, p. 635 — Opinions of navigators, 637 — Importance of accurate barometers, 638. Baeometric Anomalies, p. 640 — Mean monthly height, 643 — Kamtz' meteorology, 643 — Capt. Bailey of United States ship St. Mary's, 646 — Observations on board of her, 648— Unexplained physical phenomena, 649 — Tide rips and colored water, 649 — Barometric tides of the torrid zone, 651 — Observations by Capt. Crocker, 653 — Barometric tides ; Humboldt and Col. Sykes, 654. Route to California, p. 654 — A long calm, 655 — Where the S. E. trades are lost, 658 — Directions and suggestions, 659 — From 50° S. to the equator-crossings, 661 — Discussion of the table, 669 — The best month and shortest passages, 673 — A more westerly crossing suggested, 674 — Table of passages to California, 675 — Crossings between 110° and 115° W., 678— Ditto between 115° and 120° W., 680— Monthly averages, 682— Shortest passages for each month, 685 — The western route from the cape to California, 686 — The shortest passage pos- sible, 687 — Average passages before and since January, 1854, 688 — Time gained, 689. From Panama to California, p. 689 — More abstract logs wanted, 690 — Landmarks afforded by the kelp, 693. Routes between California and Asia, p. 693 — The Island of Ousima, 697 — Where to cross long. 180°, 701. Routes between California and Australia, p. 702 — Distance, 703 — Calms and trades told by barometer, 704 — An example, 705. Caufornia TO Callao, p. 707 — What navigators must do to understand routes, 708 — Information wanted, 713 — Table of crossings, 714. / Japan, p. 722 — Sailing directions for Yedo by Lieut. Wm. L. Maury, 722 — Ditto for Simoda by same, 724 — Port regulations, 727 — Sailing directions for Napha, by Lieut. Silas Bent, 728 — Ditto for Port Melville by the same, 730 — Ditto for Hakodadi, by Lieut. Wm. L. Maury, 731 — Japanese port regulations, 733 — From Hong-Kong TO Shanghai, by Capt. Potter, 734. From Europe and United States to Australia, "^ p. 736— Great circle route to Australia, 737— The usual place of crossing 30° S. in the Atlantic, 738 — Various routes thence, 739 — Advice to Australian bound vessels, 740 — Lieut. Jansen's diagram, 741 — An anomaly in the S. E. trades of the Atlantic, 742 — How far vessels for Aus- tralia should follow the route to Rio, 743 — The Admiralty route, 743— Icebergs,* 744 — Objections to the Admi- ralty route, 745 — Crossings from St. Roque to Australia south of 40°, 746 — Crossings and time by the Admiralty route, 748 — Difference in favor of new route, 748 — Contrast and illustration, 750 — Newspaper account of Flying- • Vide p. 850. XXXVl CONTENTS. Scud's passage, 119 — For "6,420," read 4,620, miles in 16 days, 180 — Saving of time made in the passage to Australia, 192 — Average and comparison of 362 passages, 192 — Saving in money, 193 — ^What vessels that use these Charts gain on this voyage, 194 — Prediction and performance, 195 — Letter from Capt. Griffin, 196. From Australia to Caklao, p. 800. From Australia around Cape Horn, p. 802 — Admiralty route home abandoned, 803 — Faulty sailing directions, 805. From Australia to China, p. 805 — Abstract log of Queen of the East, 806. Route to India, p. 808 — Want of abstract logs, 809 — Great circle to Java Head, 810 — Piddington and others, 812 — Winds and currents between Singapore and Batavia, 813. From China and Japan to Valparaiso, p. 815 — Statement of distances, 811 — The best route, 818. From Valparaiso to Calcutta, p. 819 — From Sandwich Islands to California, 819 — Influence of islands upon the trade-winds, 820 — Capt. Patty's trips and logs, 822. From Sandwich Islands Home, p. 828 — How to proceed from one system of trades to another, 830. Steam Route, via Cape Op Good Hope to Australia, p. 834 — Lieut. Porter's experience, 831 — From the Cape to Australia, 838. Steam Route from Australia to Panama, p. 841 — Abstract log of the steamship Golden Age, 842 — Lieutenant Porter's remarks upon this route, 845. From California to Valparaiso, p. 846. From Sea to Sandy Hook, p. 841. A Last Word, p. 855. Observations with the Hydrometer wanted, p. 855. The sky and dews of South Pacific, p. 855. The cruise of a bottle in the Indian Ocean, p. 856. Ice on the Australia route, p. 856. The Gertrude*s log, p. 851. A new group of islands in the way to Australia, p. 862. Professor Chapman and the salts of the sea, p. 862. Capt. Foster's abstract log, p. 863. Conditions upon which the Wind and Current Charts are furnished to Navigators, p. 864. General order, p. 864. |j^~ Fill up your columns, p. 865. Form of receipt, p. 866. Names of the Officers employed in the Construction of the Wind and Current Charts, p. 861. List of the Wind and Current Charts published and to be published, p. 868. SCrTHE ATTENTION OF OTTICEBS OF THE NAVY IS ESPECIALLY SEftTTESTED TO PP. 124, 135, 848, AND 864. THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. The great demand among seamen for these Charts, and the interest they have excited among philoso- phers, make it proper to give some account of their origin and progress. We will also take a survey of the field of research from which these Charts have been gathered, and show the steps that have been taken to occupy it with laborers. This seems to be the more proper, since I hope, by giving such an account, to impress with the importance of the undertaking, seafaring men, and others who have it in their power to facilitate the work. " In the present condition of the surface of our planet," says Baron Humboldt, the most celebrated philosopher of the age, " the area of the solid is to that of the fluid parts as 1 to 2 J (according to Eigaud, as 100 to 270). The islands form scarcely j'^ of the continental masses, which are so unequally divided that they consist of three times more land in the northern than in the southern hemisphere ; the latter being, therefore, pre-eminently oceanic. From 40° south latitude, to the antarctic pole, the Earth is almost entirely covered with water. The fluid element predominates in like manner between the eastern shores of the old, and the western shores of the new continent, being only interspersed with some few insular groups. The learned hydrographer, Fleurieu, has very justly named this vast oceanic basin which, under the tropics, extends over 145° of longitude, the Great Ocean, in contradistinction to all other seas. The southern and western hemispheres (reckoning the latter from the meridian of Teneriffe) are, therefore, more rich in water than any other region of the whole earth. "These are the main points involved in the consideration of the relative quantity of land and sea, a relation which exercises so important an influence on the distribution of temperature, the variation in atmospheric pressure, the direction of the winds, and the quantity of moisture contained in the air, with ■which the development of vegetation is so essentially connected. When we consider that nearly three- fourths of the upper surface of our planet are covered with water, we shall be less surprised at the imper- fect condition of meteorology before the beginning of the present century; since it is only during the subsequent period that numerous accurate observations on the temperature of the sea at different latitudes, and at different seasons, have been made and numerically compared together." — HumholdCs Cosmos. " I beg you to express to Lieut. Maury, the author of the beautiful Charts of the Winds arid Currents, prepared with so much care and profound learning, my hearty gratitude and esteem. It is a great undertaking, equally important to the practical navigator and for the advance of meteorology in general. It has been viewed in this light in Germany by all persons who have a taste for physical geography. In 1 i THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. an analogous way, my theory of isothermal lines (equal annual temperature) has for the first time become really fruitful, since Dove has taught us the isotherms of the several months chiefly on the land ; since two-thirds of the atmosphere rest upon the sea, Maury's work is so much the more welcome and valuable, because it includes at the same time the oceanic currents, the course of the winds, and the temperature. How remarkable are the relations of temperatures, in Sheet No. 2, South Atlantic, east and west of longitude 40 ; how much would this department of meteorology gain if it were filled up according to Maury's proposition to Commodore Lewis Warrington concerning the Abstract Log. The shortening of the voyage from the United States to the equator, is a beautiful result of this undertaking. The bountiful manner in which these Charts are distributed raises our expectations still higher." — Baron Von Humboldt to Dr. Flilgel, U. S. Consul, Leipsic. It is not for the benefit of navigation alone, that seamen are invited to make observations, and collect materials for the Wind and Current Charts; other great interests besides those of commerce, have their origin in the ocean, or the air ; and these interests are doubtless to be advanced as we gain knowledge of the laws which govern the circulation of the atmosphere, and regulate the movements of the aqueous portions of our planet. The agricultural capacities of any place, are as dependent upon the hygrometrical, as they are upon the thermometrical condition of the atmosphere. This is obvious, and easil}' illustrated. Each kind of plant requires, for its most perfect development, a certain degree of moisture, and the winds which bring that moisture can get it only from the sea, or other evaporating surfaces. It is often argued, because wine, olives, or other products are raised on a given parallel of latitude, that they should be produced upon the same parallel wherever the proper soil is to be found ; but the route which the winds from the ocean take in reaching the supposed parallel, should not be overlooked. Virginia and California are between the same parallels, yet how different their agricultural resources, the character and flavor of their fruits ! all owing, not so much to difference of soil, as to the way the winds blow, the quantity of moisture they bring, the proportion of clouds and sunshine allotted to each place. The system of researches embraced by the Wind and Current Charts, therefore, concern the philoso- pher and the husbandman, as well as the mariner, the merchant, and the statesman. A wider field, or one more rich with promise, has never engaged the attention of the philosopher. Though so often'frequented, it has never been explored, if by exploration we mean collecting and grouping, with the view of tracing, in the true spirit of inductive philosophy, fact into effect, and effect up to cause, all those phenomena which mariners observe in connection with the ocean and the air above it. The mariner, therefore, when he is making and recording out at sea, an observation in connection with these Charts, should always remember that upon the fidelity of the observation and the record, depends the ability of the Philosopher to read aright the workings of those physical agents that are employed to produce, in the grand scheme of creation, those results which are the subjects of his observations. The wind and rain ; the vapor and the cloud ; the tide, the current, the saltness, depth, warmth and THE FIELD OF RESEARCH. 8 color of the sea; the shade of the sky; the temperature of the air; the tint and form of the clouds; the height of the tree on the shore, the size of its leaves, the brilliancy of the flowers ; — each and all may be regarded as the exponent of certain physical combinations, and, therefore, as the expression in which Nature chooses to announce her meaning, or the language in which she writes the operation of her laws. To understand that language, and to interpret aright those laws, is the object of the undertaking which those who co-operate with me have in hand. To those who tread the walks of inductive philosophy, no fact gathered in such a field as this can come amiss ; for, in the handbook of Nature, every such fact is a syllable ; and it is by patiently collecting fact after fact, and by joining syllable after syllable, that we may finally hope to read with understanding in the great volume which, in sea and air, is continually spread out before sailor and philosopher. Dr. Buist, a learned and eminent savant of India, has drawn a beautiful picture of our field of research. In the report on the affairs of the " Bombay Geographical Society," presented by the Secretary at the annual meeting, in May, 1850, he remarks : " The Assistant Secretary of your Society,* Mr. Macfarlane, has made considerable progress in the construction of Wind and Current Charts, founded on the informa- tion supplied by ships' logs and on the principle of Lieutenant Maury. It is more than probable that, besides the currents occasioned by the trade-winds, monsoons, and set of the tides, we have a group of movements intermingled with those dependent mainly on evaporation. When it is remembered that on the western shore of the Arabian Sea, including in this the Eed Sea and Persian Gulf, from the line north- ward, we have an expanse of coast of not less than 6,000 miles, and a stretch of country of probably not less than 100 miles inland from this, where the average fall of rain does not amount to four inches annually, where not one-half of this ever reaches the sea, and where, to the best of our knowledge, the evaporation over the ocean averages at least a quarter of an inch daily, all the year round, or close on eight feet annually, some idea of the enormous abstraction of water in the shape of vapor may be formed. On the assumption that this extends no further, on an average, than 50 miles out to sea, we shall have no less than 39 cubic miles of water raised annually in vapor from the northern and northwestern side of the basin, which must be supplied from the open ocean on the south or the rain on the east. The fall of rains on the western side of the ridge of the mountain chain, from Cape Comorin to Cutch, averages pretty nearly 180 inches annually, and of this, at least 160 is carried off" to the sea; that on the Concan to 70 inches, of which probably 30 flow off to the ocean ; or betwixt the two, over an area of twenty miles from the sea-shore to the Ghauts, and about 1,200 miles from the north to the south, or an area of 24,000 square miles in all, we shall probably have an average discharge of nine feet, or close on forty cubic miles of water — an amount sufficient, were it not diff'used, to raise th'e sea on our shores three feet high, over an area of 72,000 square miles. " The waters of the ocean cover nearly three-fourths of the surface of the globe ; and of the thirty- eight millions of miles of dry land in existence, twenty-eight millions belong to the northern hemisphere. * Vide Transactions Bombay Geographical Society, Vol. IX. 18-50, p. 80, et seq. 4 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. The mean depth of the ocean is somewhere about four miles — the greatest depth the sounding-line has ever reached is five and a quarter miles.* The mean elevation of the land, again, is about one thousand feet — the highest point known to us, is nearly as much above the level of the sea, as the great depth that has been measured is below it. The atmosphere, again, surrounds the earth like a vast envelop; its depth, by reason of the tenuity attained by it, as the superincumbent pressure is withdrawn, is unknown to us — but is guessed at somewhere betwixt fifty and five hundred miles. Its weight, and its constituent elements, have been determined with the utmost accuracy. The weight of the mass is equal to that of a solid globe of lead sixty miles in diameter. Its principal elements are oxygen and nitrogen gases, with a vast quantity of water suspended in them in the shape of vapor, and commingled with these a quantity of carbon in the shape of fixed air, equal to restore from its mass many fold the coal that now exists in the world. In common with all substances, the ocean and the air are increased in bulk, and consequently diminished in weight, by heat; like all fluids, they are mobile, tending to extend themselves equally in all directions, and to fill up depressions in whatever vacant space will admit them ; hence, in these respects, the resemblance betwixt their movements. Water is not compressible or elastic, and it may be solidified into ice or vaporized into steam ; the air is elastic — it may be condensed to any extent by pressure, or expanded to an indefinite degree of tenuity by pressure being removed from it; it is not liable to undergo any change in its constitution beyond these, by any of the ordinary influences by which it is affected. These facts are few and simple enough — let us see what results arise from them. As the constant expo- sure of the equatorial regions of the Earth to the Sun must necessarily here engender a vast amount of heat — and as his absence from the polar regions must in like manner promote an infinite accumulation of cold — to fit the entire Earth for a habitation to similar races of beings, a constant interchange and communion, betwixt the heat of the one and the cold of the other, must be carried on. The ease and simplicity with which this is effected, surpass all description. The air, heated near the equator by the overpowering influences of the Sun, is expanded and lightened ; it ascends into upper space, leaving a partial vacuum at the surface to be supplied from the regions adjoining. Two currents from the poles towards the equator are thus established at the surface, while the sublimated air, diffusing itself by its mobility, flows in the upper regions of space from the equator towards the poles. Two vast whirlpools are thus established, constantly carrying away the heat from the torrid towards the icy regions, and these becoming cold by contact with the ice, carry back their gelid freight to refresh the torrid zone. Did the Earth, as was long believed, stand still while the sun circled around it, we should have had two sets of meridional currents blowing at the surface of the Earth, directly from north and south, towards the equator, in the upper regions flowing back -again to the place whence they came. On the other hand, were the heating and cooling influences just referred to, to cease, and the Earth to fail in impressing its own motion on the atmosphere, we should have a furious hurricane rushing round the globe, at the rate * Lieutenant Walsh, U. S. N., while co-operating, in the U. S. schooner Taney, with me, in these researches, reports a sounding in the North Atlantic of 6J miles (5,700 fathoms), without bottom. — M. THE FIELD OF RESEARCH. of 1,000 miles an hour — tornadoes of ten times the speed of the most violent now known to us, sweeping everything before them. A combination of the two influences, modified by the friction of the Earth, which tends to draw the air after it, gives us the trade-winds, which sweep round the equatorial region of the globe unceasingly, at the speed of from ten to twenty miles an hour ; the aerial current, quitting the polar regions with the comparatively tardy speed, from east to west, imposed on it by the velocity due to the 70th parallel, is left behind the globe, and deflected into an oblique current, as it advances south- ward, till, meeting the current from the opposite pole near the equator, the two combine and form the vast stream known as the trades — separated in two, where the air ascends by the belt of variable winds and rains. Impressed with the motion of the air, constantly sweeping its surface in one direction, and obeying the same laws of motion, the great sea itself would be excited into currents similar to those of the air, were it not walled in by continents, and subjected to other control. As it is, there are constant cur- rents flowing from the torrid towards the frigid zone, to supply the vast mass of vapor there drained off; while other whirlpools and currents, such as the gigantic Gulf Stream, come to perform their part in the same stupendous drama. The current just named, sweeps across the Atlantic, to the Gulf of Mexico, and by the Straits of the Bahamas. Here it turns to the eastward, again, travelling along the coast of America at the rate of from forty to a hundred miles a day. It now stands once more across the Atlantic, and divides itself into two branches ; one finds its way into the northern sea, warming the adjoining waters as it advances, and turning back, most likely to form a second great whirlpool, rejoining the original stream near Newfoundland. The main branch seeks the northern shores of Europe, and, sweeping along the coast of Spain and Portugal, travels southward by the Azores to rejoin the main whirlpool. The waters of this vast ocean river are, to the north of the tropic, greatly warmer than those around ; the climate of every country it approaches is improved by it, and the Laplander is enabled by its means to live and cultivate his barley, in a latitude which, everywhere else throughout the world, is condemned to perpetual sterility. But there are other laws which the great sea obeys, which peculiarly adapt it as the vehicle of interchange of heat and cold betwixt those regions where either exists in excess. Water, which contracts regularly from the boiling point downwards, at a temperature of 40° has reached its maximum of density, and thence begins to grow lighter and expand. But for this most beneficent provision, the vast recesses of the Northern Ocean would be continually occupied with a fluid at the freezing point, which the least access of cold would convert into one solid mass of ice. The non-conducting power of water, which at present acts so valuable a part in the general economy, so far from being a blessing would be a curse. No warmth could ever penetrate to thaw the foundations of the frozen mass — no water find its way to float it from its foundations ; so that, like the everlasting hills themselves, rooted immovable in its place, every year adding to its mass, the solid structure would continually advance to the southward, hermeti- cally sealing the polar ocean, thus condemned to utter desolation, and encroaching on the North Sea itself. Under existing circumstances, so soon as water is cooled down to 40°, it sinks to the bottom, and, still eight degrees warmer than ice, it attacks the basis and saps the foundations of the icebergs — themselves gigantic glaciers, which have fallen from the mountains into the sea, or which have grown to their present 6 THE WIXD AND CURRENT CHARTS. size in the shelter of bays and estuaries, and by accumulations from above. Once forced from their anchorage, the first storm that arises drifts them to sea, where the beautiful law which renders ice lighter than the warmest water enables it to float — and drifts southward a vast magazine of cold to cool the tepid water which bears it along — the evaporation at the equator causing a deficit, the melting and accumulation of the ice in the frigid zone giving rise to an excess of accumulation, which tends, along with the action of the air and other causes, to institute and maintain the transporting current. These stupendous masses, which have been seen at sea in the form of church spires, and gothic towers, and minarets, rising to the height of from 300 to 600 feet, and extending over an area of not less than six square miles, the masses above water being only one-tenth of the whole, are often to be found within the tropics. A striking fact, dependent on this general law, has just been brought to light ; there is a line extending from pole to pole, at or under the surface of the ocean, where an invariable temperature of 39.5 is maintained. The depth of this varies with the latitude ; at the equator it is 7,200 feet — at latitude 56° it ascends to the surface, the temperature of the sea being here uniform throughout. North and south of this the cold water is uppermost, and at latitude 70° the line of uniform temperature descends to 4,500. But these, though amongst the most regular and magnificent, are but a small number of the contrivances by which the vast and beneficent ends of nature are brought about. Ascent from the surface of the Earth produces the same change, in point of climate, as an approach to the poles ; even under the torrid zone, mountains reach the line of perpetual congelation at nearly a third less altitude than the extreme elevation which they sometimes attain. At the poles, snow is perpetual at the ground, and at the different intervening latitudes, reaches some intermediate point of congelation, betwixt one and 20,000 feet. In America, from the line south to the tropics, as also, as there is now every reason to believe, in Africa, within similar latitudes, vast ridges of mountains, covered with perpetual snow, run northward and southward in the line of the meridian right across the path of the trade-winds. A similar ridge, though of less magnificent dimensions, traverses the peninsula of Hindoostan, increasing in altitude as it approaches the line — attaining an eleva- tion of 8,500 feet at Dodabetta, and above 6,000 in Ceylon. The Alps in Europe, and the gigantic chain of the Himalayas in Asia, both far south in the temperate zone, stretch from east to west, and intercept the aerial current from the north. Others of lesser note, in the equatorial or meridional, or some interme- diate direction, cross the paths of the atmospherical currents in every direction, imparting to them fresh supplies of cold, as they themselves obtain from them warmth in exchange; in strictness, the two operations are the same. Magnificent and stupendous as are the effects and results of the water and of air acting independently, on each other, in equalizing the temperature of the globe, they are still more so when combined. One cubic inch of water, when invested with a sufficiency of heat, will form one cubic foot of steam — the water before its evaporation, and the vapor which it forms, being exactly of the same temperature; though in reality, in the process of conversion, 1,700 degrees of heat have been absorbed or carried away from the vicinage, and rendered latent or imperceptible ; this heat is returned in a sensible and perceptible form the moment the vapor is converted once more into water. The general fact is the same in the case of vapor carried off by dry air, at any temperature that may be imagined ; for, down far THiS FIELD OF RESKAKCH. 7- below the freezing point, evaporation proceeds uninterruptedly, or raised into steam by artificial means. The air, heated and dried as it sweeps over the arid surface of the soil, drinks up by day myriads of tons of moisture from the sea — as much indeed as would, were no moisture restored to it, depress its whole surface at the rate of four feet annually over the surface of the globe. The quantity of heat thus converted from a sensible or perceptible, to an insensible or latent state, is almost incredible. The action equally goes on, and with the like results, over the surface of the Earth, as over that of the sea, where there is moisture to be withdrawn. But night and the seasons of the year come around, and the surplus temperature thus withdrawn and stored away, at the time it might have proved superfluous or inconvenient, is reserved, and rendered back so soon as it is required; and the cold of night and the rigor of winter are modified by the heat given out at the point of condensation, by dew, rain, hail and snow. " There are, however, cases in which, were the process of evaporation to go on without interruption and without limit, that order and regularity might be disturbed which is the great object of the Creator apparently for an indefinite time to maintain, and in the arrangements for equalizing temperature the equilibrium of saltness be disturbed in certain portions of the sea, and that of moisture under ground in the warmer regions of the earth. To prevent this, checks and counterpoises interpose just as their services come to be required. It could scarcely be imagined that, in such of our inland seas as were connected by a narrow strait with the ocean, and were thus cut oft' from free access to its waters, the . supply of fresh water which pours into them from the rivers around would exactly supply the amount carried away by evaporation. Salt never rises in steam, and it is the pure element alone that is drawn off. We have in such cases as the Baltic and Black Seas an excess of supply over what is required, the surplus in the latter case flowing oft" through the Dardanelles, in the former through the Great and Little Belts. The vapor withdrawn from the Mediterranean exceeds by about a third the whole amount of fresh water poured into it ; the difference is made up by a current through the Straits of Gibraltar in the latter ; and a similar arrangement, modified by circumstances, must exist in all cases where circumstances are similar — the supply of water rushing through the strait from the open ocean being in exact proportion to the difference betwixt that provided from rain or by rivers, and that required by the afilux of vapor ; seas wholly isolated, such as the Caspian and the Dead Sea, attain in course of time a state of perfect equili- brium — their surface becoming lowered in level and diminished in area, till it becomes exactly of the proper size to yield in vapor the whole waters poured in. The Dead Sea, before attaining this condition of repose, has sunk thirteen hundred feet below the Mediterranean, the Caspian about one-fourth of this. Lakes originally salt, and which to all appearance are no more than fragments severed from the sea by the earthquake or volcano, and which have no river or rain supplies whatever, in process of time dry up and become a mass of rock salt in their former basin. Such is the formation in progress in the lake near Tadjurra, nearly five hundred feet below the level of the sea, its waters having been thus much depressed by evaporation, having now almost altogether vanished, one mass of salt remaining in their room. As it is clear in a case such as that of the Mediterranean, that where salt water to a large extent was poured in 8 THE WIND AND CURKENT CHAKTS. and fresh water only was drawn off", a constant concentration of brine must occur, the proposition was laid down by the most distinguished of our geologists, and long held unquestionable, that huge accumulations of salt, in masses larger than all that Cheshire contains, were being formed in its depths. The doctrine, eminently improbable in itself, is now met by the discovery of an outward under-current, in all likelihood of brine. It is matter of easy demonstration that, without some such arrangement as this, the Eed Sea must long ere now have been converted into one mass of salt, its upper waters at all events being known in reality to differ at present but little in saltness from those of the Southern Ocean. The Eed Sea forma an excellent illustration of all kindred cases. Here we have salt water flowing in perpetually through the Straits of Babelmandeb, to furnish the supplies for a mass of vapor calculated, were the strait shut up, to lower the whole surface of the sea eight feet annually — and even with the open strait, to add to its con- tents a proportionate quantity of salt. But an under-current of brine, which, from its gravity, seeks the bottom, flows out again to mingle with the waters of the great Arabian Sea, where, swept along by currents, and raised to the surface by tides and shoals, it is mingled by the waves, through the other waters, which yearly receive the enormous monsoon torrents, the Concan and the Ghaut's supply, become diluted to the proper strength of sea water, and rendered uniform in their constitution, by the agitation of the storms which then prevail. Flowing back again from the coasts of India, where they are now in excess, to those of Africa, where they suffer from perpetual drainage, the same round of operations go on continually ; and the sea, with all its estuaries and its inlets, retains the same limit, and nearly the same constitution, for unnumbered ages. A like check prevents on shore the extreme heating and desiccation from which the ground would otherwise suffer. The Earth is a bad conductor of heat ; the rays of the Sun which enter its surface, and raise the temperature to 100 or 150°, scarcely penetrate a foot into the ground ; a few feet down, the warmth of the ground is nearly the same night and day. The moisture which is there preserved free from the influence of currents of air, is never raised into vapor; so soon as the upper stratum of earth becomes thoroughly dried, capillary action, by means of which all excess of water was withdrawn, ceases ; and even under the heats of the tropics, the soil two feet down will be found, on the approach of the rains, sufficiently moist for the nourishment of plants. The splendid flowers and vigorous foliage which burst forth in May, when the parched soil would lead us to look for nothing but sterility, need in no way sur- prise us ; fountains of water, boundless in extent and limited in depth by the thickness of the soil which contains them, have been set aside and sealed up for their use, beyond the reach of those thirsty winds or burning rays which are suffered only to carry off" the water which is superfluous, and would be pernicious, removing it to other lands, where its agency is required, or treasuring it up in the crystal vault of the firmament, as the material of clouds and dew — and the source, when the fitting season comes round again, of those deluges of rain which provide for the wants of the year. " Such are some of the examples which may be supplied of general laws operating over nearly the whole surface of the terraqueous globe. Amongst the local provisions ancillary to these, are the monsoons of India, and the land and sea-breezes prevalent throughout the tropical coasts. When a promontory, such as that of India, intrudes into the region of the trade-winds, the continuous western current is interrupted, THE FIELD OF RESEARCH. 9 and in its room appear alternating currents from the northeast and southwest, which change their direction as the Sun passes the latitude of the place. On the Malabar coast, as the Sun approaches from the south- ward, clouds and variable winds attend him, and his transit northward is in a week or ten days followed by that furious burst of thunder and tempest which heralds the rainy season. His southward transit is less distinctly marked ; it is the sign of approaching fair weather, and is also attended by thunder and storm. The alternating land and sea-breezes are occasioned by the alternate heating and cooling of the soil, the temperature of the sea remaining nearly uniform. At present, when most powerfully felt, the earth by noon will often be found to have attained a temperature of 120°, while the sea rarely rises above 80°.* The air, heated and expanded, of course ascends, and draws from the sea a fresh supply to fill its room ; the current thus generated constitutes the breeze. During the night, the earth often sinks to a temperature of 50° or 60°, cooling the conterminous air, and condensing in the form of dew, the moisture floating around. The sea is now from 15° to 20° warmer than the earth — the greatest difference between the two existing at sunrise; and in then rushes the air, and draws off a current from the shore. " We have not noticed the tides, which, obedient to the Sun and Moon, daily convey two vast masses of water round the globe, and which twice a month, rising to an unusual height, visit elevations which otherwise are dry. During one-half of the year, the highest tides visit us by day, the other half by night, and at Bombay, at Springs, the depths of the two differ by two or three feet from each other. The tides simply rise and fall, in the open ocean, to an elevation of two or three feet in all; along our shores, and up gulfs and estuaries, they sweep with the violence of a torrent, having a general range of ten or twelve feet — sometimes, as at Fundy in America, at Brest and Milford Haven in Europe, to a height of from forty to sixty feet. They sweep our shores from filth, and purify our rivers and inlets, affording to the residents of our islands and continents the benefits of a bi-diurnal ablution, and giving a health and fresh- ness and purity wherever they appear. Obedient to the influence of bodies many millions of miles re- moved from them, their subjection is not the less complete ; the vast volume of water capable of crushing by its weight the most stupendous barriers that can be opposed to it, and bearing on its bosom the navies of the world, impetuously rushing against our shores, gently stops at a given line, and flows back again to its place when the word goes forth : ' Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther ;' and that which no human power or contrivance could have repelled, returns at its appointed time so regularly and surely, that the hour of its approach, and measure of its mass, may be predicted with unerring certainty centuries before- hand. The hurricanes which whirl with such fearful violence over the surface, raising the waters of the sea to enormous elevations, and submerging coasts and islands, attended as they are by the fearful attri- butes of thunder and deluges of rain — seem requisite to deflagrate the noxious gases which have accumu- lated — to commingle in one healthful mass the polluted elements of the air, and restore it fitted for the ends designed for it. It is with the ordinary, not with the exceptionable, operations we have at present to deal, and the laws which rule the hurricane form themselves the subject of a treatise. ♦ The temperature of certnin parts of the Indian Ocean — the hottest sea in the world — is 90°. — M. 2 10 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. " We have hitherto dealt with the sea and air — the one the medium through which the commerce of all nations is transported, the other the means by which it is moved along — as themselves the great vehicles of moisture, heat, and cold, throughout the regions of the world — the means of securing the interchange of these inestimable commodities, so that excess may be removed to where deficiency exists, deficiency substituted for excess, to the unbounded advantage of all. We have selected this group of illustrations for our views, because they are the most obvious, the most simple, and the most intelligible and beautiful that could be chosen. Short as our space is, and largely as it has already been trenched upon, we must not confine ourselves to these. "We have already said that the atmosphere forms a spherical shell, surrounding the Earth to a depth which is unknown to us, by reason of its growing tenuity, as it is released from the pressure of its own superincumbent mass. Its upper surface cannot be nearer to us than fifty, and can scarcely be more remote than five hundred miles. It surrounds us on all sides, yet we see it not ; it presses on us with a load of fifteen pounds on every square inch of surface of our bodies, or from seventy to one hundred tons on us in all, yet we do not so much as feel its weight. Softer than the finest down— more impalpable than the finest gossamer — it leaves the cobweb undisturbed, and scarcely stirs the lightest flower that feeds on the dew it supplies ; yet it bears the fleets of nations on its wings around the world, and crushes the most refractory substances with its weight. When in motion, its force is sufficient to level the most stately forests, and stable buildings, with the earth — to raise the waters of the ocean into ridges like mountains, and dash the strongest ships to pieces like toys. It warms and cools by turns the Earth and the living creatures that inhabit it. It draws up vapors from the sea and land, retains them dissolved in itself, or suspended in cisterns of clouds, and throws them down again as rain or dew, when they are required. It bends the rays of the sun from their path, to give us the twilight of evening and of dawn — it disperses and refracts their various tints to beautify the approach and the retreat of the orb of day. But for the atmosphere, sunshine woul4 burst on us and fail us at once — and at once remove us from midnight darkness to the blaze of noon. We should have no twilight to soften and beautify the landscape — no clouds to shade us from the scorching heat, but the bald Earth, as it revolved on its axis, would turn its tanned and weakened front to the full and unmitigated rays of the lord of day. It affords the gas which vivifies and warms our frames, and receives into itself that which has been polluted by use, and is thrown off as noxious. It feeds the flame of life exactly as it does that of the fire, it is in both cases consumed, and affords the food of consumption — in both cases it becomes combined with charcoal, which requires it for combustion, and is removed by it when this is over. ' It is only the girdling encircling air,' says a writer in the North British Review, ' that flows above and around all that makes the whole world kin. The carbonic acid with which to-day our breathing fills the air, to-morrow seeks its way round the world. The date-trees that grow round the falls of the Nile will drink it in by their leaves ; the cedars of Lebanon will take of it to add to their stature ; the cocoanuts of Tahiti will grow rapidly upon it ; and the palms and bananas of Japan will change it into flowers. The oxygen we are breathing was distilled for us some short time ago by the magnolias of the Susquehanna, and the great trees that skirt the Orinoco THE FIELD OF RESEARCH. fl and the Amazon — the giant rhododendrons of the Himalayas contributed to it, and the roses and myrtles of Cashmere, the Cinnamon-tree of Ceylon, and the forest older than the flood, buried deep in the heart of Africa, far behind the Mountains of the Moon. The rain we see descending was thawed for us out of the icebergs which have watched the Polar Star for ages, and the lotus lilies have soaked up from the Nile, and exhaled as vapor, snows that rested on the summits of the Alps,' ' The atmosphere,' says Maun, ' which forms the outer surface of the habitable world, is a vast reservoir, into which the supply of food designed for living creatures is thrown — or, in one word, it is itself the food in its simple form of all living creatures. The animal grinds down the fibre and the tissue of the plant, or the nutritious store that has been laid up within its cells, and converts these into the substance of which its own organs are com- posed. The plant acquires the organs and nutritious store thus yielded up as food to the animal, from the invulnerable air surrounding it.' But animals are furnished with the means of locomotion and of seizure — they can approach their food, and lay hold of and swallow it ; plants must await till their food comes to them. No solid particles find access to their frames ; the restless ambient air, which rushes past them loaded with the carbon, the hydrogen, the oxygen, the w^ater — everything they need in the shape of sup- plies, is constantly at hand to minister to their wants, not only to afford them food in due season, but in the sliape and fashion in which alone it can avail them." Surely a more tempting field for philosophical research, for useful and honorable labor, or a field more abounding with harvests of useful and practical results, never engaged the attention of man. By studying the winds at sea, we might expect to find them blowing more conformably there, than on the land, to the general laws which govern the circulation of the atmosphere. And in endeavoring to learn these laws, we may look to the sea for the rule ; to the land for the exceptions. It might therefore be expected that any systematic attempt to group the numerous observations made on the winds by mariners in all parts of the ocean and at all seasons of the year, would be regarded, as the illustrious Humboldt says it is, and as the learned Dr. Buist shows it to be, with no little interest by philosophers and philanthropists, by good and wise men in all conditions of life, and in all parts of the world. In the progress of this undertaking, many new facts, of interest to science, have been brought to light, or their existence suggested by them. Our knowledge of the laws which govern the circulation of the atmosphere, which control the currents of the sea, which regulate climates, and by which heat and moisture, clouds and sunshine, are distributed over the surface of the Earth, has been considerably enlarged. Navigation has already reaped rich fruits from this enterprise, and commerce is profiting by it. In consequence of the increase of knowledge which it has given to the practical navigator, concerning the prevailing winds and currents of the sea, the average sailing passage between distant parts of the earth has been materially shortened. Practically, for commercial purposes, these investigations have lifted up, as it were, the markets of the southern hemisphere, and set them down by many days' sail nearer to our doors than they were before; for the time which it required a ship to carry a cargo from the United States to the equator in the Atlantic, 12 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. has been shortened more than two weeks at some seasons of the year; and it is not going too far to say,' that the voyage hence to California has, in consequence of these researches, been shortened to a more remarkable extent. The average passage out, by vessels not having the results of these researches to guide them, is upwards of 180 days ; but vessels with these Charts on board, have made it in 107, in 97, in 96, in 91, and even in 90 days; and their masters, after making allowance for the improved models of their ships, ascribe this great success to the information they derived from these Charts as to the winds and currents by the way. When I was in England, in 1853, 1 promised the merchants and ship owners there, if they would lend their co-operation in keeping Abstract Logs, that I would point out a route to Australia by which that land of gold should be brought practically one month nearer to Europe and America, by shortening the passage for sailing vessels that much. I have received from Captain "Wood a list, taken from the Melbourne Argus, of all the vessels that arrived there from Europe and America between the 31st December, 1853, and the 7th July, 1854. This list contains the names, with the length of passage of 362 sailing vessels. Their average passage is 124 days. The average passage of those that are known to have had the Wind and Current Charts on board was 97 days. In former editions of this work, I predicted that on the homeward voyage, the run from Australia to Cape Horn could be made in less time than the same distance over water has ever been run under steam. I also predicted that vessels in the Australian trade would yet perform a voyage of circumnavigation in less time than the passage had ever been made to California. Both of these predictions have been fulfilled ; the run to Cape Horn has been made in less than twenty-five days ; and the feat of circumnavigation has been accomplished in less than eighty-nine days. Of course, a system of investigation, having among its aims such objects as the improvement of navigation and the benefit of commerce, and counting among its results such achievements as these, could not fail to attract the attention of merchants, or to commend itself to the favorable consideration of sea- faring people generally. Taking advantage of this circumstance, the government of the United States caused the researches to be brought to the attention of other governments, and invited them to join in a conference upon the subject of a uniform system of observations at sea. This Conference met on the 23d August, 1853, in Brussels, and continued its sessions from day to day until the 8th of September. The form of the Abstract Log, and the plan of observations at sea there recommended, have been adopted by all the maritime nations of Christendom except France. So that now we have co-operating with us the nations that own at least nine-tenths of all the shipping in the world. At that Conference I had the pleasure of meeting master spirits. I find a difficulty in expressing my ideas as to the importance of the services which they have rendered to the cause of navigation and marine meteorology. Suffice it to say, I think a new era in the history of meteorological science will be dated from that Conference. In all things connected with it, the friends of this science have but one cause of regret, and that is, that the instructions under which those twelve men met did not go further and authorize them to include the laud as well as the sea in their system of observations, and so make the plan universal. THE FIELD OF RESEARCH. 13 I hope that will yet be done ; for the great atmospherical ocean, at the bottom of which we are creeping along, and the laws of which touch so nearly the well-being of the whole human family, embraces the land as well as the sea, and neither those laws nor the movement and phenomena of the atmosphere can be properly studied or thoroughly investigated until observations, both by sea and land, shall enable us to treat the atmosphere as a whole. It is estimated that the system of investigations out of which the Wind and Current Charts have grown, has already led, by practically shortening the duration of voyages, to the annual saving of many millions of dollars, in the aggregate, to the commerce of those who go by them. As great, therefore, as is the benefit which commerce is deriving from the results of these observations at sea, a similar system for the shore would, I have no doubt, confer benefits as signal upon agriculture, and other industrial pursuits on land. The field of agricultural and sanitary meteorology is as rich with the promise of good " as is the ooze and bottom of the sea with sunken wrecks and sunless treasures," and I therefore hope yet to see the day when the observer at sea and the observer on shore will be acting in concert, and observing according to one uniform plan ; and the more so, as such a universal system can be set on foot and carried out with- out involving the government that will take the initiative, or those that may second, in any expense, save the comparatively trifling cost of having the observations, after they are made, properly treated and published. The field is already filled with amateur meteorologists of all Christian tongues, who, I am assured, would most gladly volunteer their services and instruments in carrying out such a system. Let us hope that before another edition of this work is published, another conference may be called for examining the progress that has been made under the Brussels recommendations, and for considering the improvements that experience shall have suggested in the present plan of observation, as well as for the purpose of devising a similar plan of observations for the land, and so let the world have the benefit, and science the advantages of a universal system of meteorological observations. In the progress of this system of research, facts have been elicited which, though they have no direct relation to the course of navigation, have, nevertheless, obvious bearings upon the physical geography of the sea, and therefore are not without interest to the navigator. A small volume, treating of these facts and their bearings, has been published by the Messrs. Harper, of New York. I am permitted to transfer to these pages several chapters of that work. Indeed, were it not for swelling out the dimensions of these Sailing Directions, the entire contents of the Physical Qeograjihij of the Sea might, with advantage, be transferred to these pages. It is hoped that the sailor at sea will find instruction and profit by the study of them. 14 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. CHAPTEE 1. THE ATMOSPHERE.* The Circulation of the Atmosphere, Plate 11. g 2. — Southeast Trade-wind Region tlie larger, 13. — Tlie Offices of the Attnospliere, 14. — It is a powerful Machine, 17. — Whence come the Rains that feed the great Rivers? 10. — How vapor passes from one Hemisphere to the other, 20. — Evaporation greatest about Latitude 17°-20°, 24. — The Rainy Seasons, 28. — Rainless Regions, 30. — Why Mountains have a dry and a rainy Side, 31. — The immense Fall of Rain upon the Western Ohauts in India: how caused, 83. — Vapor for the Patagonia Rains comes from the North Pacific, 34. — The mean annual Fall of Rain, 35. — Evaporation from the Indian Ocean, 36. — Evidences of Design, 37. — Adaptation, 38. 1. There is no employment more worthy of the human mind than that which is afforded by tracing the evidences of design and purpose, which are visible in many parts of the creation. Hence, to the right-minded mariner, and to him who studies the physical relations of earth, sea, and air, the atmosphere is something more than a shoreless ocean, at the bottom of which his barque is wafted or driven along. It is an envelop or covering for the dispersion of light and heat over the surface of the earth; it is a sewer into which, with every breath we draw, we cast vast quantities of dead animal matter ; it is a laboratory for purification, in which that matter is recompounded, and wrought again into wholesome and healthful shapes ; it is a machine for pumping up all the rivers from the sea, and conveying the waters for their fountains on the ocean to their sources in the mountains. Upon the proper working of this machine depends the well-being of every plant and animal that inhabits the earth ; therefore the management of it, its movement, and the performance of its ofi&ces, can not be left to chance. They are, we may rely upon it, guided by laws that make all parts, functions, and movements of the machinery as obedient to order as are the planets in their orbits. An examination into the economy of the universe will be sufficient to satisfy the well-balanced minds of observant men, that the laws which govern the atmosphere and the laws which govern the ocean, are laws which were put in force by the Creator when the foundations of the earth were laid ; therefore, they are laws of order ; else, why should the Gulf Stream, for instance, be always where it is, and running from the Gulf of Mexico, and not somewhere else, and sometimes running into it? Why should there be a perpetual drought in one part of the world, and continual showers in another ? Or why should the winds and sea obey the voice of rebuke ? To one who looks abroad to contemplate the agents of nature, as he sees them at work upon our planet, no expression uttered nor act performed by them is without meaning. By such an one, the wind and rain, the vapor and the cloud, the tide, the current, the saltness, and depth, and warmth, and color of the sea, the shade of the sky, the temperature of the air, the tint and shape of the clouds, the height of the tree on the shore, the size of its leaves, the brilliancy of its flowers — each and all may be regarded as the ♦ Vide " Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea," Harper and Brothers, New York. THE ATMOSPHERE. 15 exponent of certain physical combinations, and therefore as the expression in which Nature chooses to announce her own doings, or, if we please, as the language in which she writes down or chooses to make known her own laws. To help us to understand that language, and to interpret aright those laws, is the object of the call which we have made upon sailors for observations at sea. No fact gathered in such a field, therefore, comes amiss to those who tread the walks of inductive philosophy ; for, in the hand-book of nature, every such fact is a syllable ; and it is by patiently collecting fact after fact, and by joining together syllable after syllable, that we may finally seek to read aright from the great volume which the mariner at sea and the philosopher on the mountain see spread out before them. 2. From the parallel of about 30° north and south, nearly to the equator, and extending entirely around the earth, are two zones of perpetual winds, viz : the zone of northeast trades on this side, and of southeast on that. They blow perpetually, and are as steady and as constant as the currents of the Missis- sippi River — always moving in the same direction (Plate II.). As these two currents of air are constantly flowing from the poles toward the equator, we are safe in assuming that the air which they keep in motion must return by some channel or other to the place near the poles whence it came in order to supply the trades. If this were not so, these winds would soon exhaust the polar regions of atmosphere, and pile it up about the equator, and then cease to blow for the want of air to make more wind of. This return or counter-current, therefore, must be in the upper regions of the atmosphere, at least until it passes over those parallels between which the trade-winds are always blowing on the surface. These direct and counter-currents are also made to move in a sort of spiral or loxodromic curve, turning to the west as they go from the poles to the equator, and in the opposite direction as they move frond the equator to the poles. This turning is caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis. 3. The earth, we know, moves from west to east. Now if we imagine a particle of atmosphere at the north pole, where it is at rest, to be put in motion in a straight line toward the equator, we can easily see how this particle of air, coming from the very axis of the pole, where it did not partake of the diurnal motion of the earth, would, in consequence of its vis inertice, find, as it travels south, the earth slipping from under it, as it were, and thus it would appear to be coming from the northeast and going toward the south- west ; in other words, it would be a northeast wind. The better to explain, let us take a common terrestrial globe for the illustration. Bring the island of Madeira,, or any other place about the same parallel, under the brazen meridian ; put a finger of the left hand on the place ; then, moving the finger down along the meridian to the south, to represent the particle of air, turn the globe on its axis from west to east, to represent the diurnal rotation of the earth, and when the finger reaches the equator, stop. It will now be seen that the place on the globe under the finger is to the southward and westward of Madeira or the place from which the finger started ; in other words, the track of the finger over the surface of the globe, like the track of the particle of air upon the earth, has been from the northward and eastward. 4. On the other hand, we can perceive how a like particle of atmosphere that starts from the equator, to take the place of the other at the pole, would, as it travels north, in consequence of its vis ineriiix, be 16 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. going toward the east faster than the earth. It would, therefore, appear to be blowing from the southwest, and going toward the northeast, and exactly in the opposite direction to the other. Writing south for north, the same takes place between the south pole and the equator. Such is the process which is actually going on in nature; and if we take the motions of these two particles as the type of the motion of all, we shall have an illustration of the great currents in the air, the equator being near one of the nodes, and there being two systems of currents, an upper and an under, between it and each pole. Halley, in his theory of the trade-winds, pointed out the key to the explanation so far, of the atmo- spherical circulation; but, were the explanation to rest here, a northeast trade-wind extending from the pole to the equator would satisfy it; and were this so, we should have, on the surface, no winds but the northeast trade-winds on this side, and none but southeast trade-winds on the other side, of the equator. 5. Let us return now to our northern particle (Plate IT.), and follow it in a round from the north pole across the equator to the south pole, and back again. Setting off from the polar regions, this particle of air, for some reason which does not appear to have been very satisfactorily explained by philosophers, instead of travelling (§ 4) on the surface all the way from the pole to the equator, travels in the upper regions of the atmosphere for a part of the way, and until it gets near the parallel of 30°. Here it meets, also in the clouds, the hypothetical particle that is coming from the south, and going north to take its place. 6. About this parallel of 30° north, then, these two particles press against each other with the whole amount of their motive power, and produce a calm and an accumulation of atmosphere: this accumulation is sufficient to balance the pressure of the two winds from the north and south. 7. From under this bank of calms, which seamen call the "horse latitudes" (I have called them the calms of Cancer), two surface currents of wind are ejected ; one toward the equator, as the northeast trades, the other toward the pole, as the southwest passage winds. These winds come out at the lower surface of the calm region, and consequently the place of the air borne away in this manner must be supplied, we may infer, by downward currents from the superin- cumbent air of the calm region. Like the case of a vessel of water which has two streams from opposite directions running in at the top, and two of equal capacity discharging in opposite directions at the bottom, the motion of the water would be downward, so is the motion of the air in this calm zone. The barometer, in this calm region, is said to stand higher than it does either to the north or to the south of it ; and this is another proof as to the banking up here of the atmosphere, and pressure from its downward motion. 8. Following our imaginary particle of air from the north across this calm belt, we now feel it moving on the surface of the earth as the northeast trade-wind; and as such it continues, till it arrives near the equator, where it meets a like particle, which, starting from the south pole at the same time the other started from the north pole, has blown as the southeast trade-wind. 9. Here, at this equatorial place of meeting, there is another conflict of winds and another calm region, for a northeast and southeast wind cannot blow at the same time in the same place. The two THE ATMOSl'IIEUi;. 17 particles have been jout in motion by the same power; tbey meet with equal force; and, therefore, at their place of meeting, are stopped in their course. Hence this calm belt. 10. Warmed now by the heat of the sun, and pressed on each side by the whole force of the northeast and southeast trades, these two hypothetical particles, taken as the type of the whole, cease to move onward and ascend. This operation is the reverse of that which took place at the meeting (§ 6) near the parallel of 30°. 11. This imaginary particle then, having ascended to the upper regions of the atmosphere again, travels there counter to the southeast trades, until it meets, near the calm belt of Capricorn, another particle from the south pole; here there is a descent as before (§ 7); it then (§ 4) flows on toward the south pole as a surface wind from the northwest. Entering the polar regions obliquely, it is pressed upon by similar particles flowing in oblique currents across every meridian ; and here again is a calm place or node; for, as our imaginary particle approaches the parallels near the polar calms more and more obliquely, it, with all the rest, is whirled about the pole in continued gyrations; finally, reaching the vortex or the calm place, it is carried upward to the regions of atmosphere above, whence it commences again its circuit to the north as an upper current, as far as the calm belt of Capricorn ; here it encounters (§ 11) its fellow from the north (§4); they stop, descend, and flow out as surface currents (§ 7), the one with which the imagination is travelling, to the equatorial calms as the southeast trade-wind ; here (§ 9) it ascends, travelling thence to the calm belt of Cancer as an upper current counter to the northeast trades. Here (§§ 6 and 5) it ceases to be an upper current, but, descending (§ 7), travels on with the southwest passage winds toward the pole. Now the course we have imagined an atom of air to take is this (Plate II.) : an ascent at P, the north pole ; an efflux thence as an upper current (§ 5) until it meets G (also an upper current) over the calms of Cancer. Here (§ 6) there is supposed to be a descent, as shown by the arrows along the wavy lines which envelop the circle. This upper current from the pole (§ 3) now becomes the northeast trade-wind B (§ 8), on the surface, until it meets the southeast trades in the equatorial calms, when it ascends and travels as C with the upper current to the calms of Capricorn, then as D with the prevailing northwest surface current to the soutb pole, thence up with the arrow P, and around with the hands of a watch, and back, as indicated by the arrows along E, F, G, and H. The Bible frequently makes allusions to the laws of nature, their operation and effects. But such allusions are often so wrapped in the folds of the peculiar and graceful drapery with which its language is occasionally clothed, that the meaning, though peeping out from its thin covering all the while, yet lies in some sense concealed, until the lights and revelations of science are thrown upon it ; then it bursts out and strikes us with great force and beauty. As our knowledge of nature and her laws has increased, so has our understanding of many passages in the Bible been improved. The Bible called the earth " the round world ;" yet for ages it was considered 18 THE WIND AND CURKKNT CHARTS. a heresy for Christian men to say the world is round ; and, finally, sailors circumnavigated the globe, proved the Bible to be right, and confounded theologians so called. " Canst thou bind the influences of the Pleiades ?" Astronomers of the present day, if they have not answered this question, have thrown so much light upon it as to show that, if ever it be answered by man, he must consult the science of astronomy. It has been recently established that the earth and sun, with their splendid retinue of comets, satellites, and planets, are all in motion around some point or centre of attraction inconceivably remote, and that that point is in the direction of the star Alcyon, one of the Pleiades! Who, therefore, can ever " bind their influences ?" And as for the general system of atmospherical circulation which I have been so long endeavoring to describe, the Bible tells it all in a single sentence : " The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north ; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits."* 12. Of course, as the surface winds H and D (Plate II.) approach the poles, there must be a sloughing offj if I may be allowed the expression, of air from the surface winds, in consequence of their approaching the poles. For as they near the poles, the parallels become smaller and smaller, and the surface current must either extend much higher up, and blow with greater rapidity as it approaches the poles, or else a part of it must be sloughed off above, and so turn back before reaching the poles. The latter is probably the case. Investigations have shown that the southeast trade-wind region is much larger than the northeast. I speak now of its extent over the Atlantic Ocean only ; that the southeast trades are the fresher, and that they often push themselves up to 10° or 15° of north latitude; whereas the northeast trade- winds of the Atlantic seldom get south of the equator. The peculiar clouds of the trade-winds are formed between the upper and lower currents of air. They are probably formed of vapor condensed from the upper current, and evaporated as it descends by the lowef and dry current from the poles. It is the same pheaojnenon up there which is so often observed here below ; when a cool and dry current of air meets a warm and wet one, an evolution of vapor or fog ensues. We now see the general course of the " wind in his circuits," as we see the general course of the water in a river. There are many abrading surfaces, irregularities, &c., which produce a thousand eddies in the main stream ; yet, nevertheless, the general direction of the whole is not disturbed nor affected by those counter currents ; so with the atmosphere and the variable winds which we find here in this latitude. Have I not, therefore, very good grounds for the opinion (§ 1) that the " wind in his circuits," though apparently to us never so wayward, is as obedient to law and as subservient to order as were the morning stars when they " sang together?" 13. There arc at least two forces concerned in driving the wind through its circuits. We have seen * Eccl., i. 6. THE ATMOSPHERE. 19 (§§ 3 and 4) whence that force is derived which gives easting to the winds as they approach the equator, and westing as they approach the poles, and allusion, without explanation, has been made (§ 10) to the source whence they derive their northing and their southing. The trade- winds are caused, it is said, by the inter- tropical heat of the sun, which, expanding the air, causes it to rise up near the equator ; it then flows off in the upper currents north and south, and there is a rush of air at the surface both from the north and the south to restore the equilibrium — hence the trade-winds. But to the north side of the trade-wind belt in the northern (§ 6), and on the south side in the southern hemisphere (§ 11), the prevailing direction of the winds is not toward the source of heat about the equator, but exactly in the opposite direction. In the extra-tropical region of each hemisphere the prevailing winds blow from the equator toward the poles. It therefore at first appears paradoxical to say that heat makes the easterly winds of the torrid zone blow toward the equator, and the westerly winds of the temperate zones to blow toward the poles. Let us illustrate : — The primum mobile of the extra-tropical winds toward the equator is, as just intimated, generally ascribed to heat, and in this wise, viz : Suppose, for the moment, the earth to have no diurnal rotation ; that it is at rest ; that the rays of the sun have been cut off from it ; that the atmosphere has assumed a mean uniformity of temperature, the thermometer at the equator and the thermometer at the poles giving the same reading; that the winds are still, and that the whole aerial ocean is in equilibrium and at rest. Now imagine the screen which is supposed to have shut off the influence of the sun to be removed, and the whole atmosphere to assume the various temperatures in the various parts of the world that it actually has at this moment, what would take place, supposing the uniform temperature to be a mean, between the actual temperature at the equator and that at the poles ? Why, this would take place ; a swelling up of the atmosphere about the equator by the expansive force of intertropical heat, and a contraction of it about the poles in consequence of the cold. These two forces, considering them under their most obvious effects, would disturb the supposed atmospherical equilibrium by altering the level of the great aerial ocean ; the expansive force of heat elevating it about the equator, and the contracting powers of cold depressing it about the poles. And forthwith two systems of winds would commence to blow, viz : one in the upper regions from the equator toward the poles, and as this warm and expanded air should flow toward either pole, seeking its level, a wind would blow on the surface from either pole to restore the air to the equator which the upper current had carried off. These two winds would blow due north and south ; the effects of heat at the equator, and cold at the poles, would cause them so to do. Now suppose the earth to commence its diurnal rotation ; then, instead of having these winds north and south winds, they will, for reasons already explained (§ 3), approach the equator on both sides with easting in them, and each pole with westing. The circumference of the earth, measured on the parallel of 60°, is only half what it is when measured oti the equator. Therefore, supposing velocity to be the same, only half the volume of atmosphere (§ 13) that sets off from the equator as an upper current 'toward the poles can cross the parallel of 60° north or 20 THE WIND AND CUKHENT CHARTS. south. The other moiety has been gradually drawn in and carried back (§ 12) by the current which is moving in the opposite direction. Such, and such only, would be the extent of the power of the sun to create a polar and equatorial flow of air, were its power confined simply to a change of level. But the atmosphere has been invested with another property which increases its mobility, and gives the heat of the sun still more power to put it in motion, and it is this ; as heat changes the atmospherical level, it changes also the specific gravity of the air acted upon. If, therefore, the level of the great aerial ocean were undisturbed by the sun's rays, and if the air were adapted to a change of specific gravity alone, without any change in volume, this quality would also be the source of at least two systems of currents in the air, viz : an upper and a lower. The two agents combined, viz : that which changes level or volume, and that which changes specific gravity, give us the general currents under consideration. Hence we say that the primum moUle of the air is derived from change of specific gravity induced by the freezing temperature of the polar regions, as well as from change of specific gravity due the expanding force of the sun's rays within the tropics. Therefore, fairly to appreciate the extent of the influence due the heat of the sun in causing the winds, it should be recollected that we may with as much reason ascribe to the inter-tropical heat of the sun the northwest winds, which are the prevailing winds of the extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere or the southwest winds, which are the prevailing winds of the extra-tropical regions of the northern hemisphere, as we may the trade-winds, which blow in the opposite directions. Paradoxical, therefore, as it seems for us to say that the heat of the sun causes the winds between the parallels of 25° or 30° north and south to blow toward the equator, and that it also causes the prevailing winds on the polar sides of these same parallels to blow toward the poles, yet the paradox ceases when we come to recollect that by the process of equatorial heating and polar cooling which is going on in the atmosphere, the specific gravity of the air is changed as well as its level. Nevertheless, as Halley said, in his paper read before the Eoyal Society in London in 1686, " it is likewise very hard to conceive why the limits of the trade-wind should be fixed about the parallel of latitude 30° all around the globe, and that they should so seldom exceed or fall short of those bounds." 14. Operated upon by the equilibrating tendency of the atmosphere and by diurnal rotation, the wind approaches the north pole, for example, by a series of spirals from the southwest (§ 11). If we draw a circle about this pole on a common terrestrial globe, and intersect it by spirals to represent the direction of the wind, we shall see that the wind enters all parts of this circle from the southwest, and, con- sequently, that a whirl ought to be created thereby, in which the ascending column of air revolves from right to left, or against the hands of a watch. At the south pole the winds come from the northwest (§ 11), and consequently there they revolve about it with the hands of a watch. That this should be so will be obvious to any one who will look at the arrows on the polar sides of the calms of Cancer and Capricorn (Plate II.). These arrows are intended to represent the prevailing direction of the wind at the surface of the earth. It is a singular coincidence between these two facts thus deduced, and other facts which have been THE ATMOSPHEKK. 21- observed, and ■which have been set forth by Eedfield, Reid, Piddington, and others, viz : that all rotary storms in the northern hemisphere revolve as do the whirlwinds about the north pole, viz: from right to left, and that all circular gales in the southern hemisphere revolve in the opposite direction, as does the whirl about the south pole. How can there be any connection between the rotary motion of the wind about the pole, and the rotary motion of it in a gale caused here by local agents ? That there is probably such a connection has been suggested by other facts and circumstances, for, although the theory of heat satisfies many conditions of the problem, and though heat, doubtless, is one of the chief agents in keeping up the circulation of the atmosphere, yet it can be made to appear that it is not the soh agent ; magnetism, probably, has something to do with it. 15. So far, we see how the atmosphere moves ; but the atmosphere, like every other department in the economy of nature, has its offices to perform, and they are many. I have already alluded to some of them ; but I only propose, at this time, to consider some of the meteorological agencies at sea, which, in the grand design of creation, have probably been assigned to this wonderful machine. To distribute moisture over the surface of the earth, and to temper the climate of different latitudes, it would seem, are two great offices assigned by their Creator to the ocean and the air. When the northeast and southeast trades meet and produce the equatorial calms (§ 9), the air, by this time, is heavily laden with moisture, for in each hemisphere it has travelled obliquely over a large space of the ocean. It has no room for escape but in the upward direction (§ 10). It expands as it ascends, and becomes cooler ; a portion of its vapor is thus condensed, and comes down in the shape of rain. Therefore it is that, under these calms, we have a region of constant precipitation. Old sailors tell us of such dead calms of long continuance here, of such heavy and constant rains, that they have scooped up fresh water from the surface of the sea. The conditions to which this air is exposed here under the equator are probably not such as to cause it to precipitate all the moisture that it has taken up in its long sweep across the waters. Let us see what becomes of the rest ; for Nature, in her economy, permits nothing to be taken away from the earth which is not to be restored to it again in some form, and at some time or other. Consider the great rivers — the Amazon and the Mississippi, for example. "We see them, day after day and year after year, discharging an immense volume of water into the ocean. "All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full." — Ecc, i. 7. Where do the waters so dis- charged go, and where do they come from ? They come from their sources, you will say. But whence are their sources supplied? for, unless what the fountain sends forth be returned to it again, it will fail and be dry. 16. We see simply, in the waters that are discharged by these rivers, the amount by which the pre- cipitation exceeds the evaporation throughout the whole extent of valley drained by them ; and by precipi- tation I mean the total amount of water that falls from, or is deposited by the atmosphere, whether as dew, rain, hail, or snow. 22 THE WIND AND C0EEENT CHARTS. The springs of these rivers are supplied from the rains of heaven, and these rains are formed of vapors which are taken up from the sea, that "it be not full," and carried up to the mountains through the air. "Not^the place whence the rivers come, thither they return again." 17. Behold, now, the waters of the Amazon, of the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence, and all the great rivers of America, Europe, and Asia, lifted up by the atmosphere, and flowing in invisible streams back through the air to their sources among the hills, and that through channels so regular, certain, and well defined, that the quantity thus conveyed one year with the other is nearly the same : for that is the quantity which we see running down to the ocean through these rivers; and the quantity discharged annually by each river is, as far as we can judge, nearly constant. We now begin to conceive what a powerful machine the atmosphere must be ; and, though it is apparently so capricious and wayward in its movements, here is evidence of. order and arrangement which we must admit, and proof which we cannot deny, that it performs this mighty office with regularity and certainty, and is therefore as obedient to law as is the steam-engine to the will of its builder. 18. It, too, is an engine. The South Seas themselves, in all their vast inter-tropical extent, are the boiler for it, and the northern hemisphere is its condenser. 19. Where does the vapor that makes the rains which feed the rivers of the northern hemisj^here come from? The proportion between the land and water in the northern hemisphere is very different from the proportion between them in the southern. In the northern hemisphere, the land and water are nearly equally divided. In the southern, there is several times more water than land. Most of the great rivers in the world are in the northern hemisphere, where there is less ocean to supply them. Whence, then, are their sources replenished ? Those of the Amazon are supplied with rains from the equatorial calms and trade-winds of the Atlantic. That river runs east, its branches come from the north and south; it is always the rainy season on one side or the other of it ; consequently, in its lower parts, it is without periodic stages of a very marked character. There it is always near its high-water mark. For one-half of the year its northern tributaries are flooded, and its southern for the other half. It discharges under the line, and as its tributaries come from both hemispheres, it cannot be said to belong exclusively to either. It is sup- plied with water from the Atlantic Ocean. Taking the Amazon, therefore, out of the count, the Kio de la Plata is the only great river of the southern hemisphere. There is no large river in New Holland. The South Sea Islands give rise to none, nor is there one in South Africa that we know of. The great rivers of North America and North Africa, and all the rivers of Europe and Asia, lie wholly within the northern hemisphere. How is it, then, considering that the evaporating surface lies mainly in the southern hemisphere — how is it, I say, that we should have the evaporation to take place in one hemi- sphere, and the condensation in the other? The total amount of rain which falls in the northern hemisphere is much greater, meteorologists tell us, than that which falls in the southern. The annual amount of rain in the north temperate zone is half as much again as that of the south temperate. THE ATMOSPHERE. 23 20. How is it, then, that this vapor gets, as stated (§ 18), from the southern into the northern hemi- sphere, and comes with such regularity that our rivers never go dry, and our springs fail not? It is because of the beautiful operations and the exquisite compensation of this grand machine, the atmosphere. It is exquisitely and wonderfully counterpoised. Late in the autumn of the north, throughout its winter, and in early spring, the sun is pouring his rays with the greatest intensity down upon the seas of the southern hemisphere, and this powerful engine which we are contemplating is pumping up the water there (§ 18) for our rivers with the greatest activity. At these seasons, the mean temperature of the entire southern hemisphere is said to be about 10° higher than the northern. The heat which this heavy evaporation absorbs becomes latent, and, with the moisture, is carried through the upper regions of the atmosphere until it reaches our climates. Here the vapor is formed into clouds, condensed, and precipitated. The heat which held this water in the state of vapor is set free, it becomes sensible heat, and it is that which contributes so much to temper our winter climate. It clouds up in winter, turns warm, and we say we are going to have falling weather. That is because the process of condensation has already commenced, though no rain or snow may have fallen: thus we feel this southern heat, that has been collected from the rays of the sun by the sea, been bottled away by the winds in the clouds of a southern summer, and set free in the process of condensation in our northern winter. 21. If Plate II. fairly represent the course of the winds, the southeast trade-winds would enter the northern hemisphere, and, as an upper current, bear .into it all their moisture, except that which is precipitated in the region of equatorial calms. The South Seas, then, according to § 18, should supply mainly the water for this engine, while the northern hemisphere condenses it ; we should, therefore, have more rain in the northern hemisphere. The rivers tell us that we have — at least on the land : for the great watercourses of the globe (§ 19), and half the fresh water in the world, are found on our side of the equator. This fact alone is strongly corrobo- rative of this hypothesis. The rain gauge tells us also the same story. The yearly average of rain in the north temjDerate zone is, according to Johnston, thirty-seven inches. He gives but twenty-six in the south temperate. 22. Moisture is never extracted from the air by subjecting it from a low to a higher temperature, but the reverse. Thus, all the air which comes loaded with moisture from the other hemisphere, and is borne into this with the southeast trade-winds, travels in the upper regions of the atmosphere (§ 6) until it reaches the calms of Cancer ; here it becomes the surface wind that prevails from the southward and westward. As it goes north it grows cooler, and the process of condensation commences. We may now liken it to the wet sponge, and the decrease of temperature to the hand that squeezes that sponge. Finally reaching the cold latitudes, all the moisture that a dew-point of zero, and even far below, can extract, is wrung from it ; and this air then commences " to return according to his circuits" as dry atmosphere ; and being dry, it licks up the clouds it meets on its way south, making clear weather as it goes. And here we can quote Scripture again : " The north wind driveth away rain." This is a meteorological fact of high authority and great importance in the study of the circulation of the atmosphere. 24 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. 23. By reasoning in tliis manner, we are led to the'conclusion that our rivers are supplied with their waters principally from the trade-wind regions — the extra-tropical northern rivers from the southern trades, and the extra-tropical southern rivers from the northern trade-winds, for the trade-winds are the evapo- rating winds. Taking for our guide such faint glimmerings of light as we can catch from these facts, and supposing these views to be correct, then the saltest portion of the sea should be in the trade-wind regions, where the water for all the rivers is evaporated; and there the saltest portions are found. 24. Dr. Euschenberger, of the Navy, on his late voyage to India, was kind enough to conduct a series of observations on the specific gravity of sea water. In about the parallel of 17° north and south — midway of the trade-wind regions — he found the heaviest water. Though so warm, the water there was heavier than the cold water to the south of the Cape of Good Hope. Lieutenant D. D. Porter, in the steamship Golden Age, found the heaviest water about the parallels of 20° north and 17° south. In summing up the evidence in favor of this view of the general system of atmospherical circulation, it remains to be shown how it is, if the view be correct, there should be smaller rivers and less rain in the southern hemisphere. 25. The winds that are to blow as the northeast trade-winds, returning as upper currents from the polar regions, where the moisture (§ 22) has been compressed out of them, remain, as we have seen, dry winds until they cross the calm zone of Cancer, and are felt on the surface as the northeast trades. About two-thirds of them only can then blow over the ocean ; the rest blow over the land, over Asia, Africa, and North America, where there is but comparatively a small portion of evaporating surface exposed to their action. The zone of the northeast trades extends, on an average, from about 29° north to 7° north. Now, if we examine the globe, to see how much of this zone is land and how much water, we shall find, com- mencing with China and coming over Asia, the broad part of Africa, and so on, across the continent of America to the Pacific, land enough to fill up, as nearly as may be, just one-third of it. This land, if thrown into one body between these parallels, would make a belt equal to 120° of longitude by 22° of latitude. According to the hypothesis, illustrated by Plate II., as to the circulation of the atmosphere, it is these northeast trade-winds that take up and carry over, after they rise up in the belt of equatorial calms, the vapors which make the rains that feed the rivers in the extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere. Upon this supposition, then, two-thirds only of the northeast trade-winds are fully charged with moisture, and only two-thirds of the amount of rain that falls in the northern hemisphere should fall in the southern, and this is just about the proportion (§ 21) that observation gives. 26. In like manner, the southeast trade- winds take up the vapors which make our rivers, and as they prevail to a much greater extent at sea, and have exposed to their action about three times as much ocean as the northeast trade-winds have, we might expect, according to this hypothesis, more rains in the northern — and, consequently, more and larger rivers — than in the southern hemisphere. A glance at TUE ATMOSPHKRE. 25 Plate XVIII. will show how very much larger that part of the ocean over which the southeast trades prevail is than that where the northeast trade-winds blow. 27. This estimate as to the quantity of rain in the two hemispheres is one which is not capable of verification by any more than the rudest approximations ; for the greater extent of southeast trades on one side, and of high mountains on the other, must each of necessity, and independent of other agents, have their effects. Nevertheless, this estimate gives as close an approximation as we can make out from any other data. 28. The rainy seasons, how caused. — The calm and trade-wind regions or belts move up and down the earth, annually, in latitude nearly a thousand miles. In July and August the zone of equatorial calms is found between 7° north and 12° north; sometimes higher; in March and April, between latitude 5° south and 2° north. With this fact and these points of view before us, it is easy to perceive why it is that we have a rainy season in Oregon, a rainy and dry season in California, another at Panama, two at Bogota, none in Peru, and one in Chili. In Oregon it rains every month, but more in the winter months. The winter there is the summer of the southern hemisphere, when this steam-engine is working with the greatest pressure. The vapor that is taken up by the southeast trades is borne along over the region of northeast trades to latitude 35° or 40° north (§ 21), where it descends and appears on the surface with the southwest winds of those latitudes. Driving upon the highlands of the continent, this vapor is con- densed and precipitated, during this part of the year, almost in constant showers. In the winter, the calm belt of Cancer approaches the equator. This whole system of zones, viz : of trades, calms, and westerly winds, follows the sun in declination; and they of our hemisphere are nearer the equator in the winter and spring months than at any other season. The southwest winds commence at this season to prevail as far down as the lower part of California. In winter and spring, the land in California is cooler than the sea air, and is quite cold enough to extract moisture from it. But in summer and autumn the land is the warmer, and can not condense the vapors of water held by the air. So the same cause which made it rain in Oregon, now makes it rain in California. As the sun returns to the north, he brings the calm belt of Cancer and the northeast trades along with him ; and now, at places where, six months before, the southwest winds were the prevailing winds, the northeast trades are found to blow. This is the case in the latitude of California. The prevailing winds, then, instead of going from a warmer to a cooler climate, as before, are going the opposite way. Conse- quently, they cannot, if they have the moisture in them to make rains of, precipitate it under such circumstances. Panama is in the region of equatorial calms. This belt of calms travels during the year, back and forth, over about 17° of latitude, coming further north in the summer, where it tarries for several months, ' and then returns so as to reach its extre^jne southern latitude some time in March or April. Where these calms are, it is always raining, and the Chart shows that they hang over the latitude of Panama from June > 4 26 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. to November ; consequently, from Jane to November is the rainy season at Panam^. The rest of the year that place is in the region of the northeast trades, which, before they arrive there, have to cross the mountains of the isthmus, on the cool tops of which they deposit their moisture, and leave Panama rainless and pleasant until the sun returns north with the belt of equatorial calms after him. They then push the belt of northeast trades further to the north, occupy a part of the winter zone, and refresh that part of the earth with summer rains. This belt of calms moves over more than double of its breadth, and nearly the entire motion from south to north is accomplished generally in two months. May and June. Take the parallel of 4° north as an illustration : during these two months, the entire belt of calms crosses this parallel, and then leaves it in the region of the southeast trades. During these two months, it was pouring down rain on that parallel. After the calm belt passes it, the rains cease, and the people in that latitude have no more wet weather till the fall, when the belt of calms recrosses this parallel on its way to the south. By examining the " Trade-wind Chart," it may be seen what the latitudes are that have two rainy seasons, and that Bogota is within the bi-rainy latitudes. 29. The Rainless Regions. — The coast of Peru is within the region of perpetual southeast trade-winds. Though the Peruvian shores are on the verge of the great South Sea boiler, yet it never rains there. The reason is plain. The southeast trade-winds in the Atlantic Ocean first strike the water on the coast of Africa. Travel- ling to the northwest, they blow obliquely across the ocean until they reach the coast of Brazil. By this time they are heavily laden with vapor, which they continue to bear along across the continent, depositing it as they go, and supplying with it the sources of the Eio de la Plata and the southern tributaries of the Amazon. Finally, they reach the snow-capped Andes, and here is wrung from them the last particle of moisture that that very low temperature can extract. Beaching the summit of that range, they now tumble down as cool and dry winds on the Pacific slopes beyond. Meeting with no evaporating surface, and with no temperature colder than that to which they were subjected on the mountain-tops, they reach the ocean before they become charged with fresh vapor, and before, therefore, they have any which the Peruvian climate can extract. Thus we see how the top of the Andes becomes the reservoir from which are supplied the. rivers of Chili and Peru. The other rainless or almost rainless regions are the western coasts of Mexico, the deserts of Africa, Asia, North America, and Australia. Now study the geographical features of the country surrounding those regions; see how the mountain ranges run ; then turn to Plate XVIII. to see how the winds blow, and where the sources are (§ 18) which supply them with vapors. This plate shows the prevailing direc- tion of the wind only at sea; Ijut knowing it there, we may infer what it is on the land. Supposing it to prevail on the land as it generally does in corresponding latitudes at sea, then the_ Plate will suggest readily enough how the winds that blow over these deserts came to be robbed of their moisture, or, rather, to have so much of it taken from them as to reduce their dew-point below the desert temperature; for the air (§ 22) can never deposit iL'> moisture when its temperature is higher than its dew-point. THE ATiMOSPHERE. 27 We have a rainless region about tlie Eed Sea, because the Eed Sea, for the most part, lies within the northeast trade-wind region, and these winds, when they reach that region, are dry winds, for they have as yet, in their course, crossed no wide sheets of water from which they could take up a supply of vapor. 30. Most of New Holland lies within the southeast trade-wind region; so does most of inter-tropical South America. But inter-tropical South America is the land of showers. The largest rivers and most copiously watered country in the world are to be found there, whereas almost exactly the reverse is the case in Australia. "Whence this difference? Examine the direction of the winds with regard to the shore- line of these two regions, and the explanation will at once be suggested. In Australia — east coast — the shore-line is stretched out in the direction of the trades; in South America — east coast — it is perpendicular to their direction. In Australia, they fringe this shore only with their vapor, and so stint that thirsty land with showers, that the trees cannot afford to spread their leaves out to the sun, for it evaporates all the moisture from them ; their instincts, therefore, teach them to turn their edges to his rays. In America they blow perpendicularly upon the shore, penetrating the very heart of the country with their moisture. Here the leaves — as the plantain, &c. — turn their broad sides up to the sun, and court his rays. 31. Why there is more rain on one side of a mountain than on the other. — We may now, from what has been said, see why the Andes, and all other mountains which run north and south, have a dry and a rainy side, and how the prevailing winds of the latitude determine which is the rainy and which the dry side. Thus, let us take the southern coast of Chili for illustration. In our summer time, when the sun comes north, and drags after him his belts of perpetual winds and calms, that coast is left within the regions of the northwest winds — the winds that are counter to the southeast trades — which, cooled by the winter temperature of the highlands of Chili, deposit their moisture copiously. During the rest of the year, the most of Chili is in the region of the southeast trades, and the same causes which operate in California to prevent rain there, operate in Chili ; only the dry season in one place is the rainy season of the other. Hence we see that the weather side of all such mountains as the Andes is the wet side, and the lee side the dry. 32. The same phenomenon, from a like cause, is repeated in inter-tropical India, only in that country each side of the mountain is made alternately the wet and the dry side by a change in the prevailing direction of the. wind. Plate XVIII. shows India to be in one of the monsoon regions; it is the most famous of them all. From October to April, the northeast trafles prevail. They evaporate from the Bay of Bengal water enough to feed with rains, during this season, the western shores of this bay .and the Ghauts range of mountains. This range holds the relation to these wintj* that the Andes of Peru (§ 29) hold to the southeast trades ; it first cools and thenjrelieves them of their moisture, and they tumble down on the western slopes of the Ghauts, Peruvian-like (§ 31), cool, rainless, and dry; wherefore that narrow- strip of country between the Ghauts and the Arabian Sea would, like that in Peru between the Andes and the Pacific, remain without rain forever, were it not for other agents which are at work about India and 28 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. not about Peru. The work of the agents to which I allude is felt in the monsoons, and these prevail in India and not in Peru. 33. After the northeast trades have blown out their season, which in India ends in April (§ 32), the great arid plains of Central Asia, of Tartary, Thibet, and Mongolia, become heated up, react upon these northeast trades, turn them back, and convert them, during the summer and early autumn, into southwest monsoons. These then come from the Indian Ocean and Sea of Arabia loaded with moisture, and striking with it perpendicularly upon the Ghauts, precipitate upon that narrow strip of land between this range and the Arabian Sea an amount of water that is truly astonishing. Here, then, are not only the conditions for causing more rain, now on the west, now on the east side of this mountain range, but the conditions also for the most copious precipitation. Accordingly, when we come to consult rain gauges, and to ask meteorological observers in India about the fall of rain, they tell us that on the western slopes of the Ghauts it sometimes reaches the enormous depth of twelve or fifteen inches in one day.* These winds then continue their course to the Himalaya range as dry winds. In crossing this range, they are subjected to a lower temperature than that to which they were exposed in crossing the Ghauts. Here they drop more of their moisture in the shape of snow and rain, and then pass over into the thirsty lands beyond with scarcely enough vapor in them to make even a cloud. Thence they ascend into the upper air, there to become counter-currents in the general system of atmo- spherical circulation. By studying Plate XVIII., where the rainless regions and inland basins, as well as the course of the prevailing winds, are shown, these facts will become obvious. 34. The Regions of Greatest Precipitation. — We shall now be enabled to determine, if the views which I have been endeavoring to present be correct, what parts of the earth are subject to . the greatest fall of rain. They should be on the slopes of those mountains which the trade-winds first strike, after having blown across the greatest tract of ocean. The more abrupt the elevation, and tlie shorter the distance between the mountain top and the ocean, the greater the amount of precipitation. If, therefore, we commence at the parallel of about 30° north in the Pacific, where the northeast trade-winds first strike that ocean, and trace them through their circuits till they first strike high mountains, we ought to find such a place of heavy rains. Commencing at this parallel of 30°, therefore, in the Nortli Pacific, and tracing thence the course of the northeast trade- winds, we shall find that they blow thence, and reach the region of equatorial calms near the Caroline Islands. Here they rise up ; but, instead of pursuing the same course in the upper stratum of winds through the southern hemisphere, they, in consequence of the rotation of the earth (§ 4), are made to take a southeast course. They keep in this upper stratum until they reach the calms of Capricorn, between the parallels of 30° and 40°; after which they become the prevailing northwest winds of the southern hemisphere, which correspond to the southwest of the northern. Continuing on to the southeast, they are now the surface winds; they are going from warmer to cooler latitudes; they * Keith Johnston. THE ATMOSPHERE, 29 become as the wet sponge (§ 22), and are abruptly intercepted by the Andes of Patagonia, whose cold summit compresses them, and with its low dew-point squeezes the water out of them. Captain King found the astonishing fall of water here of nearly thirteen feet (one hundred and fifty-one inches) in forty- one days; and Mr. Darwin reports that the sea water along this part of the South American coast is some- times quite fresh, from the vast quantity of rain that falls. AVe ought to expect a corresponding rainy region to be found to the north of Oregon; but there the mountains are not so high, the obstruction to the southwest winds is not so abrupt, the highlands are further from the coast, and the air which these winds carry in their circulation to that part of the coast, though it be as heavily charged with moisture as at Patagonia, has a greater extent of country over which to deposit its rain, and consequently the fall to the square inch will not be as great.* In like manner, we should be enabled to say in what part of the world the most equable climates are to be found. They are to be found in the equatorial calms, where the northeast and southeast trades meet fresh from the ocean, and keep the temperature uniform under a canopy of perpetual clouds. 35. Amount of Evaporation. — The mean annual fall of rain on the entire surface of the earth is esti- mated at about five feet. To evaporate water enough annually from the ocean to cover the earth, on the average, five feet deep with rain; to transport it from one zone to another; and to precipitate it in the right places, at suitable times, and in the proportions due, is one of the offices of the grand atmospherical machine. This water is evaporated principally from the torrid zone. Supposing it all to come thence, we shall have, encircling the earth, a belt of ocean three thousand miles in breadth, from which this atmosphere evaporates a layer of water annually sixteen feet in depth. And to hoist up as high as the clouds, and lower down again all the water in a lake sixteen feet deep, and three thousand miles broad, and twenty-four thousand long, is the yearly business of this invisible machinery. What a powerful engine is the atmosphere! and how nicely adjusted must be all the cogs, and wheels, and springs, and pinions of this exquisite piece of ma- chinery, that it never wears out nor breaks down, nor fails to do its work at the right time and in the right way. 36. In his annual report to the Society [Transactions of the Bomhay Geographical Society from May, 1849, to August, 1850, vol. ix.). Dr. Buist, the secretary, states, on the authority of Mr. Laidly, that the evaporation at Calcutta is " about fifteen feet annually ; that between the Cape and Calcutta it averages, in October and November, nearly three-fourths of an inch daily ; between 10° and 20° in the Bay of Bengal, it was found to exceed an inch daily. Supposing this to be double the average throughout the year, we should," continues the doctor, " have eighteen feet of evaporation annually." If, in considering the direct observations upon the daily rate of evaporation in India, it be remembered * I have, through the kindness of A. Holbrook, Esq., United States Attorney for Oregon, received the Oregon Spectator of February 13, 1851, containing the Rev. G. H. Atliinson's Meteorological Journal, kept in Oregon City during the month of January, 1851. The quantity of rain and snow for that month is 13.G3 inches, or about one third the average quantity that falls at Washington during the year. 80 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. that the seasons there are divided into wet and dry ; that in the dry season, evaporation in the Indian Ocean, because of its high temperature, and also of the high temperature and dry state of the wind, probably goes on as rapidly as it does anywhere else in the world ; if, moreover, we remember that the regular trade- wind regions proper are, for the most part, rainless regions at sea ; that evaporation is going on from them all the year round, we shall have reason to consider the estimate of sixteen feet annually for the trade-wind surface of the ocean not too high. 37. "We see the light beginning to break upon us, for we now begin to perceive why it is that the proportions between the land and water were made as we find them in nature. If there had been more water and less land, we should have had more rain, and vice versa ; and then climates would have been different from what they now are, and the inhabitants, animal or vegetable, would not have been as they are. And as they are, that wise Being who, in his kind providence, so watches over and regards the things of this world that he takes notice of the sparrow's fall, and numbers the very hairs of our head, doubtless designed them to be. The mind is delighted, and the imagination charmed, by contemplating the physical arrangements of the earth from such points of view as this is which Ave now have before us; from it the sea, and the air, and the land, appear each as a part of that grand machinery upon which the well-being of all the inhabitants of earth, sea, and air depends; and which, in the beautiful adaptations that we are pointing out, aflbrds new and striking evidence that they all have their origin in one omniscient idea, just as the difi'erent parts of a watch may be considered to have been constructed and arranged according to one human design. In some parts of the earth the precipitation is greater than the evaporation ; thus the amount of water borne down by every river that runs into the sea may be considered as the excess of the precipitation over the evaporation that takes place in the valley drained by that river. This excess comes from the sea ; the winds convey it to the interior ; and the forces of gravity, dashing it along in mountain torrents or gentle streams, hurry it back to the sea again. In other parts of the earth, the evaporation and precipitation are exactly equal, as in those inland basins such as that in which the city of Mexico, Lake Titicaca, the Caspian Sea, &c. &;c., are situated, which basins have no ocean drainage. If more rain fell in the valley of the Caspian Sea than is evaporated from it, that sea would finally get full and overflow the whole of that great basin. If less fell than is evaporated from it again, then that sea, in the course of time, would dry up, and plants and animals there would all perish for the want of water. In the sheets of water which we find distributed over that and every other inhabitable inland basin, we see reservoirs or evaporating surfaces just sufficient for the supply of that degree of moisture which is best adapted to the well-being of the plants and animals that people such basins. In other parts of the earth still, we find places, as the Desert of Sahara, in which neither evaporation nor precipitation takes place, and in which we find neither plant nor animal. 38. Adaptations. — In contemplating the system of terrestrial adaptations, these researches teach one to regard the mountain ranges and the great deserts of the earth as the astronomer does the counterpoises THE ATMOaPHEKE. Bi to his telescope — tliougli they be mere dead weights, they are, nevertheless, necessary to make the balance complete, the adjustments of this machine perfect. These counterpoises give ease to the motions, stability to the performance, and accuracy to the workings of the instrument. They are compensations. Whenever I turn to contemplate the works of nature, I am struck with the admirable system of compensation, with the beauty and nicety with which every department is poised by the others ; things and principles are meted out in directions the most opposite, but in proportions so exactly balanced and nicely adjusted, that results the most harmonious are produced. It is by the action of opposite and compensating forces that the earth is kept in its orbit, and the stars are held suspended in the azure vault of heaven; and these forces are so exquisitely adjusted, that, at the end of a thousand years, the earth, the sun, and moon, and every star in the firmament, is found to come to its proper place at the proper moment. Nay, philosophy teaches us, when the little snow drop, which in our garden walks we see raising its beautiful head to remind us that spring is at hand, was created, that the whole mass of the earth, from pole to pole, and from circumference to centre, must have been taken into account and weighed, in order that the proper degree of strength might be given to the fibres of even this little plant. Botanists tell us that the constitution of this plant is such as to require that, at a certain stage of its growth, the stalk should bend, and the flower should bow its head, that an operation may take place which is necessary in order that the herb should produce seed after its kind ; and that, after this, its vegetable health requires that it should lift its head again and stand erect. Now, if the mass of the earth had been greater or less, the force of gravity would have been difierent ; in that case, the strength of fibre in the snow drop, as it is, would have been too much or too little ; the plant could not bow or raise its head at the right time, fecundation could not take place, and its family would have become extinct with the first individual that was planted, because its "seed" would not have been "in itself," and therefore it could not reproduce itself Now, if we see such perfect adaptatior, such exquisite adjustment, in the case of one of the smallest flowers of the field, how much more may we not expect " compensation" in the atmosphere and the ocean, upon the right adjustment and due performance of which depends not only the life of that plant, but the well-being of every individual that is found in the entire vegetable and animal kingdoms of the world ? When the east winds blow along the Atlantic coast for a little while, they bring us air saturated with moisture from the Gulf Stream, and we complain of the sultry, oppressive, heavy atmosphere ; the invalid grows worse, and the well man feels ill, because, when he takes this atmosphere into his lungs, it is already so charged with moisture that it cannot take up and carry off that which encumbers his lungs, and which nature has caused his blood to bring and leave there, that respiration may take up and carry off. At other times, the air is dry and hot; he feels that it is conveying off matter from the lungs too fast; he realizes the idea that it is consuming him, and he calls the sensation parching. 39. Therefore, in considering the general laws which govern the physical agents of the universe, and regulate them in the due performance of their offices, T have felt myself constrained to set out with the 32 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. assumptiou that, if the atmosphere had had a greater or less capacity for moisture, or if the proportion of land and water had been different — if the earth, air, and water had not been in exact counterpoise — the whole arrangement of the animal and vegetable kingdoms would have varied from their present state. But God chose to make those kingdoms what they are; for this purpose it was necessary, in his judgment, to establish the proportions between the land and water, and the desert, just as they are, and to make the capacity of the air to circulate heat and moisture just what it is, and to have it to do all its work in obedience to law and in subservience to order. If it were not so, why was power given to the winds to lift up and transport moisture, or the property given to the sea by which its waters may become first vapor, and then fruitful showers or gentle dews ? If the proportions and properties of land, sea, and air were not adjusted according to the reciprocal capacities of all to perform the functions required by each, why should we be told that he " measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and comprehended the dust in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance.?" Why did he span the heaven.s, but that he might mete out the atmosphere in exact proportion to all the rest, and impart to it those properties and powers which it was necessary for it to have, in order that it might perform all those offices and duties for which he designed it ? Harmonious in their action, the air and sea are obedient to law and subject to order in all their movements ; when we consult them in the performance of their offices, they teach us lessons concerning the wonders of the deep, the mysteries of the sky, the greatness, and the wisdom, and goodness of the Creator. The investigations into the broad-spreading circle of phenomena connected with the winds of heaven and the waves of the sea are second to none for the good which they do and the lessons which they teach. The astronomer is said to see the hand of God in the sky ; but does not the right-minded mariner, who looks aloft as he ponders over these things, hear his voice in every wave of the sea that "claps its hands," and feel his presence in every breeze that blows? CHAPTEE II. RED FOGS AND SEA DUST.* Where found, J 40.— Tallies on the Wind, 41 — Where taken up, 42. — Information derived from Sea Dust, 43.— Its bearings upon the Theory of Atmospherical Circulation, 44. — Suggests Magnetic Agency, 45. 40. Seamen tell us of "red fogs" which they sometimes encounter, especially in the vicinity of the Cape de Verde Islands. In other parts of the sea also they meet showers of dust. What these showers precipi- tate in the Mediterranean is called "sirocco dust," and in other parts "African dust," because the winds which accompany them are supposed to come from the Sirocco Desert, or some other parched land of the * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. BED FOGS AND SKA DUST. 33 continent of Africa. It is of a brick-red or cinnamon color, and it sometimes comes down in such quantities as to cover the sails and rigging, though the vessel may be hundreds of miles from the land. Now the patient reader, who has had the heart to follow me in the preceding chapters around with " the wind in his circuits," will perceive that proof is yet wanting to establish it as a fact, that the northeast and southeast trades, after meeting and rising up in the equatorial calms, do cross over and take the tracks represented by C and G, Plate II. Statements, and reasons, and arguments enough have already been made and adduced to make it highly probable, according to human reasoning, that such is the case; and though the theoretical deductions showing such to be the case, be never so good, positive proof that they are true, cannot fail to be received with delight and satisfaction. Were it possible to take a portion of this air, as it travels down the southeast trades,' representing the general course of atmospherical circulation, and to put a tally on it by which we could always recognize it again, then we might hope actually to prove, by evidence the most positive, the channels through which the air of the trade-winds, after ascending at the equator, returns whence it came. But the air is invisible ; and it is not easily perceived how either marks or tallies may be put upon it, that it may be traced in its paths through the clouds. The skeptic, therefore, who finds it hard to believe that the general circulation is such as Plate II. represents it to be, might consider himself safe in his unbelief were he to declare his willingness to give it up the moment any one should put tallies on the wings of the wind, which would enable him to recognize that air again, and those tallies, when found at other parts of the earth's surface. As difficult as this seems to be, it has actually been done. Ehrenberg, with his microscope, has established, almost beyond a doubt, that the air which the southeast trade-winds bring to the equator does rise up there and pass over into the northern hemisphere. 41. The Sirocco, or African dust, which he has been observing so closely, has turned out to be tallies put upon the wind in the other hemisphere; and this beautiful instrument of his enables us to detect the marks on these little tallies as plainly as though those marks had been written upon labels of wood and tied to the wings of the wind. This dust, when subjected to microscopic examination, is found to consist of infusoria and organisms whose habitat is not Africa, but Soutla America, and in the southeast trade-wind region of South America. Professor Ehrenberg has examined specimens of sea dust from the Cape de Yerdes and the regions thereabout, from Malta, Genoa, Lyons, and the Tyrol; and he has found a similarity among them as striking as it would have been, had these specimens been all taken from the same pile. South American forms he recognizes in all of them; indeed, they are the prevailing forms in every specimen he has examined. It may, I think, be now regarded as an established fact, that there is a perpetual upper current of air from South America to North Africa; and that the volume of air which flows to the northward in these 5 34 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. upper currents is nearly equal to the volume which flows to the southward with the northeast trade-winds, there can be no doubt. The " rain dust" has been observed most frequently to fall in spring and autumn ; that is, the fall has occurred after the equinoxes, but at intervals from them varying from thirty to sixty days, more or less. To account for this sort of periodical occurrence of the falls of this dust, Ehrenberg thinks it " necessary to suppose a dust-cloud to he held constantly svjimming in the atmosphere hy continuous currents of air^ and lying in the region of the trade-winds, hut suffering partial and periodical deviations." It has already been shown (§ 28) that the rain or calm belt between the trades travels up and down the earth from north to south, making the rainy season wherever it goes. This dust is probably taken up in the dry, and not in the wet season ; instead, therefore, of its being " held in clouds suffering partial and periodical deviations," as Ehrenberg suggests, it more probably comes from one place about the vernal, and from another about the autumnal equinox ; for places which have their rainy season at one equinox have their dry seasons at the other. 42. At the time of the vernal equinox, the valley of the Lower Oronoco is then in its dry season — everything is parched up with the drought ; the pools are dry, and the marshes and plains arid wastes. All vegetation has ceased ; the great serpents and reptiles have buried themselves for hibernation ;* the hum of insect life is hushed, and the stillness of death reigns through the valley. Under these circumstances, the light breeze, raising dust from lakes that are dried up, and lifting motes from the brown savannas, will bear them away like clouds in the air. This is the period of the year when the surface of the earth in this region, strewed with impalpable and feather-light remains of animal and vegetable organisms, is swept over by whirlwinds, gales, and tornadoes of terrific force ; this is the period for the general atmospheric disturbances which have made characteristic the equinoxes. Do not these conditions appear sufficient to afford the "rain dust" for the spring showers ? At the period of the autumnal equinox, another portion of the Amazonian basin is parched with drought, and liable to winds that fill the air with dust, and with the remains of dead animal and vegetable matter; these impalpable organisms, which each rainy season calls into being, to perish the succeeding season of drought, are perhaps distended and made even lighter by the gases of decomposition which has been going on in the period of drought. May not, therefore, the whirlwinds which accompany the vernal equinox, and sweep over the lifeless plains of the Lower Oronoco, take up the " rain dust" which descends in the northern hemisphere in April and May? and may it not be the atmospherical disturbances which accompany the autumnal equinox that take up the microscopic organisms from the Upper Oronoco and the great Amazonian basin for the showers of October ? 43. Baron Humboldt, in his Aspects of Nature, thus contrasts the wet and the dry seasous there: — * Humboldt. BED FOGS AND SEA DUST. 35 " When, under the vertical rays of the never-clouded sun, the carbonized turfy covering falls into dust, the indurated soil cracks asunder as if from the shock of an earthquake. If at such times two opposing currents of air, whose conflict produces a rotary motion, come in contact with the soil, the plain assumes a strange and singular aspect. Like conical-shaped clouds, the points of which descend to the earth, the sand rises through the rarefied air on the electrically-charged centre of the whirling current, resembling the loud water-spout, dreaded by the experienced mariner. The lowering sky sheds a dim, almost straw-colored light on the desolate plain. The horizon draws suddenly nearer, the steppe seems to contract, and with it the heart of the wanderer. The hot, dusty particles which fill the air increase its suffocating heat, and the east wind, blowing over the long-heated soil, brings with it no refreshment, but rather a still more burning glow. The pools, which the yellow, fading branches of the fan palm had protected from evaporation, now gradually disappear. As in the icy north the animals become torjjid with cold, so here, under the influence of the parching drought, the crocodile and the boa become motionless, and fall asleep deeply buried in the dry mud. "The distant palm-bush, -apparently raised by the influence of the contact of unequally heated and therefore unequally dense strata of air, hovers above the ground, from which it is separated by a narrow intervening margin. Half concealed by the dense clouds of dust, restless with the pain of thirst and hunger, the horses and cattle roam around, the cattle lowing dismally, and the horses stretching out their long necks and snuffing the wind, if haply a moister current may betray the neighborhood of a not wholly dried-up pool " At length, after the long drought, the welcome season of the rain arrives ; and then how suddenly is the scene changed ! " Hardly has the surface of the earth received the refreshing moisture, when the previously barren steppe begins to exhale sweet odors, and to clothe itself with killingias, the many panicles of the paspulum, and a variety of grasses. The herbaceous mimosas, with renewed sensibility to the influence of light, unfold their drooping, slumbering leaves to greet the rising sun ; and the early song of birds and the opening blossoms of the water plants join to salute the morning." The color of the " rain dust," when collected in parcels and sent to Ehrenberg, is " brick red," or " yellow ochre ;" when seen by Humboldt in the air, it was less deeply shaded, and is described hy him as imparting a "straw-color" to the atmosphere. In the search of spider lines for the diaphragm of my telescopes, I procured the finest and best threads from a cocoon of a mud-red color; but the threads of this cocoon, as seen singly in the diaphragm, were of a golden color ; there would seem, therefore, no difficulty in reconciling the difference Ijetween the colors of the rain dust, when viewed in little piles by the micro- scopist, and when seen attenuated and floating in the wind by the great traveller. It appears, therefore, that we here have placed in our hands a clew, which, attenuated and gossamer- like though it at first appears, is nevertheless palpable and strong enough to guide us along the " circuits of the wind" till we enter " the chambers of the south." The frequency of the fall of "rain dust" between the parallels of 17° and 25° north, and in the 36 THE WIND AND CrrSEENT CHARTS. vicinity of the Cape Verde Islands, is remarked upon with emphasis by the microscopist. It is worthy of remark, because, in connection with the investigations at the Observatory, it is significant. The latitudinal limits of the northern edge of the northeast trade- winds are variable. In the spring, they are nearest to the equator, extending sometimes, at this season, not further from the equator than the parallel of 15° north. 44. The breadth of the calms of Cancer is also variable ; so also, are their limits. The extreme vibration of this zone is between the parallels of 17° and 38° north, according to the season of the year. According to the hypothesis suggested by my researches, this is the zone in which the upper currents of atmosphere that ascended in the equatorial calms, and flowed off to the northward and eastward, are* supposed to descend. This, therefore, is the zone in which the atmosphere that bears the " rain dust," or " African sand," descends to the surface ; and this, therefore, is the zone, it might be supposed, which would be the most liable to showers of this "dust." This is the zone in which the Cape Verde Islands are situated ; they are in the direction which theory gives to the upper current of air from the Oronoco and Amazon with its " rain dust," and they are in the region of the most frequent showers of " raia dust," all of which are in striking conformity with this theory as to the circulation of the atmosphere. It is true that, in the present state of our information, we cannot tell why this " rain dust" should not be gradually precipitated from this upper current, and descend into the stratum of trade-winds, as it passes from the equator to higher northern latitudes ; neither can we tell why the vapor which the same winds carry along should not, in like manner, be precipitated on the way ; nor why we should have a thunder- storm, a gale of wind, or the display of any other atmospherical phenomenon to-morrow, and not to-day ; all that we can say is, that the conditions of to-day are not such as the phenomenon requires for its own development. Therefore, though we cannot tell why the sea dust should not fall always in the same place, we may nevertheless suppose that it is not always in the atmosphere, for the storms that take it up occur only occasionally, and that when up, and in passing the same parallels, it does not always meet with the conditions — electrical and others — favorable to its descent, and that these conditions might occur now in this place, now in that. But that the fall does occur always in the same atmospherical vein or general direction, my investigations would suggest, and Ehrenberg's researches prove. Judging by the fall of sea or rain dust, we may suppose that the currents in the upper regions of the atmosphere are remarkable for their general regularity, as well as for their general direction and sharpness of limits, so to speak. "We may imagine that certain electrical conditions are necessary to a shower of " sea dust" as well as to a thunder-storm; and that the interval between the time of the equinoctial disturbances in the atmosphere and the occurrence of these showers, though it does not enable us to determine the true rate of motion in the general system of atmospherical circulation, yet it assures us that it is not less on the average than a certain rate. I do not offer these remarks as an explanation with which we ought to rest satisfied, provided other THE WINDS. 37 proof can be obtained; I rather offer them in the true philosophical spirit of the distinguished microscopist himself, simply as afibrding, as far as they are entitled to be called an explanation, that explanation which is most in conformity with the facts before us, and which is suggested by the results of a novel and beautiful system of philosophical research. 45. Thus, though we have tallied the air, and put labels on the wind, to " tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth," yet there evidently is an agent concerned in the circulation of the atmosphere whose functions are manifest, but whose presence has never yet been clearly recognized. When the air which the northeast trade-winds bring down meets in the equatorial calms that which the southeast trade-winds convey, and the two rise up together, what is it that makes them cross ? where is the power that guides that from the north over to the south, and that from the south up to the north ? I have devoted a chapter in my work, on the Physical Geography of tJie Sea, to answering this question, and stating the circumstances which suggest magnetism as the agent. Those who have any desire to investigate the subject are referred to that little book. CHAPTER III. THE WINDS. Plate XVIII., i 40.— Jlonsoons, 47.— Why the Belt of Southeast is broader than the Belt of Northeast Trade- winds, 48.— Effect of Deserts upon the Trade-winds, 49. — At Sea the Laws of Atmospherical Circulation are better developed, 50. — Rain Winds, 51. — Precipita- tion on Land greater than Evaporation, 52. — The Place of Supply for the Vapors that feed the Amazon with Kains, 53. — Monsoons : How formed, 54. — Monsoons of the Indian Ocean, 55. — How caused, 56. — How the Monsoon Season maybe known, 57. — Why there are no Monsoons in the Southern Hemisphere, 59. — Why the Trade-wind Zones are not stationary, 60. — The C.\lm Belts, 61. — The Westerly Winds, 63. 46. Plate XVIII. is a chart of the winds, based on information derived from the Pilot Charts. The object of this chart is to make the young seamen acquainted only with \hQ prevailing direction of the wind in every part of the ocean. The arrows of the plate are supposed to fly with the wind ; the half bearded and half feathered arrows denoting monsoons or periodic winds ; the dotted belts, the regions of calm and baffling winds. 47. Monsoons, properly speaking, are winds which blow one half of the year from one direction, and the other half from an opposite, or nearly an opposite direction. Let us commence the study of Plate XVIII., by examining the trade-wind region ; for that is the region in which monsoons are most apt to be found. 48. The belt or zone of the southeast trade-winds is broader (§ 12), it will be observed, than the belt or zone of northeast trades. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that there is more land in the * Vide Physical Geography of the Sea. Harper and Brothers, New York. 38 THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. northern hemisphere, and that most of the deserts of the earth — as the great deserts of Asia and Africa — are situated in the rear, or behind the northeast trades; so that as these deserts become more or less heated, there is a call — a pulling back, if you please — upon these trades to flow back and restore the equilibrium which the deserts destroy. There being no, or few such regions in the rear of the southeast trades, they obey the first impulse, push and press over into the northern hemisphere. By resolving the forces which it is supposed are the principal forces that put these winds in motion, viz : calorific action of the sun and diurnal rotation of the earth, we are led to the conclusion that the latter is much the greater of the two in its effects upon those of the northern hemisphere. But not to such an extent is it greater in its effects upon those of the southern. We see by the plate that those two opposing currents of wind are so unequally balanced that the one recedes before the other, and that the current from the southern hemisphere is larger in volume ; i, e. it moves a greater zone or belt of air. The southeast trade-winds discharge themselves over the equator — i. e. across a great circle — into the region of equatorial calms, while the northeast trade-winds discharge themselves into the same region over a parallel of latitude, and consequently over a small circle. If, therefore, we take what obtains in the Atlantic as the type of what obtains entirely around the earth, as it regards the trade-winds, we shall see that the southeast trade- winds keep in motion more air than the northeast do, by a quantity at least proportioned to the difference between the circumference of the earth at the equator and at the parallel of latitude of 9° north. For, if we suppose that those two perpetual currents of air extend the same distance from the surface of the earth, and move with the same velocity, a greater volume from the south would flow across the equator in a given time than would flow from the north over the parallel of 9° in the same time; the ratio between the two quantities would be as radius to the secant of 9°. Besides this, the quantity of land lying within and to the north of the region of the northeast trade-winds is much greater than the quantity within and to the south of the region of the southeast trade-winds. In consequence of this, the mean level of the earth's surface within the region of the northeast trade-winds is, it may reasonably be supposed, somewhat above the mean level of that part which is within the region of the southeast trade-winds. And as the northeast trade-winds blow under the influence of a greater extent of land surface than the southeast trades do, the former are more obstructed in their course than the latter by the forests, the mountain ranges, unequally heated surfaces, and other such like inequalities. As already stated, the investigations show that the momentum of the southeast trade-winds is sufficient to push the equatorial limits of their northern congeners back into the northern hemisphere, and to keep them, at a mean, as far north as the ninth parallel of north latitude. Besides this fact, they also indicate that while the northeast trade-winds, so called, make an angle in their general course of about 23° with the equator (east-northeast), those of the southeast make an angle of 30° or more with the equator (south- east by east.) I speak of those in the Atlantic, thus indicating that the latter approach the equator more directly in their course than do the others, and that, consequently, the effect of the diurnal rotation of the earth being the same for like parallels, north and south, the calorific influence of the sun exerts more power in giving motion to the southern than to the northern system of Atlantic trade-winds. THE WINDS. 39 49. That such is actually the case is rendered still more probable from this consideration : All the great deserts are in the northern hemisphere, and the land surface is also much greater on our side of the equator. The action of the sun upon these unequally absorbing and radiating surfaces in and behind, or to the northward of the northeast trades, tends to retard these winds, and to draw large volumes of the atmosphere, that otherwise would be moved by them, back to supply the partial vacuum made by the heat of the sun, as it pours down its rays upon the vast plains of burning sands and unequally heated land surfaces in our overheated hemisphere. The northwest winds of the southern are also and consequently stronger than the southwest winds of the northern hemisphere. The investigations that have taken place show that the influence of the land upon the normal direc- tions of the wind at sea is an immense influence. It is frequently traced for a thousand miles or more out upon the ocean. For instance, the action of the sun's rays upon the great deserts and arid plains of Africa, in the summer and autumnal months, is such as to be felt nearly across the Atlantic Ocean between the equator and the parallel of 13° north. Between this parallel and the equator, the trade-winds are turned back by the heated plains of Africa, and are caused to blow a regular southwardly monsoon for several months. They bring the rains which divide the season in these parts of the African coast. The region of the ocean embraced by the monsoons is cuneiform in its shape, having its base resting upon Africa, and its apex stretching over till within 10° or 15° of the mouth of the Amazon. Indeed, when we come to study the effects of South America and Africa (as developed by the Wind and Current Charts) upon the winds at sea, we should be led to the conclusion — had the foot of civilized man never trod the interior of these two continents — that the climate of one is humid ; that its valleys are, for the most part, covered with vegetation, which protects its surface from the sun's rays ; while the plains of the other are arid and naked, and, for the most part, act like furnaces in drawing the winds from the sea to supply air for the ascending columns which rise from its overheated plains. Pushing these facts and arguments still further, these beautiful and interesting researches seem already sufficient almost to justify the assertion that, were it not for the Great Desert of Sahara, and other arid plains of Africa, the western shores of that continent, within the trade-wind region, would be almost, if not altogether, as rainless and sterile as the desert itself. These investigations, with their beautiful developments, eagerly captivate the mind; giving wings to the imagination, they teach us to regard the sandy deserts, and arid plains, and the inland basins of the earth, as compensations in the great system of atmospherical circulation. Like counterpoises to the telescope, which the astronomer regards as incumbrances to his instrument, these wastes serve as make- weights, to give certainty and smoothness of motion — facility and accuracy to the workings of the machine. 50. "When we travel out upon the ocean, and get beyond the influence of the land upon the winds, we find ourselves in a field particularly favorable for studying the general laws of atmospherical circulation. Here, beyond the reach of the great equatorial and polar currents of the sea, there are no unduly heated surfaces, no mountain ranges, or other obstructions to the circulation of the atmosphere — nothing to disturb it in its natural courses. The sea, therefore, is the field for observing the operations of the general laws 40 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. whicli govern the movements of the great aerial ocean. Observations on the land will enable us to discover the exceptions. But from the sea we shall get the rule. Each valley, every mountain range and local district, may be said to have its own peculiar system of calms, winds, rains, and droughts. But not so the surface of the broad ocean ; over it the agents which are at work are of a uniform character. 61. Kain-winds are the winds which convey the vapor from the sea, where it is taken up, to other parts of the earth, where it is let down either as snow, hail, or rain. As a general rule, the trade-winds may be regarded as the evaporating winds ; and when, in the course of their circuit, they become monsoons, or the variables of either hemisphere, they then generally become also the rain-winds — especially the monsoons for certain localities. Thus, the southwest monsoons of the Indian Ocean are the rain-winds for the west coast of the Peninsula (§ 33). In like manner, the African monsoons of the Atlantic are the winds which feed the springs of the Niger and the Senegal with rains. 52. Upon every water-shed which is drained into the sea, the precipitation may be considered as greater than the evaporation, for the whole extent of the shed so drained, by the amount of water which runs off through the river into the sea. In this view, all rivers may be regarded as immense rain-gauges, and the volume of water annually discharged by any one, as an expression of the quantity which is annually evaporated from the sea, carried back by the winds, and precipitated throughout the whole extent of the valley that is drained by it. Now, if we knew the rain-winds from the dry, for each locality and season generally throughout such a basin, we should be enabled to determine, with some degree of probability at least, as to the part of the ocean from which such rains were evaporated. And thus, notwithstanding all the eddies caused by mountain chains, and other uneven surfaces, we might detect the general course of the atmospherical circulation over the land as well as the sea, and make the general courses of circulation in each valley as obvious to the mind of the philosopher as is the current of the Mississippi, or of any other great river, to his senses. 53. These investigations as to the rain-winds at sea, indicate that the vapors which supply the sources of the Amazon with rain are taken up from the Atlantic Ocean by the northeast and southeast trade- winds ; and many circumstances, some of which have already been detailed, tend to show that the winds which feed the Mississippi with rains get their vapor in the southeast trade-wind region of the other hemisphere. For instance, we know from observation that the trade-wind regions of the ocean, beyond the immediate vicinity of the land, are, for the most part, rainless regions, and that the trade-wind ^ones may be described, in a hyetographic sense, as the evaporating regions. They also show, or rather indicate as a general rule, that, leaving the polar limits of the two trade-wind systems, and approaching the nearest pole, the precipitation is greater than the evaporation until the point of maximum cold is reached. And we know, also, that, as a general rule, the southeast and northeast trade- winds which come from a lower and go to a higher temperature arc the evaporating winds, i. e. they evaporate more than they precipitate ; while those winds which come from a higher and go to a lower temperature are the rain- winds, i. e. they precipitate more than they evaporate. That such is the case, not only do researches indicate, but reason teaches, and philosophy tells. THE WINDS. 41 These views, therefore, suggest the inquiry as to the sufficiency of the Atlantic, after supplying the sources of the Amazon and its tributaries with their waters, to supply also the sources of the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, and of all the rivers, great and small, of North America and Europe. A careful study of the rain-winds, in connection with the "Wind and Current Charts, will probably indicate to us the "springs in the ocean" which supply the vapors for the rains that are carried off" by those great rivers. "All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again." 54. Monsoons (§ 47) are, for the most part, formed of trade-winds. When a trade-wind is turned back or diverted by overheated districts from its regular course at stated seasons of the year, it is regarded as a monsoon. Thus the African monsoons of the Atlantic (Plate XVIII.), the monsoons of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Central American monsoons of the Pacific, are, for the most part, formed of the northeast trade- winds, which are turned back to restore the equilibrium which the overheated plains of Africa, Utah, Texas, and New Mexico have disturbed. When the monsoons prevail for five months at a time, for it takes about a month for them to change and become settled, then both they and the trade-winds, of which they are formed, arc called monsoons. 55. The northeast and the southwest monsoons of the Indian Ocean afford- an example of this kind. A force is exerted upon the northeast trade-winds of that sea by the disturbance which the heat of summer creates in the atmosphere over the interior plains of Asia, which is more than sufficient to neutralize the forces which cause those winds to blow as trade-winds; it turns them back; and were it not for the peculiar conditions of the land about that ocean, what are now called the northeast monsoons would blow the year round ; there would be no southwest monsoons ; and the northeast winds, being perpetual, would become all the year, what in reality for five months (§ 54) they are, viz : northeast trade-winds. 56. The agents which produce monsoons reside (§ 55) on the land. These winds are caused by the rarefaction of the air over large districts of country situated on the polar edge, or near the polar edge of the trade- winds. Thus the monsoons of the Indian Ocean are caused by the intense heat which the rays of a cloudless sun produce during the summer time upon the Desert of Cobi and the burning plains of Central Asia. When the sun is north of the equator, the force of his rays, beating down upon these wide and thirsty plains, is such as to cause the vast superincumbent body of air to expand and ascend. There is, consequently, a rush of air, especially from toward the equator, to restore the equilibrium ; and in this case, the force which tends to draw the northeast trade-winds back becomes greater than the force which is • acting to propel them forward. Consequently, they obey the stronger power, turn back, and become the famous southwest monsoons of the Indian Ocean, which blow from May to September inclusive. Of course, the vast plains of Asia are not brought up to monsoon heather saltum or in a day. They require time both to be heated up to this point and to be cooled down again. Hence, there is a conflict for a few weeks about the change of the monsoon, when neither the trade-wind nor the monsoon force has fairly lost or gained the ascendency. This debatable period amounts to about a month at each change. So that the monsoons of the Indian Ocean prevail really for about five months each way, viz : from May 6 ^12 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. to September, from tlie southwest, in obedience to the influence of the overheated plains, and from November to March, inclusive, from the northeast, in obedience to the trade-wind force. 57. The monsoon season may be always known by referring to the cause which produces these winds. Thus, by recollecting where the thirsty and overheated plains are which cause the monsoons, we know at once that these winds are rushing with greatest force toward thei!e plains at the time that is the hottest season of the year upon them. The influence of these heated plains upon the winds at sea is felt for a thousand miles and more. Thus, thougb the Desert of Gobi and the sun-burnt plains of Asia are, for the most part, north of latitude 30°, their influence in making monsoons is felt south of the equator (Plate XVIII.). So, too, with the great Desert of Sahara and the African monsoons of the Atlantic; also, with the Salt Lake country and the Mexican monsoons on one side, and those of Central America in the Pacific on the other. The influence of the deserts of Arabia upon the winds is felt in Austria and other parts of Europe, as the observations of Kriel, Lamont, and others show. 58. It would appear, therefore, that these desert countries exercise a powerful influence in checking, and consequently in weakening, the force of the northeast trade-winds. There are no such extensive influences at work checking the southeast trades. On the contrary, these are accelerated ; for the same forces that serve to draw the northeast trade-winds back, or retard them, tend also to draw the southeast trade-winds on, or to accelerate them. Hence the ability of the southeast trade-winds to push themselves over into the northern hemisphere. Hence, also, we infer that, between certain parallels of latitude in the northern hemisphei-e, the sun's rays, by reason of the great extent of land surface, operate with much more intensity than they do between corresponding parallels in the southern ; and that, consequently, the mean summer temperature on shore, north of the equator, is higher than it is south — a beautiful physical fact which the winds have revealed, in corroboration of what observations with the thermometer had already induced meteorologists to suspect. 59. It appears, from what has been said (§ 54), that it is the rays of the sun operating upon the land, not upon the water, which causes the monsoons. Now let us turn to Plate XVIII. and examine into this view. The monsoon regions are marked with half-bearded and half- feathered arrows ; and we perceive, looking at the northern hemisphere, that all of Europe, some of Africa, most of Asia, and nearly the whole of North America, are to the north, or on the polar side of the northeast trade-wind zone; whereas but a small part of Australia, less of South America, and still less of South Africa, are situated on the polar side of the zone of southeast trade-winds. In other words, there are no great plains on the polar side of the southeast trade-winds upon which the rays of the sun, in the summer of the other hemisphere, can play with force enough to rarefy the air sufficiently to materially interrupt these winds in their course. But, besides the vast area of such plains in the northern hemisphere, on the polar side of its trade- wind belt, the heat of which is sufficient (§ 57) to draw these trade-winds back, there are numerous other districts in the extra-tropical regions of our hemisphere, the summer heat of which, though it be not sufficient to turn the northeast trade-winds back, and make a monsoon of them, yet may be sufficient to THE WINDS. 43 weaken them in their force, and, by retarding them (§ 58), draw the southeast trade-winds over into the northern hemisphere. 60. Now, as this interference from the land takes place in the summer only, we might infer, without appealing to actual observation, that the position of these trade-wind zones is variable; that is, that the equatorial edge of the southeast trade-wind zones is further to the north in our summer, when the northeast trades are most feeble, than it is in winter, when they are strongest. We have here, then, at work upon these trade-wind zones, a force now weak, now strong, which, of course, would cause these zones to vibrate up and down the ocean, and within certain limits, according to the season of the year. These limits are given on Plate XVIII. for spring and autumn. During the latter season, these zones reach their extreme northern declination, and in our spring their utmost limits toward the south. 61. The Calm Belts. — There is between the two systems of trade-winds a region of calms, known as the equatorial calms. It has a mean average breadth of about six degrees of latitude. In this region, the air which is brought to the equator by the northeast and southeast trades ascends. This belt of calms always separates these two trade-wind zones, and travels up and down with them. If we liken this belt of equatorial calms to an immense atmospherical trough, extending, as it does, entirely around the earth, and if we liken the northeast and southeast trade-winds to two streams discharging themselves into it, we shall see that we have two currents perpetually running in at the bottom, and that, therefore, we must have as much air as the two currents bring in at the bottom to flow out at the top. What flows out at the top is carried back north and south by these upper currents, which are thus proved to exist and to flow counter to the trade-winds. Using still further this mode of illustration : if we liken the calm belt of Cancer and the calm belt of Capricorn each to a great atmospherical trough extending around the earth also, we shall see that in this case the currents are running in at the top and out at the bottom (§ 7). The belt of equatorial calms is a belt of constant precipitation. Captain Wilkes, of the Exploring Expedition, when he crossed it in 1838, found it to extend from 4° north to 12° north. He was ten days in crossing it, and during those ten days rain fell to the depth of 6.15 inches, or at the rate of eighteen feet and upward during the year. In the summer months, this belt of calms is found between the parallels of 8° and 14° of north latitude ; and, in the spring, between 5° south and 4° north. This calm belt carries with it the rainy seasons of the torrid zone, always, in its motions from south to north and back, arriving at certain parallels at stated periods of the year ; consequently, by attentively considering Plate XYIII., one can tell what places within the range of this zone have, during the year, two rainy seasons, what one, and what are the rainy months for each locality. Were the northeast and the southeast trades, with the belt of equatorial calms, of different colors, and visible to an astronomer in one of the planets, he might, by the motion of these belts or girdles alone, tell the seasons with us. He would see them at one season going north, then appearing stationary, and then commencing their return to the south. But, though he would observe (§ 28) that they follow the sun in 44 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. his annual course, he would remark that they do not change their latitude as much as the sun does his declination ; he would, therefore, discover that their extremes of declination are not so far asunder as the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, though in certain seasons the changes from day to day are very great. He would observe that these zones of winds and calms have their tropins or stationary nodes, about which they linger near three months at a time ; and that they pass from one of their tropics to the other in a little less than another three months. Thus he would observe the whole system of belts to go north from the latter part of May till some time in August. Then they would stop and remain stationary till winter, in December ; when again they would commence to move rapidly over the ocean, and down toward the south, tintil the last of February or the first of March ; then, again, they would become stationary, and remain about this, their southern tropic, till May again. 62. The Horse Latitudes. — Having completed the physical examination of the equatorial calms and winds, if the supposed observer should now turn his telescope toward the poles of our earth, he would observe a zone of calms bordering the northeast trade-winds on the north (§ 6), and another bordering the southeast trade-winds on the south (§ 11). These calm zones also would be observed to vibrate up and down with the trade-wind zones, partaking (§ 28) of their motions, and following the declination of the sun. On the polar side of each of these two calm zones there would be a broad band extending up into the polar regions, the prevailing winds within which are the opposites of the trade- winds, viz : southwest in the northern and northwest in the southern hemisphere. The equatorial edge of these calm belts is near the tropics, and their average breadth is 10° or 12°. On one side of these belts (§ 7), the winds blow perpetually toward the equator; on the other, their prevailing direction is towards the poles. They are called (§ 7) the " horse latitudes" by seamen. Along the polar borders of these two calm belts (§ 28) we have another region of precipitation, though generally the rains here are not so constant as they are in the equatorial calms. The precipitation near the tropical calms is nevertheless sufficient to mark the seasons ; for whenever these calm zones, as they go from north to south with the sun, leave a given parallel, the rainy season of that parallel, if it be in winter, is said to commence. Hence, we may explain the rainy season in Chili at the south, and in California at the north. 63. The Westerly "Winds.— To complete the physical examination of the earth's atmosphere, which we have supposed an astronomer in one of the planets to have undertaken, according to the facts developed by the "Wind and Current Charts, it remains for him to turn his telescope upon the southwest passage winds of the northern hemisphere, pursue them into the arctic regions, and see theoretically how they get there, and, being there, what becomes of them. From the parallel of 40° up toward the north pole, the prevailing winds, as already remarked, are the southwest passage winds (Plate XVIII.), or, as they are more generally called by mariners, the "westerly" winds; these, in the Atlantic, prevail over the "easterly" winds in the ratio of about two to one. Now if we suppose, and such is probably the case, these " westerly" winds to convey in two days a ON- THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 45 greater volume of atmosphere toward the arctic circle than those "easterly" winds can bring back in one, we establish the necessity for an upper current by which this difference may be returned to the tropical calms of our hemisphere (§ 13). Therefore, there must be some place in the polar regions at which these southwest winds cease to go north, and from which they commence their return to the south, and this locality must be in a region peculiarly liable to calms. It is another atmospherical node in which the motion of the air is upward, with a decrease of barometric pressure. It is marked P, Plate II. If we now return to the calm belt of the northern tropic, and trace theoretically a portion of air that, in its circuit, shall fairly represent the average course of these southwest passage winds, we shall see (§ 14) that it approaches the pole in a loxodromic curve ; that as it approaches the pole, it acquires, from the spiral convolutions of this curve which represents its path, a whirling motion, in a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch ; and that the portion of atmosphere whose path we are following would gradually contract its gyrations, until it would finally ascend, turning against the hands of a watch as it whirls around. . In the southern hemisphere, a like process is going on ; only there, the northwest passage wind would, as it arrives near the antarctic calms, acquire a motion with the sun, or in the direction of the hands of a watch. CHAPTEE IV. ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS.* To appreciate the Offices of the Winds and Waves, Nature must be regarded as a Whole, | 64. — The Dead Sea, 65. — The Effect produced by the Upheaval of Mountains across the course of vapor-bearing Winds, 07. — Effect of the ,\ndes upon vapor-bearing Winds, 69. • — Geological Age of the Andes and Dead Sea compared, TO. — Rain and Evaporation in the Mediterranean, 71. — Evaporation and Precipitation in the Caspian Sea equal, 72. — The Quantity of Moisture the Atmosphere keeps in Circulation, 73. — Where Vapor for the Rains that feed the Nile comes from, 74. — Lake Titicaca, 75. 64. Properly to appreciate the various offices which the winds and the waves perform, we must regard nature as a whole, for all the departments thereof are intimately connected. If we attempt to study one of them, we often find ourselves tracing clews which lead us off insensibly into others, and, before we are aware, we discover ourselves exploring the chambers of some other department. The study of drift takes the geologist out to sea, and reminds him that a knowledge of waves, winds, and currents, of navigation and hydrography, are closely and intimately connected with his favorite pursuit. The astronomer directs his telescope to the most remote star, or to the nearest planet in the sky, and * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. 46 THE WIND AND CUBKENT CHARTS. makes an observation upon it. He cannot reduce this observation, nor make any use of it, until he has availed himself of certain principles of optics; until he has consulted the thermometer, gauged the atmosphere, and considered the effect of heat in changing its powers of refraction. In order to adjust the pendulum of his clock to the right length, he has to measure the water of the sea and weigh the earth. He, too, must therefore go into the study of the tides ; he must examine the earth's crust and consider the matter of which it is composed, from pole to pole, circumference to centre ; and in doing this, he finds himself, in his researches, right alongside of the navigator, the geologist, and the meteorologist, with a host of other good fellows, each one holding by the same thread, and following it up into the same labyrinth — all, it may be, with different objects in view, but, nevertheless, each thread will be sure to lead them where there are stores of knowledge for all, and instruction for each one in particular. And thus, in undertaking to explore the physical geography of the sea, I have found myself standing side by side with the geologist on the land, and with him, far away from the sea-shore, engaged in considering some of the phenomena which the inland basins of the earth — those immense indentations on its surface that have no sea-drainage — present for contemplation and study. 65. Among the most interesting of these is that of the Dead Sea. Lieutenant Lynch, of the United States Navy, has run a level from that sea to the Mediterranean, and finds the former to be about one thousand three hundred feet below the general sea-level of the earth. In seeking to account for this great difference of water-level, the geologist examines the neighboring region, and calls to his aid the forces of elevation and depression which are supposed to have resided in the neighborhood ; lie then points to them as the agents which did the work. Truly they are mighty agents, and they have diversified the surface of the earth with the most towering monuments of their power. But is it necessary to suppose that they resided in the vicinity of this region ? May they not have come from the sea, and been, if not in this case, at least in the case of other inland basins, as far removed as the other hemisphere ? The inquiry as to the geological agency of the winds in such cases is a question which my investigations have suggested ; and I propound it as one which, in accounting for the formation of this or that inland basin, is worthy, at least, of consideration. Is there any evidence that the annual amount of precipitation upon the water-shed of the Dead Sea, at some former period, was greater than the annual amount of evaporation from it now is ? If yea, from what part of the sea did the vapor that supplied the excess of that precipitation come, and what has cut off that supply ? The mere elevation and depression of the lake basin (§ 65) would not do it. If we establish the fact that the Dead Sea at a former period did send a river to the ocean, we carry along with it the admission that when the sea overflowed into that river, then the water that feU from the clouds over the Dead Sea basin was more than the winds could convert into vapor and carry away again ; the river carried off the excess to the ocean whence it came (§ 15). In the basin of the Dead Sea, in the basin of the Caspian, of the Sea of Aral, and in the other inland basins of Asia, we are entitled to infer that the precipitation and evaporation are at this time exactly equal. Were it not so, the level of these seas would be rising or sinking. If the precipitation were in excess. ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 47. these seas would be gradually becoming fuller ; and if the evaporation were in excess, they would be gradually drying up ; but observation does not show, nor history tell us, that either is the case. As far as we know, the level of these seas is as permanent as that of the ocean, and it is difficult to realize the existence of subterranean channels between it and the great ocean. Were there such a channel, the Dead Sea being the lower, it would be the recipient of ocean waters ; and we cannot conceive how it should be such a recipient without ultimately rising to the level of its feeder. 66. It may be that the question suggested by my researches has no bearing upon the Dead Sea ; that local elevations and subsidences alone were concerned in placing the level of its waters where it is. But is it probable that, throughout all the geological periods, during all the changes which have taken place in the distribution of land and water surface over the earth, the winds, which in the general channels of circulation pass over the Dead Sea, have alone been unchanged? Throughout all ages, periods, and formations, is it probable that the winds have just brought us as much moisture to that sea as they now bring, and have just taken up as much water from it as they now carry off? Obviously and clearly not. The salt-beds, the water-marks, the geological formations, and other facts traced by Nature's own hand upon the tablets of the rock — all indicate plainly enough that not only the Dead Sea, but the Caspian also, had upon them, in former periods, more abundant rains than they now have. Where did the vapor for those rains come from ? and what has stopped the supply ? Surely not the elevation or depression of the Dead Sea basin. My researches with regard to the winds have suggested the probability (§ 19) that the vapor which is condensed into rains for the lake valley, and which the St. Lawrence carries off to the Atlantic Ocean, is taken up by the southeast trade-winds of the Pacific Ocean. Suppose this to be the case, and that the winds which bring this vapor arrive with it in the lake country at a mean dew-point of 50°. This would make the southwest winds the rain winds for the lakes generally, as well as for the Mississippi Valley; they are also, speaking generally, the rain winds of Europe, and, I have no doubt, of extra-tropical Asia. 67. Now suppose a certain mountain range, hundreds of miles to the southwest of the lakes, but across the path of these winds, were to be suddenly elevated, and its crest pushed up into the regions of snow, having a mean temperature of 30° Fahrenheit. The winds, in passing that range, would be subjected to a mean dew-point of 30° ; and, not meeting with any more evaporating surface between such range and the lakes (§ 22), they would have no longer any moisture to deposit at the supposed lake temperature of 50° ; they could not yield their moisture to anything above 30°. Consequently, the amount of precipitation in the lake country would fall off; the winds which feed the lakes would cease to bring as much water as the lakes now give to the St. Lawrence. In such a case, that river and the Niagara would drain them to the level of their bed ; evaporation would be increased by reason of the dryness of the atmosphere and the want of rain, and the lakes would sink to that level at which, as ia the case of the Caspian Sea, the precipitation and evaporation would finally become equal. There is a self-regulating principle that would bring about this equality ; for as the water in the lakes becomes lower, the area of its surface would be diminished, and the amount of vapor taken from it would 48 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. consequently become less and less as the surface was lowered, until the amount of water evaporated would become equal to the amount rained down again, precisely in the same way that the amount of water evaporated from the sea is exactly equal to the whole amount poured back into it by the rains, the fogs, and the dews* Thus the great lakes of this continent would remain inland seas at a permanent level ; the salt brought from the soil by the washings of the rivers and rains would cease to be taken off to the ocean as it now is; and finally, too, the great American lakes, in the process of ages, would become first brackish, and then briny. Now, suppose the water basins which hold the lakes to be over a thousand fathoms (six thousand feet) deep. We know they are not more than four hundred and twenty feet deep ; but suppose them to be six thousand feet deep. The process of evaporation, after the St. Lawrence had gone dry, might go on until one or two thousand feet or more were lost from the surface, and we should then have another instance of the level of an inland water-basin being far below the sea-level, as in the case of the Dead Sea ; or it would become a rainless district, when the lakes themselves would go dry. Or, let us take another case for illustration. Corallines are at work about the Gulf Stream ; they have built up the Florida Eeefs on one side, and the Bahama Banks on the other. Sup})ose they should build up a dam across the Florida Pass, and obstruct the Gulf Stream ; and that, in like manner, they were to connect Cuba with Yucatan, by damming up the Yucatan Pass, so that the waters of the Atlantic should cease to flow into the Gulf. What should we have? The depth of the marine basin which holds the waters of the Gulf is, in the deepest part, about a mile. The officers of the United States ship Albany have run a line of deep-sea soundings from west to east across the Gulf; the greatest depth they reported was about eight thousand feet. Subsequent experi- ments, however, induce the belief that the depth is not quite so great. We should therefore have, by stopping up the channels between the Gulf and the Atlantic, not a sea- level in the Gulf, but we should have a mean level between evaporation and precipitation. If the former were in excess, the level of the Gulf waters would sink down until the surface exposed to the air would be just sufficient to return to the atmosphere, as vapor, the amount of water discharged by the rivers — the Mississippi and others — into the Gulf. As the waters were lowered, the extent of evaporating surface would grow less and less, until Nature should establish the proper ratio between the ability of the air to take up and the capacity of the rain to let down. Thus we might have a sea whose level would be much further below the water level of the ocean than is the Dead Sea. 68. There is still another process, besides the two already alluded to, by which the drainage of these inland basins may, through the agency of the sea winds, have been cut off from the great salt seas, and that is by the elevation of continents from the bottom of the sea in distant regions of the earth, and the substitution caused thereby of dry land instead of water for the winds to blow upon. Now, suppose that a continent should rise up in that part of the ocean, wherever it may be, that * The quantity of dew in England is about five inches during a year. — Glaisher. ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 49 supplies the clouds with the vapor that makes the raia for the hydrographic basin of the great American lakes. What would be the result? Why, surely, fewer clouds and less rain, which would involve a change of climate in the lake country; an increase of evaporation from it, because a decrease of precipita- tion upon it ; and, consequently, a diminution of cloudy screens to protect the waters of the lakes from being sucked up by the rays of the sun ; and consequently, too, there would follow a low stage for water- courses, and a lowering of the lake level would ensue. So far, I have instanced these cases only hypothetically ; but, both in regard to the bydrographical basins of the Mexican Gulf and American lakes, T have confined myself strictly to analogies. Mountain ranges have been upheaved across the course of the winds, and continents have been raised from the bottom of the sea ; and, no doubt, the influence of such upheavals has been felt in remote regions by means of the winds, and the effects which a greater or less amount of moisture brought by them would produce. In the case of the Salt Lake of Utah, we have an example of drainage that has been cut off, and an illustration of the process by which Nature equalizes the evaporation and precipitation. To do this, in this instance, she is salting up the basin which received the drainage of this inland water-shed. Here we have the appearance, I am told, of an old channel by which the water used to flow from this basin to the sea. Supposing there was such a time and such a watercourse, the water returned through it to the ocean was the amount by which the precipitation used to exceed the evaporation over the whole extent of country drained through this now dry bed of a river. The winds have had something to do with this ; they are the agents which used to bring more moisture from the sea to this water-shed than they took away ; and they are the agents which now carry off from that valley more moisture than is brought to it, and which, therefore, are making a salt-bed of places that used to be covered by water. In like manner, there is evidence that the great American lakes formerly had a drainage with the Gulf of Mexico. Steamers have been actually known, in former years, and in times of freshets, to pass from the Mississippi over into the lakes. At low water, the bed of a dry river can be traced between them. Now, the Salt Lake of Utah is to the southward and westward of our northern lake basin ; that is, the quarter whence the rain winds have been supposed to come. May not the same cause which lessened the precipitation or increased the evapo- ration in the Salt Lake w^ater-shed, have done the same for the water-shed of the great American system of lakes? If the mountains to the west — the Sierra Nevada, for instance — stand higher now than they formerly did, and if the winds which fed the Salt Lake valley with precipitation had, as I suppose they have, to pass the summits of the mountains, it is easy to perceive why the winds should not convey as much vapor across them now as they did when the summit of the ranges was lower and not so cool. 69. The Andes, in the trade-wind region of South America, stand up so high, that the wind, in order to cross them, has to part with all its moisture (§ 29), and consequently there is, on the other side, a rain- less region. Now, suppose a range of such mountains as these to be elevated across the track of the winds which supply the lake country with rains ; it is easy to perceive how the whole country watered by the vapor w^hich such winds bring, would be converted into a rainless region. 7 50 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. I have used these cases to illustrate a position which any philosopher, who considers the geological agency of the winds, may with propriety consult, when he is told of an inland basin, the water-level of which, it is evident, was once higher than it now is; and that position is that, though the evidences of a higher water-level be unmistakable and conclusive, it does not follow, therefore, that there has been a subsidence of the lake basin itself, or an upheaval of the water-shed drained by it. The cause which has produced this change in the water-level, instead of being local and near, may be remote ; it may have its seat in the obstructions which have been interposed in some other quarter of the world, which obstructions may prevent the winds from taking up or from bearing off their wonted supplies of moisture for the region whose water-level has been lowered. Having therefore, I hope, made clear the meaning of the question proposed, by showing the manner in which winds may become important geological agents, and having explained how the upheaving of a mountain range in one part of the world may, through the winds, bear upon the physical geography of the sea, affect climates, and produce geological phenomena in another, I return to the Dead Sea and the great inland basins of Asia, and ask. How far is it possible for the elevation of the South American continent, and the upheaval of its mountains, to have had any effect upon the water-level of those seas ? There are indications (§ 66) that they all once had a higher water-level than they now have, and that formerly the amount of precipitation was greater than it now is ; then what has become of the sources of vapor ? What has diminished its supply ? Its supply would be diminished (§ 68) by the substitution of dry land in those parts of the ocean which used to supply that vapor ; or the quantity of vapor deposited in the hydrographical basins of those seas would have been lessened if a snow-capped range of mountains (§ 67) had been elevated across the path of these winds, and between these basins and the places where they were supplied with vapor. Now, if it be true (§ 21) that the trade- winds from the southern hemisphere take up the water which is to be rained in the extra-tropical north, the path (§ 1 1) ascribed to the southeast trades of Africa and America, after they descend and become the prevailing soutliwest winds of the northern hemisphere, should pass over a region of less precipitation generally than they would do if, while performing the office of southeast trades, they had blown over water instead of land. The southeast trade-winds, with their load of vapor, whether great or small, take, after ascending in the equatorial calms, a northeasterly direction; they continue to flow in the upper regions of the air in that direction until they cross the tropic of Cancer. The places of least rain, then, between this tropic and the pole, should be precisely those places which depend for their rains upon the vapor which the winds that blow over southeast trade-wind Africa and America convey. Now, if we could trace the path of these winds through the extra-tropical regions of the northern hemisphere, we should be able to identify it by the foot-prints of tlie clouds ; for the path of the winds which depend for their moisture upon such sources of supply as the dry land of Central South America and Africa cannot run through a country that is abundantly watered. It is a remarkable coincidence, at least, that the countries in the extra-tropical regions of the north ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OP THE WINDS. 61 that are situated to the northeast of the southeast trade-winds of South Africa and America — that the countries in our hemisphere, over which tlieory makes these winds to blow, include all the great deserts of Asia, and the districts of least precipitation in Europe. A line from the Gallipagos Islands, through Florence, in Italy, another from the mouth of the Amazon through Aleppo, in Holy Land (Plate IV.), would, after passing the tropic of Cancer, mark upon the surface of the earth the route of these winds ; this is that "lee country" which, if such be the system of atmospherical circulation, ought to be scantily supplied with rains. Now the hyetographic map of Europe, in Johnston's beautiful Physical Atlas, places the region of least precipitation between these two lines (Plate IV.). It would seem that Nature, as if to reclaim this " lee" land from the desert, had stationed by the way-side of these winds a succession of inland seas, to serve them as relays for supplying with moisture this thirsty air. There are the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Sea of Aral, all of which are situated exactly in this direction, as though these sheets of water were designed, in the grand system of aqueous arrangements, to supply with fresh vapor, winds that had already left rain enough behind them to make an Amazon and an Oronoco of. 70. Now that there has been such an elevation of land out of the water, we infer from the fact that the Andes were once covered by the sea, for their tops are now crowned with the remains of marine animals. When they and their continent were submerged — admitting that Europe in general outline was then as it now is — it cannot be supposed, if the circulation of vapor were then such as it is supposed now to be, that the climates of that part of the Old World which is under the lee of those mountains were then as scantily supplied with moisture as they now are. When the sea covered South America, the winds had nearly all the waters which now make the Amazon, to bring away with them and to distribute among the countries situated along the route (Plate IV.) ascribed to them. If ever the Caspian Sea exposed a larger surface for evaporation than it now does — and no doubt it did ; if the precipitation in that valley ever exceeded the evaporation from it, as it does in all valleys drained into the open sea, then there must have been a change of hygrometrical condition there. And admitting the vapor-springs for that valley to be situated in the direction supposed, the rising up of a continent from the bottom of the sea, or the upheaval of a range of mountains in certain parts of America, Africa, or Spain, across the route of the winds which brought the rain for the Caspian water-shed, might have been suf&cient to rob them of the moisture which they were wont to carry away and precipitate upon this great inland basin. See how the Andes have made Atacama a desert, and of Western Peru a rainless country ; these regions have been made rainless simply by the rising up of a mountain range between them and the vapor-springs in the ocean which feed with moisture the winds that blow over these now rainless regious. That part of Asia, then, which is under the lee of southern trade-wind Africa, lies to the north of the tropic of Cancer, and between two lines, the one passing through Cape Palmas and Medina, the other through Aden and Delhi. Being extended to the equator, they will include that part of it which is crossed 63 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. by the continental southeast trade- winds of Africa, after they have traversed the greatest extent of land surface (Plate lY.). The range which lies between the two lines that represent the course of the American winds with their vapors, and the two lines which represent the course of the African winds with their vapors, is the range which is under the lee of winds that have, for the most part, traversed water-surface, or the ocean, in their circuit as southeast trade-winds. But a bare inspection of Plate lY. will show that the southeast trade-winds which cross the equator between longitude 15° and 50° west, and which are supposed to blow over into this hemisphere between these two ranges, have traversed land as well as water ; and the Trade- wind Chart shows that it is precisely those winds which, in the summer and fall, are converted into southwest monsoons for supplying the whole extent of Guinea with rains to make rivers of.' Those winds, therefore, it would seem, leave much of their moisture behind them, and pass along to their channels, in the grand system of circulation, for the most part as dry winds. Moreover, it is not to be supposed that the channels through which the winds blow that cross the equator at the several places named, are as sharply defined in nature as the lines suggested, or as Plate lY. would represent them to be. The whole region of the extra-tropical Old "World, that is included within the ranges marked, is the region which has most land to windward of it in the southern hemisphere. Now, it is a curious coin- cidence, at least, that all the great extra-tropical deserts of the earth, with those regions in Europe and Asia which have the least amount of precipitation upon them, should lie within this range. That they are situated under the lee of the southern continents, and have but little rain, may be a coincidence, I admit; but that these deserts of the Old "World are placed where they are is no coincidence — no accident, they are placed where they are, and as they are, by design; and in being so placed, it was intended that they should subserve some grand purpose in the terrestrial economy. Let us see, therefore, if we can discover any marks of that design — any of the purposes of such an arrangement — and trace any connec- tion between that arrangement and the supposition which I maintain as to the place where the winds that blow over those regions derive their vapors. It will be remarked at once that all the inland seas of Asia, and all those of Europe, except the semi- fresh-water gulfs of the north, are within this range. The Persian Gulf and the Eed Sea, the Mediter- ranean, the Black, and the Caspian, all fall within it. And why are they planted within it? "Why are they arranged to the northeast and southwest under this lee, and in the very direction in which theory makes this breadth of thirsty winds to prevail ? Clearly and obviously, one of the purposes in the Divine economy was, that they might replenish with vapor the winds which are almost vaporless when they arrive at these regions in the general system of circulation. And why should these winds be almost vaporless? They are almost vaporless because their route, in the general system of circulation, is such, that they are not brought into contact with the water-surface from which the needful supplies of vapor are to be had; or, being obtained, the supplies have since been taken away by the cool tops of mountain ranges over which these winds have had to pass. In the Mediterranean, the evaporation is greater than the precipitation. Upon the Eed Sea there ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 5ft never falls a drop of rain ; it is all evaporation. Are we not, therefore, entitled to regard the Red Sea as a make-weight, thrown in to regulate the proportion of cloud and sunshine, and to dispense rain to certain parts of the earth in due season and in proper quantities ? Have we not, in these two facts, evidence conclusive that the winds which blow over these two seas come, for the most part, from a dry country — from regions which contain few or no pools to furnish supplies of vapor? Indeed, so scantily supplied with vapor are the winds which pass in the general channels of circula- tion over the water-shed and sea-basin of the Mediterranean, that they take up there more water as vapor than they deposit. But, throwing out of the question what is taken up from the surface of the Mediter- ranean itself, these winds deposit more water on the water-shed whose drainage leads into that sea than they take up from it again. The excess is to be found in the rivers which discharge into the Mediter- ranean; but so thirsty are the winds which blow across the bosom of that sea, that they not only take up again all that those rivers pour into it, but they are supposed, by philosophers, to create a demand for an immense current from the Atlantic to supply the waste. 71. It is estimated that three* times as much water as the Mediterranean receives from its rivers is evaporated from its surface. This may be an over-estimate, but the fact that evaporation from it is in excess of the precipitation, is made obvious by the current which the Atlantic sends into it through the Straits of Gibraltar; and the difference, we may rest assured, whether it be much or little, is carried off to modify climate elsewhere — to refresh with showers and make fruitful some other part of the earth. The great inland basin of Asia, in which are the Aral and Caspian Seas, is situated on the route which this hypothesis requires these thirsty winds from southeast trade-wind Africa and America to take; and so scant of vapor are these winds when they arrive in this basin, that they have no moisture to leave behind; just as much as they pour down they take up again and carry off. "We know that the volume of water returned by the rivers, the rains, and the dews, into the whole ocean, is exactly equal to the volume which the whole ocean gives back to the atmosphere; as far as our knowledge extends, the level of each of these two seas is as permanent as that of the great ocean itself Therefore, the volume of water discharged by rivers, the rains, and the dews, into these two seas, is exactly equal to the volume which these two seas give back as vapor to the atmosphere. These winds, therefore, do not begin permanently to lay down their load of moisture, be it great or small, until they cross the Oural Mountains. On the steppes of Issam, after they have supplied the Ama- zon and the other great equatorial rivers of the south, we find them first beginning to lay down more moisture than they take up again. In the Obi, the Yenesi, and the Lena, is to be found the volume which contains the expression for the load of water which these winds have brought from the southern hemi- sphere, from the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea; for in these almost hyperborean river-basins do we find the first instance in which, throughout the entire range assigned these winds, they have, after supplying the Amazon, &c., left more water behind them than they have taken up again and carried off. The low * Fiife article "Physical Geography," Encyclopsedia Britannica. 54: THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. temperatures of Siberian Asia are quite sufficient to extract from these winds the remnants of vapor which the cool mountain tops and mighty rivers of the southern hemisphere have left in them. Here I may be permitted to pause, that I may call attention to another remarkable coincidence, and admire the marks of design, the beautiful and exquisite adjustments that we see here provided, to insure the perfect workings of the great aqueous and atmospherical machine. This coincidence — may I not call it cause and effect? — is between the hygrometrical conditions of all the countries within, and the hygro- metrical conditions of all the countries without the range included within the lines which I have drawn (Plate IV.) to represent the route in the northern hemisphere, of the southeast trade-winds after they have blown their course over the land in South Africa and America. Both to the right and left of this range are countries included between the same parallels in which it is, yet these countries all receive more water from the atmosphere than they give back to it again; they all have rivers running into the sea. On the one hand, there are in Europe the Ehine, the Elbe, and all the great rivers that empty into the Atlantic; on the other hand, there are in Asia the Ganges, and all the great rivers of China; and in North America, in the latitude of the Caspian Sea, is our great system of fresh- water lakes ; all of these receive from the atmo- sphere immense volumes of water, and pour it back into the sea in streams the most magnificent. It is remarkable that none of these copiously supplied water-sheds have, to the southwest of them in the trade-wind regions of the southern hemisphere, any considerable body of land ; they are, all of them, under the lee of evaporating surfaces, of ocean waters in the trade-wind regions of the south. Only those countries in the extra-tropical north, which I have described as lying under the lee of trade-wind South America and Africa, are scantily supplied with rains." 72. The surface of the Caspian Sea is about equal to that of our lakes ; in it, evaporation is just equal to the precipitation. Our lakes are between the same parallels, and about the same distance from the western coast of America that the Caspian Sea is from the western coast of Europe ; and yet the waters discharged by the St. Lawrence give us an idea of how greatly the precipitation upon it is in excess of the evaporation. To windward of the lakes, and in the trade-wind regions of the southern hemisphere, is no land; but to windward of the Caspian Sea, and in the trade-wind region of the southern hemisphere, there is land. Therefore, supposing the course of the vapor-distributing winds to be such as I maintain it to be, ought they not to carry more water from the ocean to the American lakes than it is possible for them to carry from the land — from the interior of South Africa and America — to the valley of the Caspian Sea ? In like manner, extra-tropical New Holland and South Africa have each land — not water — to the windward of them in the trade-wind regions of the northern hemisphere, where, according to this hypothesis, the vapor for their rains ought to be taken up; they are both countries of little rain ; but extra- tropical South America has, in the trade-wind region to windward of it in the northern hemisphere, a great extent of ocean, and the amount of precipitation in extra-tropical South America is wonderful. The coincidence, therefore, is remarkable, that the countries in the extra-tropical regions of this hemisphere, which lie to the northeast of large districts of land in the trade-wind regions of the other hemisphere, should be scantily supplied with rains ; and, likewise, that those so situated in the extra-tropical south, with regard to land in the trade-wind region of the north, should be scantily supplied with rains. ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 55 Having thus remarked upon the coincidence, let us turn to the evidences of design, and contemplate the beautiful harmony displayed in the arrangement of the land and water, as we find them along this conjectural " wind-road." (Plate IV.) Those who admit design among terrestrial adaptations, or have studied the economy of cosmical arrangements, will not be loth to grant that by design the atmosphere keeps in circulation a certain amount of moisture ; that the water of which this moisture is made is supplied by the aqueous surface of the earth, and that it is to be returned to the seas again through rivers and the process of precipitation; that a permanent increase or decrease of the quantity of water thus put and kept in circulation by the winds would be followed by a corresponding change of hygrometrical conditions, which would draw after it permanent changes of climate ; and that permanent changes of climate would involve the ultimate well- being of myriads of organisms, both in the vegetable and animal kingdoms. 73. The quantity of moisture that the atmosphere keeps in circulation is, no doubt, just that quantity which is best suited to the well-being, and most adapted to the proper development of the vegetable and animal kingdoms ; and that quantity is dependent upon the arrangement and the proportions that we see in nature between the land and the" water — between mountain and desert, river and sea. If the seas and evaporating surfaces were changed, and removed from the places they occupy to other places, the principal places of precipitation probably would also be changed ; whole families of plants would wither and die for want of cloud and sunshine, dry and wet, in proper proportions and in due season ; and, with the blight of plants, whole tribes of animals would also perish. Under such a chance arrangement, man would no longer be able to rely upon the early and the latter rain, or to count with certainty upon the rains being sent in due season for seed-time and harvest. And that the rain will be sent in due season, we are assured from on high ; and when we recollect who it is that " sendeth" it, we feel the conviction strong within us that He that sendeth the rain has the winds for his messengers; and that they may do his bidding, the land and the sea were arranged, both as to position and relative proportions, where they are, and as they are. It should be borne in mind that the southeast trade-winds, after they' rise up at the equator (Plate XVIII.), have to overleap the northeast trade-winds. Consequently, they do not touch the earth until near the tropic of Cancer (see the bearded arrows, Plate IV.), more frequently to the north than to the south of it ; but for a part of every year, the place where these vaulting southeast trades first strike the earth, after leaving the other hemisphere, is very near this tropic. On the equatorial side of it, be it remembered, the northeast trade-winds blow ; on the polar side, what were the southeast trades, and what are now the prevailing southwesterly winds of our hemisphere, prevail. Now examine Plate IV., and it will be seen that the upper half of the Ked Sea is north of the tropic of Cancer ; the lower half is to the south of it ; that -the latter is within the northeast trade- wind region; the former, in the region where the southwest passage winds are the prevailing winds. 74. The river Tigris is probably evaporated from the upper half of this sea by these winds ; while the northeast trade-winds take up from the lower half those vapors which feed the Nile with rain, and which the clouds deliver to the cold demands of the Mountains of the Moon. Thus there are two " wind- &8 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. roads" crossing this sea ; to the windward of it, each road runs through a rainless region ; to the leeward, there is, in each case, a river to cross. The Persian Gulf lies, for the most part, in the track of the southwest winds ; to the windward of the Persian Gulf is a desert ; to the leeward, the river Indus. This is the route by which theory would require the vapor from the Eed Sea and Persian Gulf to be conveyed; and this is the direction in which we find indications that it is conveyed. For to leeward do we find, in each case, a river, telling to us, by signs not to be mistaken, that it receives more water from the clouds than it gives back to the winds. Is it not a curious circumstance, that the winds which travel the road suggested from the southern hemisphere should, when they touched the earth on the polar side of the tropic of Cancer, be so thirsty, more thirsty, much more, than those which travel on either side of their path, and which are supposed to have come from southern seas, not from southern lands ? The Mediterranean has to give those winds three times as much vapor as it receives from them (§71); the Eed Sea gives them as much as they can take, and receives nothing back iu return but a little dew ; the Persian Gulf also gives more than it receives. What becomes of the rest? Doubtless it is given to the winds, that they may bear it off to distant regions, and make lands fruitful, that, but for these sources of supply, would be almost rainless, if not entirely arid, waste, and barren. These seas and arms of the ocean now present themselves to the mind as counterpoises in the great hygrometrical machinery of our planet. As sheets of water placed where they are to balance the land in the trade-wind region of South America and South Africa, they now present themselves. "When the foundations of the earth were laid, we know who it was that " measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out the heavens with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." And hence we know also that they are arranged both according to proportion and to place. Here, then, we see harmony in the winds, design in the mountains, order in the sea, arrangement in the dust, and form for the desert. Here are signs of beauty and works of grandeur ; and we may now fancy that, in this exquisite system of adaptations and compensations, we can almost behold, in the Eed and Mediterranean Seas, the very waters that were held in the hollow of the Almighty hand when he weighed the Andes of America, and balanced the hills of Africa in his comprehensive scales. In that great inland basin of Asia which holds the Caspian Sea, and embraces an area of one million and a half of geographical square miles, we see the water-surface so exquisitely adjusted that it is just sufficient, and no more, to return to the atmosphere as vapor exactly as much moisture as the atmosphere lends, in rain, to the rivers of that basin. Thus we are entitled to regard the Mediterranean, the Eed Sea, and Persian Gulf as relays, distributed along the route of these thirsty winds from the continents of the other hemisphere, to supply them with vapors, or to restore to them that which they have left behind to feed the sources of the Amazon, the Niger, and the Congo. The hypothesis that the winds from South Africa and America do take the course through Europe ON THE GEOLOGICAL AGENCY OF THE WINDS. 67 and Asia which I have marked out for them (Plate IV .)i ^^ supported by so many coincidences, to say the least, that we are entitled to regard it as probably correct, until a train of coincidences as striking can be adduced to show that such is not the case. Eeturning once more to a consideration of the geological agency of the winds in accounting for the depression of the Dead Sea, we now see the fact most strikingly brought out before us, that if the Straits of Gibraltar were to be barred up, so that no water could pass through them, we should have a great depression of water-level in the Mediterranean. Three times as much water is evaporated from that sea as is returned to it through the rivers. A portion of water evaporated from it is probably rained down and returned to it through the rivers ; but — supposing it to be barred up — as the demand upon it for vapor would exceed the supply by rains and rivers, it would commence to dry up. As it sinks down, the area exposed for evaporation would decrease, and the supplies to the rivers would diminish, until finally there would be established between the evaporation and precipitation an equilibrium, as in the Dead and Caspian Seas ; but, for aught we know, the water-level of the Mediterranean might, before this equilibrium were attained, have reached a stage far below that of the Dead Sea level. The Lake Tadjura is now in the act of attaining such an equilibrium. There are connected with it the remains of a channel by which the water ran into the sea; but the surface of the lake is now five hundred feet below the sea-level, and it is salting up. If not in the Dead Sea, do we not, in the valley of this lake, find outcropping some reason for the question. What have the winds had to do with the phenomena before us ? The winds, in this sense, are geological agents of great power. It is not impossible but that they may afford us the means of comparing, directly, geological events which had taken place in one hemisphere, with geological events in another : e. g. the tops of the Andes were once at the bottom of the sea. Which is the oldest formation, that of the Dead Sea or the Andes ? If the former be the older, then the climate of the Dead Sea must have been hygrometrically very different from what it now is. In regarding the winds as geological agents, we can no longer consider them as the type of instability. We rather behold them now in the light of ancient and faithful chroniclers, which, upon being rightly consulted, will reveal to us truths which Nature has written upon their wings in characters as legible and enduring as she has ever engraved the history of geological events upon the tablet of the rock. 75. The waters of Lake Titicaca, which receives the drainage of the great inland basin of the Andes, are only brackish, not salt. Hence we may infer that this lake has not been standing long enough to become brine, like the waters of the Dead Sea ; consequently, it belongs to a more recent period. On the other hand, it will also be interesting to hear that my friend. Captain Lynch, informs me that, in his exploration of the Dead Sea, he saw what he took to be the dry bed of a river that once flowed from it. And thus we have two more links, stout and strong, to add to the circumstantial evidence going to sustain the testimony of this strange and fickle witness, which I have called up from the sea to testify in this presence concerning the works of Nature, and to tell us which be the older, the hoary-headed Andes, watching the stars, or the Dead Sea, sleeping upon its ancient beds of crystal salt. 8 68 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. CHAPTEK V. THE EQUATORIAL CLOUD-RING.* Equatorial Doldrums, | 76. — The Offices performed by Clouds in the terrestrial Economy, 78. — The Barometer and Thermometer under the Cloud-ring, 79. — How its Vapors are brought by the Trade-Winds, 81. — Breadth of the Cloud-ring, 82. — How it would appear if seen from one of the Planets, 83. — Observations at Sea interesting, 84. 76. Seafaring people have, as if by common consent, divided the ocean off into regions, and charac- terized them according to the winds: e. g. there are the trade-wind regions, the variables, the horse latitudes, the " doldrums," &c. The " horse latitudes" are the belts of calms and light airs (§ 7) which border the polar edge of the northeast trades. They were so called from the circumstance that vessels formerly bound from New England to the West Indies, with a deck load of horses, were often so delayed in this calm belt of Cancer, that, for the want of water for their animals, they were compelled to throw a portion of them overboard. The equatorial doldrums is another of these calm places (§ 9). Besides being a region of calms and baffling winds, it is a region noted for its rains and clouds, which make it one of the most oppressive and disagreeable places at sea. The emigrant ships from Europe for Australia have to cross it. They are often baffled in it for two or three weeks ; then the children and the passengers who are of delicate health suffer most. It is a frightful graveyard on the way-side to that golden land. 77. A vessel bound into the southern hemisphere from Europe or America, after clearing the region of variable winds and crossing the " horse latitudes," enters the northeast trades. Here the mariner finds the sky sometimes mottled with clouds, but for the most part clear. Here, too, he finds his barometer rising and falling under the ebb and flow of a regular atmospherical tide, which gives a high and low barometer every day, with such regularity, that the time of day within a few minutes may be told by it. The rise and fall of this tide, measured by the barometer, amounts to about one-tenth (0.1) of an inch, and it occurs daily, and everywhere between the tropics; the maximum about lOh. 30m. A.M., the minimum between 4h. and 5h. P. M., with a second maximum and minimum about 10 P. M. and 5 A. M.f The diurnal variation of the needle changes also with the turning of these invisible tides. Continuing his course toward the equinoctial line, he observes his thermometer to rise higher and higher as he approaches it; at last, entering the region of equatorial calms and rains, he feels the weather to become singularly close' and oppressive ; he discovers here that the elasticity of feeling which he breathed from the trade-wind air has forsaken him; he has entered the doldrums, and is under the "cloud-ring." * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. f See paper on Meteorological Observations in India, by Colonel Sykes, Philosophical Transactions for 1850, Part II. p. 297. THE EQUATORIAL CLOUD-EING. 59 Escaping from this gloomy region, and entering the southeast trades beyond, his spirits revive, and he turns to his log-book to see what changes are recorded there. He is surprised to find that, notwith- standing the oppressive weather of the rainy latitudes, both his thermometer and barometer stood, while in them, lower than in the clear weather on either side of them ; that just before entering and just after leaving the rainy parallels, the mercury of the thermometer and barometer invariably stands higher than it does when within them, even though they include the equator. In crossing the equatorial doldrums, he has passed a ring of clouds that encircles the earth. I find in the journal of the late Commodore Arthur Sinclair, kept on board the United States frigate Congress during a cruise to South America in 1817-18, a picture of the weather under this cloud-ring that is singularly graphic and striking. He encountered it in the month of January, 1818, between the parallel of 4° north and the equator, and between the meridians of 19° and 23° west. He says of it: — " This is certainly one of the most unpleasant regions in our globe. A dense, close atmosphere, except for a few hours after a thunder-storm, during which time torrents of rain fall, when the air becomes a little refreshed ; but a hot, glowing sun soon heats it again, and but for your awnings, and the little air put in circulation by the continual flapping of the ship's sails, it would be almost insufferable. No person who has not crossed this region can form an adequate idea of its unpleasant effects. You feel a degree of lassitude unconquerable, which not even the sea-bathing, which everywhere else proves so salutary and renovating, can dispel. Except when in actual danger of shipwreck, I never spent twelve more disagree- able days, in the professional part of my life, than in these calm latitudes. " I crossed the line on the 17th of January, at eight A. M., in longitude 21° 20', and soon found I had surmounted all the difficulties consequent to that event ; that the breeze continued to freshen and draw round to the south-southeast, bringing with it a clear sky and most heavenly temperature, renovating and refreshing beyond description. Nothing was now to be seen but cheerful countenances, exchanged, as by enchantment, from that sleepy sluggishness which had borne us all down for the last two weeks." 78. One need not go to sea to perceive the grand work which the clouds perform in collecting moisture from the crystal vaults of the sky, in sprinkling it upon the fields, and making the hills glad with showers of rain. "Winter and summer, "the clouds drop fatness upon the earth." This part of their office is obvious to all, and I do not propose to consider it now. But the sailor at sea observes phenomena and witnesses operations in the terrestrial economy which tell him that, in the beautiful and exquisite adjust- ments of the grand machinery of the atmosphere, the clouds have other important offices to perform besides those merely of dispensing showers, of producing the rains, and of weaving mantles of snow for the protection of our fields in winter. As important as are these offices, the philosophical mariner, as he changes his sky, is reminded that the clouds have commandments to fulfil, which, though less obvious, are not therefore the less benign in their influences, or the less worthy of his notice. He beholds them at work in moderating the extremes of heat and cold, and in mitigating climates. At one time they spread themselves out; they cover the earth as with a mantle; they prevent radiation from its crust, and keep it warm. At another time, they interpose between it and the sun; they screen it from his scorching rays. 60. THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. and protect the tender plants from his heat, the land from the drought ; or, like a garment, they over- shadow the sea, defending its waters from the intense forces of evaporation. Having performed these offices for one place, they are evaporated and given up to the sunbeam and the winds again, to be borne on their wings away to other places which stand in need of like offices. Familiar with clouds and sunshine, the storm and the calm, and all the phenomena which find expres- sion in the physical geography of the sea, the right-minded mariner, as he contemplates "the cloud without rain," ceases to regard it as an empty thing ; he perceives that it performs many important offices ; he regards it as a great moderator of heat and cold — as a ." compensation" in the atmospherical mechanism, which makes the performance of the grand machine perfect. Marvellous are the offices and wonderful is the constitution of the atmosphere. Indeed, I know of no subject more fit for profitable thought on the part of the truth-loving, knowledge-seeking-student, be he seaman or landsman, than that afforded by the atmosphere and its offices. Of all parts of the physical machinery, of all the contrivances in the mechanism of the universe, the atmosphere, with its offices and its adaptations, appears to me to be the most wonderful, sublime, and beautiful. lu its construction, the perfection of knowledge is involved. The perfect man of Uz, in a moment of inspiration, thus demands of his comforters: "But where shall wisdom be found, and where is the place of understanding? The depth saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith. It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls, for the price of wisdom is above rubies, "Whence, then, cometh wisdom, and where is the place of understanding? Destruction and Death say, "We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. "God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof; for he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven ; to mahe the weight for the ivinch ; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder ; then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out."* When the pump-maker came to ask Galileo to explain how it was that his pump would not lift water higher than thirty-two feet, the philosopher thought, but was afraid to say, it was owing to the " weight of the winds ;" and though the fact that the air has weight is here so distinctly announced, philosophers never knew it until within comparatively a recent period, and then it was proclaimed by them as a great discovery. Nevertheless, the fact was set forth as distinctly in the book of Nature as it is in the book of Eevelation; for the infant, in availing itself of atmospherical pressure to suck the milk from its mother's breast, unconsciously proclaimed it. 79. Both the thermometer and the barometer (§ 77) stand lower under this cloud-ring than they do on either side of it. After having crossed it, and referred to the log-book to refresh his mind as to the observations there entered with regard to it, the attentive navigator may perceive how this belt of * Job, chapter xxviii. THE EQUATOBIAL CLOUD-BING. 61 clouds, by screening tlie parallels over whicli he may liave found it to hang, from the sun's rays, not only promotes the precipitation whicli takes place within these parallels at certain periods, but how, also, the rains are made to change the places upon which they are to fall ; and how, by travelling with the calm belt of the equator up and down the earth, this cloud-ring shifts the surface from which the heating rays of the sun are to be excluded ; and how, by this operation, tone is given to the atmospherical circulation of the world, and vigor to its vegetation. Having travelled with the calm belt to the north or south, the cloud-ring leaves the sky about the equator clear; the rays of the torrid sun pour down upon the crust of the earth there, and raise its temperature to a scorching heat. The atmosphere dances, and the air is seen trembling in ascending and descending columns, with busy eagerness to conduct the heat off and deliver it to the regions aloft, where it is required to give momentum to the air in its general channels of circulation. The dry season continues; the sun is vertical; and, finally, the earth becomes parched and dry; the heat accumulates faster than the air can'carry it away; the plants begin to wither, and the animals to perish. Then comes the mitigating cloud-ring. The burning rays of the sun are intercepted by it. The place for the absorption and reflection, and the delivery to the atmosphere of the solar heat, is changed; it is transferred from the upper surface of the earth to the upper surface of the clouds. Eadiation from the land and the sea below the cloud-belt is thus interrupted, and the excess of heat in the earth is delivered to the air, and by absorption carried up to the clouds, and there transferred to their vapors to prevent excess of precipitation. In the mean time, the trade-winds north and south are pouring into this cloud-covered receiver, as the calm and rain-belt of the equator may be called, fresh supplies in the shape of ceaseless volumes of heated air loaded to saturation with vapor, which has to rise above and get clear of the clouds before it can commence the process of cooling by radiation. In the mean time, also, the vapors which the trade-winds bring from the north and the south, expanding and growing cooler as they ascend, are being c(5ndensed on the lower side of the cloud stratum, and their latent heat is set free, to check precipitation and prevent a flood. While this process and these operations are going on upon the nether side of the cloud-ring, one not less important is going on upon the upper side. There, from sunrise to sunset, the rays of the sun are pouring down without intermission. Every day and all day long, they operate with ceaseless activity upon the upper surface of the cloud stratum. When they become too powerful, and convey more heat to the cloud vapors than the cloud vapors can reflect and give ofi" to the air above them, then, with a beautiful elasticity of character, the clouds absorb the surplus heat. They melt away, become invisible, and retain, in a latent and harmless state, until it is wanted at some other place and on some other occasion, the heat thus imparted. We thus have an insight into the operations which are going on in the equatorial belt of precipitation, and this insight is sufficient to enable us to perceive that exquisite indeed are the arrangements which Nature has provided for supplying this calm belt with heat, and for pushing the snow-line there high up 62 THE WIND AND CUEKENT CHARTS. above the clouds, in order that the atmosphere may have room to expand, to rise up, overflow, and course back into its channels of healthful circulation. As the vapor is condensed and formed into drops of rain, a twofold object is accomplished — coming from the cooler regions of the clouds, the rain-drops are cooler than the air and earth below; they descend, and by absorption take up the heat which has been accumulating in the earth's crust during the dry season, and which cannot now escape by radiation. Thus this cloud-ring modifies the climate of all places beneath it; overshadowing, at different seasons, all parallels from 5° south to 15° north. In the process of condensation, these rain-drops, on the other hand, have set free a vast quantity of latent heat, which has been gathered up with the vapor from the sea by the trade-winds and brought hither. The caloric thus liberated is taken by the air and carried up aloft still further, to keep, at the proper distance from the earth, the line of perpetual congelation. Were it possible to trace a thermal curve in the upper regions of the air to represent this line, we should no doubt find it mounting sometimes at the equator, sometimes on this side, and sometimes on that of it, but always so mounting as to overleap this cloud-ring. This thermal line would not ascend always over the same parallels: it would ascend over those between which this ring happens to be ; and the distance of this ring from the equator is regulated according to the seasons. If we imagine the atmospherical equator to be always where the calm belt is which separates the northeast from the southeast trade-winds, then the loop in the thermal curve, which should represent the line of perpetual congelation in the air, would be always found to stride this equator; and it may be supposed that a thermometer, kept sliding on the surface of the earth so as always to be in the middle of this rain-belt, would show very nearly the same temperature all the year round ; and so, too, would a barometer the same pressure. 80. Eeturning, and taking up the train of contemplation as to the office which this belt of clouds, as it encircles the earth, performs in the system of oceanic adaptations, we may see that the cloud-ring and calm zone which it overshadows perform the office both of ventricle and auricle in the immense atmo- spherical heart, where the heat and the forces which give vitality and power to the system are brought into play — where dynamical strength is gathered, and an impulse given to the air sufficient to send it thence through its long and tortuous channels of circulation. Thus this ring, or band, or belt of clouds, is stretched around our planet to regulate the quantity of precipitation in the rain-belt beneath it; to preserve the due quantum of heat on the face of the earth; to adjust the winds; and send out for distribution to the four corners, vapors in proper quantities to make up to each river-basin, climate, and season, its quota of sunshine, cloud, and moisture. Like the balance-wheel of a well-constructed chronometer, this cloud-ring affords the grand atmospherical machine the most exquisitely arranged self-compensation. If the sun fail in his supply of heat to this region, more of its vapors are condensed, and heat is discharged from its latent store-houses in quantities just sufficient to keep the machine in the most perfect compensation. If, on the other hand, too much heat be found to accompany the rays of the sun, as they impinge upon the upper circumference of this belt, then, again, on TUE EQUATORIAL CLOUD-KING. • 63 that side, are the means of self-compensation ready at hand ; so much of the cloud-surface as may be requisite is then resolved into invisible vapor — the vessels wherein the surplus heat from the sun is stored away and held in the latent state until it is called for — when instantly it is set free, and becomes an obvious aud active agent in the grand design. That the thermometer stands invariably lower (§ 79) beneath this cloud-belt than it does on either side of it, has not, so far as my researches are concerned, been made to appear by actual observation, for the observations in my possession have not yet been fully discussed concerning the temperature of the air. But that the temperature of the air at the surface under this cloud-ring is lower, is a theoretical deduction as susceptible of demonstration as is the rotation of the earth on its axis. Indeed, Nature herself has hung a thermometer under this cloud-belt that is more perfect than any that man can construct, and its indi- cations are not to be mistaken. 81. "Where do the vapors which form this cloud-ring, and which are here condensed and poured down into the sea as rain, come from? They come from the trade- wind regions (§ 15); under the cloud-ring they rise up ; as they rise up, they expand ; and as they expand, they grow cool, form clouds, then are condensed into rains ; moreover, it requires no mercurial instrument of human device to satisfy us that the air which brings the vapor for these clouds cannot take it up and let it down at the same temperature. Precipitation and evaporation are the converse of each other ; and the same air cannot precipitate and evaporate, take up and let down water, at one and the same temperature. As the temperature of the air is raised, its capacity for receiving and retaining water in the state of vapor is increased ; as the tem- perature of the air is lessened, its capacity for retaining that moisture is diminished. These are physical laws, and therefore, when we see water dripping from the atmosj^here, we need no instrument to tell us that the elasticity of the vapor so condensed, and falling in drops, is less than was its elasticity when it was taken up from the surface of the ocean as water, and went up into the clouds as vapor. Hence we infer that, when the vapors of sea water are condensed, the heat which was necessary to sustain them in the vapor state, and which was borrowed from the ocean, is parted with, and that therefore they were subjected, in the act of condensation, to a lower temperature than they were in the act of evaporation. Ceaseless precipitation goes on under this cloud-ring. Evaporation under it is suspended almost entirely. We know that the trade-winds encircle the earth ; that they blow perpetually ; that they come from the north and the south, and meet each other near the equator ; therefore we infer that this line of meeting extends around the world. By the rainy seasons of the torrid zone we can trace the declination of this cloud-ring stretched like a girdle round about the earth ; it travels up and down the ocean as from north to south and back. 82. It is broader than the belt of calms out of which it rises. As the air, with its vapors, rises up in this calm belt and ascends, these vapors are condensed into clouds (§ 81), and this condensation is followed by a turgid intumescence, which causes the clouds to overflow the calm belt, as it were, both to the north and the south. The air flowing off m the same direction assumes the character of winds that form the upper currents that are counter (Plate II.) to the trade-winds. These currents carry the clouds still further 64 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. to the north and south, and thus make the cloud-ring broader. At least, we infer such to be the case, for the rains are found to extend out into the trade-winds, and often to a considerable distance both to the north and the south of the calm belt. 83. Were this cloud-ring luminous, and could it be seen by an observer from one of the planets, it would present to him an appearance not unlike the rings of Saturn do to us. Such an observer would remark that this cloud-ring of the earth has a motion contrary to that of the axis of our planet itself — that while the earth was revolving rapidly from west to east, he would observe the cloud-ring to go slowly, but only relatively, from east to west. As the winds which bring the cloud-vapor to this region of calms rise Tip with it, the earth is slipping from under them ; and thus the cloud-ring, though really moving from west to east with the earth, goes relatively slower than the earth, and would therefore appear 4o require a longer time to complete a revolution. But, unlike the rings of Saturn through the telescope, the outer surface, or the upper side to us, of this cloud-ring would appear exceedingly jagged, rough, and uneven. The rays of the sun, playing upon this peak and then upon that of the upper cloud-surface, melt away one set of elevations and create another set of depressions. The whole stratum is, it may be imagined, in the most turgid state; it is in continued throes when viewed from above; the heat which is liberated from below in the process of condensation, the currents of warm air ascending from the earth, and of cool descending from the sky, all, we may well conceive, tend to keep the upper cloud-surface in a perpetual state of agitation, upheaval, and depression. Imagine, in such a cloud-stratum, an electrical discharge to take place ; the report, being caught up by the cloud-ridges above, is passed from peak to peak, and repeated from valley to valley, until the last echo dies away in the mutterings of the distant thunder. How often do we hear the voice of the loud thunder rumbling and rolling away above the cloud -surface, like the echo of artillery discharged among the hills! Hence we perceive or infer that the clouds intercept the progress of sound, as well as of light and heat, through the atmosphere, and that this upper surface is often like Alpine regions, which echo back and roll along with rumbling noise the mutterings of the distant thunder. 84. It is by trains of reasoning like this that we are continually reminded of the interest which attaches to the observations which, the mariner is called on to make. There is no expression uttered by Nature which is unworthy of our most attentive consideration — for no physical fact is too bald for observation — and mariners, by registering in their logs the kind of lightning, whether sheet, forked, or streaked, and the kind of thunder, whether rolling, muttering, or sharp, may be furnishing facts which will throw much light on the features and character of the clouds in different latitudes and seasons. Physical facts are the language of Nature, and every expression uttered by her is worthy of our most attentive consideration. THE SAJ.TS OF THE SKA. 65 CHAPTER VI. THE SALTS OF THE SEA* What the Salt in Sea Water has to do witli Currents, g 85. — Coral Islands, 87.— What would be the EfiFect of no System of Circulation for Sea Water? 88. — Its Components, 89. — The principal Agents from which Dynamical Force in the Sea is derived, 90. — Sea and Fresh Water have different Laws of Expansion, 95. — The Gulf Stream could not exist in a Sea of Fresh Water, 96. — The Effect of Evaporation in producing Currents, 97.— How the Polar Sea is supplied with Salt, 101.— The Influence of under Currents upon opeu Water in the Frozen Ocean, 102. — The Influence exerted by Shell-fish upon Currents, 103.— They assist in regulating Climates, 104. — How Sea Shells and Salts act as Compensations in the Machinery by which Oceanic Circulation is conducted, 105. — Whence come the Salts of the Sea ? 106. 85. In order to comprehend aright the currents of the sea, and to study with advantage its physical adaptations, it is necessary to understand the efl'ects produced by the salts of the sea upon the equilibrium of its waters ; for wherever equilibrium be destroyed, whether in the air or water, it is restored by motion, and motion among fluid particles gives rise to currents, which, in turn, constitute circulation. The question is often asked, " Why is the sea salt ?" I think it can be shown that the circulation of the ocean depends, in a great measure, upon the salts of sea water; certainly its influences upon climate are greatly extended by reason of its saltness. As a general rule, the sea is nearly of a uniform degree of saltness, and the constituents of sea water are as constant in their proportions as are the components of the atmosphere. It is true that we sometimes come across arms of the sea, or places in the ocean, where we find the water more salt or less salt than sea water is generally; but this circumstance is due to local causes of easy explanation. For instance, when we come to an arm of the sea, as the Red Sea, upon which it never rains, and from which the atmosphere is continually abstracting, by evaporation, fresh water froTn the salt, we may naturally expect to find a greater proportion of salt in the sea water that remains than we do near the mouth of some great river, as the Amazon, or in the regions of constant j)recipitation, or other parts where it rains more than it evaporates. Therefore we do not find sea water from all parts of the ocean actually of the same degree of saltness, yet we do find, as in the case of the Red Sea, sea water that is continually giving ofl' to evaporation fresh water in large quantities : nevertheless, for such water there is a degree, and a very moderate degree, of saltness which is a maximum; and we moreover find that, though the constituents of sea water, like those of the atmosphere, are not for every place invariably the same as to their proportions, yet they are the same, or nearly the same, as to their character. When, therefore, we take into consideration the fact that, as a general rule, sea water is, with the * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. Harper and Brothers, New York. 9 QQ THE WIKD AND CURRENT CITARTS. exceptions above stated, everywhere and always the same, and that it can only be made so by beino- well shaken together, we i5nd grounds on which to base the conjecture that the ocean has its system of circulation, which is probably as complete and not less wonderful than is the circulation of blood through the human system. In order to investigate the currents of the sea, and to catch a glimpse of the laws by which the circulation of its waters is governed, hypothesis, in the present meagre state of absolute knowledge with regard to the subject, seems to be as necessary to progress as is a corner-stone to a building. To make progress with such investigations, we want something to build upon. In the absence of facts, we are sometimes permitted to suppose them ; only, in supposing them, we should take not only the possible, but the probable ; and in making the selection of the various hypotheses which are suggested, we are bound to prefer that one by which the greatest number of phenomena can be reconciled. When we have found, tried, and offered such an one, we are entitled to claim for it a respectful consideration, at least until we discover it leading us into some palpable absurdity, or until some other hypothesis be suggested which will account equally as well, but for a greater number of phenomena. Then, as honest searchers after truth, we should be ready to give up the former, to adopt the latter, and to try it until some other, better than either of the two, be offered. 86. AVith this understanding, I venture to offer an hypothesis with regard to the agency of the salts or solid matter of the sea in imparting dynamical force to the waters of the ocean, and to suggest that one of the purposes which, in the grand design, it was probably intended to accomplish by having the sea salt, and not fresh, was to impart to its waters the forces and powers necessary to make their circulation complete. In the first place, we do but conjecture wheii -we say that there is a set of currents in the sea by which its waters are conveyed from place to place with regularity, certainty, and order. But this conjecture appears to be founded on reason; for if we take a sample of water which shall fairly represent, in the proportion of its constituents, the average water of the Pacific Ocean, and analyze it, and if we do the same by a similar sample from the Atlantic, we shall find the analysis of the one to resemble that of the other as closely as though the two samples had been taken from the same bottle after having been well shaken. How, then, shall we account for this, unless upon the supposition that sea water from one part of the world is, in the process of time, brought into contact and mixed up with sea water from all other parts of the world? Agents, therefore, it would seem, are at work, which shake up the waters of the sea as though they were in a bottle, and which, in the course of time, mingle those that are in one part of the ocean with those that are in another as thoroughly and completely as it is possible for man to do in a vessel of his own construction. This fact, as to uniformity of components, appears to call for the hypothesis that sea water which to-day is in one part of the ocean, will, in the process of time, be found in another part the most remote. It must, therefore, be carried about by currents ; and as these currents have their offices to perform in the terrestrial economy, they probably do not flow by chance, but in obedience to physical laws ; they no THK SALTS OF THE SEA. 67 doubt, therefore, maintain the order and preserve the harmony which characterize every department of God's handiwork, upon the threshold of which man has as yet been permitted to stand, to observe, and to comprehend. 87. Nay, having reached this threshold, and taken a survey of the surrounding ocean, we are ready to assert, with all the confidence of knowledge, that the sea has a system of circulation for its waters. We rest this assertion upon our faith in the physical adaptations with which the sea is invested. Take, for example, the coral islands, reefs, beds, and atolls with which the Pacific Ocean is studded and garnished. They were built up of materials which a certain kind of insect quarried from the sea water. The currents of the sea ministered to this little insect — they were its hod carriers ; when fresh supplies of solid matter were wanted for the coral rock upon which the foundations of the Polynesian Islands were laid, they brought them; the obedient currents stood ready with fresh supplies in unfailing streams of sea water from which the solid ingredients had not been secreted. Now, unless the currents of the sea had been employed to carry off from this insect the waters that had been emptied by it of their lime, and to bring to it others charged with more, it is evident the little creature would have perished for want of food long before its task was half completed. But for currents, it would have been impaled in a nook of the very drop of water in which it was spawned ; for it would have soon secreted the lime contained in this drop of water, and then, without the ministering aid of currents to bring it more, it would have perished for the want of food for itself and materials for its edifice ; and thus, but for the benign currents which took this exhausted water away, there we perceive this emptied drop would have remained, not only as the grave of the little architect, but as a monument in attestation of the shocking monstrosity that there had been a failure in the sublime system of terrestrial adaptations — that the sea had not been adapted by its Creator to the well-being of all its inhabitants. Now we do know that its adaptations are suited to all the wants of every one of its inhabitants — to the wants of the coral insect as well as to those of the whale. Hence we say ive know that the sea has its system of circulation, for it transports materials for the coral rock from one part of the world to another; its currents receive them from the rivers, and hand them over to the little mason for the structure of the most stupendous works of solid masonry that man has ever seen — the coral islands of the sea. And thus, by a process of reasoning which is perfectly philosophical, we are irresistibly led to conjecture that there are regular and certain, if not appointed channels, through which the water travels from one part of the ocean to another, and that those channels belong to an arrangement which may make, and, for aught we know to the contrary, which does make the system of oceanic circulation as complete, as perfect, and as harmonious as is that of the atmosphere or the blood. Every drop of water in the sea is as obedient to law and order as are the members of the heavenly host in the remotest regions of space. For when the morning stars sang together, " the waves also lifted up their voice" in the almighty anthem ; and doubtless, therefore, the harmony in the depths of the ocean is in tune with that which comes from the spheres above. We cannot doubt it ; for, were it not so — were there no channels of circulation from one ocean to another, and if, accordingly, the waters of the Atlantic were confined to the Atlantic, or if the X 68 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. waters of the arms and seas of the Atlantic were confined to those arms and seas, and had no channels of circulation by which they could pass out into the ocean, and traverse different latitudes and climates— if this were so, then the machinery of the ocean would be as incomplete as that of a watch without a balance- wheel ; for the waters of these arms and seas would, as to their constituents, become, in the process of time, very different from the sea waters in other parts of the world, and their inhabitants would perish for the want of brine of the right strength, or of water of the right temperature. 88. For instance, take the Bed Sea and the Mediterranean by way of illustration. Upon the Eed Sea' there is no precipitation ; it is a rainless region ; not a river runs down to it, not a brook empties into it ; therefore there is no process by which the salts and washings of the earth, which are taken up and held in^ solution by rain or river water, can be brought down into the Eed Sea. Its salts come from the ocean ; and the air takes up from it, in the process of evaporation, fresh water, leaving behind all the solid matter which this sea holds in solution. On the other hand, numerous rivers discharge into the Mediterranean, some of which are filtered through soils and among minerals which yield one kind of salts or soluble matter, another river runs through a limestone or volcanic region of country, and brings down in solution solid matter — it may be common salt, sulphate or carbonate of lime, magnesia, soda, potash, or iron— either or all may be in its waters. Still, the constituents of sea water from the Mediterranean and of sea water from the Eed Sea are quite the same. But the waters of the Dead Sea have no connection with those of the ocean; they are CHt off from its channels of circulation, and are therefore quite different, as to their components, from any arm, frith, or gulf of the broad ocean. Its inhabitants are also different from those of the high seas. 89. " The solid constituents of sea water amount to about 3 J per cent, of its weight, or nearly half an ounce to the pound. Its saltness may be considered as a necessary result of the present order of things. Elvers which are constantly flowing into the ocean contain salts, varying from ten to fifty, and even one hundred grains per gallon. Tliey are chiefly common salt, sulphate and carbonate of lime, magnesia, soda, potash, and iron ; and these are found to constitute the distinguishing characteristics of sea water. The water which evaporates from the sea is nearly pure, containing but very minute traces of salts. Falling as rain upon the land, it washes the soil, percolates through the rocky layers, and becomes charged with, saline substances, which are borne seaward by the returning currents. The ocean, therefore, is the great depository of everything that water can dissolve and carry down from the surface of the continents ; and, as there is no channel for their escape, they of course consequently accumulate." — YeomarCs Cliemistry. " The case of the sea," says Fownes, " is but a magnified representation of what occurs in. every lake into which rivers flow, but from which there is no outlet except by evaporation. Such a lake is invariably. a salt lake. It is impossible that it can be otherwise ; and it is curious to observe that this condition diiMippears when an artificial outlet is produced for the waters." How, therefore, shall we account for this sameness of compound, this structure of coral (§ 87), this stability as to animal life in the sea, but upon the supposition of a general system of circulation in the ocean, by which, in process of time, water from one part is conveyed to another part the most remote, and / THE SALTS OF THE SEA. OV by which a general interchange and commingling of the waters take place? In like manner, the constituents of the atmosphere, whether it be analyzed at the equator or the poles, are the same. By cutting off and shutting up from the general channels of circulation any portion of sea water, as in the Dead Sea, or of atmospheric air, as in mines or wells, we can easily fill either with gases or other matter that shall very much affect its character, or alter the proportion of its ingredients, and affect the health of its inhabitants. 90. The principal agents that are supposed to be concerned in giving circulation to the atmosphere, and in preserving the ratio among its components, are light, heat, electricity, and magnetism. But with regard to the sea, it is not known what office is performed by electricity and magnetism, in giving dynamical force to its waters in their system of circulation. The chief motive power from which marine currents derive their velocity has been ascribed to heat; but a close study of the agents concerned has suggested that an important — nay, a powerful and active agency in the system of oceanic circulation is derived from the salts of the sea water, through the instrumentality of the winds, of marine plants, and animals. These give the ocean great dynamical force. 91. Let us, for the sake of illustrating and explaining this force, suppose the sea in all its parts — in its depths and at the surface, at the equator and about the poles — to be of one uniform temperature, and to be all of fresh water; and, moreover, that there be neither wind to disturb its surface, nor tides nor rains to raise the level in this part, or to depress it in that. In this case, there would be nothing of heat to disturb its equilibrium, and there would be no motive power (§ 85) to beget currents, or to set the water in motion by reason of the difference of level or of specific gravity due to water at different densities and temperatures. Now let us suppose the winds, for the first time since the creation, to commence to blow upon this quiescent sea, and to ruffle its surface ; they, by tlieir force, would create partial surface currents, and thus agitating the waters to a certain depth, would give rise to a feeble and partial aqueous circulation in the supposed sea of fresh water. 92.. This, then, is one of the sources whence power is given to the system of oceanic eirculation ; but, though a feeble one, it is one which exists in reality, and, therefore, need not be regarded as hypothetical. Let us next call in evaporation and precipitation, with heat and cold — more powerful agents. Suppose the evaporation to commence from this imaginary fresh-water ocean, and to go on as it does from the seas as they are. In those regions, as in the trade-wind regions, where evaporation is in excess of precipitation (§ 23), the general level of this supposed sea would be altered, and, immediately, as much water as is carried off by evaporation would commence to flow in from north and south toward the trade-wind or evaporating region, to restore the level. 93. On the other hand, the winds have taken this vapor, borne it off to the extra-tropical regions, and precipitated it (§ 28), we will suppose, where precipitation is in excess of evaporation. Here is another alteration of sea level by elevation instead of by depression ; and hence we have the motive power for a surface current from each pole toward the equator, the object of which is only to supply the demand for \ 70 THE WIND AND CUKKENT CIIAKTS. evaporation in the trade- wind regions — demand for evaporation being taken here to mean tlie difference between evaporation and precipitation for any part of the sea. 94. Now imagine this sea of uniform temperature (§ 91) to be suddenly stricken with the invisible ■wand of heat and cold, and its waters brought to the various temperatures at which they at this instant are standing. This change of temperature would make a change of specific gravity in the waters, which would destroy the equilibrium of the whole ocean, upon which a set of currents would immediately commence to flow, viz: a current of cold and heavy water to the warm, and a current of warm and lighter to the cold. The motive power of tliese would be difference of specific gravity due difference of temperature in fresh water. 95. We have now traced (§§ 92 and 94) the effect of two agents, which, in a sea of fresh water, would tend to create currents, and to beget a system of aqueous circulation ; but a set of currents and a system of circulation which, it is readily perceived, would be quite different from those which we find in the salt sea. One of these agents would be employed (§ 93) in restoring, by means of one or more polar currents, the water that is taken from one part of the ocean by evaporation, and deposited in another by precipitation. The other agent would be employed in restoring, by the forces due difference of specific gravity (§ 94), the equilibrium, which has been disturbed by heating, and of course expanding, the waters of the torrid zone on one hand, and by cooling, and consequently contracting, those of the frigid zone on the other. This agency would, if it were not modified by others, find expression in a system of currents and counter-currents, or rather in a set of surface currents of warm and light water from the equator toward the poles, and in another set of under currents of cooler, dense, and heavy water from the poles toward the equator. Such, keeping out of view the influence of the winds, which we may suppose would be the same, whether the sea were salt or fresh, would be the system of oceanic circulation were the sea all of fresh water. But fresh water, in cooling, begins to expand near the temperature of 40°, and expands more and more till it reaches the freezing point, and ceases to be fluid. This law of expansion by cooling would impart a peculiar feature to the system of oceanic circulation were the waters all fresh, which it is not necessary to notice further than to say it cannot exist in seas of salt water, for salt water contracts as its temperature is lowered to its freezing point. Hence, in consequence of its salts, changes of temperature derive increased power to disturb the equilibrium of the ocean. 96. If this train of reasoning be good, we may infer that, in a system of oceanic circulation, the dyna- mical force to be derived from difference of temperature, where the waters are all fresh, would be quite feeble; and that, were the sea not salt, we should probably have no such current in it as the Gulf Stream. So far we have been reasoning hypothetically, to show what would be the chief agents, exclusive of the winds, in disturbing the equilibrium of the ocean were its waters fresh and not salt. And whatever disturbs equilibrium there, may be regarded as the primum mobile in any system of marine currents. Let us now proceed another step in the process of explaining and illustrating the effect of the salts of THE SALTS OF THE SEA. 71 the sea in the system of oceanic circulation. To this end, let us suppose this imaginary ocean of fresh water suddenly to become that which we have, viz : an ocean of salt water, which contracts as its temperature is lowered (§ 96) till it reaches 28° or thereabout. 97. Let evaporation now commence in the trade-wind region, as it was supposed to do (§ 92) in the case of the fresh-water seas, and as it actually goes on in nature — and what takes place ? Why, a lowering of the sea level, as before. But as the vapor of salt water is fresh, or nearly so, fresh water only is taken up from the ocean; that which remains behind is therefore more salt. Thus, while the level is lowered in the salt sea, the equilibrium is destroyed because of the saltness of the water ; for the water that remains after the evaporation takes place is, on account of the solid matter held in solution, specifically heavier than it was before any portion of it was converted into vapor. The vapor is taken from the surface water ; the surface water thereby becomes more salt, and, under certain conditions, heavier; when it becomes heavier, it sinks; and hence we have, due to the salts of the sea, a vertical circulation, viz : a descent of heavier — because salter and cooler — water from the surface, and an ascent of water that is lighter — because it is not so salt — from the depths below. 98. This vapor, then, which is taken up from the evaporating regions (§ 23), is carried by the winds through their channels of circulation, and poured back into the ocean where the regions of precipitation are ; and by the regions of precipitation I mean those parts of the ocean, as in the polar basins, where the ocean receives more fresh water in the shape of rain, snow, &c., than it returns to the atmosphere in the shape of vapor. In the precipitating regions, therefore, the level is destroyed, as before explained, by elevation ; and in the evaporating regions, by depression ; which, as already stated (§ 93), gives rise to a system of surface currents, moved by gravity alone, from the poles toward. the equator. But we are now considering the effects of evaporation and precipitation in giving impulse to the circulation of the ocean where its waters are salt. The fresh water that has been taken from the evaporating regions is deposited upon those of precipitation, which, for illustration merely, we will locate in the north polar basin. Among the sources of supply of fresh water for this basin, we must include not only the precipitation which takes place over the basin itself, but also the amount of fresh water discharged into it by the rivers of the great hydrographical basins of Arctic Europe, Asia, and America. This fresh water, being emptied into the Polar Sea, and agitated by the winds, becomes mixed with the salt; but, as the agitation of the sea by the winds extends to no great depth (§ 91), it is only the upper layer of salt water, and that to a moderate depth, which becomes mixed with the fresh. The specific gravity of this upper layer, therefore, is diminished just as much as the specific gravity of the sea water in the evaporating regions was increased. And thus we have a surface current of saltish water from the poles toward the equator, and an under current of water, salter and heavier, from the equator to the poles. This under current supplies, in a great measure, the salt which the upper current, freighted with fresh water from the clouds and rivers, carries back. fi THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Thus it is to the salts of the sea that we owe that feature in the system of oceanic circulation which causes an under current to flow from the Mediterranean into the Atlantic, and another from the Eed Sea into the Indian Ocean. And it is evident, since neither of these seas is salting up, that just as much, or nearly just as much salt as the under current brings out, just so much the upper currents carry in. We now begin to perceive what a powerful impulse is derived from the salts of the sea in giving effective and active circulation to its waters. 99. Hence we infer that the currents of the sea, by reason of its saltness, attain their maximum of volume and velocity. Hence, too, we infer that the transportation of warm water from the equator toward the frozen regions of the poles, and of cold water from the frigid toward the torrid zone, is facilitated ; and consequently here, in the saltness of the sea, have we not an. agent by which climates are mitigated — by which they are softened and rendered much more salubrious than it would be possible for them to be were the waters of the ocean deprived of this property of saltness ? This property of saltness imparts to the waters of the ocean another peculiarity, by which the sea is still better adapted for the regulation of climates, and it is this: by evaporating fresh water from the salt in the tropics, the surface water becomes heavier than the average of sea water (§ 24). This heavy water is also warm water; it sinks, and being a good retainer, but a bad conductor of heat, this warm water is employed in transporting through under currents heat for the mitigation of climates in far-distant regions. Now this, also, is a property which a sea of fresh water could not have. Let the winds take up their vapor from a sheet of fresh water, and that at the bottom is not disturbed, for there is no change in the specific gravity of that at the surface by which that at the bottom may be brought to the top ; but let evaporation go on, though never so gentl}', from salt water, and the specific gravity of that at the top will soon be so changed as to bring that from the very lowest depths of the sea speedily to the top. If these inferences as to the influence of the salts upon the currents of the sea be correct, the same cause which produces an under current from the Mediterranean, and an under current from the Eed Sea into the ocean, should produce an under current from the ocean into the north polar basin. In each case, the hypothesis with regard to the part performed by the salt, in giving vigor to the system of oceanic circulation, requires that, counter to the surface current of water with less salt, there should be an under current of water with more salt in it. That such is the case with regard both to the Mediterranean and the Eed Sea, is amply shown in other parts of this work, and abundantly proved by other observers. 100. That there is a constant current setting out of the Arctic Ocean through Davis's and other straits thereabout, which connect it with the Atlantic Ocean, is generally admitted. Lieutenant De Haven, United States Navy, when in command of the American expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, was frozen up with his vessels in the main channel of Wellington Straits; and during the nine months that he was so frozen, his vessels, holding their place in the ice, were drifted with it bodily for more than a thousand miles toward the south. The ice in which they were bound was of sea water, and the currents by which they were drifted THE SALTS OF THE SEA. 78 were of sea water — only, it may be supposed, the latter were not quite so salt as the sea water generally is. The same phenomenon is repeated in the Sound, where (§ 113) an under current of salt water runs in, and an upper current of brackish water (§§ 135 and 142) runs out. Then, since there is salt always flowing out of the north polar basin, we infer that there must be salt always flowing into it, else it would either become fresh, or the whole Atlantic Ocean would be finally silted up with salt. It might be supposed, were there no evidence to the contrary, that this salt was supplied to the polar seas from the Atlantic around North Gape, and from the Pacific through Behring's Straits, and through no other channels. 101. But, fortunatel3^ Arctic voyagers, who have cruised in the direction of Davis's Straits, have afforded us, by their observations, proof positive as to the fact of this other source for supplying the polar seas with salt. They tell us of an under current setting from the Atlantic toward the polar basin. They describe huge icebergs, witli tops high up in the air, and of course the bases of which extend far down into the depths of the ocean, ripping and tearing their way, with terrific force and awful violence, through the surface ice or against a surface current, on their way into the polar basin. Passed Midshipman S. P. Griffin, who commanded the brig Ee-scue in the American searching expedition after Sir John Franklin, informs me that, on one occasion, the two vessels were endeavoring to warp up to the northward, in or near Wellington Channel, against a strong surface current, which of course was setting to the sonth ; and that while so engaged, an iceberg, with its top many feet above the water, came "drifting up" from the south, and passed by them "like a shot." Although they were stemming a surface current against both the berg and themselves, such was the force and velocity of the under current, that it carried, the berg to the northward faster than the crew could warp the vessel against a surface but counter-current. Captain Duncan, master of the English whale-ship Dundee, says, at page 76 of his interesting little narrative : — * ^^ December 18 (1826). It was awful to behold the immense icebergs working their way to the northeast from us, and not one drop of water to be seen; they were working themselves right through the middle of the ice." And again, at page 92, &c. : — ''February 23. Latitude 68° 37' north, longitude about 63° west. " The dreadful apprehensions that assailed us yesterday, by the near approach of the iceberg, were this day most awfully verified. About three P. M., the iceberg came in contact with our floe, and in less than one minute it broke the ice ; we were frozen in quite close to the shore ; the floe was shivered to pieces for several miles, causing an explosion like an earthquake, or one hundred pieces of heavy ordnance fired at the same moment. The iceberg, with awful but majestic grandeur (in height and dimensions * Arctic Regions ; Voyage to Davis's Straits, by Dorea Duncan, Master of ship Dundee, 1826, 1827. 10 74 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. resembling a vast mountain), came almost up to our stern, and every one expected it would have run over the ship "The iceberg, as before observed, came up very near to the stern of our ship ; the intermediate space between the berg and the vessel was filled with heavy masses of ice, which, though they had been pre- viously broken by the immense weight of the berg, were again formed into a compact body by its pressure. The berg was drifting at the rate of about four knots, and by its force on the mass of ice, was pushing the ship before it, as it appeared, to inevitable destruction." "i^e6. 24. The iceberg still in sight, but driving away fast to the northeast." "i^e&. 25. The iceberg, that so lately threatened our destruction, had driven completely out of sight to the northeast from us." Now, then, whence, unless from the difference of specific gravity due sea water of different degrees of saltness, can we derive a motive power with force sufficient to give such tremendous masses of ice such a velocity ? 102. What is the temperature of this under current? Be that what it may, it is probably above the freezing point of sea water. Suppose it to be at 32°. (Break through the ice in the northern seas, and the temperature of the surface water is always 28°. At least Lieutenant De Haven so found it in his long imprisonment, and it may be supposed that, as it was with him, so it generally is.) Assuming, then, the water of the surface current which runs out with the ice to be all at 28°, we observe that it is not unreason- able to suppose that the water of the under current, inasmuch as it comes from the south, and therefore from warmer latitudes, is probably not so cold ; and if it bo not so cold, its temperature, before it comes out again, must be reduced to 28°, or whatever be the average temperature of the outer but surface current. Moreover, if it be true, as some philosophers have suggested, that there is in the depths of the ocean a line from the equator to the poles along which the water is of the same temperature all the way, then the question may be asked, Should we not have in the depths of the ocean a sort of isothermal floor, as it were, on the upper side of which all the changes of temperature are due to agents acting from above, and on the lower side of which, the changes, if any, are due to agents acting from below? This under polar current water, then, as it rises to the top, and is brought to the surface by the agitation of the sea in the Arctic regions, gives out its surplus heat and warms the atmosphere there till the temperature of this warm under current water is lowered to the requisite degree for going out on the surface. Hence the water-sky of those regions. And the heat that it loses in falling from its normal temperature, be that what it may, till it reaches the temperature of 28°, is so much caloric set free in the polar regions, to temper the air and mitigate the climate there. Now is not this one of those modifications of climate which may be fairly traced back to the effect of the saltness of the sea in giving energy to its circulation ? Moreover, if there be a deep sea in the polar basin, which serves as a receptacle for the waters brought into it by this under current, which, because it comes from toward the equatorial regions, comes THE SALTS OF THE SEA. 75 from a milder climate, and is therefore warmer, we can easily imagine why there might be an open sea in ther polar regions — why Lieutenant De Haven, in his instructions, was directed to look for it ; and why both he and Captain Penny, of one of the English searching vessels, found it there. And in accounting for this polynia, we see that its existence is not only consistent with the hypothesis with which we set out, touching a perfect system of oceanic circulation, but that it may be ascribed, in a great degree, at least, if not wholly, to the effect produced by the salts of the sea upon the mobility and circulation of its waters. Here, then, is an office which the sea performs in the economy of the universe by virtue of its saltness and which it could not perform were its waters altogether fresh. And thus philosophers have a clew placed in their hands which will probably guide them to one of the many hidden reasons that are embraced in the true answer to the question, " Why is the sea salt?" 103. "We find in sea water other matter besides common salt. Lime is dissolved by the rains and the rivers, and emptied in vast quantities into the ocean. Out of it, coral islands and coral reefs of great extent — marl-beds, shell-banks, and infusorial deposits of enormous magnitude have been constructed by the inhabitants of the deep. These creatures are endowed with the power of secreting, apparently for their own purposes only, solid matter, which the waters of the sea hold in solution. But this power was given to them that they also might fulfil the part assigned them in the economy of the universe. For to them, probably, has been allotted the important office of assisting in giving circulation to the ocean, of helping to regulate the climates of the earth, and of preserving the purity of the sea. The better to comprehend how such creatures may influence currents and climates, let us suppose the ocean to be perfectly at rest — that, throughout, it is in a state of complete equilibrium — that, with the exception of those tenants of the deep which have the power of extracting from it the solid matter held in solution, there is no agent in nature capable of disturbing that equilibrium — and. that all these fish, &c., have suspended their secretions, in order that this state of a perfect aqueous equilibrium and repose throughout the sea might be attained In this state of things — the waters of the sea being in perfect equilibrium — a single mollusk or coral- line, wo will suppose, commences his secretions, and abstracts from the sea water (§ 87) solid matter for his coll. In that act, this animal has destroyed the equilibrium of the whole ocean, for the specific gravity of that portion of water from which this solid matter has been extracted is altered. Having lost a portion of its solid contents, it has become specifically lighter than it was before; it must, therefore, give place to the pressure which the heavier water exerts to push it aside and to occupy its place, and it must consequently travel about and mingle with the waters of the other parts of the ocean until its proportion of solid matter is returned to it, and until it attains the exact degree of specific gravity due sea water generally. How much solid matter does the whole host of marine plants and animals abstract from sea water daily? Is it a thousand pounds or a thousand millions of tons? No one can say. But, whatever be its weight, it is so much of the power of gravity applied to the dynamical forces of the ocean. And this power is derived from the salts of the sea, through the agency of sea-shells and other marine animals, that <6 THE WIXD AND CURRENT CHARTS. of tliemselves scarcely possess the power of locomotion. Yet they have power to put the whole sea ia motion, from the equator to the poles, and from top to bottom. Those powerful and strange equatorial currents (§ 121), which navigators tell us they encounter in the Pacific Ocean, to what are they due? Coming from sources unknown, they are lost in the midst of the ocean. They are due, no doubt, to some extent, to the effects of precipitation and evaporation, and the change of heat produced thereby. But we have yet to inquire, How far may they be due to the derange- ment of equilibrium arising from the change of specific gravity caused by the secretions of the myriads of marine animals that are continually at work in those parts of the ocean? These abstract from sea water solid matter enough to build continents of. And, also, we have to inquire as to the extent to which equilibrium in the sea is disturbed by the salts which evaporation leaves behind. Thus, when we consider the salts of the sea in one point of view, we see the winds and the marine animals operating upon the waters, and, in certain parts of the ocean, deriving from the solid contents of the same those very principles of antagonistic forces which hold the earth in its orbit, and preserve the harmonies of the universe. In another point of view, we see how the sea-breeze and the sea-shell, in performing their appointed offices, act so as to give rise to a reciprocating motion in the waters; and thus they impart to the ocean dynamical forces also for its circulation. The sea-breeze plays upon the surface ; it converts only fresh water into vapor, and leaves the solid matter behind. The surface water thus becomes specifically heavier, and sinks. On the other hand, the little marine architect below, as he works upon his coral edifice at the bottom, abstracts from the water there a portion of its solid contents ; it therefore becomes specifically lighter, and up it goes, ascending to the top with increased velocity, to take the place of the descending column, which, by the action of the winds, has been sent down loaded with fresh food and materials for the busy little mason in the depths below. Seeing, then, that the inhabitants of the sea, with their powers of secretion, are competent to exercise at least some degree of influence in disturbing equilibrium, are not these creatures entitled to be regarded as agents which have their offices to perform in the system of oceanic circulation, and do not they belong to its physical geography ? It is immaterial how great or how small that influence may be supposed to be ; for, be it great or small, we may rest assured it is not a chance influence, but it is an influence exercised — if exercised at all — by design, and according to the commandment of Him whose "voice the winds and the sea obey." Thus God speaks through sea-shells to the ocean. It may therefore be supposed that the arrangements in the economy of nature are such as to require that the various kinds of marine animals, whose secretions are calculated to alter the specific gravity of sea water, to destroy its equilibrium, to beget currents in the ocean, and to control its circulation, should be distributed according to order. 104. Upon this supposition — the like of which nature warrants throughout her whole domain — we may conceive how the marine animals of which we have been speaking may impress other features upon THE SALTS OF THE SEA. 77 the physical relations of the sea by assisting also to regulate clinaates, and to adjust the temperature of certain latitudes. For instance, let us suppose the waters in a certain part of the torrid zone to be 70°, but by reason of the fresh water which has been taken from them in a state of vapor, and consequently by reason of the proportionate increase of salts, these waters are heavier than waters that may be cooler, but not so salt. This being the case, the tendency would be for this warm, but salt and heavy water, to flow off as an under current toward the polar or some other regions of lighter water. Now if the sea were not salt, there would be no coral islands to beautify its landscape and give variety to its features ; sea-shells and marine insects could not operate upon the specific gravity of its waters, nor give variety to its climates; neither could evaporation give dynamical force to its circulation, and they, ceasing to contract as their temperature falls below 40°, would give but little impulse to its currents, and thus its circulation would be torpid, and its bosom lack animation. This under current may be freighted with heat to temper some hyperborean region or to soften some extra-tropical climate (§ 147), for we know that such is among the effects of marine currents. At starting, ' it might have been, if you please, so loaded with solid matter, that, though its temperature were 70°, yet, by reason of the quantity of such matter held in solution, its specific gravity might have been greater even than that of extra-tropical sea water generally at 28°. Notwithstanding this, it may be brought into contact, by the way, with those kinds and quantities of marine organisms that shall abstract solid matter enough to reduce its specific gravity, and, instead of leaving it greater than common sea water at 28°, make it less than common sea water at 40°; consequently, in such a case, this warm sea water, when it comes to the cold latitudes, would be brought to the surface through the instrumentality of shell-fish, and various other tribes that dwell far down in the depths of the ocean. Thus we perceive that these creatures, though they are regarded as being so low in the scale of creation, may nevertheless be regarded as agents of much importance in the terrestrial economy ; for we perceive that they are capable of spreading over certain parts of the ocean those benign mantles of warmth which temper the winds, and modify, more or less, all the marine climates of the earth. 105. The makers of nice astronomical instruments, when they have put the difierent parts of their machinery together, and set it to work, find, as in the chronometer, for instance, that it is subject in its performance to many irregularities and imperfections — that in one state of things there is expansion, and in another state contraction among cogs, springs, and wheels, with an increase or diminution of rate. This defect the makers have sought to overcome ; and, with a beautiful display of ingenuity, they have attached to the works of the instrument a contrivance which has had the effect of correcting these irregularities, by counteracting the tendency of the instrument to change its performance with the changing influences of temperature. This contrivance is called a compensation; and a chronometer that is well regulated and properly compensated will perform its office with certainty, and preserve its rate under all the vicissitudes of heat and cold to which it may be exposed. 78 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. In the clock-work of the ocean and the macliinery of the universe, order and regularity are maintained by a system of compensations. A celestial body, as it revolves around its sun, flies off un_der the influence of centrifugal force ; but immediately the forces of compensation begin to act ; the planet is brought back to its elliptical path, and held in the orbit for which its mass, its motions, and its distance were adjusted. Its compensation is perfect. So, too, with the salts and the shells of the sea in the machinery of the ocean ; from them are derived principles of compensation the most perfect ; through their agency the undue effects of heat and cold, of storm and rain, in disturbing the equilibrium, and producing thereby currents in the sea, are compensated, regulated, and controlled. The dews, the rains, and the rivers are continually dissolving certain minerals of the earth, and carrying them off to the sea. This is an accumulating process ; and if it were not compensated, the sea would finally become as the Dead Sea is, saturated with salt, and therefore unsuitable for the habitation of many fish of the sea. The sea-shells and marine insects afford the required compensation. They are conservators of the ocean. As the salts are emptied into the sea, these creatures secrete them again and pile them up in solid masses, to serve as the bases of islands and continents, to be in the process of ages upheaved into dry land, and then again dissolved by the dews and rains, and washed by the rivers away into the sea. Darwin, many years ago, during one of those moments of inspiration which enabled him to fore- shadow the steamboat and the locomotive, told philosophers whence came the salts and the solid matter out of which sea-shells and coral reefs are built. " Gnomes ! You then tauglit transuding dews to pass Through timc-faU'n woods and root-inwovc morass Age after age ; and with filtration fine Dispart from earths, and sulpliurs, and saline. Hence with diffusive salt old ocean steeps His emerald shallows, and his sapphire deeps." We have reason, I think, for the conjecture that the sea was salt early "in the beginning," when "the waters under heaven were gathered together unto one place," and the dry land first appeared. Go back as far as we may in the dim records which young Nature has left inscribed upon the geological column of her early processes, and there we find the fossil shell and the remains of marine organisms, to inform us that when the foundations of our mountains were laid with granite, and immediately succeeding that remote period when the primary formations were completed, the sea was as it is now, salt; for had it not been salt, whence could those creeping things which fashioned the sea-shells that cover the tops of the Andes, or those madrepores that strew the earth with solid matter that has been secreted from briny waters, or those infusorial deposits which astound the geologist with their magnitude and extent, or those fossil remains of the sea which have astonished, puzzled, and bewildered man in all ages — whence, had not the sea been salt, when its metes and bounds were set, could these creatures have obtained solid matter for their edifices THE SALTS OF THE SEA. 79 and structures ? Much of that part of the earth's crust which man stirs up in cultivation, and which yields him bread, has been made fruitful by these "salts," which all manner of marine insects, aqueous organisms, and sea-shells have secreted from the ocean. Much of this portion of our planet has been filtered through the sea, and its insects and creeping things are doing now precisely what they were set about when the dry land appeared, viz : preserving the purity of the ocean, and regulating it in the due performance of its great offices. As fast as the rains dissolve the salts of the earth, and send them down through the rivers to the sea, these faithful and everlasting agents of the Creator elaborate them into pearls, shells, corals, and precious things ; and so, while they are preserving the sea, they are also embellishing the land by imparting new adaptations to its soil, beauty and variety to its landscapes. In every department of nature there is to be found this self adjusting principle — this beautiful and exquisite system of compensation, by which the operations of the grand machinery of the universe are maintained in the most perfect order. 106. Thus we behold sea-shells and animalculse in a new light. May we not now cease to regard them as beings which have little or nothing to do in maintaining the harmonies of creation ? On the contrary, do we not see in them the principles of the most admirable compensation in the system of oceanic circulation? We may even regard them as regulators, to some extent, of climates in parts of the earth far removed from their presence. There is something suggestive, both of the grand and the beautiful, in the idea that, while the insects of the sea are building up their coral islands in the perpetual summer of the tropics, they are also engaged in dispensing warmth to distant parts of the earth, and in mitigating the severe cold of the polar winter. Surely an hypothesis which, being followed out, suggests so much design, such perfect order and arrangement, and so many beauties for contemplation and admiration as does this, which, for the want of a better, I have ventured to offer with regard to the solid matter of the sea water, its salts and its shells — ■ surely such an hypothesis, though it be not based entirely on the results of actual observation, cannot be regarded as wholly vain or as altogether profitless. 80 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. CHAPTER VII. CUEEENTS OF THE SEA.* Governed by Laws, J 107. — The Inhabitants of the Sea the Creatures of Climate, 108. — First Principles, 109. — Currents of the Red Sea, 110. — How an under Current from it is generated, 111. — Why the Red Sea is not salting up, 112. — Meditekeanean Ccbkent, 113. — Currents of the Indian Ocean, 114. — A Gulf Stream along the Coast of China, 115. — Points of Resemblance between it and the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic, 116. — Geographical Features unfavorable to large Icebergs in the North Pacific, 117. — Arguments in favor of return Currents, because Sea Water is salt, 118.— Currents op the Pacific, 119. — Discovery of an immense Body of Warm Water drifting South, 120. — Currents about the Equator, 121. — Under Currents : Proof of, afforded by Deep Sea Sound- ings, 122. — Currents caused by Changes in Specific Gravity of Sea Water, 123. — The great Equatorial Current of the Atlantic, 124. — The Cape St. Roque Current not a constant Current, 125. 107. Let us, in this chapter, set out with the postulate that the sea, as well as the air, has its system of circulation, and that this system, whatever it be, and wherever its channels lie, whether in the waters at or below the surface, is in obedience to physical laws. The sea, by the circulation of its waters, has its offices to perform in the terrestrial economy ; and when we see the currents in the ocean running hither and thither, we feel that they were not put in motion without a cause. On the contrary, reason assures us that they move in obedience to some law of Nature, be it recorded down in the depths below, never so far beyond the reach of human ken ; and being a law of Nature, we know who gave it, and that neither chance nor accident had anything to do with its enactment. Nature grants us all that this postulate demands, repeating it to us in many forms of expression ; she utters it in the blade of green grass which she causes to grow in climates and soils made kind and genial by warmth and moisture, that some current of the sea or air has conveyed far away from under a tropical sun. She murmurs it out in the cooling current of the north ; the whales of the sea tell of it, and all its inhabitants proclaim it. 108. The fauna and the flora of the sea are as much the creatures of climate, and are as dependent for their well-being upon temperature as are the fauna and the flora of the dry land. Were it not so, we should find the fish and the algae, the marine insect and the coral, distributed equally and alike in all parts of the ocean. The polar whale would delight in the torrid zone, and the habitat of the pearl oyster would be also under the iceberg, or in frigid waters colder than the melting ice. Now water, while its capacities for heat are scarcely exceeded by those of any other substance, is one of the most complete of non-conductors. Heat does not permeate water as it does iron, for instance, or other good conductors. Heat the top of an iron plate, and the bottom becomes warm ; but heat the top of a sheet of water, as in a pool or basin, and that at the bottom remains cool. The heat passes through iron * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. Harper and Brothers, New York. CURRKNTS OF THE SEA. 81 by conduction, but to get through water it requires to be conveyed by a motion, which in fluids we call currents. Therefore the study of the climates of the sea involves a knowledge of its currents, both cold and warm. They are the channels through which the waters circulate, and by means of which the harmonies of old ocean are preserved. 109. Hence, in studying the system of oceanic circulation, we set out with the very simple assump- tion, viz : that from whatever part of the ocean a current is found to run, to the same part a current of equal volume is obliged to return ; for, upon this principle is based the whole system of currents and counter-currents of the air as well as of the water. It is not necessary to associate with oceanic currents the idea that they must of necessity, as on land, run from a higher to a lower level. So far from this being the case, some currents of the sea actually run up hill, while others run on a level. The Gulf Stream is of the first class. 110. The currents which run from the Atlantic into the Mediterranean, and from the Indian Ocean into the Red Sea, are the reverse of this. Here the bottom of the current is probably a water-level, and the top an inclined plane, running djown hill. Take the Eed Sea current as an illustration. That sea lies, for the most part, within a rainless and riverless district. It may be compared to a long and narrow trough. Being in a rainless district, the evaporation from it is immense ; none of the water thus taken up is returned to it, either by rivers or rains. It is about one thousand miles long ; it lies nearly north and south, and extends from latitude 13° to the parallel of 30° north. From May to October, the water in the upper part of this sea is said to be two feet lower than it is near the mouth.* This change or difference of level is ascribed to the effect of the wind, which, prevail, ing from the north at- that season, is supposed to blow the water out. But, from May to October is also the hot season ; it is the season when evaporation is going on most rapidly ; and when we consider how dry and how hot the winds are which blow upon this sea at this season of the year, we may suppose the daily evaporation to be immense ; not less, certainly, than half an inch, and probably twice that amount. We know that the waste from canals by evaporation, in the summer time, is an element which the engineer, when taking the capacity of his feeders into calculation, has to consider. With him it is an important element ; how much more so must the waste by evaporation from this sea be, when we consider the physical conditions under which it is placed. Its feeder, the Arabian Sea, is a thousand miles from its head; its shores afe burning sands; the evaporation is ceaseless; and none of the vapors, which the scorching winds that blow over it carry away, are returned to it again in the shape of rains. The Red Sea vapors are carried off and precipitated elsewhere. The depression in the level of its * Johnston's Physical Atlas. 11 82 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. head waters in the summer time, therefore, it appears, is owing quite as much to the eflect of evaporation as to that of the wind blowing the waters back. The evaporation in certain parts of the Indian Ocean is from three-fourths of an inch to an inch daily. Suppose it for the Eed Sea, in the summer time, to average only half an inch a day. Now, if we suppose the velocity of the current which runs into that sea to average, from mouth to head, twenty miles a day, it would take the water fifty days to reach the head of it. If it lose half an inch from its surface by evaporation daily, it would, by the time it reaches the Isthmus of Suez, lose twenty-five inches from its surface. Thus the waters of the Eed Sea ought to be lower at the Isthmus of Suez than they are at the Straits of Babelmandeb. Independently of the waters forced out by the wind, they ought to be lower from two other causes, viz : evaporation and temperature, for the temperature of that sea is necessarily lower at Suez, in latitude 30°, than it is at Babelmandeb, in latitude 13°. To make it quite clear that the surface of the Eed Sea is not a sea level, but is an inclined plane, suppose the channel of the Eed Sea to have a perfectly smooth and level floor, with no water in it, and a wave ten feet high to enter the Straits of Babelmandeb, and to flow up the channel at the rate of twenty miles a day for fifty days, losing daily, by evaporation, half an inch; it is easy to perceive that, at the end of the fiftieth day, this wave would not be so high, by two feet (twenty-five inches), as it was the first day it commenced to flow. The top of that sea, therefore, may be regarded as an inclined plane, made so by evaporation. 111. But the salt water, which has lost so much of its freshness by evaporation, becomes salter, and therefore heavier. The lighter water at the Straits cannot balance the heavier water at the Isthmus, and the colder and salter, and therefore heavier water, must either run out as an under current, or it must deposit its surplus salt in the shape of crystals, and thus gradually make the bottom of the Eed Sea a salt- bed, or it must abstract all the salt from the ocean to make the Eed Sea brine — and we know that neither the one process nor the other is going on. Hence we infer that there is from the Eed Sea an under or outer current, as there is from the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar, and that the surface waters near Suez are salter than those near the mouth of the Eed Sea. And, to show why there should be an outer and under current from each of these two seas, let us suppose the case of a long trough, opening into a vat of oil, with a partition to keep the oil from running into the trough. Now, suppose the trough to be filled up with wine on one side of the partition to the level of the oil on the other. The oil is introduced to represent the lighter water as it enters either of these seas from the ocean, and the wine the same water after it has lost some of its freshness by evapora- tion, and therefore has become salter and heavier. Now, suppose the partition to be raised, what would take place ? Why, the oil would run in as an upper current, overflowing the wine, and the wine would run out as an under current. The rivers which discharge in the Mediterranean are not sufficient to supply the waste of evaporation, and it is by a process similar to this that the salt which is carried in from the ocean is returned to the CURRENTS OF THK SEA. 83 ocean again; were it not so, the bed of tbat sea •would be a mass of solid salt. The equilibrium of the seas is preserved, beyond a doubt, by a system of compensation as exquisitely adjusted as are those by which the " music of the spheres " is maintained. The above about under currents is theory : Now let us see the results of actual observation upon the density of water in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, and upon the under currents that run out from these seas. Four or five years ago, Mr. Morris, chief engineer of the Oriental Company's steamship Ajdaha, collected specimens of Red Sea water all the way from Suez to the Straits of Babelmandeb, which were afterward examined by Dr. Giraud, who reported the following results : — * Latitude. Longitude. Spec. Grav. Saline Cont. o o 1000 parts. No. 1. Sea at Suez — 1027 41.0 No. 2. Gulf of Suez . 27.49 33.44 1026 40.0 No. 3. Red Sea 24.29 36. 1024 39.2 No. 4. do. 20.55 38.18 1026 40.5 No. 5. do. 20.43 40.03 1024 39.8 No. 6. do. 14.34 42.43 1024 39.9 No. 7. do. 12.39 44.45 1023 39.2 These observations agree with the theoretical deductions just announced, and show that the surface waters at the head are heavier and Salter than the surface waters at the mouth of the Red Sea. In the same paper, the temperature of the air between Suez and Aden often rises, it is said, to 90°, "and probably averages little less than 75° day and night all the year round. The surface of the sea varies in heat from 65° to 85°, and the difference between the wet and dry bulb thermometers often amounts to 25°— in the kamsin, or desert winds, to from 30° to 40°; the average evaporation at Aden is about eight feet for the year." "Now, assuming," says Dr. Buist, "the evaporation of the Red Sea to be no greater than that of Aden, a sheet of water eight feet thick, equal in area to the whole expanse of the sea, will be carried off annually in vapor; or assuming the Red Sea to be eight hundred feet in depth at an average — and this, most assuredly, is more than double the fact — the whole of it would be dried up, were no water to enter from the ocean, in one hundred years. The waters of the Red Sea, throughout, contain some four per cent, of salt by weight — or, as salt is a half heavier than water, some 2.7 per cent, in bulk — or, in round numbers, say three per cent. In the course of three thousand years, on the assumptions just made, the Red Sea ought to have been one mass of solid salt, if there were no current running out." 112. Now we know the Red Sea is more than three thousand years old, and that it is not filled with Transact, of the Bombay Gcograph. Soc, Tol. ix., May, 1819, to August, 1850. 84- THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. salt ; and the reason is, that as fast as the upper currents bring the salt in at the top, the under currents carry it out at the bottom. 113. Mediterranean Currents. — With regard to an under current from the Mediterranean, we may begin by remarking that we know that there is a current always setting in at the surface from the Atlantic, and that this is a salt-water current, which carries an immense amount of salt into that sea. We know, moreover, that that sea is not salting up; and therefore, independently of the postulate (§ 109) and of observations, we might infer the existence of an under current, through which this salt finds its way out into the broad ocean again.* With regard to this outer and under current, we have observations telling of its existence as long ago as 1712. "In the year 1712," says Dr. Hudson, in a paper communicated to the Philosophical Society in 172-1, "Monsieur du L'Aigle, that fortunate and generous commander of the privateer called the Phoenix, of Marseilles, giving chase near Ceuta Point to a Dutch ship bound to Holland, came up with her in the middle of the Gut between Tariffa and Tangier, and there gave her one broadside, which directly sunk her, all her men being saved by Monsieur du L'Aigle ; and in a few days after, the Dutch ship, with her cargo of brandy and oil, arose on the shore near Tangier, which is at least four leagues to the westward of the place where she sunk, and directly against the strength of the current, which has persuaded many men that there is a recurrency in the deep water in the middle of the Gut that sets outward to the grand ocean, which this accident very much demonstrates; and, possibly, a great part of the water which runs into the Straits returns that way, and along the two coasts before mentioned ; otherwise, this ship must, of course, have been driven toward Ceuta, and so upward. The water in the Gut must be very deep; several of the commanders of our ships of war having attempted to sound it with the longest lines they could contrive, but could never find any bottom." In 1828, Dr. Wollaston, in a paper before the Philosophical Society, stated that he found the specific gravity of a specimen of sea water, from a depth of six hundred and seventy fathoms, fifty miles within the Straits, to have a " density exceeding that of distilled water by more than four times the usual excess, and accordingly leaves, upon evaporation, more than four times the usual quantity of saline residuum. * Dr. Smith appears to have been the first to conjecture this explanation, which he did in 1083 (vide Philosnphical Transactions). This continual indraught into the Mediterranean appears to have been a vexed question among the navigators and philosophers even of those times. Dr. Smith alludes to several hypotheses which had been invented to solve these phenomena, such as subterraneous vents, cavities, exhalation by the sun's beams, &c., and then offers bis conjecture, which, in his own words, is, "that there is an under current, by which as great a quantitj' of water is carried out as comes flowing in. To confirm which, besides what I have said above about the difference of tides in the offing and at the shore in the Downs, which necessarily supposes an under current, I shall present you with an instance of the like nature in the Baltic Sound, as I received it from an able seaman, who was at the making of the trial. He told me that, being there in one of the king's frigates, they went with their pinnace into the mid stream, and were carried violently by the current; that, soon after this, they sunk a bucket with a heavy cannon ball to a certain depth of water, which gave a check to the boat's motion; and, sinking it still lower and lower, the boat was driven ahead to the windward against the upper current: the current aloft, as he added, not being over four or five fathoms deep, and that the lower the bucket was let fall, they found the under current the stronger." CURRENTS OF THE SEA, 85 Hence it is clear that an under current outward of such denser water, if of equal breadth and depth with the current inward near the surface, would carry out as much salt below as it brought in above, although it moved with less than one-fourth part of the velocity, and would thus prevent a perpetual increase of saltness in the Mediterranean Sea beyond that existing iu the Atlantic." The doctor obtained this specimen of sea water from Captain, now Admiral Smyth, of the English Navy, who had collected it for Dr. Marcet. Dr. Marcet died before receiving it, and it had remained in the admiral's hands some time before it came into those of Wollaston. It may, therefore, have lost something by evaporation; for it is difficult to conceive that all the river water, and three-fourths of the sea water which runs into the Mediterranean, is evaporated from it, leaving a brine for the under current having four times as much salt as the water at the surface of the sea usually contains. Very recently, M. Coupvent des Bois is said to have shown, by actual observation, the existence of an outer and under current from the Mediterranean. However that may be, these facts, and the statements of the Secretary of the Geographical Society of Bombay (§ 111), seem to leave no room to doubt as to the existence of an under current both from the Red Sea and Mediterranean, and as to the cause of the surface current which flows into them, I think it a matter of demonstration. It is accounted for (§ 111) by the salts of the sea. Writers, whose opinions are entitled to great respect, differ with me as to the proof of this demonstra- tion. Among these writers are Admiral Smyth, of the British Navy, and Sir Charles Lyell, who also differ with each other. In 1820, Dr. Marcet, being then engaged in studying the chemical composition of sea water, the admiral, with his usual alacrity for doing " a kind turn," undertook to collect for the doctor specimens of Mediterranean water from various depths, especially in and about the Straits of Gibraltar. Among these was the one taken fifty miles within the Straits from the depth of six hundred and seventy fathoms (four thousand and twenty feet), which, being four times salter than common sea water, left, as we have just seen, no doubt in the mind of Dr. Wollaston as to the existence of this under current of brine. But the indefatigable admiral, in the course of his celebrated survey of the Mediterranean, discovered that, while inside of the Straits, the depth was upward of nine hundred fathoms, yet, in the Straits them- selves, the depth across the shoalest section is not more than one hundred and sixty* fathoms, "Such being the case, we can now prove," exclaims Sir Charles Lyell, "that the vast amount of salt' brought into the Mediterranean does not pass out again by the Straits ; for it appears by Captain Smyth's soundings, which Dr, Wollaston had not seen, that between the Capes of Trafalgar and Spartel, which are twenty-two miles apart, and where the Straits are shallowest, the deepest part, which is on the side of Cape Spartel, is only two hundred and twenty fathoms.f It is therefore evident, that if water sinks in certain parts of the Mediterranean, in consequence of the increase of its specific gravity, to greater depths than two * The Mediterranean. t '^''*' hundred and sixty, Smyth. W . THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. hundred and twenty fathoms, it can never flow out again into the Atlantic, since it must he stopped by the submarine barrier which crosses the shallowest part of the Straits of Gibraltar."* According to this reasoning, all the cavities, the hollows and the valleys at the bottom of the sea, especially in the trade-wind region, where evaporation is so constant and great, ought to be salting up or filling up with brine. Is it probable that such a process is actually going on ? No. According to this reasoning, the water at the bottom of the great American lakes ought to be salt, for the rivers and the rains, it is admitted, bring the salts from the land and empty them into the sea. It is also admitted that the great lakes would, from this cause, be salt, if they had no sea drainage. The Niagara Kiver passes these river salts from the upper lakes into Ontario, and the St. Lawrence conveys them thence to the sea. Now, the basins or bottoms of all these upper lakes are far below the top of the rock over which the Niagara pitches its flood. And, were the position assumed by this writer correct, viz : that if the water in any of these lakes should, in consequence of its specific gravity, once sink below the level of the shoals in the rivers and straits which connect them, it never could flow out again, and consequently, must remain there foreverf — were this principle physically correct, would not the water at the bottom of the lakes gradually have received salt sufficient, during the countless ages that they have been sending it off to the sea, to make this everlastingly pent-up water briny, or at least quite different in its constituents from that of the surface? We may presume that the water at the bottom of every extensive and quiet sheet of water, whether salt or fresh, is at the bottom by reason of specific gravity ; but that it does not remain there forever we have abundant proof If so, the Niagara River would be fed by Lake Erie only from that layer of water which is above the level of the top of the rock at the Falls. Consequently, wherever the breadth of that river \s no greater than it is at the Falls, we should have a current as rapid as it is at the moment of passing the top of the rock to make the leap. To see that such is not the way of Nature, we have but to look at any common mill-pond when the water is running over the dam. The current in the pond that feeds the overflow is scarcely perceptible, for " still water runs deep." Moreover, we know it is not such a skimming current as the geologist would make, which runs from one lake to another ; for, -wherever above the Niagara Falls the water is deep, there we are sure to find the current sluggish, in comparison with the rate it assumes as it approaches the Falls; and it is sluggish in deep places, rapid in shallow ones, because it is fed from below. The common " wastes" in our canals teach us this fact. The reasoning of this celebrated geologist appears to be founded upon the assumption that when water, in consequence of its specific gravity, once sinks below the bottom of a current where it is shallowest, there is no force of traction in fluids, nor any other power, which can draw this heavy water up again. If such were the case, we could not have deep water immediately inside of the bars which obstruct the passage of the great rivers into the sea. Thus the bar at the mouth of the Mississippi, with only fifteen feet of water on it, is estimated to travel out to sea at rates varying from one hundred to twenty yards a year. * Lyell's Principles of Geology, p. 334-5, ninth edition. London, 1S53. f See paragraph quoted (J 113) from Lyell's Principles of Geology. r CUKRKNTS OF THE SEA. 87 In the place where that bar was when it was one thousand yards nearer to New Orleans than it now is, whether it were fifteen years ago or a century ago, with only fifteen or sixteen feet of water on it, we have now four or five times that depth. As new bars were successively formed seaward from the old, what dug up the sediment which formed the old, and lifted it up from where specific gravity had placed it, and carried it out to sea over a barrier not more than a few feet from the surface ? Indeed, Sir Charles himself makes this majestic stream to tear up its own bottom to depths far below the top of the bar at its mouth. He describes the Mississippi as a river having nearly a uniform breadth to the distance of two thousand miles from the sea.* He makes it cut a bed for itself out of the soil, which is heavier than Admiral Smyth's deep sea water, to the depth of more than two hundred feetf below the top of the bar which obstructs its entrance into the sea. Could not the same power which scoops out this solid matter draw the brine up from the pool in the Mediterranean, and pass it out across the barrier in the Straits. The traction of locomotives on railroads and the force of that traction are well understood. Now, have not currents in the deep sea power derived from some such force ? Suppose this under current from the Mediterranean to extend one hundred and sixty fathoms down, so as to chafe the barrier across the Straits. Upon the bottom of this current, then, there is a pressure of more than fifty atmospheres. Have we not here a source of power that would be capable of drawing up, by almost an insensibly slow motion, water from almost any depth ? At any rate, it appears that the effect of currents by traction, or friction, or whatever force, does extend far below the level of their beds in shallow places. Were it not so — were the brine not drawn out again — it would be easy to prove that this indraught into the Mediterranean has taken, even during the period assigned by Sir Charles to the formation of the Delta of the Mississippi — one of the newest formations — salt enough to fill up the whole basin of the Mediterranean with crystals. Admiral Smyth brought up bottom with his briny sample of deep sea water (six hundred and seventy fathoms), but no salt crystals. The gallant admiral — appearing to withhold his assent both from Dr. Wollaston in his conclusions as to this under current, and from the geologist in his inferences as to the effect of the barrier in the Straits — suggests the probability that, in sounding for the heavy specimen of sea water, he struck a brine spring. But the specimen, according to analysis, was of sea water, and how did a brine spring of sea water get under the sea but through the process of evaporation ou the surface, or by parting with a portion of its fresh water in some other way ? If we admit the principle assumed by Sir Charles Lyell, that water from the great pools and basins of the sea can never ascend to cross the ridges which form these pools and basins, then the harmonies of the sea are gone, and we are forced to conclude they never existed. Every particle of water that sinks below a submarine ridge is, ipso facto, by his reasoning, stricken from the channels of circulation, to become • " From near its mouth at tlie Balize, a steam-boat "may ascend for nearly two thousand miles with scarcely any perceptible difference in the width of the river." — Lyell, p. 263. f " The Mississippi is continually shifting its course in the great alluvial plain, cutting frequently to the depth of one hundred, and even sometimes to the depth of two hundred and fifty feet." — Lyell, p. 273. 8B THE WIXU AND CURRENT CHARTS, thenceforward forever motionless matter. The consequence would be " cold obstruction" in the depths of the sea, and a system of circulation between different seas of the waters only that float above the shoalest reefs and barriers. I do not believe in the existence of any such imperfect terrestrial mechanism, or in any such failures of design. To my mind, the proofs — the theoretical proofs — the proofs derived exclusively from reason and analogy — are as clear in favor of this under current from the Mediterranean ss they were in favor of the existence of Leverrier's planet before it was seen through the telescope at Berlin. Now suppose, as Sir Charles Lyell maintains, that none of these vast quantities of salt which this surface current takes into the Mediterranean find their way out again. It would not be difficult to show, even to the satisfaction of that eminent geologist, that this indraught conveys salt away from the Atlantic faster than all the /resA-water rivers empty fresh supplies of salt into the ocean. Now, besides this drain, vast quantities of salts are extracted from sea water for madrepores, coral reefs, shell banks, and marl beds ; and by such reasoning as this, which is perfectly sound and good, we establish the existence of this under current, or else we are forced to the very unphilosophical conclusion that the sea must be losing its salts, and becoming less and less briny. 114. The Currents of the Indian Ocean. — By carefully examining the physical features of this sea (Plates XVIII. and XIX.), and studying its conditions, we are led to look for warm currents that have their genesis in this ocean, and that carry from it volumes of overheated water, probably exceeding in quantity many times that which is discharged by the Gulf Stream from its fountains (Plate XVII.). The Atlantic Ocean is open at the north, but tropical countries bound the Indian Ocean in that direction. The waters of this ocean are hotter than those of the Caribbean Sea, and the evaporating force there (§ 36) is much greater. That it is greater we might, without observation, infer from the fact of a higher temperature and a greater amount of precipitation on the neighboring shores (§ 33). These two facts, taken together, tend, it would seem, to show that large currents of warm water have their genesis in the Indian Ocean. One of them is the well-known Mozambique current, called at the Cape of Good Ilope the Lagullas current. 115. Another of these currents makes its escape through the Straits of Malacca, and, being joined by other warm streams from the Java and China Seas, flows out into the Pacific, like another Gulf Stream, between the Philippines and the shores of Asia. Thence it attempts the great circle route for the Aleutian Islands, tempering climates, and losing itself in the sea on its route toward the northwest coast of America. 116. Between the physical features of this current and the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic there are several points of resemblance. Sumatra and Malacca correspond to Florida and Cuba; Borneo to the Bahamas, with the Old Providence Channel to the south, and the Florida Pass to the west. The coasts of China answer to those of the United States, the Philippines to the Bermudas, the Japan Islands to Newfoundland. As with the Gulf Stream, so also here with this China current, there is a counter-current of cold water between it and the shore. The climates of the Asiatic coast correspond with those of CUBKENTS OF THE SEA. 89 America, along the Atlantic, and those of Columbia, "Washington, and Vancouver are duplicates of those of Western Europe and the British Islands; the climate of California (State) resembling that of Spain; the sandy plains and rainless regions of Lower California reminding one of Africa, with its deserts between the same parallels, &c. Moreover, the North Pacific, like the N'orth Atlantic, is enveloped, where these warm waters go, with mists and fogs, and streaked with lightning. The Aleutian Islands are as renowned for fogs and mists as are the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. A surface current flows north through Behring's Strait into the Arctic Sea ; but, in the Atlantic, the current is from, not into the Arctic Sea : it flows south on the surface, north below; Behring's Strait being too shallow to admit of mighty under currents, or to permit the introduction from the polar basin of any large icebergs into the Pacific. Behring's Strait, in geographical position, answers to Davis's Strait in the Atlantic ; and Alaska, with its Aleutian chain of islands, to Greenland. But, instead of there being to the east of Alaska, as there is to the east of Greenland, an escape into the polar basin for these warm waters, the Pacific shore-line intervenes, and turns them down through a sort of North Sea along the western coast of the continent toward Mexico. And in this feature we may perceive why there cannot be in the North Pacific a Gulf Stream equal to that of the North Atlantic. The heat of the torrid and the cold of the frigid zone are perpetually destroying the equilibrium of the ocean, by changing with temperature the specific gravity of sea water ; and the mere change of specific gravity there begets currents as surely as the change of weight at one end of the balance will cause it to kick the beam. The polar waters, having their specific gravity changed, seek the torrid zone by the North Sea and Davis's Strait ; Behring's Strait is so shallow and so narrow that they cannot in sufficient volume get out that way, neither can large volumes of warm water enter the polar basin that way. Hence there is no call in th^ Pacific for a Gulf Stream like ours to supply the polar seas with intertropical waters. 117. These contrasts show the principal points of resemblance and of difference between the currents and aqueous circulation in the two oceans. The ice-bearing currents of the North Atlantic are not repeated as to degree in the North Pacific, for there is no nursery for icebergs like the Frozen Ocean and its arms. The seas of Okotsk and Kamtschatka alone, and not the frozen seas of the Arctic, cradle the icebergs for the North Pacific. There is, at times at least, another current of warm water from the Indian Ocean. It finds its way south midway between Africa and Australia. The whales (Plate IX.) give indications of it. Nor need we be surprised at such a vast flow of warm water as these three currents indicate from the Indian Ocean, when we recollect that this ocean (§ 114) is land-locked on the north, and that the temperature of its waters is frequently as high as 90° Fahr. There must, therefore, be immense volumes of water flowing into the Indian Ocean to supply the waste created by these warm currents, and the fifteen or twenty feet of water that observations tell us are yearly carried off from this ocean by evaporation. 12 90 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. On either side of this warm current that escapes from the inter-tropical parts of the Indian Ocean, midway between Africa and Australia, an ice-bearing current (Plate XIX.) is found wending its way from the Antarctic regions, with supplies of cold water, to modify climates and restore the aqueous equilibrium in that part of the world. These cold currents sometimes get as far north with their icebergs as 40° south. The Gulf Stream seldom permits them to get so near the equator as that in the North Atlantic, but I have known the ice-bearing current which passes east of Cape Horn into the South Atlantic to convey its bergs as far as the parallel of 37° south latitude. This is the nearest approach of icebergs to the equator. 118. These currents which run out from the inter-tropical basin of that immense sea — Indian Ocean — are active currents. They convey along immense volumes of water containing vast quantities of salt, and we know that sea water enough to convey back equal quantities of salt, and salt to keep up supplies for the outgoing currents, must flow into or return to the inter-tropical regions of the same sea; therefore, if observations were silent upon the subject, reason would teach us to look for currents here that keep in motion immense volumes of water. 119. The Currents of the Pacific. — The contrast has been drawn (§ 116) between the China or " Gulf Stream" of the North Pacific, and the Gulf Stream of the North Atlantic. The course of the China Stream has never been traced out. There is (Plate XIX.), along the coast of California and Mexico, a southwardly movement of waters, as there is along the west coast of Africa toward the Cape de Verde Islands. In the open space west of this southwardly set along the African coast, there is the famous Sargasso Sea (Plate XIX.), which is the general receptacle of the drift-wood and sea-weed of the Atlantic. So, in like manner, to the west from California of this other southwardly set, lies the pool into which the drift- wood and sea-weed of the North Pacific are generally gathered. The natives of the Aleutian Islands, where no trees grow, depend upon the drift-wood cast ashore there for all the timber used in the construction of their boats, fishing-tackle, and household gear. Among this timber, the camphor-tree, and other woods of China and Japan, are said to be often recognized. In this fact we have additional evidence touching this China Stream, as to which (§ 119) but little, at best, is known. The Cold Asiatic Current.— Inshore of, but counter to the China current, along the eastern shores of Asia, is found (§ 116) a streak, or layer, or current of cold water answering to that between the Gulf Stream and the American coast. This current, like its fellow in the Atlantic, is not strong enough at all times sensibly to affect the course of navigation ; but, like that in the Atlantic, it is the nursery of most valuable fisheries. The fisheries of Japan are quite as extensive as those of Newfoundland, and the people of each country are indebted for their valuable supplies of excellent fish to the cold waters which the currents of the sea bring down to their shores. Humboldt's Current. — The currents of the Pacific arc but little understood. Among those about which most is thought to be known is the Humboldt Current of Peru, which the great and good man CUKRENTS OF THE SEA. 91 whose name it bears was the first to discover. It has been traced on Plate XIX. according to the best information — defective at best — upon the subject. This current is felt as far as the equator. 120. I have, I believe, discovered the existence of a warm current in the inter- tropical regions of the Pacific, midway between the American coast and the shore-lines of Australia. This region affords an immense surface for evaporation. No rivers empty into it ; the annual fall of rain, except in the " equatorial doldrums," is small, and the evaporation is all that both the northeast and the southeast trade-Avinds can take up and carry off. I have marked on Plate XIX. the direction of the supposed warm water current which conducts these overheated and briny waters from the tropics in mid ocean to the extra-tropical regions where precipitation is in excess. Here being cooled, and agitated, and mixed up with waters that are less salt, these overheated and over-salted waters from the tropics may be replenished and restored to their rounds in the wonderful system of oceanic circulation. 121. There are also about the equator in this ocean some curious currents which I do not understand, and as to which observations are not sufficient yet to afford the proper explanation or description. There are many of them, some of which, at times, run with great force. On a voyage from the Society to the Sandwich Islands, I encountered one running at the rate of ninety-six miles a day. And what else should we expect in this ocean but a system of currents and counter-currents apparently the most uncertain and complicated ? The Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean may, in the view we are about to take, be considered as one sheet of water. This sheet of water covers an area quite equal in extent to one-half of that embraced by the whole surface of the earth ; and, according to Professor Alexander ^eith Johnston, who so states it in the new edition of his splendid Physical Atlas, the total annual fall of rain on the earth's surface is one hundred and eighty-six thousand, two hundred and forty cubic imperial miles. Not less than three-fourths of the vapor which makes this rain comes from this waste of Avaters ; but supposing that only half of this quantity, i. e. ninety-three thousand, one hundred and twenty cubic miles of rain falls upon this sea, and that that much, at least, is taken up from it again as vapor, this would give two hundred and fifty-five cubic miles as the quantity of water which is daily lifted up and poured back again into this expanse. It is taken up at one place and rained down at another, and in this process, therefore, we have agencies for multitudes of partial and conflicting currents, all, in their set and strength, apparently as uncertain as the winds. The better to appreciate the operation of such agencies in producing currents in the sea, now here, now there, first this way, and then that, let us, by way of illustration, imagine a district of two hundred and fifty-five square miles in extent to be set apart in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, as the scene of operations for one day. We must now conceive a machine capable of pumping up, in the twenty-four hours, all the water to the depth of one mile in this district. The machine must not only pump up and bear off' this immense quantity of water, but it must discharge it again into the sea on the same day, but at some other place. Now here is a force for creating currents that is equivalent in its results to the effects that would be produced by baling up, in twenty-four hours, two hundred and fifty-five cubic miles of water from one part of the Pacific Ocean, and emptying it out again upon another part. The currents 92 THE WIND AITD CURRENT CHARTS. that would be created by such an operation would overwhelm navigation and desolate the sea; and, happily for the human race, the great atmospherical machine, which actually does perform every day, on the average, all this lifting up, transporting, and letting down of water upon the face of the grand ocean, does not confine itself to an area of two hundred and fifty-five square miles, but to an area three hundred thousand times as great ; yet, nevertheless, the same quantity of water is kept in motion, and the currents, in the aggregate, transport as much water to restore the equilibrium as they would have to do were all the disturbance to take place upon our hypothetical area of one mile deep over the space of two hundred and fifty-five square miles. Now when we come to recollect that evaporation is lifting up, that the winds are transporting, and that the clouds do let down every day actually such a body of water, but that it is done by little and little at a place, and by hair's breadths at a time, not by parallel opipedons one mile thick — that the evaporation is most rapid and the rains most copious, not always at the same place, but now here, now there, we shall see actually existing in nature a force sufficient to give rise to just such a system of currents as that which mariuers find in the Pacific — currents which appear to rise in mid ocean, run at unequal rates, sometimes east, sometimes west, but which always lose themselves where they rise, viz: in mid ocean. Under Currents. — Lieutenant J, C. Walsh, in the United States schooner Taney, and Lieutenant S. F. Lee, in the United States brig Dolphin, both, while they were carrying on a system of observations in connection with the Wind and Current Charts, had their attention directed to the subject of submarine currents. They made some interesting experiments upon the subject. A block of wood was loaded to sinking, and, by means of a fishing-line or a bit of twine, let down to the depth of one hundred or five hundred fathoms (six hundred or three thousand feet). A small float, just sufficient to keep the block from sinking further, was then tied to the line, and the whole let go from the boat. To use their own expressions, " It was wonderful, indeed, to see this harrega move off, against wind, and sea, and surface current, at the rate of over one knot an hour, as was generally the case, and on one occasion as much as 1| knots. The men in the boat could not repress exclamations of surprise, for it really appeared as if some monster of the deep had hold of the weight below, and was walking off with it."* Both officers and men were amazed at the sight. 122. The experiments in deep-sea soundings have also thrown much light upon the subject of under currents. There is reason to believe that they exist in all, or almost all parts of the deep sea, for never in any instance yet has the deep-sea line ceased to run out, even after the plummet had reached the bottom. If the line be held fast in the boat, it invariably parts, showing, when two or three miles of it are out, that the under currents are sweeping against the bight of it with what seamen call a swigging force, that no sounding twine has yet proved strong enough to withstand. Lieutenant J. P. Parker, of the United States frigate Congress, attempted, in 1852, a deep-sea sounding * Lieutenant Walsh. CUKREXTS OF THE SEA. 93 ofT:" the coast of South America. He was engaged with the experiment eight or nine hours, during which time a line nearly ten miles long was paid out. Night coming on, he had to part the' line (which he did simply by attempting to haul it in), and return on board. Examination proved that the ocean there, instead of being over ten miles in depth, was not over three, and that the line was swept out by the force of one or more under currents. But in what direction these currents were running is not known. 123. It may, therefore, without doing any violence to the rules of philosophical investigation, be conjectured, that the equilibrium of all the seas is preserved, to a greater or less extent, by this system of currents and counter-currents at and below the surface. If we except the tides, and the partial currents of the sea, such as those that may be created by the wind, we may lay it down as a rule that all the currents of the ocean owe their origin to difference of specific gravity between sea water at one place and sea water at another; for wherever there is such a difference, whether it be owing to difference of temperature or to difference of saltness, &c., it is a difference that disturbs equilibrium, and currents are the consequence. The heavier water goes toward the lighter, and the lighter whence the heavier comes ; for two fluids differing in specific gravity (§ 36), and standing at the same level, cannot balance each other. It is immaterial, as before stated, whether this difference of specific gravity be caused by temperature, by the matter held in solution, or by any other thing; the effect is the same, namely, a current. That the sea, in all parts, holds in solution the same kind of solid matter ; that its waters in this place, where it never rains, are not salter than the strongest brine ; and that in another place, where the rain is incessant, they are not entirely without .salt, may be taken as evidence in proof of a system of currents or of circulation in the sea, by which its waters are shaken up and kept mixed together as though they were in a phial. Moreover, we may lay it down as a law in the system of oceanic circulation, that every current in the sea has its counter-current ; in other words, that the currents of the sea are, like the nerves of the human system, arranged in pairs; for wherever one current is found carrying ofi:' water from this or that part of the sea, to the same part must some other current convey an equal volume of water, or else the first would, in the course of time, cease for the want of water to supply it. 124. Currents of the Atlantic. — The principal currents of the Atlantic have been described in the chapter on the Gulf Stream. Besides this, its eddies and its offsets, are the equatorial current (Plate XVII.), and the St. Eoque or Brazil Current. Their fountain-head is the same. It is in the warm waters about the equator, between Africa and America. The former, receiving the Amazon and the Oronoco as tributaries by the way, flows into the Caribbean Sea, and becomes with the waters in which the vapors of the trade-winds leave their salts, the feeder of the Gulf Stream. The Brazil Current, coming from the same fountain, is supposed to be divided by Cape St. Eoque, one branch going to the south under this name (Plate XIX.), the other to the westward. This last has been a great bugbear to navigators, principally on account of the difficulties which a few dull vessels falling to leeward of St. Roque have found in beating up against it. It was said to have caused the loss of some English transports in the last 94 THE WIND AND CURRENT CUARTS. century, which fell to leeward of the Cape on a voyage to the other hemisphere ; and navigators, accordingly, were advised to shun it as a danger. 125. This current has been an object of special investigation during my researches connected with the Wind and Current Charts, and the result has satisfied me that it is neither a dangerous nor a constant current, notwithstanding older writers. Horsburgh, in his East India Directory, cautions navigators against it ; and Keith Johnston, in his grand Physical Atlas, published in 1848, thus speaks of it : — " This current greatly impedes the progress of those vessels which cross the equator west of 23° west longitude, impelling them beyond Cape St. Roque, when they are drawn toward the northern coast of Brazil, and cannot regain their course till after weeks or months of delay and exertion." So far from this being the case, my researches abundantly prove that vessels which cross the equator five hundred miles to the west of longitude 23° west, have no difficulty on account of this current in clearing that cape. I receive almost daily the abstract logs of vessels that cross the equator west of 30° west, and in three days from that crossing they are generally clear of that cape. A few of them report the current in their favor ; most of them experience no current at all; but, now and then, some do find a current setting to the northward and westward, and operating against them at the rate of twenty miles a day. The inter-tropical regions of the Atlantic, like those of the other oceans (§ 121), abound with conflicting currents, which no researches yet have enabled the mariner to unravel so that he may at all times know where they are and tell how they run, in order that the navigator may be certain of their help when favorable, or sure of avoiding them if adverse. I may here remark, that there seems to be a larger flow of polar waters into the Atlantic than of other waters from it, and I cannot account for the preservation of the equilibrium of this ocean by any other hypothesis than that which calls in the aid of under currents. They, I have no doubt, bear an important part in the system of oceanic circulation. Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, the venerable hydrographer of England, made, when in command of her Britannic Majesty's frigate Frederiksteen, in the Mediterranean, some interesting experiments upon under currents, which I should be glad to see repeated in other parts of the sea, especially between the tropics, in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and wherever the water is remarkably transparent. That officer says : — "The counter-currents, or those which return beneath the surface of the water, are also very remarkable ; in some parts of the Archipelago they are at times so strong as to prevent the steering of the ship ; and, in one instance, on sinking the lead, when the sea was calm and clear, with shreds of bunting of various colors attached to every yard of the line, they pointed in difierent directions all around the compass." The Gulf Stream is unique ; it is the anomaly of the sea ; its bearings upon commerce and naviga- tion are highly important — a separate chapter will be devoted to it in this light. THE GULF STREAM. 95 CHAPTEE VTII. * THE GULF stream; Its color, ? 126.— The Sargasso Sea, 129. — Galvanic Properties of Gulf Stream Waters, 130. — Agents tliat make Water in one part of the Sea heavier than in another, 132. — Temperature of the Gulf Stream, 136. — Why the Drift Matter of the Gulf Stream is sloughed off to the right of its Course, 138. — Currents run along arcs of Great Circles, 142. — The Force derived from Changes of Temperature, 143. — Limits of the Gulf Stream for March and September, 144. — A Cushion of Cold Water between the Bottom of the Sea and the Waters of the Gulf Stream, 146.— It runs up hill, 140. § 126. The water of the Gulf Stream, as far out from the Gulf as the Carolina coasts, is of an indigo blue. It is so distinctly marked, that the line of junction with the common sea water may be traced by the eye. Often one-half of the vessel may be perceived floating in Gulf Stream water, while the other half is in common water of the sea ; so sharp is the line, and such the want of affinity between those waters, and the reluctance, on the part of those of the Gulf Stream, to mingle with the common water of the sea. What is the cause of the Gulf Stream has always puzzled philosophers. Modern investigations and examinations are beginning to throw some light upon the subject, though all is not yet clear. 1. Early writers maintained that the Mississippi Eiver was the father of the Gulf Stream. Its floods, they said, produce it ; for its velocity, it was held, could be computed by the rate of the current of the river. Captain Livingston overturned this hypothesis by showing that the volume of water which the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico is only equal to about the three-thousandth part of that which escapes from it through the Gulf Stream. 2. Moreover, the water of the Gulf Stream is salt — of the Mississippi, fresh ; and those philosophers forgot that just as much salt as escapes from the Gulf of Mexico through this stream, must enter the Gulf through some other channel from the main ocean ; for, if it did not, the Gulf of Mexico, unless it had a salt-bed at the bottom, or was fed with salt-springs below — neither of which is probable — would, in process of time, become a fresh- water basin. The above quoted argument of Captain Livingston, however, was held to be conclusive ; and upon the remains of the hypothesis which he had so completely overturned, he set up another, which, in turn, has been upset. In it he ascribed the velocity of the Gulf Stream as depending " on the motion of the sun in the ecliptic, and the influence he has on the waters of the Atlantic." But the opinion that came to be the most generally received and deep rooted in the mind of seafaring people was the one repeated by Dr. Franklin, and which held that the Gulf Stream is the escaping of the * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. 96 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. waters that have been forced into the Caribbean Sea by the trade-winds, and that it is the pressure of those winds upon the water which forces up into that sea a head, as it were, for this stream. We know of instances in which waters have been accumulated on one side of a lake, or in one end of a canal, at the expense of the other. But they are rare, sudden, and partial, and, for the most part, confined to sheets of shoal water where the ripples are proportionably great. As far as they go, the pressure of the trade-winds may assist to give the Gulf Stream its initial velocity, but is it of itself adequate to such an effect ? To my mind, the laws of hydrostatics, as at present expounded, appear by no means to warrant the conclusion that it is, unless the aid of other agents also be brought to bear. Admiral Smyth, in his valuable memoir on the Mediterranean (p. 162), mentions that a continuance in the Sea of Tuscany of ffusty gales from the southwest has been known to raise its surface no less than twelve feet above its ordinary level. This, he says, occasions a strong surface drift through the Strait of Bonifaccio. But in this we have nothing like the Gulf Stream ; no deep and narrow channel way to conduct these waters off" like a miniature river even in the sea, but a mere surface flow, such as usually follows the piling up of water in any pond or gulf above the ordinary level. The Bonifaccio current does not flow like a river in the sea across the Mediterranean, but it spreads itself out as soon as it passes the Straits, and, like a circle on the water, loses itself by broad spreading as soon as it gets to sea. 127. Supposing the pressure of the waters that axe forced into the Caribbean Sea by the trade- winds to be the sole cause of the Gulf Stream, that sea and the Mexican Gulf should have a much higher level than the Atlantic. Accordingly, the advocates of this theory require for its support "a great degree of elevation." Major Rennell likens the stream to "an immense river descending from a higher level into a plain." Now we know very nearly the average breadth and velocity of the Gulf Stream in the Florida Pass. We also know, with a like degree of approximation, the velocity and breadth of the same waters off Cape Hatteras. Their breadth here is about seventy-five miles against thirty-two in the "Narrows" of the Straits, and their mean velocity is three knots off Hatteras against four in the " Narrows." This being the case, it is easy to show that the depth of the Gulf Stream off Hatteras is not so great as it is in the "Narrows" of Bemini by nearly 50 per cent., and that, consequently, instead of descending, its bed represents the surface of an inclined plane tilted down from the north, and up which the lower depths of the stream must ascend. If we assume its depth off Bemini to be two hundred fathoms, which are thought to be within limits, the above rates of breadth and velocity will give one hundred and fourteen fathoms for its depth off Hatteras. The waters, therefore, which in the Straits are below the level of the Hatteras depth, so far from descending, are actually forced up an inclined plane, whose submarine ascent Is not less than ten inches to the mile. The Niagara is an "immense river descending into a plain." But instead of preserving its character in Lake Ontario as a distinct and well-defined stream for several hundred miles, it spreads itself out, and its waters are immediately lost in those of the lake. Why should not the Gulf Stream do the same ? It gradually enlarges itself, it is true; but, instead of mingling with the ocean by broad spreading, as the THE QULF STREAM. Mf "immense rivers" descending into tlie northern lakes do, its waters, like a stream of oil in the ocean, preserve a distinctive character for nearly three thousand miles. 128. Moreover, while the Gulf Stream is running to the north from its supposed elevated level at the south, there is a cold current coming down from the north ; meeting the warm waters of the Gulf midway the ocean, it divides itself, and runs by the side of them right back into those very reservoirs at the south, to which theory gives an elevation sufficient to send out entirely across the Atlantic a jet of warm water said to be more than three thousand times greater in volume than the Mississippi River. This current from Baffin's Bay has not only no trade-winds to give it a head, but the prevailing winds are unfavorable to it, and for a great part of the way it is below the surface, and far beyond the propelling reach of any wind. And there is every reason to believe that this polar current is quite equal in volume to the Gulf Stream. Are they not the effects of like causes ? If so, what have the trade-winds to do with the one more than the other ? It is a custom often practised by seafaring people to throw a bottle overboard, with a paper, stating the time and place at which it is done. In the absence of other information as to currents, that afforded by these mute little navigators is of great value. They leave no tracks behind them, it is true, and their routes cannot be ascertained. But knowing where they were cast, and seeing where they are found, some idea may be formed as to their course. Straight lines may at least be drawn, showing the shortest distance from the beginning to the end of their voyage, with the time elapsed. Captain, now Admiral Beechey, E. N., has prepared a chart, representing, in this way, the tracks of more than one hundred bottles. From it, it appears that the waters from every quarter of the Atlantic tend toward the Gulf of Mexico and its stream. Bottles cast into the sea midway between the Old and the New Worlds, near the coasts of Europe, Africa, and America, at the extreme north or furthest south, have been found, either in the West Indies or within the well-known range of Gulf Stream waters. Of two cast out together in south latitude on the coast of Africa, one was found on the island of Trinidad; the other on Guernsey, in the English Channel. In the absence of positive information on the subject, the circumstantial evidence that the latter performed the tour of the Gulf is all but conclusive. Another bottle, thrown over off Cape Horn by an American master in 1837, has been recently picked up on the coast of Ireland. An inspection of the chart, and of the drift of the other bottles, seems to force the conclusion that this bottle too went even from that remote region to tlie so-called higher level of the Gulf Stream reservoir. 129. Midway the Atlantic, in the triangular space between the Azores, Canaries, and the Cape de Verde Islands, is the Sargasso Sea. (Plate XVII.) Covering an area equal in extent to the Mississippi Valley, it is so thickly matted over with Gulf weed [fucus natans), that the speed of vessels passing through it is often much retarded. When the companions of Columbus saw it, they thought it marked the limits of navigation, and became alarmed. To the eye, at a little distance, it seems substantial enougli to walk upon. Patches of the weed are always to be seen floating along the Gulf Stream. Now, if bits 13 98 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. of cork or cliaff, or any floating substance, be put' into a basin, and a circular motion be given to the Avater, all tbe light substances will be found crowding togetlier near the centre of tlie pool, where there is the least motion. Just such a basin is the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Stream, and the Sargasso Sea is the centre of the whirl. Columbus first found this weedy sea in his voyage of discovery; there it has remained to this day ; and certain observations as to its limits, extending back for fifty years, assure us that its position has not been altered since that time. This indication of a circular motion by the Gulf Stream is corroborated by the bottle chart and other sources of information. If, therefore, this be so, why give the endless current a higher level in one part of its course than another? Nay, more; at the very season of the year when the Gulf Stream is rushing in greatest volume through the Straits of Florida, and hastening to the north with the greatest rapidity, there is a cold stream from Baffin's Bay, Labrador, and the coasts of the north, running to the south with equal velocity. Where is the trade-wind that gives the high level to Baffin's Bay, or that even presses upon, or assists to put this current in motion ? The agency of winds in producing currents in the deep sea must be very partial. These two currents meet off the Grand Banks, where the latter is divided. One part of it underruns the Gulf Stream, as is shown by the icebergs which are carried in a direction tending across its course. The probability is, that this "fork" continues on toward the south, and runs into the Caribbean Sea, for the temperature of the water at a little depth there has been found far below the mean temperature of the earth, and quite as cold as at a corresponding depth off the Arctic shores of Spitzbergen. More water cannot run from the equator or the pole than to it. If we make the trade-winds cause the former, some other wind must produce the latter ; but these, for the most part, and for great distances, are submarine, and therefore beyond the influence of winds. Hence it should appear that winds have little to do with the general system of aqueous circulation in the ocean. The other " fork" runs between us and the Gulf Stream to the south, as already described. As far as it has been traced, it warrants the belief that it, too, runs up to seek the so-called higher level of the Mexican Gulf. The power necessary to overcome the resistance opposed to such a body of water as that of the Gulf Stream, running several thousand miles without any renewal of impulse from the forces of gravitation or any other known cause, would be truly surprising. The facts so far derived from observation, afford us at best but a mere glimmer of light, by no means sufficient to make any mind clear as to a higher level of the Gulf, or as to the sufficiency of any other of the causes assigned for this wonderful stream. If it be necessary to resort to a higher level in the Gulf to account for the velocity off" Hatteras, I cannot perceive why we should not, with like reasoning, resort to a higher level off Hatteras also to account for the velocity off the Grand Banks, and thus make the Gulf Stream, throughout its circuit, a descending current, and, by the reductio ad absurdum, show that the trade- winds are not adequate to the effect ascribed. When facts are wanting, it often happens that hypothesis will serve, in their stead, all the purposes of THK GULF STREAM, 99 mere illustration. Let us, therefore, suppose a globe of the earth's size, having a solid nucleus, and covered all over with water two hundred fathoms deep; and that every source of heat and cause of radiation be removed, so that its fluid temperature becomes constant and uniform throughout. On such a globe, the equilibrium remaining undisturbed, there would be neither wind nor current. Let us now suppose that all the water within the tropics, to the depth of one hundred fathoms, suddenly becomes oil. The aqueous equilibrium of the planet is thereby disturbed, and a general system of currents and counter-currents is inunediately commenced — the oil, in an unbroken sheet on the surface, running toward the poles, and the water, in an under current, toward the equator. The oil is supposed, as it reaches the polar basin, to be reconverted into water, and the water to become oil as it crosses Cancer and Capricorn, rising to the surface and returning as before. Thus, without wind, we should have a perpetual and uniform system of tropical and polar currents. In consequence of diurnal rotation of the planet on its axis, each particle of oil, were resistance small, would approach the poles on a spiral turning to the east, with a relative velocity greater and greater, until, finally, it would reach the pole and whirl about it at the rate of nearly a thousand miles the hour. Becoming water, and losing its velocity, it would approach the tropics by a similar, but inverted spiral, turning toward the west. Owing to the principle here alluded to, all currents from the equator to the poles should have an eastward tendency, and all from the poles toward the equator a westward. Let us now suppose the solid nucleus of this hypothetical globe to assume the exact form and shape of the bottom of our seas, and in all respects, as to figure and size, to represent the shoals and islands of the sea, as well as the coast lines and continents of the earth. The uniform system of currents just described would now be interrupted by obstructions and local causes of various kinds, such as unequal depth of water, contour of shore-lines, &c. ; and we should have at certain places currents greater in volume and velocity than at others. But still there would be a system of currents and counter-currents to and from either pole and the equator. Now, do not the cold waters of the north, and the warm waters of the Gulf, made specifically lighter by tropical heat, which we see actually preserving such a system of counter- currents, hold, at least in some degree, the relation of the supposed water and oil ? In obedience to the laws here hinted at, there is a constant tendency of polar waters toward the tropics, and of tropical waters toward the poles. Captain Wilkes, of the United States Exploring Expedition, crossed one of these hyperborean under currents two hundred miles in breadth at the equator. Assuming the maximum velocity of the Gulf Stream at five knots, and its depth and breadth in the Narrows of Bernini as before (§ 127), the vertical section across would present an area of two hundred millions of square feet moving at the rate of seven feet three inches per second. The difference of specific gravity between the volume of Gulf water that crosses this sectional line iu one second, and an equal volume of water at the ocean temperature of the latitude, is fifteen millions of pounds. If these estimated dimensions (assumed merely for the purposes of illustration) be within limits, the then force per second, 100 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. operating here to propel the waters of the Gulf toward the pole, is the equilibrating tendency due to fifteen millions of pounds of water in the latitude of Bernini. In investigating the currents of the seas, such agencies should be taken into account. I doubt whether this one is sufficient of itself to produce a stream of such great velocity as that of the Gulf; for, assuming its estimated discharge to be correct, the proposition is almost susceptible of mathematical demonstration, that to overcome the resistance opposed in consequence of its velocity would require a force at least suiScient to drive, at the rate of three miles the hour, ninety thousand millions of tons up an inclined plane having an ascent of three inches to the mile.* Yet the very principle from which this agent is derived is admitted to be one of the chief causes of those winds which are said to be the sole cause of this current, 130. The chemical properties, or, if the expression be admissible, the galvanic properties of the Gulf Stream waters, as they come from their fountains, are different, or, rather, more intense than they are in sea water generally. In 1843, the Secretary of the Navy took measures for procuring a series of observations and experiments with regard to the corrosive effects of sea water upon the copper sheathing of ships. With patience, care, and labor, these researches were carried on for a period of ten years ; and it is said the fact has been established, that the copper on the bottom of ships cruising in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico suffers more from the action of sea water upon it than does the copper of ships cruising in any other part of the ocean. In other words, the salts of these waters create the most powerful galvanic battery that is found in the ocean. 131. Now it may be supposed — other things being equal — that the strength of this galvanic battery in the sea depends, in some measure, upon the proportion of salts that the sea waters hold in solution. If, therefore, in the absence of better information, this suggestion be taken as a probability, we may go a step further, and draw the inference that the waters of the Gulf Stream, as they rush out in such volume and with such velocity into the Atlantic, have not only chemical affinities peculiar to themselves, but, having more salts, they are therefore specifically heavier than the sea water through which they flow in such a clear and well-defined channel. The affmities of which I speak, and which are manifested in the reluctance of the Gulf Stream to mingle its waters with those of the ocean (§ 126), may be the resultant of their galvanic properties, higher temperature, and greater degree of saltness, all combined. If the story told by the copper (§ 130) be taken to mean a higher point of saturation with salts, and, consequently, a greater specific gravity for the waters of the Gulf and Caribbean Sea than for the waters of the broad ocean at the same temperature, then we should have as a source for the initial velocity of the Gulf Stream, not, indeed, a higher level of the waters in the Gulf, but a greater density. Now a greater density, implying, of course, a greater specific gravity, would serve, as well as a higher ♦ Supposing there be no resistance from friction. THE GULF STREAM. 101 level, to impart an initial velocity, but with this difference : the heavier waters would, by reason of their greater pressure, be ejected through the most convenient aperture out into the ocean of lighter waters by a sort of squirting force. But what, it may be asked, should make the waters of the Mexican Gulf and Caribbean Sea salter than the waters of like temperature in those parts of the ocean through which the Gulf Stream flows ? 132. There are physical agents that are known to be at work in different parts of the ocean, the tendency of which is to make the waters in' one part of the ocean salter and heavier, and in another part lighter and less salt than the average of sea water. These agents are those employed by sea-shells in secreting solid matter for their structures, also of heat* and radiation, evaporation and precipitation. In the trade-wind regions at sea (Plate XVIII.), evaporation is generally in excess of precipitation, while in the extra-tropical regions the reverse is the case ; that is, the clouds let down more water than the winds take up again ^ and these are the regions in which the Gulf Stream enters the Atlantic. 133. Along the shores of India, where experiments have been carefully made, the evaporation amounts to three-fourths of an inch daily. Suppose it in the trade-wind region of the Atlantic to amount to only half an inch, that would give an annual evaporation of say fifteen feet. In the process of evaporation from the sea, fresh water only is taken up, the salts are left behind. Now a layer of sea water fifteeu feet deep, and as broad as the trade-wind belts of the Atlantic, and reaching across the ocean, contains an immense amount of salts. 134. The great equatorial current (Plate XVII.) which sweeps from the shores of Africa across the Atlantic into the Caribbean Sea is a surface current ; and may it not bear into that sea a large portion of those waters that have satisfied the thirsty trade-winds with saltless vapor ? If so — and it probably does — have we not detected here the foot-prints of an agent that does tend to make the waters of the Caribbean Sea Salter, and therefore heavier than the average o£sea water? It is immaterial, so far as the correctness of the principle upon which this reasoning depends is concerned, whether the annual evaporation from the trade-wind regions of the Atlantic be fifteen, ten, or five feet. The layer of water, whatever be its thickness, that is evaporated from this part of the ocean, is not all poured back by the clouds in the same place whence it came. But they take it and pour it down in showers upon the extra-tropical regions of the earth — on the land as well as in the sea — where, as a rule, more water is let down than is taken up into the clouds again. Suppose the excess of precipitation in these extra-tropical regions of the sea amounts to but twelve inches, or even to but two, it is twelve inches or two inches, as the case may be, of fresh water added to the sea in those parts, and which, there- fore, tends to lessen the specific gravity of sea water there to that extent ; j^nd for the simple reason, that what is taken from one scale, by being put into the other, reduplicates the difference. Now, that we may form some idea as to the influence which the salts left by the vapor that the trade- winds, northeast and southeast, take up from sea water, is calculated to exert in creating currents, let us * According to Doctor Marcet, sea water contracts down to 28°, 102 THE WIND AND CURREKT CHARTS. make a partial calculation to show how much salt this vapor held in solution before it was taken up, and, of course, while yet in the state of sea water. The northeast trade-wind regions of the Atlantic embrace an area of at least three million square miles ; and the yearly evaporation from it is (§ 133), we will suppose, fifteen feet. The salt that is contained in a mass of sea water, covering to the depth of fifteen feet an area of three million square miles in superficial extent, would be sufficient to cover the British islands to the depth of fourteen feet. As this water supplies the trade-winds with vapor, it therefore becomes salter, and as it becomes salter, the forces of aggregation among its particles are increased, as we may infer from the fact (§ 131) that the waters of the Gulf Stream are reluctant to mix with those of the ocean. Now, whatever may be the cause that enables these waters to remain on the surface, whether it be from the fact just stated, and in consequence of which the waters of the Gulf Stream are held together in their channel; or whether it be from the fact that the expansion from the heat of the torrid zone is suffi- cient to compensate for this increased saltness ; or whether it be from both of these influences together that these waters are kept on the surface, suffice it to say, we do know that they go into the Caribbean Sea (§ 134) as a surface current. The trade-winds, by their constant force, may assist to skim them off from the Atlantic, and push them along into the Caribbean Sea, whence, for causes unknown, they escape by the channel of the Gulf Stream in preference to any other. 135. In the present state of our .knowledge concerning this wonderful phenomenon — for the Gulf Stream is one of the most marvellous things in the ocean — we can do little more than conjecture. But we have two causes in operation which we may safely assume are among those concerned in producing the Gulf Stream. One of these is in the increased saltness of its water after the trade-winds have been supplied with vapor from it; and the other is in the diminished quantum of salt which the Baltic and the North Sea contain. The waters of the Baltic are nearly fresh ; they contain only about half as much salt as sea water does generally. Now here we have, on one side, the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, with their waters of brine ; on the other, the Baltic and the North Sea, with waters that are but little more than brackish. In one set of these sea-basins the water is heavy; in the other, it is light. Between them the ocean intervenes; but water is bound to seek and to maintain its level ; and here, therefore, we unmask one of the agents concerned in causing the Gulf Stream. What is the influence of this agent — that is, how great is it, and to what extent does it go — we cannot say; only it is at least one of the agents concerned. Moreover, speculate as we may as to all the agencies concerned in collecting these waters, that have supplied the trade- winds with vapor, into the Caribbean Sea, and then in driving them across the Atlantic, of this we may be sure, that the salt which the trade-wind vapor leaves behind in the tropics has to be conveyed away from the trade- wind region, to be mixed up again in due proportion with the other water -of the sea — the Baltic included — and that these are the waters which we see ruiming off through the Gulf Stream. To convey them away is one of the offices which, in the economy of the ocean, has been assigned to it. 136. As to the temperature of the Gulf Stream, there is, in a winter's day, off Hatteras, and even as THE GULF STREAM. 103 high up as the Grand Banks in mid ocean, a difference between its waters and those of the ocean of nearly 20°, and even 80°. Water, we know, expands by heat, and here the difference of temperature may more than compensate for the difference of saltness, and leave, therefore, the waters of the Gulf lighter by reason of their warmth. 137. Being lighter and adhesive, they should therefore occupy a higher level than those through which they flow. Assuming the depth off Hatteras to be one hundred and fourteen fathoms, and allowing the usual rates of expansion for sea water, figures show that the middle or axis of the Gulf Stream there should be nearly two feet higher than the contiguous waters of the Atlantic. Hence the surface of the stream should present a double inclined plane, from which the water would be running down on either side, as from the roof of a house. As this runs off at the top, the same weight of colder water runs in at the bottom, and so raises up the cold-water bed of the Gulf Stream, and causes it to become shallower and shallower as it goes north. That the Gulf Stream is roof-shaped, causing the waters on its surface to flow off to either side from the middle, we have not only circumstantial evidence to show, but observations to prove. Navigators, while drifting along with the Gulf Stream, have lowered a boat to try the surface current. In such cases, the boat would drift either to the east or to the west, as it happened to be on one side or the other of the axis of the stream, while the vessel herself would drift along with the stream in the direction of its course; thus showing the existence of a shallow roof-current from the middle toward either edge, which would carry the boat along, but which, being superficial, does not extend deep enough to affect the drift of the vessel. That such is the case (§ 137), is also indicated by the circumstance that the sea-weed and drift-wood which are found in such large quantities along the outer edge of the Gulf Stream, are never, even with the prevalence of easterly winds, found along its inner edge, and for the simple reason that to cross the Gulf Stream, and to pass over from that side to this, they would have to drift up stream, as it were; that is, they would have to stem this roof-current until they reached the middle of the stream. We never hear of planks, or wrecks, or of any floating substance which is cast into the sea on the other side of the Gulf Stream being found along the coasts of the United States. Drift-wood, trees, and seeds from the West India Islands, are said to have been cast up on the shores of Europe, but never, that I ever heard, on the Atlantic shores of this country. We are treating now of the effects of physical causes. The question to which I ask attention is, AVhy does the Gulf Stream slough off and cast upon its outer edge sea-weed, drift-wood, and all other solid bodies that are found floating upon it ? 138. One cause has been shown to be in its roof-shaped current ; but there is another which tends to produce the same effect, and because it is a physical agent, it should not, in a treatise of this kind, be overlooked, be its action never so slight. I allude now to the effects (upon the drift; matter of the stream) produced by the diurnal rotation of the earth. Take, for illustration, a railroad that runs north and south. It is well known to engineers, that when IM THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. the cars are going north on such a road, their tendency is to run oif on the east side ; but when the train is going south, their tendency is to run off on the west side of the track — i. e. always on the right-hand side. Whether the road be one mile or one hundred miles in length, the effect of diurnal rotation is the same, and the tendency to run off, as you cross a given parallel at a stated rate of speed, is the same, whether the road be long or short, the tendency to fly the track being in proportion to the speed of the trains, and not at all in proportion to the length of the road. Now, vis inertice and velocity being taken into the account, the tendency to obey the force of this diurnal rotation, and to trend to the right, is proportionably as great in the case of a patch of sea- weed as it drifts along the Gulf Stream, as it is in the case of the train of cars as they speed to the north, along the iron track of the Hudson River Railway, or the Great Western Railway of England. The rails restrain the cars and prevent them from flying off; but there are no rails to restrain the sea-weed, and nothing to prevent the drift matter of the Gulf Stream from going off" in obedience to this force. The slightest impulse tending to turn aside bodies moving freely in water is immediately felt and implicitly obeyed. 139. It is in consequence of this diurnal rotation that drift-wood coming down the Mississippi is so very apt to be cast upon the west or right bank. This is the reverse of what obtains upon the Gulf Stream, for it flows to the north ; it therefore sloughs off to the east. The effect of diurnal rotation upon the winds and upon the currents of the sea is admitted by all ; the trade-winds derive their easting from it. It must, therefore, extend to all the matter which these currents bear with them— to the largest iceberg as well as to the merest sprig of grass that floats upon the ■waters, or the minutest organism that the most powerful microscope can detect among the impalpable particles of sea-dust. This effect of diurnal rotation will be frequently alluded to in the pages of this work. .140. In its course to the north, the Gulf Stream gradually trends more and more to the eastward, until it arrives off the Banks of Newfoundland, where its course becomes due east. These Banks, it has been thought, deflect it from its proper course, and cause it to take this turn. Examination will prove, I think, that they are an effect, certainly not the cause. It is here that the frigid current already spoken of (§ 128), with its icebergs from the north, are met and melted by the warm waters of the Gulf. Of course the loads of earth, stones, and gravel brought down upon them are here deposited. Captain Scoresby, far away in the north, counted five hundred icebergs setting out from the same vicinity upon this cold current for the south. Many of them, loaded with earth, have been seen aground on the Banks. This process of transferring deposits for these shoals has been going on for ages; and, with time, seems altogether adequate to the effect described. The deep-sea soundings that have been made by vessels of the navy (Plate XIV.) tend to confirm this view as to the formation of these Banks. The greatest contrast in the bottom of the Atlantic is just to the south of these Banks. Nowhere, in the open sea, has the water been found to deepen so suddenly as here. Coming from the north, the bottom of the sea is shelving; but suddenly, after passing these Banks, THE GULF STREAM. 105 its depth increases by almost a precipitous descent for many thousand feet, thus indicating that the debris which forms the Grand Banks comes from the north. 141. From the Straits of Bemini the course of the Gulf Stream (Plate XVII.) describes (as far as it can be traced over toward the British Islands which are in the midst of its waters) the arc of a great circle as nearly as may be, only the thread or axis of the Gulf Stream does not generally go quite as far north as the great circle would. Such a course as this is the course that a cannon ball, could it be shot from these straits to those islands, would take. If it were possible to see Ireland from Bemini, and to get a cannon that would reach that far, the person standing on Bemini and taking aim, intending to shoot at Ireland as a. target, would, if the earth were at rest, sight along the plane of a great circle, for the path of the ball would be in such a plane. But there is diurnal rotation ; the earth does revolve on its axis ; and since Bemini is nearer than Ireland is to the equator, the gun would be moving in diurnal rotation faster than the target, and therefore the marksman, taking aim point blank at his target, would miss. He would find, on examination, that he had shot ahead of bis mark. In other words, that the path actually described by the ball would not be an arc of a great circle, and that the highest parallel reached by the ball in its flight would not be as far north as the highest parallel touched by the great circle, and that, consequently, the path of the ball would take a due east course before the track of the great circle would. It is the case of the passenger in the railroad car throwing an apple, as the train sweeps by, to a boy standing by the wayside. If he throw straight at the boy, he will miss, for the apple, partaking of the motion of the cars, will go ahead of the boy, and for the very reason that the shot will pass in advance of the target, for both the marksman and the passenger are going faster than the object at which they aim. 142. Hence we may assume it as a law, that the natural tendency of all currents in the sea, like the natural tendency of all projectiles through the air, is to describe their curves of flight in the planes of great circles, departing therefrom — unless /orcec? to depart by obstructions — only so much as the forces of diurnal rotation may impel. The arc of a great circle is the shortest distance between any two points on the surface of a sphere. Light, heat, and electricity, running water, and all substances, whether ponderable or imponderable, seek, when in motion, to pass from point to point by the shortest lines practicable. Electricity may be turned aside from its course, and so may the cannon-ball or running water; but remove every obstruction, and leave the current or the shot free to continue on in the direction of the first impulse, or to turn aside of its own volition, so to speak, and straight it will go, and continue to go — if on a plane, in a straight line ; if on a sphere, in the arc of a great circle — thus showing that it has no volition except to obey impulse, and the physical requirements to take the shortest way to its point of destination. The waters of the Gulf Stream, as they escape from the Gulf (§ 135), are bound over to the British Islands, to the North Sea, and Frozen Ocean (Plate XIX.). Accordingly, they take (§ 141), in obedience to this physical law, the most direct course by which nature will permit them to reach their destination 14 106 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. And this course, as already remarked, is nearly that of the great circle, and exactly that of the supposed cannon ball. Many philosophers have expressed the opinion — indeed, the belief is common among mariners (§ 140)— that the coasts of the United States and the Shoals of Nantucket turn the Gulf Stream toward the east ; but if the view I have been endeavoring to make clear be correct — and I think it is — it appears that the course of the Gulf Stream is fixed and prescribed by exactly the same laws that require the planets to revolve in orbits, the planes of which shall pass through the centre of the sun; and that, were the Nantucket Shoals not in existence, the course of the Gulf Stream, in the main, would be exactly as it is, and where it is. The Gulf Stream is bound over to the North Sea and Bay of Biscay partly for the reason, perhaps, that the waters there are lighter than those of the Mexican Gulf (§ 135) ;* and if the Shoals of Nantucket were not in existence, it could not pursue a more direct route. The Grand Banks, however, are encroaching, and cold currents from the north come down upon it ; they may, and probably do, assist now and then to turn it aside. Now if this explanation as to the course of the Gulf Stream and its eastward tendency hold good, a current setting from the north toward the south should have a westward tendency. It should also move in a great circle, or rather in the circle of trajection, calling thus the circle traced upon the earth which would be described by a trajectile moving through the air without resistance and for a great distance. Accord- ingly, and in obedience to the propelling powers, derived from the rate at which different parallels are whirled around in diurnal motion, we find the current from the north, which meets the Gulf Stream on the Grand Banks (Plate XIX.), taking a aouihwestwardly direction, as already described (§ 139). It runs down to the tropics by the side of the Gulf Stream, and stretches as far to the west as our own shores will allow. Yet, in the face of these facts, and in spite of this force, both Major Kennell and M. Arago make the coasts of the United States and the Shoals of Nantucket to turn the Gulf Stream toward the east. 143. But there are other forces operating upon the Gulf Stream. They are derived from the effect of changes in the waters of the whole ocean, as produced by changes in their temperature from time to time. As the Gulf Stream leaves the coasts of the United States, it begins to vary its position according to the seasons ; the limit of its northern edge, as it passes the meridian of Cape Eace (Plate XVII.), being in winter about latitude 40°-41°, and in September, when the sea is hottest, about latitude 45°-46°. The trough of the Gulf Stream, therefore, may be supposed to waver about in the ocean not unlike a pennon in the breeze. Its head is confined between the shoals of the Bahamas and the Carolinas, but that part of it which stretches over toward the Grand Banks of Newfoundland is, as the temperature of the w'aters of the ocean changes, first pressed down toward the south, and then again up toward the north, according to the season of the year. To appreciate the extent of the force by which it is so pressed, let us imagine tlie waters of the Gulf * The waters of the Atlantic generally contain 5J per cent, more of saline matter than those of the English Channel. — M. Bouillon la Grange. ■ . THE GULF STBEAM. 107 Stream to extend all the way to the bottom of the sea, so as completely to separate, by an impenetrable liquid wall, if you please, the waters of the ocean on the right from the waters in the ocean on the left of the stream. It is the height of summer : the waters of the sea on either hand are for the most part in a liquid state, and the Gulf Stream, let it be supposed, has assumed a normal condition between the two divisions, adjusting itself to the pressure on either side so as to balance them exactly and be in equilibrium. Now, again, it is the dead of winter, and the temperature of the waters over an area of millions of square miles in the North Atlantic has been changed many degrees, and this change of temperature has been followed by a change in the specific gravity of those waters, amounting, no doubt, in the aggregate, to many hundred millions of tons, over the whole ocean; for sea water, unlike fresh (§ 132), contracts to freezing. Now is it probable that, in passing from their summer to their winter temperature, the sea waters to the right of the Gulf Stream should change their specific gravity exactly as much in the aggre- gate as do the waters in the whole ocean to the left of it ? If not, the difference must be compensated by some means. Sparks are not more prone to fly upward, nor water to seek its level, than Nature is sure, with her efforts, to restore equilibrium in both sea and air whenever, wherever, and by whatever it be disturbed. Therefore, though the waters of the Gulf Stream do not extend to the bottom, and though they be not impenetrable to the waters on either hand, yet, seeing that they have a waste of waters on the right and a waste of waters on the left, to which (§ 126) they offer a sort of resisting permeability, we are enabled to comprehend how the waters on either hand, as their specific gravity is increased or diminished, will impart to the trough of this stream a vibratory motion, pressing it now to the right, now to the left, according to the seasons and the consequent changes of temperature in the sea. 144. Plate XVII. shows the limits of the Gulf Stream for March and September. The reason for this change of position is obvious. The banks of the Gulf Stream are cold water. In winter, the volume of cold water on the American, or left side of the stream, is greatly increased. It must have room, and gains it by pressing the warmer waters of the stream further to the south, or right. In September, the temperature of these cold waters is modified ; there is not such an extent of them, and then the warmer waters, in turn, press them back, and so the pendulum-like motion is preserved. The observations made by the United States Coast Survey indicate that there are in the Gulf Stream threads of warmer, separated by streaks of cooler water. See Plate XVII., in which these are shown. Figure A may be taken to represent a thermometrical cross section of the stream opposite the Capes of Virginia, for instance ; the top of the curve representing the thermometer in the threads of the warmer water, and the depressions the height of the same instrument in the streaks of cooler water between, thus exhibiting, as one sails from America across the Gulf Stream, a remarkable series of thermometrical elevations and depressions in the surface temperature of this mighty river in the sea. 145. As a rule, the hottest water of the Gulf Stream is at or near the surface; and as the deep sea thermometer is sent down, it shows that these waters, though still far warmer than the water on either side at corresponding depths, gradually become less and less warm until the bottom of the current is reached. There is reason to believe that the warm waters of the Gulf Stream are nowhere permitted, in the oceanic 108 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. economy, to touch the bottom of the sea. There is everywhere a cushion of cool water between them and the solid parts of the earth's crust. This arrangement is suggestive, and strikingly beautiful. One of the benign offices of the Gulf Stream is to convey heat from the Gulf of Mexico, where otherwise it would become excessive, and to disperse it in regions beyond the Atlantic for the amelioration of the climates of the British Islands and of all Western Europe. Now cold water is one of the best non-conductors of heat, and if the warm water of the Gulf Stream was sent across the Atlantic in contact with the solid crust of the earth — comparatively a good conductor of heat — instead of being sent across, as it is, in contact with a cold, non-conducting cushion of cool water to fend it from the bottom, all its heat would be lost in the first part of the way, and the soft climates of both France and England would be as that of Labrador, severe in the extreme, and ice-bound. 146. But to return to the streaks and reservoirs of hot water below. The hottest water is tho lightest ; as it rises to the top, it is cooled both by evaporation and exposure, when the surface is replenished by fresh supplies of hot water from below. Thus, in a winter's day, the waters at the surface of the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras may be at 80°, and at the depth of five hundred fathoms— three thousand feet — as actual observations show, the thermometer will stand at 57°. Following the stream thence off the Capes of Virginia, one hundred and twenty miles, it will be found — the water-thermometer having been carefully noted all the way — that it now stands a degree or two less at the surface, while all below is cooler. In other words, the stratum of water at 57°, which was three thousand feet below the surface off Hatteras, has, in a course of one hundred and twenty or one hundred and thirty miles in a horizontal direction, ascended, vertically, six hundred feet; that is, this stratum has run up hill with an ascent of five or six feet to the mile. In the case of boiling springs, we perceive how all the ascending water comes up in one column ; that there is no descent of surface water through- that which is boiling up, but at the side of the bubbling. Moreover, in a cold winter's day, the water, as it boils up, is relatively warm ; it smokes, grows cool, and the surface thermometer will stand highest where it is boiling, lowest off a little way toward the verge of the fountain. Just so with these warmer and cooler streaks in the Gulf Stream. This warm water, in its ascent of five feet to the mile — suppose we are considering the streak which is the hottest, and is, also, the nearest to the American shore — represents the boiling in the fountain ; the warm, ascending water rising up in one body, and the cooler and heavier water going off to the side in another body, to sink and take its place with the other waters of the stream according to gravity and temperature. See the streaks X, y, z, Plate XVII. Now, when these waters come to the top and cool, they are travelling with the current toward the north, and the effect of diurnal rotation is to turn them, as it turns any other drift (§ 139), to the eastward. They obey this influence to a certain extent, sinking down as they obey, in consequence of their greater specific gravity; beyond this sinking—?', e. further from the shore — is another rising-up place, each thread of the hot water being less and less warm, and each stream of cooler water more and more cool. The forces of diurnal rotation, operating upon the waters as they are successively sloughed off from each INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STREAM UPON CLIMATES. 109 thread and streak alternately above and below, are quite enough to determine them to the east. A rod being poised on a point at one end, so as to stand alone, has no more tendency to fall to the east than to the west ; but the smallest force, the slightest breath will determine it either way. So with the forces of diurnal rotation, and these streaks of warm and cool water ; the water that has been to the top and is cooled must give way to warmer water that is pressing up from below ; it must flow either to the west or to the east, and diurnal rotation assists in determining it. When it sinks and reaches its proper level, it must again go to the east or to the west to get into the ascending column, and rise again to the surface in its proper turn. There is no more tendency for it to go to the west than to the east, and diurnal rotation like the weight of the feather is sufiicient ; it again plies its forces, and they are obeyed. Taking all these facts and views into consideration, we are led to the conclusion with which we set out (§ 142), that it is the law of matter in motion, and not the Shoals of Nantucket, that controls the Gulf Stream in its course. CHAPTEE IX. INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STREAM UPON CLIMATES.* The Sea a Part of a Grand Machine, | 148. — Injluenct of the Gulf Stream upon the Meteorology of the Sea, 149. — Dampness of Climate of England due to it, 150. — The Pole of Maximum Cold, 151. — Gales of the Gulf Stream, 152. — Influence of the Gulf Stream upon Commerce and Navigation, 153. — Thermal Navigation, 154. 147. Modern ingenuity has suggested a beautiful mode of warming houses in winter. It is done by means of hot water. The furnace and the caldron are sometimes placed at a distance from the apart- ments to be warmed. It is so at the Observatory. In this case, pipes are used to conduct the heated water from the caldron under the superintendent's dwelling over into one of the basement-rooms of the Observatory, a distance of one hundred feet. These pipes are then flared out so as to present a large cooling surface ; after which they are united into one again, through which the water, being now cooled, returns of its own accord to the caldron. Thus cool water is returning all the time and flowing in at the bottom of the caldron, while hot water is continually flowing out at the top. The ventilation of the Observatory is so arranged that the circulation of the atmosphere through it is led from this basement-room, where the pipes are, to all other parts of the building ; and in the process of this circulation, the warmth conveyed by the water to the basement is taken thence by the air and distributed over all the rooms. Now, to compare small things with great, we have, in the warm waters which are confined in the Gulf of Mexico, just such a heating apparatus for Great Britain, the North Atlantic, and Western Europe. * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. 110 ■ THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. The furnace is the torrid zone ; the Mexican Gulf and Caribbean Sea are the caldrons ; the Gulf Stream is the conducting pipe. From the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to the shores of Europe is the basement — the hot-air chamber — in which this pipe is flared out so as to present a large cooling surface. Here the circulation of the atmosphere is arranged by nature ; and it is such that the warmth thus conveyed into this warm-air chamber of raid-ocean is taken up by the genial west winds, and dispensed, in the most benign manner, throughout Great Britain and the west of Europe. The maximum temperature of the water-heated air-chamber of the Observatory is about 90°. The maximum temperature of the Gulf Stream is 86°, or about 9° above the ocean temperature due the latitude. Increasing its latitude 10°, it loses but 2° of temperature ; and, after having run three thousand miles toward the north, it still preserves, even in winter, the heat of summer. With this temperature, it crosses the 40th degree of north latitude, and there, overflowing its liquid banks, it spreads itself out for thousands of square leagues over the cold waters around, and covers the ocean with a mantle of warmth that serves so much to mitigate in Europe the rigors of winter. Moving now more slowly, but dispensing its genial influences more freely, it finally meets the British Islands. By these it is divided (Plate XIX.), one part going into the polar basin of Spitzbergen, the other entering the Bay of Biscay, but each with a warmth considerably above the ocean temperature. Such an immense volume of heated water cannot fail to carry with it beyond the seas a mild and moist atmosphere. And this it is which so much softens climate there. We know not, except approximately in one or two places, what the depth or the under temperature of the Gulf Stream may be ; but assuming the temperature and velocity at the depth of two hundred fathoms to be those of the surface, and taking the well-known difference between the capacity of air and of water for specific heat as the argument, a simple calculation will show that the quantity of heat discharged over the Atlantic from the waters of the Gulf Stream in a winter's day would be sufficient to raise the whole column of atmosphere that rests upon France and the British Islands from the freezing point to summer heat. Every west wind that blows crosses the stream on its way to Europe, and carries with it a portion of this heat to temper there the northern winds of winter. It is the influence of this stream upon climate that makes Erin the "Em^^rald Isle of the Sea," and that clothes the shores of Albion in evergreen robes ; while in the same latitude on this side, the coasts of Labrador are fast bound in fetters of ice. In a valuable paper on currents,* Mr. Eedfield states that in 1831 the harbor of St. John's, Newfoundland, was closed with ice as late as the month of June ; yet who ever heard of the port of Liverpool, on the other side, though 2° further north, being closed with ice, even in the dead of winter? The Thermal Chart (Plate XX.) shows this. The isothermal lines of 60°, 50°, &c., starting off from the parallel of 40° near the coasts of the United States, run off in a northeastwardly direction, showing the same oceanic temperature on the European side of the Atlantic in latitude 55° or 60°, that we have on the western side in latitude 40°. Scott, in one of his beautiful novels, tells us that the ponds in the * American Journal of Science, toI. xiv. p. 293. INFLUENCE OP THE GULF STREAM UPON CLIMATES. Ill Orkneys (latitude near 60°) are not frozen in winter. The people there Qwe their soft climate to this grand heating apparatus, for drift-wood from the West Indies is occasionally cast ashore there by the Gulf Stream. Nor do the beneficial influences of this stream upon climate end here. The West Indian Archipelago is encompassed on one side by its chain of islands, and on the other by the Cordilleras of the Andes contracting with the Isthmus of Darien, and stretching themselves out over the plains of Central America and Mexico. Beginning on the summit of this range, we leave the regions of perpetual snow, and descend first into the tierra templada, and then into the tierra caliente, or burning land. Descending still lower, we reach both the level and the surface of the Mexican seas, where, were it not for this beautiful and benign system of aqueous circulation, the peculiar features of the surrounding country assure us we should have the hottest, if not the most pestilential climate in the world. As the waters in these two caldrons become heated, they are borne off by the Gulf Stream, and are replaced by cooler currents through the Caribbean Sea; the surface water, as it enters here, being 3° or 4°, and that in depth 40°* cooler than when it escapes from the Gulf. Taking only this difference in surface temperature as an index of the heat accumulated there, a simple calculation will show that the quantity of specific heat daily carried off by the Gulf Stream from those regions, and discharged over the Atlantic, is sufiicient to raise mountains of iron from zero to the melting point, and to keep in flow from them a molten stream of metal greater in volume than the waters daily discharged from the Mississippi Eiver. Who, therefore, can calculate the benign influence of this wonderful current upon the climate of the south ? In the pursuit of this subject, the mind is led from nature up to the Great Architect of nature ; and what mind will the study of this subject not fill with profitable emotions ? Unchanged and unchanging alone, of all created things, the ocean is the great emblem of its everlasting Creator. " He treadeth upon the waves of the sea," and is seen in the wonders of the deep. Yea, '' He calleth for its waters, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth." In obedience to this call, the aqueous portion of our planet preserves its beautiful system of circula- tion. By it heat and warmth are dispensed to the extra-tropical regions ; clouds and rain are sent to refresh the dry land; and by it cooling streams are brought from polar seas to temper the heat of the torrid zone. At the depth of two hundred and forty fathoms, the temperature of the currents setting into the Caribbean Sea has been found as low as 48°, while that of the surface was 85°. Another cast with three hundred and eighty-six fathoms gave 43° below against 83° at the surface. The hurricanes of those regions agitate the sea to great depths ; that of 1780 tore rocks up from the bottom in seven fathoms, and cast them on shore. They therefore cannot fail to bring to the surface portions of the cooler water below. At the very bottom of the Gulf Stream, when its surface temperature was 80°, the deep sea ther- mometer of the Coast Survey has recorded temperatures as low as 38° Fahrenheit. These cold waters doubtless come down from the north to replace the warm water sent through .the Gulf Stream to moderate the cold of Spitzbergen ; for, within the Arctic Circle, the temperature at corre- * Temperature of the Caribbean Sea (from the journals of Mr. Dunsterville) : — Surface temperature 83°, September ; 84° July ; 83°-86J° Mosquito Coast. Temperature in depth, 48°, 240 fathoms; 43°, 38G fathoms; 42°, 450 fathoms; 43°, 500 fathoms. 112 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. sponding depths off the shores of that island is only one degree colder than in the Caribbean Sea, while on the coasts of Labrador the temperature in depth is said to be 25°, or 7° below the melting point of fresh water. Captain Scoresby relates that on the coast of Greenland, in latitude 72°, the temperature of the air was 42°; of the water, 34° ; and 39° at the depth of one hundred and eighteen fathoms. He there found a current setting to the south, and bearing with it this extremely cold water, with vast numbers of icebergs, whose centres, perhaps, were far below zero. It would be curious to ascertain the routes of these under currents on their way to the tropical regions, which they are intended to cool. One has been found at the equator two hundred miles broad, and 23° colder than the surface water. Unless the land or shoals intervene, it no doubt comes down in a spiral curve, approaching the great circle. Perhaps the best indication as to these cold currents may be derived from the fish of the sea. The whales first pointed out the existence of the Gulf Stream by avoiding its warm waters. Along our own coasts, all those delicate animals and marine productions which delight in warmer waters are wanting ; thus indicating, by their absence, the cold current from the north now known to exist there. In the "-enial warmth of the sea about the Bermudas on one hand, and Africa on the other, we find, in great abundance, those delicate shell-fish and coral formations which are altogether wanting in the same latitudes along the shores of South Carolina. The same obtains in the west coast of South America; for there the cold current almost reaches the line before the first sprig of coral is found to grow. A few years ago, great numbers of bonita and albercore — tropical fish — following the Gulf Stream, entered the English Channel, and alarmed the fishermen of Cornwall and Devonshire by the havoc which they created among the pilchards there. It may well be questioned if our Atlantic cities and towns do not owe their excellent fish-markets, as well as our watering-places their refreshing sea-bathing in summer, to this stream of cold water. The temperature of the Mediterranean is 4° or 5° above the ocean temperature of the same latitude, and the fish there are very indifferent. On the other hand, the temperature along our coast is several degrees below that of the ocean, and from Maine to Florida our tables are supplied with the most excellent of fish. The sheepshead, so much esteemed in Virginia and the Carolinas, when taken on the warm, coral banks of the Bahamas, loses its flavor, and is held in no esteem. The same is the case with other fish : when taken in the cold water of that coast, they have a delicious flavor and are highly esteemed ; but when taken in the warm water on the other edge of the Gulf Stream, though but a few miles distant, their flesh is soft and unfit for the table. The temperature of the water at the Balize reaches 90°. The fish taken there are not to be compared with those of the same latitude in this cold stream. New Orleans, therefore, resorts to the cold waters on the Florida coasts for her choicest fish. The same is the case in the Pacific. A current of cold water from the south sweeps the shores of Chili, Peru, and Columbia, and reaches the Gallipagos Islands under the line. Throughout this whole distance, the world does not afford a more abundant or excellent supply of fish. Yet out in the Pacific, at the Society Islands, where coral abounds, and the water preserves a higher temperature, the fish, though they vie in gorgeousness of coloring with the birds, and plants, and insects of the tropics, are held in no esteem as an article of food. T have known sailors, INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STREAM UPON CLIMATES. 113 even after long voyages, still to prefer their salt beef and pork to a mess of fish taken there. The few facts •which we have bearing upon this subject seem to suggest it as a point of the inquiry to be made, whether the habitat of certain fish does not indicate the temperature of the water ; and whether these cold and warm currents of the ocean do not constitute the great highways through which migratory fishes travel from one region to another. Navigators have often met with vast numbers of young sea-nettles {medusas) drifting along with the Gulf Stream. They are known to constitute the principal food for the whale; but whither bound by this route has caused much curious speculation, for it is well known that the habits of the right whale are averse to the warm waters of this stream. An intelligent sea captain informs me that, two or three years ago, in the Gulf Stream on the coast of Florida, he fell in with such a " school of young sea-nettles as had never before been heard of." The sea was covered with them for many leagues. He likened them, in appear- ance on the water, to acorns floating on a stream ; but they were so thick as to completely cover the sea. He was bound to England, and was five or six days in sailing through them. In about sixty days afterward, on his return, he fell in with the same school off" the Western Islands, and here he was three or four days in passing them again. He recognized them as the same, for he had never before seen any like them ; and on both occasions he frequently hauled up buckets full, and examined them. Now the Western Islands is the great place of resort for whales ; and at first there is something curious to us in the idea that the Gulf of Mexico is the harvest-field, and the Gulf Stream the gleaner which collects the fruitage planted there, and conveys it thousands of miles off" to the hungry whale at sea. But how perfectly in unison is it with the kind and providential care of that great and good Being which feeds the young ravens when they cry, and caters for the sparrow ! The sea has its climates as well as the land. They both change with the latitude ; but one varies with the elevation above, the other with the depression below the sea level. Each is regulated by circula- tion ; but the regulators are, on the one hand, winds ; on the other, currents. 148. The inhabitants of the ocean are as much the creatures of climate as are those of the dry land ; for the same Almighty hand which decked the lily and cares for the sparrow fashioned also the pearl and feeds the great whale. Whether of the land or the sea, they are all his creatures, subjects of his laws, and agents in his economy. The sea, therefore, we infer, has its offices and duties to perform ; so, may we infer, have its currents, and so, too, its inhabitants ; consequently, he who undertakes to study its pheno- mena must cease to regard it as a waste of waters. He must look upon it as a part of the exquisite machinery by which the harmonies of nature are preserved, and then he will begin to perceive the developments of order and the evidences of design which make it a most beautiful and interesting subject for contemplation. To one who has never studied the mechanism of a watch, its main-spring or the balance-wheel is a mere piece of metal. He may have looked at the face of the watch, and, while he admires the motion of its hands, and'the time it keeps, or the tune it plays, he may have wondered in idle amazement as to the character of the machinery which is concealed within. Take it to pieces, and show him each part 15 114 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. separately ; he will recognize neither design, nor adaptation, nor relation between them ; but put them together, set them to work, point out the offices of each spring, wheel, and cog, explain their movements, and then show him the result ; now he perceives that it is all one design ; that, notwithstanding the number of parts, their diverse forms and various offices, and the agents concerned, the whole piece is of one thought, the expression of one idea. He now perceives that when the main-spring was fashioned and tempered, its relation to all the other parts must have been considered ; that the cogs on this wheel are cut and regulated — adapted — to the rachets on that, &c.; and his conclusion will be, that such a piece of mechanism could not have been produced by chance ; the adaptation of the parts is such as to be according to design, and obedient to the will of one intelligence. So, too, when one looks out upon the face of this beautiful world, he may admire the lovely scene, but his admiration can never grow into adoration unless he will take the trouble to look behind and study, in some of its details at least, the exquisite system of machinery by which such beautiful results are accomplished. To him who does this, the sea, with its physical geography becomes as the main-spring of a watch ; its waters, and its currents, and its salts, and its inhabitants, with their adaptations, as balance-wheels, cogs and pinions, and jewels. Thus he perceives that they, too, are according to design; that they are the expression of One Thought, a unity with harmonies which One Intelligence, and One Intelligence alone, could utter. And when he has arrived at this point, he feels that the study of the sea, in its physical aspect, is truly sublime. It elevates the mind and ennobles the man. The Gulf Stream is now no longer, therefore, to be regarded by such an one merely as an immense current of warm water running across the ocean, but as a balance-wheel ; a part of that grand machinery by which air and water are adapted to each other, and by which this earth itself is adapted to the well-being of its inhabitants — of the flora which deck, and the fauna which enliven its surface. 149. Let us therefore consider the influence of the Gulf Stream upon the meteorology of the ocean. To use a sailor expression, the Gulf Stream is the great " weather breeder" of the North Atlantic Ocean. The most furious gales of wind sweep along with it ; and the fogs of Newfoundland, which so much endanger navigation in winter, doubtless owe their existence to the presence, in that cold sea, of immense volumes of warm water brought by the Gulf Stream. Sir Philip Brooke found the air on each side of it at the freezing point, while that of its waters was 80°. " The heavy, warm, damp air over the current produced great irregularities in his chronometers." The excess of heat daily brought into such a region by the waters of the Gulf Stream would, if suddenly stricken from them, be sufficient to make the column of superincumbent atmosphere hotter than melted iron. With such an element of atmospherical disturbance in its bosom, we might expect storms of the most violent kind to accompany it in its course. Accordingly, the most terrific that rage on the ocean have been known to spend their fury in and near its borders. Our nautical works tell us of a storm which forced this stream back to its sources, and piled up the water in the Gulf to the height of thirty feet. The Ledbury Snow attempted to ride it out. When it abated, she found herself high upon the dry land, and discovered that she had let go her anchor among INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STKEAM UPON CLIMATES. 115 the tree tops on Elliott's Key. The Florida Keys were inundated many feet, and, it is said, the scene presented in the Gulf Stream was never surpassed in awful sublimity on the ocean. The water thus dammed up is said to have rushed out with wonderful velocity against the fury of the gale, producing a sea that beggared description. The "great hurricane" of 1780 commenced at Barbadoes. In it, the bark was blown from the trees, and the fruits of the earth destroyed ; the very bottom and depths of the sea were uprooted, and the waves rose to such a height that forts and castles were washed away, and their great guns carried about in the air; houses were blown down, ships were wrecked, and the bodies of men and beasts lifted up above the earth and dashed to pieces in the storm. At the different islands, not less than twenty thousand persons lost their lives on shore, while further to the north, the Sterling Castle and the Dover Castle, men-of- war, were wrecked at sea, and fifty sail driven on shore at the Bermudas. Several years ago, the British Admiralty set on foot inquiries as to the cause of the storms in certain parts of the Atlantic, which so often rage with disastrous effects to navigation. The result may be summed up in the conclusion to which the investigation led: that they are occasioned by the irregularity between the temperature of the Gulf Stream and of the neighboring regions, both in the air and water. 150. The habitual dampness of the climate of the British Islands, as well as the occasional dampness of that along the Atlantic coasts of the United States when easterly winds prevail, is attributable also to the Gulf Stream. They come to us loaded with vapors gathered from its warm and smoking waters. It carries the temperature of summer, even in the dead of winter, as far north as the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. 151. One of the poles of maximum cold is, according to theory, situated in latitude 80° north, longi- tude 100° west. It is distant but little more than two thousand miles, in a northwestwardly direction, from the summer-heated waters of this stream. This proximity of extremes of greatest cold and summer heat, will, as observations are multiplied and discussed, be probably found to have much to do with the storms that rage with such fury on the left side of the Gulf Stream. 152. I am not prepared to maintain that the Gulf Stream is really the "Storm King" of the Atlantic, which has power to control the march of every gale that is raised there ; but the course of many gales has been traced from the place of their origin directly to the Gulf Stream. Gales that take their rise on the coast of Africa, and even as far down on that side as the parallel of 10° or 15° north latitude, have, it has been shown by an examination of log-books, made straight for the Gulf Stream ; joining it, they have then been known to turn about, and, travelling with this stream, to recross the Atlantic, and so reach the shores of Europe. In this way, the tracks of storms have been traced out and followed for a week or ten days. Their path is marked by wreck and disaster. At the meeting of the American Association for the advancement of Science in 1854:, Mr. Kedfield mentioned one which he had traced out, and in which no less than seventy odd vessels had been wrecked, dismasted, or damaged. Plate X. was prepared by Lieutenant B. S. Porter, from data furnished by the log-books at the Observatory. It represents one of these storms that commenced in August, 1848. It commenced more 116 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. than a thousand miles from the Gulf Stream, made a straight course for it, and travelled with it for many days. The dark shading shows the space covered by the gale, and the white line in the middle shows the axis of the gale, or the line of minimum barometric pressure. There are many other instances of similar gales. Now what should attract these terrific storms to the Gulf Stream ? Sailors dread storms in the Gulf Stream more than they do in any other part of the ocean. It is not the fury of the storm alone that they dread, but it is the "ugly sea" which these storms raise. The current of the stream running in one direction, and the wind blowing in another, creates a sea that is often frightful. In the month of December, 1853, the fine new steamship San Francisco sailed from New York with a regiment of United States troops on board, bound around Cape Horn for California. She was overtaken, while crossing the Gulf Stream, by a gale of wind, in which she was terribly crippled. Her decks were swept, and by one single blow of those terrible seas that the storms there raise, one hundred and seventy- nine souls, officers and soldiers, were washed overboard and drowned. The day after this disaster she was seen by one vessel, and again the next day, December 26th, by another ; but neither of them could render her any assistance. When they arrived in the United States and reported what they had seen, the most painful apprehensions were entertained, by friends, for the safety of those on board. Vessels were sent out to search for and relieve her. But which way should these vessels go ? Where should they look ? An appeal was made to know what light the system of researches carried on at the National Observatory concerning winds and currents could throw upon the subject. The materials that had been discussed were, examined, and a chart was prepared to show the course of the Gulf Stream at that season of the year. (See the limits of the Gulf Stream for March, Plate XVII.) Upon the supposition that the steamer had been completely disabled, the lines a h were drawn to define the limits of her drift. Between these two lines, it was said, the steamer, if she could neither steam nor sail after the gale, had drifted. By request, I prepared instructions for two revenue cutters that were sent to search for her. One of them, being at New London, was told to go along the dotted track leading to c, expecting thereby to keep inside of the line along which the steamer had drifted, with the view of intercepting and speaking homeward-bound vessels that might have seen the wreck. The cutter was to proceed to c, where she might expect to fall in with the line of drift taken by the steamer. The last that was seen of that ill-fated vessel was when she was at o. So, if the cutter had been in time, she had instructions that would have taken her in sight of the object of her search. It is true that, before the cutter sailed, the Kilby, the Three Bells, and the Antarctic, unknown to anxious friends at home, had fallen in with and relieved the wreck ; but that does not detract from the system of observations, of the results of which, and their practical application, it is the object of this work to treat. I INFLUENCE OF THE GULF STREAM UPON CLIMATES. 117 A beautiful illustration of their usefulness is the fact that, though the barque Kilby lost sight of the wreck at night, and the next morning did not know which way to look for it, and could not find it, yet, by a system of philosophical deduction, we on shore could point out the whereabouts of the disabled steamer so closely, that vessels could be directed to look for her exactly where she was to be seen. These storms, for which the Gulf Stream has such attraction, and over which it seems to exercise so much control, are said to be, for the most part, whirlwinds. All boys are familiar with miniature whirlwinds on shore. They are seen, especially in the autumn, sweeping along the roads and streets, raising columns of dust, leaves, &c., which rise up like inverted cones in the air, and gyjate about the centre or axis of the storm. Thus, while the axis, and the dust, and the leaves, and all those things which mark the course of the whirlwind, are travelling in one direction, it may be seen that the wind is blowing around this axis in all directions. Just so with some of these Gulf Stream storms. That represented on Plate X. is such a one. It was a rotary storm. Mr. Piddington, an eminent meteorologist of Calcutta, calls them Cycloins. Now, what should make these storms travel toward the Gulf Stream, and then, joining it, travel along with its current ? It is the high temperature of its waters, say mariners. But why, or wherefore, should the spirits of the storm obey in this manner the influence of these high temperatures, philosophers have not been able to explain. 153. Tlie influence of the Gulf Stream upon commerce and navigation. Formerly, the Gulf Stream controlled commerce across the Atlantic by governing vessels in their routes through this ocean to a greater extent than it does now, and simply for the reason that ships are faster, instruments better, and navigators are more skilful now than formerly they were. Up to the close of the last century, the navigator guessed as much as he calculated the place of his ship: vessels from Europe to Boston frequently made New York, and thought the land-fall by no means bad. Chronometers, now so accurate, were then an experiment. The Nautical Ephemeris itself was faulty, and gave tables which involved errors of thirty miles in the longitude. The instruments of navigation erred by degrees quite as much as they now do by minutes; for the rude "cross staff" and "back staff;" the "sea-ring" and "mariner's bow," had not yet given place to the nicer sextant and circle of reflection of the present day. Instances are numerous of vessels navigating the Atlantic in those times being 6°, 8°, and even 10° of longitude out of their reckoning in as many days from port. Though navigators had been in the habit of crossing and recrossing the Gulf Stream almost daily for three centuries, it never occurred to them to make use of it as a means of giving them their longitude, and of warning them of their approach to the shores of this continent. Dr. Franklin was the first to suggest this use of it. The contrast afforded by the temperature of its waters and that of the sea between the Stream and the shores of America was striking. The dividing line between the warm and the cool waters was sharp (§ 126); and this dividing line, especially that on the western side of the stream, never changed its position as much in longitude as mariners erred in their reckoning. 11* THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. When he was in London, in 1770, he happened to be consulted as to a memorial which the Board of Customs at Boston sent to the Lords of the Treasury, stating that the Falmouth packets were generally a fortnight longer to Boston than comm.on traders were from London to Providence, Rhode Island. They therefore asked that the Falmouth packets might be sent to Providence instead of to Boston. This appeared strange to the doctor, for London was much further than Falmouth, and from Falmouth the routes were the same, and the difference should have been the other way. He, however, consulted Captain Folger, a Nantucket whaler, who chanced to be in Loudon also; the fisherman explained to him that the difference arose from the circumstance that the Rhode Island captains were acquainted with the Gulf Stream, while those of the English packets were not. The latter kept in it, and were set back sixty or seventy miles a day, while the former avoided it altogether. He had been made acquainted with it by the whales which were found on either side of it, but never in it. At the request of the doctor, he then traced on a chart the course of this stream from the Straits of Florida. The doctor had it engraved at Tower Hill, and sent copies of it to the Falmouth captains, who paid no attention to it. The course of the Gulf Stream, as laid down by that fisherman from his general recollection of it, has been retained and quoted on the charts for navigation, we may say, until the present day. But the investigations of which we are treating are beginning to throw more light upon this subject ; they are giving us more correct knowledge in every respect with regard to it, and to many other new and striking features in the physical geography of the sea. No part of the world affords a more difficult or dangerous navigation than the approaches of our northern coast in winter. Before the warmth of the Gulf Stream was known, a voyage at this season from Europe to New England, New York, and even to the Capes of the Delaware or Chesapeake, was many times more trying, difficult, and dangerous than it now is. In making this part of the coast, vessels are frequently met by snow-storms and gales which mock the seaman's strength and set at naught his skill. In a little while his barque becomes a mass of ice ; with her crew frosted and helpless, she remains obedient only to her helm, and is kept away for the Gulf Stream. After a few hours' run, she reaches its edge, and almost at the next bound passes from the midst of winter into a sea at summer heat. Now the ice disappears from her apparel; the sailor bathes his stiffened limits in tepid waters; feeling himself invigorated and refreshed with the genial warmth about him, he realizes, out there at sea, the fable of Antaeus and his mother Earth. He rises up and attempts to make his port again, and is again as rudely met and beat back from the nortliwest ; but each time that he is driven off from the contest, he comes forth from this stream, like the ancient son of Neptune, stronger and stronger, until, after many days, his freshened strength prevails, and he at last triumphs and enters his haven in safety — though in this contest he sometimes falls to rise no more, for it is often terrible. Many ships annually founder in these gales ; and I might name instances, for they are not uncommon, in which vessels bound to Norfolk or Baltimore, with their crews enervated in tropical climates, have encountered, as far down as the Capes of Virginia, snow-storms that have driven them back into the Gulf Stream time and again, and have kept them out for forty, fifty, and even for sixty days, trying to make an anchorage. Nevertheless, the presence of the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, with their summer heat in mid- INFLTfENCE OF THE GULF STItEAM UPON CLIMATES. 11& winter, off the shores of New England, is a great boon to navigation. At this season of the year especially, the number of wrecks and the loss of life along the Atlantic sea-front are frightful. The month's average of wrecks has been as high as three a day. How many escape by seeking refuge from the cold in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream is matter of conjecture. Suffice it to say, that before their temperature was known, vessels thus distressed knew of no place of refuge short of the "West Indies ; and the news- papers of that day — Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette among them — inform us that it was no uncommon occurrence for vessels, bound for the Capes of the Delaware in winter, to be blown off and to go to the West Indies, and there wait for the return of spring before they would attempt another approach to this PUrt of the coast. 154. Accordingly, Dr. Franklin's discovery with regard to the Gulf Stream temperature was looked upon as one of great importance, not only on account of its afibrding to the frosted mariner in winter a convenient refuge from the snow-storm, but because of its serving the navigator with an excellent land- mark or beacon for our coast, in all weathers. And so viewing it, the doctor concealed his discovery, for we were then at war with England. It was then not uncommon for vessels to be as much as 10° out in their reckoning. He himself was 5°. Therefore, in approaching the coast, the current of warm water in the Gulf Stream, and of cold water on this side of it, if tried with the thermometer, would enable the mariner to judge with great certainty, and in the worst of weather, as to his position. Jonathan Williams afterward, in speaking of the importance which the discovery of these warm and cold currents would prove to navigation, pertinently asked the question, " If these stripes of water had been distinguished by the colors of red, white, and blue, could they be more distinctly discovered than they are by the constant use of the thermometer ?" And he might have added, could they have marked the position of the ship more clearly ? When his work on Thermometrical Navigation appeared. Commodore Truxton wrote to him: "Your publication will be of use to navigation, by rendering sea voyages secure far beyond what even you yourself will immediately calculate, for I have proved the utility of the thermometer very often since we sailed together. " It will be found a most valuable instrument in the hands of marinere, and particularly as to those who are unacquainted with astronomical observations; these particularly stand in need of a simple method of ascertaining their approach to or distance from the coast, especially in the winter season ; for it is then that passages are often prolonged, and ships blowii off the coast by hard westerly winds, and vessels get into the Gulf Stream without its being known ; on which account they are often hove to by the captains' supposing themselves near the coast when they are very far off (having been drifted by the currents). On the other hand, ships are often cast on the coast by sailing in the eddy of the Stream, which causes them to outrun their common reckoning. Every year produces new proofs of these facts, and of the calamities incident thereto." Though Dr. Franklin's discovery was made in 1775, yet, for political reasons, it was not generally made known till 1790. Its immediate effect in navigation was to make the ports of the North as accessible in winter .is in summer. What agency this circumstance had in the decline of the direct trade of the South, 120 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. which followed this discovery, would be, at least to the political economist, a subject for much curious and interesting speculation. I have referred to the commercial tables of the time, and have compared the trade of Charleston with that of the northern cities for several years, both before and after the discovery of Dr. Franklin became generally known to navigators. The comparison shows an immediate decline in the Southern trade, and a wonderful increase in that of the North. But whether this discovery in navigation and this revolution in trade stand in the relation of cause and effect, or be merely a coincidence, let others judge. In 1769, the commerce of the two Carolinas equalled that of all the New England States together; it was more than double that of New York, and exceeded that of Pennsylvania by one third.* In 1792, the exports from New York amounted in value to two millions and a half; from Pennsylvania, to $3,820,000 ; and from Charleston alone, to $3,834,000. But in 1795— by which time the Gulf Stream began to be as well understood by navigators as it now is, and the average passages from Europe to the North were shortened nearly one-half, while those to the South remained about the same — the customs at Philadelphia alone amounted to $2,941,000,t or more than one half of those collected in all the States' together. * From WPherton's Annala of Commerce — Exports and Imports in 1769, valued in Sterling Money. EXPORTS. New England .... New York Pennsylvania .... North and South Carolina TO GREAT BRITAIN. £ 142,775 113,382 28,112 406,014 d. 9 8 9 1 SOUTH OF EUROPE. £ 81,173 50,885 203,762 76,119 d. 2 11 10 WEST INDIES. £ 308,427 00,324 178,331 87,758 17 7 19 d. 6 5 jE s. 17,713 1,313 2 600 9 691 12 550,089 19 231,900 1 410,756 16 569,584 17 d. 2 7 1 3 IMPOETS FROM GREAT BRITAIN. SOUTH OF EUROPE. WEST INDIES. AFRICA. TOTAL. New England New York Pennsylvania North and South Carolina . £ S. d. 223,695 11 6 75,930 19 7 204,979 17 4 P27,084 8 6 £ s. d. 25,408 17 9 14,927 7 8 14,249 8 4 7,099 5 10 £ s. d. 314,749 14 5 97,420 4 180,591 12 4 76,269 17 11 £ S. .180 697 10 137,620 10 d. £ s. d. 504,034 3 8 188,976 1 3 399,830 18 535,714 2 3 f Value of Exports in Dollars, (^a) 1791. 1792. 1793. 1794. 1795. 1796. Massachusetts New York Pennsylvania South Carolina 2,519,651 2,505,465 3,436,000 2,093,000 2,888,104 2,535,790 3,820,000 2,428,000 3,755,347 2,932,370 0,958,000 3,191,000 5,292,441 5,442,000 6,643,000 3,868,000 7,117,907 10,304,000 11,618,000 5,988,000 9,949,345 12,208,027 17,513,866 7,620,000 Duties on Imports in Dollars. 1791. 1792. 1793. 1794. 1795. 1796. 1833. Massachusetts New York Pennsylvania South Carolina 1,006,000 1,334,000 1,466,000 623,000 723,000 1,173,000 1,100,000 359,000 1,044,000 1,204,000 1,823,000 360,000 1,121,000 1,878,000 1,498,000 661,000 1,520,000 2,028,000 2,300,000 722,000 1,460,000 2,187,000 2,050,000 66,000 3,055,000 10,713,000 2,207.000 389,000 (a) Doc. No. 330, H. R., 2d Session, 25th Congress. Some of its statements do not agree with those taken from M'Pherson, and previously quoted. THK DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 121 Nor did the effect of the doctor's discovery end here. Before it was made, the Gulf Stream was altogether insidious in its effects. By it, vessels were often drifted many miles out of their course without knowing it ; and in bad and cloudy weather, when many days would intervene from one observation to another, the set of the current, though really felt for but a few hours during the interval, could only be proportioned out equally among the whole number of days. Therefore navigators could have only very vague ideas either as to the strength or the actual limits of the Gulf Stream, until they were marked out to the Nantucket fishermen by the whales, or made known by Captain Folger to Dr. Franklin. The dis- covery, therefore, of its high temperature, assured the navigator of the presence of a current of surprising velocity, and which, now turned to certain account, would hasten, as it had retarded, his voyage in a wonderful degree. Such, at the present day, is the degree of perfection to which nautical tables and instruments have been brought, that the navigator may now detect, and with great certainty, every current that thwarts his way. He makes great use of them. Colonel Sabine, in his pa.ssage, a few years ago, from Sierra Leone to New York, was drifted one thousand six hundred miles of his way by the force of currents alone; and, since the application of the thermometer to the Gulf Stream, the average passage from England has been reduced from upward of eight weeks to a little more than four. Some political economists of America have ascribed the great decline of southern commerce, which followed the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, to the protection given by legislation to northern interests. But I think these statements and figures show that this decline was in no small degree owing to the Gulf Stream and the water thermometer ; for they changed the relations of Charleston — the great southern emporium of the times — removing it from its position as a half-way house, and placino- it in the category of an outside station. CHAPTER X. THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. The Depth of Blue Water unknown, J 155. — Results of former Methods of Deep-sea Soundings not entitled to Confidence, 156. — The deepest Soundings reported, 157. — Plan adopted in the Navy, 158. — Why the Sounding-twine will not stop running out when the Plummet reaches Bottom, 159. — Indications of Under Currents, 160. — Soundings to be made from a Boat, 161. — Brooke's Deep- sea Sounding Apparatus, 162. — Rate of Descent, 163. — Tlie greatest Depths at which Bottom has been found, 164. 155. Until the commencement of the plan of deep-sea soundings, as now conducted in the American Navy, the bottom of what the sailors call "blue water" was as unknown to us as is the interior of any of the planets of our system. Ross and Dupetlt Thouars, with other officers of the English, French, and * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. Harper and Brothers, New York. 16 122 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Dutch navies, bad attempted to fathom the deep sea, some with silk threads, some with spun-yarn, and some with the common lead and line. All of these attempts were made upon the supposition that when the lead reached the bottom, either a shock would be felt, or the line, becoming slack, would cease to run out. 156. The series of systematic experiments recently made upon this subject shows that there is no reliance to be placed on such a supposition, for the shock caused by striking bottom cannot be communi- cated through very great depths, and therefore it does not follow that the line will become slack and cease to run out when the plummet reaches the bottom. Furthermore, the lights of experience show that, as a general rule, the under currents of the deep sea have force enough to take the line out long after the plum- met has ceased to do so. Consequently, there is but little reliance to be placed upon deep-sea soundings of former methods, when the depths reported exceeded eight or ten thousand feet. Attempts to fathom the ocean, both by sound and pressure, had been made, but in "blue water" every trial was only a failure repeated. The most ingenious and beautiful contrivances for deep-sea soundings were resorted to. By exploding heavy charges of powder in the deep sea, when the winds were hushed and all was still, the echo or reverberation from the bottom might, it was held, be heard, and the depth determined from the rate at which sound travels through water. But, though the explosion took place many feet below the surface, echo was silent, and no answer was received from the bottom. Ericsson and others constructed deep-sea leads having a column of air in them, which, by compression, would show the aqueous pressure to which they might be subjected. This was found to answer well for ordinary purposes, but in the depths of "blue water," where the pressure would be equal to several hundred atmospheres, the trial was more than this instrument could stand. Mr. Baur, an ingenious mechanician of New York, constructed, according to' a plan which I furnished him, a deep-sea sounding apparatus. To the lead was attached, upon the principle of the screw propeller, a small piece of clock-work, for registering the number of revolutions made by the little screw during the descent ; and, it having been ascertained by experiment in shoal water that the apparatus, in descending, would cause the propeller to make one revolution for every fathom of perpendicular descent, hands provided with the power of self-registration were attached to a dial, and the instrument was complete. It worked beautifully in moderate depths, but failed in blue water, from the difficulty of hauling it up if the line used were small, and from the difficulty of getting it down if the line used were large enough to give the requisite strength for hauling up. But, notwithstanding these failures, there was encouragement, for greater difficulties had been overcome in other departments of physical research. Astronomers had measured the volumes and weighed the masses of the most distant planets, and increased thereby the stock of human knowledge. Was it creditable to the age that the depths of the sea should remain in the category of an unsolved problem ? Beneath its surface, was a sealed volume, abounding in knowledge and instruction that might be both useful and profit- able to man. The seal which covered it was of rolling waves many thousand feet in thickness. Could it not be broken? Curiosity had always been great, still, neither the enterprise nor the ingenuity of man had as yet proved itself equal to the task. No one had succeeded in penetrating, and bringing up from beyond THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 123 the depth of two or three hundred fathoms below the aqueous covering of the earth, any specimens of solid matter for the study of philosophers. The sea, with its myths, has suggested attractive themes to all people in all ages. Like the heavens, it affords an almost endless variety of subjects for pleasing and profitable contemplation, and there has remained in the human mind a lenging to learn more of its wonders and to understand its mysteries. The Bible often alludes to thera. Are they past finding out? Ilow deep is it'/ and what is at the bottom of it? Could not the ingenuity and appliances of the age throw some light upon these questions? The government was liberal and enlightened ; times seemed propitious ; but when or how to begin, after all these failures, with this interesting problem, was one of the difficulties first to be overcome. It was a common opinion, derived chiefly from a supposed physical relation, that the depths of the sea are about equal to the heights of the mountains. But this conjecture was, at best, only a speculation. Though plausible, it did not satisfy. There were, in the depths of the sea, untold wonders and inexplicable mysteries. Therefore the contemplative mariner, as in mid-ocean he looked down upon the gentle bosom of the sea, continued to experience sentiments akin to those which fill the mind of the devout astronomer when, in the stillness of the night, he looks out upon the stars, and wonders. Nevertheless, the depths of the sea still remained as fathomless and as mysterious as the firmament above. Indeed, telescopes of huge proportions and of vast space-penetrating powers had been erected here and there by the munificence of individuals, and attempts made with them to gauge the heavens and sound out the regions of space. Could it be more difficult to sound out the sea than to gauge the blue ether and fathom the vaults of the sky? The result of the astronomical undertakings* lies in the discovery that what, through other instruments of less power, appeared as clusters of stars, were, by these of larger powers, separated into groups, and what had been reported as nebulae, could now be resolved into clusters; that, in certain directions, the abyss beyond these faint objects is decked with other nebulae, which these great instruments may bring to light, but cannot resolve ; and that there are still regions and realms beyond, which the rays of the brightest sun in the sky have neither the intensity nor the force to reach, much less to penetrate. So, too, with the bottom of the sea, and the knowledge-seeking mariner. Though nothing thence had been brought to the light, exploration had invested the subject with additional interest, and increased the desire to know more. In this state of the case, the idea of a common twine thread for a sounding-line, and a cannon ball for a sinker, was suggested. It was a beautiful conception ; for, besides its simplicity, it had in its favor the greatest of recommendations: it could be readily put into practice. Well-directed attempts to fathom the ocean began now to be made, and the public mind was astonished at the vast depths that were at first reported. 157. Lieutenant Walsh, of the United States schooner Taney, reported a cast with the deep-sea lead at thirty-four thousand feet without bottom. His sounding-line was an iron wire more than eleven * See tlie works of Ilerscbcl and Ross, and their telescopes. 124 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. miles in length. Lieutenant Berryman, of the United States brig Dolphin, reported another unsuccessful attempt to fathom mid-ocean with a line thirty-nine thousand feet in length. Captain Denham, of her Britannic majesty's ship Herald, reported bottom in the South Atlantic at the depth of forty-six thousand feet ; and Lieutenant J. P. Parker, of the United States frigate Congress, afterward, in attempting to sound near the same region, let go his plummet, and saw a line fifty thousand feet long run out after it as though the bottom had not been reached. The three last-named attempts were made with the sounding-twine of the American Navy, which has been introduced in conformity with a very simple plan for sounding out the depths of the ocean. It involved for each cast only the expenditure of a cannon ball, and twine enough to reach the bottom. This plan was introduced as a part of the researches conducted at the National Observatory, and which have proved so fruitful and beneficial, concerning the winds and currents, and other phenomena of the ocean. These researches had already received the approbation of the Congress of the United States ; for that body, in a spirit worthy of the representatives of a free and enlightened people, had authorized the Secretary of the Navy to employ three public vessels to assist in perfecting the discoveries, and in con- ducting the investigations connected therewith. The following circular order to the commanders of all vessels of the navy has been issued, and is now in force. Circular. Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, Nov. 22, 1851. 158. Sir : Your attention is particularly invited to the accompanying Directions relative to deep-sea soundings. You will take care that they be diligently and faithfully carried out on board the vessel under your command. You will report, from time to time, to this Bureau, the latitude, longitude, depth, drift, time, and all the circumstances connected with each cast, whether successful in reaching bottom or not — stating the kind of sinker used, its weight, and whether the large or small twine was used. This order is to supersede that of June 1, 1850, on the same subject, and the Directions given at pages 70 and 71 of Maury's 3d edition of Sailing Directions, so far as they may conflict with these. Respectfully, your obedient servant, C. MORRIS, Chief of Bureau. Approved: Will. A. Graham, Secretary of the Navy. To ^^^_ __ THE DEPTHS OF THK OCKAN. 125 ^^^^ Instructions for using the Sounding- Twine. The twine for deep-sea soundings is of two sizes ; the smaller size is intended to be used when no attempt is made to bring up specimens from the bottom. It is calculated to bear 60 pounds' weight in the air ; it is about seven-hundredths of an inch in diameter, and measures 180 fathoms to the pound. It is marked at every 100 fathoms, and furnished on reels containing 10,000 fathoms each. The larger size is to be used for bringing up specimens. It is calculated to bear a weight in the air of 150 pounds ; it is about one-tenth of an inch in diameter, and measures about 80 fathoms to the pound. It is furnished on reels of 5,000 fathoms each. It is desired, as a general rule, to have one deep-sea sounding only for every space of five degrees square, on a chart -which is constructed with its meridians and parallels drawn only for every five degrees of latitude and longitude respectively. The spaces in which deep-sea soundings have been made in the North Atlantic Ocean are shown on Plate XIV. It is desirable to have the soundings on that Plate with a note of interrogation after them, verified. Attempts should be made to bring up specimens of the bottom whenever practicable ; for this purpose, the large twine should be bent on to Brooke's deep-sea sounding apparatus. A small Stellwagen cup attached to the bolt of Brooke's lead, may be substituted with advantage for the arming. After a little experience, the officer charged with making deep-sea soundings will, it is thought, acquire skill enough, especially when the sea is not more than 2,000 fathoms deep, to bring up specimens with Brooke's apparatus and the small twine. When the small twine is used without a Brooke's apparatus, double it for the first 200 fathoms, and use two 32 lb. shot as the sinker ; when the shot reaches the bottom, the boat may ride by it, until the surface current shall be determined, when the line should be hauled in until it parts. The sounding should in all cases be taken from a boat, and not from the vessel. The boat with its oars can be kept over the line, whereas the vessel will drift. For deep-sea temperatures, a self-registering metallic thermometer should be used, especially at great depths. When no metallic thermometer is on board, then a resort to a non-conducting cylinder for bringing up the water should be had. Approved : C. MORRIS. Decemler 17, 1853. Directions for taking Deep-sea Soundings. The information acquired from experience upon the subject of deep-sea soundings, enables me to say that I now consider it as practicable to fathom the greatest depths of the ocean, whatever they may be, as it is to sound out one of our bays or harbors. 128 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Lieut. Walsh's experiments in the Taney satisfied me that no reliance could be put upon results obtained by sounding at great depths with wire. His great sounding, therefore, was most valuable and important, for it led the way to the use of twine. 159, It was thought that, upon the new plan, the common wrapping thread or twine used in the shops would answer for deep soundings. For it was supposed that bottom might be reached always and at any depth, especially in calm weather, simply by fastening the end of twine from such a reel to a common 32 lb. shot, throwing the shot overboard, and then paying out the twine as fast as the shot would take it from the reel. When the shot reached bottom, it was supposed that the line would stop running out ; and then, cutting the thread, and seeing how much was left on the reel, the depth would, it was thought, be ascertained. This required the loss of the shot and the twine, but they were cheap ; for it was supposed that a mere thread, which had strength to hold together, would be strong enough. But the experiments of Lieut. Wm. Eogers Taylor, on board the Albany, Captain Piatt (a full account of which is contained in the 5th edition of this work), proved these notions to be wrong. The casts for deep-sea soundings, made on board that vessel, showed that it required twine of considerable strength for the purpose. 160. The existence of a physical state of things which bears upon the question was also suggested by Taylor's experiments ; and that is, the probable existence in all parts of the sea of one or more under currents. In other words, these deep-sea soundings appear to confirm what I have been endeavoring to maintain in the chapter on the "Saltness of the Sea," and elsewhere, viz: That the ocean has its system of circulation, so ordered that its waters, whether at the surface or in the depths below, are seldom or never at rest ; that this circulation is all-pervading, and perpetual, and is as constant in the horizontal as it is in the vertical direction. This system of circulation commenced on the third day of creation, with the " gathering together of the waters," which were " called seas," and doubtless will continue as long as sea water shall possess the properties of saltness and fluidity. The confirmation which the experiments in sounding out the depths of the ocean seem to afford for this conjecture, is derived from the inference, in the first place, that I draw from the experiments which, in a few cases, have been made in sounding at the same place, first with one and then with two 32 pound shot as a sinker. The results as to depths have been accordant ; but invariably the depth, as given by the two shots is a little less than by one. The two shots sink faster than the one, the bight of the line in the former case, therefore, is not exposed so long to the action of the under currents ; consequently, it is not swept so far out of the perpendicular with the two as it is with but the one shot. In the next place, a degree of confirmation as to the correctness of this conjecture is afforded by the fact that, though the shot may reach the bottom, the line has, in no instance, ceased for any considerable length of time to run out; and, moreover, that after the shot has landed, there is, at very great depths, such a force brought upon the line, if it be held, as always to part it. . THE KKPTHS OF THE OCEAIf. • 121 Imagine a line two, or three, or four miles long, hanging perpendicularly in the ocean — that the plummet to which it is attached has reached the bottom — and that there be one or more under currents moving in opposite or different directions, and operating upon it. They would operate with what sailors call a " swigging force," and that too with a power which no line would be strong enough to withstand for any considerable length of time. Thus the importance of strong twine was pointed out ; and it was also discovered that, to know when the shot had reached the bottom, it was necessary to time the intervals which were occupied by given lengths of line in going out. The most convenient lengths for this purpose are lengths of 100 fathoms each ; and as mark after mark, which denotes these 100 fathoms lengths, passes from the sounding-reel, the time per watch is as carefully noted, by the officer who makes the sounding, as it should be if he were taking sights for the chronometer. The soundings by the Albany, and others, were made from on board ship. In the first place, it was ■ rarely that an opportunity favorable enough for a good cast from on board ship occurred. Moreover, the complaint was almost universal throughout the service of bad twine. Attempts to sound from the vessel were so often frustrated by the parting of the line, that officers were very much deterred from the trial. These failures were disheartening. Furthermore, when the ship was hove to for the purpose, as the Albany frequently was, there was not only the drift of the ship to be taken into account, but the question as to the result still remained to perplex. Had the bottom been reached ? And if so, was there any certainty that the depth was what the ejiperiments seemed to indicate ? Certainty as to this was greatly impaired by inequalities in the times of running, caused by the change in the rate of motion of the vessel as she " came up and fell off." Such was the amount of our experience upon the subject of deep-sea soundings when Lieutenant S. P. Lee was ordered to the command of the Dolphin. "With characteristic energy he set about making preparations for this new service. His first business was to give the twine, furnished for deep-sea soundings, a thorough examination. He carefully over- hauled, tested, and tried several hundred thousand fathoms. Much of it he found so defective that it had to be rejected, and the vessel detained until better could be procured. It was well he did so; for although the line, with which he proceeded to sea, was better than that which was rejected, nevertheless, experience proved that much of it, though new, was not strong enough. Its average strength was not even then suffi- cient to bear a weight of fifty-five pounds, nor was it all quite of the same size, as it should have been. 161. When he got to sea, he determined not to sound from the vessel at all ; but to use a boat for sounding, altogether. 128 . THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, A BOAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED. • At first, lie encountered many unexpected difficulties ; but witli industry, his ingenuity, and perse- verance, these, one after another, were overcome, until the way was made plain, and the operation stripped of a vast amount of the uncertainties which had impaired, to a greater or less extent, the value of all the results hitherto obtained. In the first place, though the small twine, furnished for the deepest soundings, would, much of it, bear a weight of seventy or even eighty pounds, yet, when he came to attach to it a thirty -two pound shot, to throw the shot overboard, and let it take the line from the reel as fast as it would, he found the line would part. He then resorted to the expedient of doubling and even of trebling the line for the first two or three hundred fathoms. Thus, the parting was prevented. He found, moreover, that the operation was greatly facilitated by watching the trending of the line from the bows of the boat ; and, with one or two oars of a side, directing the men how to pull, in order to keep the line " up and down." Accordingly, we find him, when he first put to sea, occupied for more than a month, availing himself of ^very opportunity for sounding during the interval, and making day after day unsuccessful attempts. Finally, he succeeded in getting out seventeen hundred fathoms without parting. Bottom was reached at this depth. Out of the first seventeen casts that were made, this was the only successful one. He was now in the fair way to get at the secret. The plan is to double or triple the line for the first three hundred fathoms; and, instead of letting the shot take it as fast as it will, and so bring up occasionally with a violent jerk and parting — and this, as experience abundantly proves, is very liable to be the case, particularly at the first going ofij when the shot is sinking rapidly — Lee also adopted the expedient of keeping a gentle strain on the line at first ; and this was accomplished by allowing a little friction to be applied to the reel, so that it would not for the first three hundred fathoms give the line to the shot quite as fast as the shot wanted to take it. An important part of the plan, also, was that of keeping the boat, by means of a couple or more of oars, perpendicularly over the shot. To be sure that he had reached bottom, he on several occasions repeated the trial, using in this case two instead of one thirty-two pound shot for a sinker. The result was the same agreement as to depth. Success crowned his efforts so far, and he now began to have such confidence in his results — for the mark of each successive hundred fathoms, as it went out, was carefully timed — that, with his shot on the bottom at the depth of three or four miles, he would use it as an anchor, ride by it in his boat out there in mid-ocean, while the force and set of the surface current, out upon blue water in the open sea, were accurately determined. This was the first time that such a thing had been done. Thus, the egg was made to stand upon its end ; and the plan of deep-sea soundings finally adopted. THK DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 129 and now in practice, is tliis: Every vessel of the navy, when she is preparing for sea, is, if her com- mander, or, with his consent, any officer on board, will pledge himself to attend to the deep-sea soundings, furnished with a sufficient quantity of sounding-twine, carefully marked at every length of one hundred fathoms — six hundred feet — and wound on reels of ten thousand fathoms each. It is the duty of the commander to avail himself of every favorable opportunity to try the depth of the ocean, whenever he may find himself out upon " blue water." For this purpose, he is to use a cannon ball of thirty-two pounds as a plummet. Having one end of the twine attached to it, the cannon ball is to be thrown* overboard from a boat, and suffered to take the twine from the reel as fast as it will; and the reel is made to turn easily. When Lieutenant Berryman took charge of the brig, and went to sea, of course he availed himself of Lee's experience, and commenced where Lee had left off. 162. But there was still one thing wanting : positive evidence that the plummet had reached bottom ; for, hitherto, the plan had not contemplated the bringing up of specimens of the bottom, inasmuch as the hauling up of the shot from such great depth was regarded as an impracticability. In this stage of the matter. Passed Midshipman J. M. Brooke, a clever young officer, who was at the time doing duty at the Observatory, proposed to me a contrivance by which he thought the shot might be detached as soon as it touched the bottom, and specimens brought up in its stead. I was in the habit of consulting him; he often assisted me with his reflections ; and I referred him to Mr. Greble, the instrument-maker of the Observatory, that they two might give his idea shape, Siid construct a model of the machine. The result was Brooke's Deep-Sea Sounding Apparatus, as exhibited on Plates VII. and VIII. It is a simple and beautiful contrivance, which a mere inspection of the Plates seems sufficient to explain. j4. is a 64 pound shot, cast with a hole through it. Berryman preferred one of 46 lbs. ; but experience seems to favor a heavier one. A 64 pound shot is therefore recommended. B is an iron rod, which the armorer on board of any man-of-war may make, whenever one happens to be lost in the sounding., c is the cJip for the arming, by which the soundings are brought up. When c is filled with tallow or soap, a wooden plug should be forced up into the arming. Then this plug, on being extracted, will leave a cup or mould within the arming, so that a more ample supply of soundings may be brought up. D the slings, which are made of wire attached to a leathern or canvas disk e. i^ represents the catches of twine, and g the swivel to prevent the untwisting of the line from turning ■ the shot, or the turning of the shot either from twisting or untwisting the line. In Plate VII. the shot is seen slung ready for sounding. In Plate VIII. it is in the act of being detached after having reached bottom, specimens of which will be brought up with the rod or bolt B, in the little cup c. Lieut. Berryman thinks that the armorer on board the Dolphin suggested an improvement to this, by substituting for c a Stellvvagen cup, and attaching that to the iron rod. ir • 13D TUK WIND ANU CUKKENT CHARTS. With this apparatus, specimens were obtained on board the Dolphin from the depth of 2,000 fathoms (12,000 feet). During her last cruise, her commander intrusted the deep-sea soundings to Midshipman John G. Mitchell. This ofl&cer, and the men employed with him, finally became so expert — always doubling the line for the first 300 fathoms, applying friction to the reel at first, so as to offer a little resistance to the shot for that depth, and keeping, with the help of the oars, the line up and down — that failure to get bottom seldom occurred, unless in cases where the twine had been injured by the mice, or damaged by lime getting upon it in the hold. Indeed, Lieut. Berryman informs me that they became so expert that they could tell, by feeling the line, whether the shot were pulling it out, or whether it were merely carried out by the force of the drift. The sounding-twine is now made in the Boston Navy Yard. To have it so made, has been found the most economical. That which was furnished to the Dolphin when Lieut. Lee had her, was bought ready made. The strength, of the weakest part is the strength of the whole ; and so inferior did much of it prove, that, though he expended upwards of 140,000 fathoms of twine, and 116 82 lb. shot, in attempting to sound, only 73,000 fathoms of this quantity, and 30 shot, were actually employed in getting bottom ; the rest were lost by the parting of the line, &c. Commodore Morris has (by his instructions, as given on page 125) directed the small twine to be made strong enough to bear a strain of 60 lbs. It weighs about 1 lb. per 180 fathoms, and is put on reels of 10,000 fathoms. The large twine will bear a weight of 150 lbs. It is put up for use, on reels of 5,000 fathoms. This is the twine to be generally used with Brooke's apparatus. Seeing that, for success in deep-sea soundings, so much depends upon the interest which the officer charged with the sounding feels in the matter, it has been decided to give twine to those vessels only, that have on board some one or more officers who will volunteer to undertake a series of deep-sea soundings. An outfit of sounding materials will be supplied to any vessel, either upon requisition of her com- mander, or at the request of any officer on board, who is willing to undertake a series of deep-sea soundings. As to the modus operandi in sounding, officers are referred to what has already been said, and they are reminded that uniformity of method is of great consequence. Always use the same twine and the same weight; always time every 100 fathoms; always keep the line up and down, and always sound from a boat. The experience of the Dolphin is in favor of two 32 lb. shot, as a sinker for the small-sized twine. Her soundings, particularly those taken by Mitchell during her last cruise, are referred to by way of example. Whenever specimens of the bottom are obtained, they should be labelled with date, name of ship and of officer, latitude, longitude, and depth, and carefully preserved and forwarded to the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. In the North Atlantic, the deep-sea soundings that are principally required, are in the white space (Plate XIV.) to the southward of the Grand Banks ; in the open space about the Bermudas ; in the middle • THE DEl'THS OF THU OCEAN. 131 of the Atlantic, between 25° and 30° N., 45° and 55° W., and in all tlieTegiou below tbe parallel of 15°, except where Lee sounded. It would be yery interesting, also, to have a series of deep-sea soundings made from boats in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, to test those which Avere made from the vessel by Kogers Taylor, of the Albany. The deepest parts of the ocean will jirobably be found south of the parallel of 35° south. Soundings by vessels bound around either of the capes, therefore, would be possessed of a peculiar interest. As to the physical geography of the sea, it may be said we know nothing, or, only what may be gathered from a few faint rays that modern explorations have cast upon it; and the officers of the American Navy have here afforded them the rare opportunity of building up a new department in physical geography. The problem before them is an old one. To fathom the depths of the ocean is the proposition. Heretofore, it has either appalled by its magnitude, or baffled with its difficulties. At any rate, no systematic attempts have ever been made to gauge its depths "off soundings." But now, with means the most simple, this first great problem in the physical geography of the sea seems to be in a fair way of receiving a satisfactory solution, at least so far as to enable us to form a tolerably correct idea as to the general forms of the great oceanic basins, and the troughs, which, like inverted spurs from mountain ranges, start out from the depressions in the solid crust below its waters, into bays, gulfs, and arms of the sea. Of all contrasts in nature, perhaps none would be more striking than that afforded between the elevations of the earth's crust into mountains, on the one hand, and its depressions below the sea-level into hollows for the bed of the ocean, on the other. Certainly, few would be more grand — none can be more imposing. I may refer to the Dolphin's abstract log,* also, for deep-sea temperatures, as well as remarks about drift. In the vicinity of most of the vigias, Berryman reports drift-wood, sun-fish, or something which, without a close examination, and at a little distance, might well be taken for rocks or other dangers to navigation. For deep-sea temperatures, he used non conducting hollow cylinders for bringing up the water. His experience finally induced him to repudiate the temperatures by that, and to prefer the common self-regis- tering thermometer in its stead, notwithstanding its many liabilities to error and derangement. A self- registering metallic deep-sea thermometer seems to be the only instrument to which we may confidently look for correct knowledge concerning the thermal condition of the substrata of the deep sea. * This has been piintcl liy rungrcss, in n ncnt volume entitled "Tlic Cruise of the Dolphin," Sennte, 3.'5J Congress, 1st .Session, No. .",9.— (Executive.) 132 THE WIND AND CURKENT CHARTS. Passed Midshipman G. M. "Nforris, who had the general superintendence of this department, in a report to Lieut. Berrjman at the end of the cruise, remarks: — " Used non-conducting cylinders for obtaining the temperature of water below the surface. On 25th October, attached a self- registering thermometer to the lower cylinder. Upon hauling up, found tempera- ture in cylinder 71° — self-registering thermometer showing 53°. Also, on the 26th October, attached two self-registering thermometers, one to each cylinder, first trying the temperature at surface, which we found agreed with that of the standard thermometer, 82°. On hauling up, found temperature in cylinder as noted in columns, viz : 200 fms. 80°, 500 fms. 73° — self-registering thermometer showing at 200 fms. 63°, and at 500 fms. 52°. Also, tried it again, November 4, finding temperature in cylinders 200 fms. 75°, 500 fms. 65° — self-registering thermometer showing respectively 67° and 50°. " We infer from the above results, that the temperatures taken with the ' non-conducting cylinder' are most inaccurate ; owing, I think, to the swell or heave of the sea, which causes the water to change in the cylinder during its ascent." A self-registering metallic thermometer is the only reliable instrument under all circumstances for deep-sea temperatures. In the absence of these, I still prefer the non-conducting cylinder with good valves. 163. In making these deep-sea soundings, the practice is to time the hundred fathom marks as they successively go out ; and by always using a line of the same size and " make," and a sinker of the same shape and weight, we at last established the law of descent. Thus the mean of our experiments gave us, for the sinker and twine used, the results of the following tabular statements : — THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAX 183 Summary Statement of all Deep-Sea Souneings, as far as the Same have been received at this Office, December, 185-1. U. S. Ship Albany. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. Dec. 6, 1850 38° 38' K 66° 31'W. 1625* April 10, 1851 23° 47' N. 83° 22'W. 593 9, 33 34 61 38 1950* " 19, " 23 21 82 44 995 " 11, 30 05 58 52 1000* " 21, " 25 19 83 41 52 " 11, 29 58 58 48 1500 " w " 26 43 84 41 137 " 16, 21 34 63 24 1600 " 23] " 29 s 12 86 01 152 " 29, 17 54 67 28 1200 June 13, " 27 00 85 48 1310 Jaa. 4, 1851 18 20 69 49 370 " 14, " 27 55 85 44 376 5, 17 16 71 26 1275 " 14, " 28 27 85 54 220 " 13, 19 12 76 05 1200 Dec. 2, " 26 25 83 23 1502t " 16, 22 29 84 35 420 " 10, " 27 04 79 44 380 " 16, 22 32 84 32 720 " 11, " 27 16 79 49 274 " 28, 24 05 82 05 470 " 11, " 27 16 79 49 284 " 29, 24 37 79 48 500 " 11, " 27 55 79 45 440 Feb. 6, 19 57 72 11 640 " 11, " 27 51 79 09 647 " 18, 15 40 77 07 1300 " 11, " 27 34 77 54 631 " 19, 11 07 79 13 600 " 12, " 27 19 77 18 690 " 28, 17 54 80 25 895 " 12, " 27 10 76 59 1180 March 3, 19 20 81 50 660 " 13, " 27 10 75 06 1806 4, 21 25 84 45 990 " 14, " 26 31 74 10 1590 5, 22 05 86 22 445 " 14, " 26 28 73 50 1778 " 16, 19 30 94 30 530 " 15, " 25 30 . 72 07 4100 " 16, 19 37 94 49 967 " 16, " 24 48 70 22 1893 April 3, 25 56 95 51 490 " 17, " 24 41 69 39 3600t 4, 26 58 92 58 725 " 19, " 22 40 69 00 2762 5, 26 36 88 56 962 Jan. 9, 1852 9 44 81 01 1650 6, 26 43 85 27 795 Feb. 15, " 11 23 79 36 2290 " 7, 25 23 85 19 693 " 16, " 12 25 78 22 2320 " 8, 24 39 85 12 916 * No bottom. t Doubtful. 131 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Deep-Sea Soundings on Board the U. S. Brig Doljphin. Lieutenant S. P. Lee Commanding. DATE LATITUDE. LONGITCDB. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONQITUDB. FATHOMS. Nov 24, 1851 25° 30' K 37° 44' W. 1720 Jan. 20, 1852 0° 23' N. 21° 45' W. 2000* 11 30, 11 23 42 32 39 2180 " 22, 11 2 27 S. 23 38 3020 u 30, II 23 41 32 39 2200 " 24, II 5 42 25 40 2970 Dec. 1, II 23 15 32 24 2200 " 25, II 6 59 25 43 8250 u 7, II 18 89 25 24 1970 " 27, 11 4 11 24 00 3200 II 7, 11 18 19 25 05 1675 " . 29, II 3 33 22 88 3575 (1 10, 11 18 11 23 48 1612 i' 31, 11 2 26 20 47 8450 CI 11, 11 17 84 22 50 1370 Feb. 3, II 18 N. 18 40 2000* 11 13, II 16 29 20 58 1941 " 5, u 45 18 28 2680 11 14, II 16 34 20 47 1875 " 13, II 31 S. 17 45 2840 II 15, II 16 59 21 38 1580 " 29, II 5 82 82 43 2490 II 16, II 15 24 21 46 1220 Mar. 13, II 8 51 33 02 2150 II 16, 11 15 09 22 28 1380 " 28, u 4 20 34 45 2440* 11 17, II 15 08 22 57 1120 " 31, II 4 24 85 23 2700 11 17, II 15 02 23 12 790 April 9, II 57 N 41 06 2980 Jan. 7, 1852 11 07 21 56 1160 " 12, II 1 06 48 43 2000* 11 7, 11 11 07 21 56 1120 May 26, II 7 57 47 51 1970 u «, li 8 43 20 52 2270 " 31, II 13 28 52 26 1960* u 9, u 7 17 20 07 2050 " 31, II 12 47 52 57 2780 II 9, II 7 17 20 07 1940 June 2, 11 12 20 54 48 2570 11 13, 11 4 14 19 20 2670 " 4, II 15 25 55 01 3020 11 14, II 3 42 19 06 2760 " 8, 11 19 02 59 83 8300 II 15, 11 3 51 19 06 2760 " 12, 11 26 32 60 06 8825 11 17, II 3 01 . 18 36 2725 " 14, 11 24 11 61 43 3450 11 18, II 2 36 19 22 2840 " 20, 11 24 36 65 12 8560 II 19, 11 2 10 19 57 2750 " 28, 11 36 04 73 69 1460 11 19, II 2 10 19 57 2690 * No bottom. THE DEI'TIIS OF THK OCEAN. 185 Deep-Sea Soundings on Board the U. S. Brig Dolphin. Lieutenant 0. H. Berryman Commanding. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATB0M8. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. Oct. 4, 1852 39° 39' N. 70° 30' W. 1000* July 14, 1853 50° 54' N. 17° 02' W. 2675 6, 11 40 50 64 44 2200 11 16, " 46 48 21 42 2465 7, 11 41 12 62 38 2200 II 17, " 44 42 24 35 1500 " 9, II 41 40 59 23 2600 11 18, " 44 43 24 35 1370 " 10, II 41 40 56 01 2595 II 19, " 43 47 25 24 1850 " 11, II 40 36 54 18 3450 11 20, " 45 07 26 08 1500 " 20, 11 41 07 49 23 4580 II 21, " 46 26 '26 55 1400 " 24, II 43 40 42 55 2700 u 22 " 45 13 27 38 1320 " 25, 11 44 41 40 16 1800 11 24, " 42 44 28 20 1210 " 26, 11 1500 11 25, " 40 49 29 00 1080 Dec. 26, 11 33 08 16 10 2950* 11 26, " 40 48 30 02 830 Jan. 3, 1853 34 18 16 45 2298 Aug 10, " 38 54 33 30 1500 " 9, 11 36 59 19 58 2500 11 12, " 40 35 31 56 1230 " 9, II 36 49 19 54 2750 11 13, " 42 40 31 11 1680 " 29, 11 30 49 27 25 1100* 11 14, « 44 52 30 38 1560 " 29, 11 30 49 27 25 2200* 11 15, " 46 15 30 04 1760 Feb. 3, II 27 05 28 21 1700 II 16, " 47 58 29 35 1900 " 4, 11 27 21 30 48 2580 11 21, " 49 59 17 35 2700 " 5, 11 31 17 33 08 2400 11 22, " 49 57 13 16 1580 " 6, II 28 55 35 49 1880* i Sept. 18, " 47 38 9 08 1800 " 8, 11 29 14 41 21 2270 11 21, " 46 32 12 49 2190 " 9, 11 31 16 43 28 2080 11 23, " 44 05 13 29 2560 " 10, 11 32 01 44 21 2250 II 24, " 42 07 15 29 2500 " 11, II 32 29 47 02 1950* II 25, " 40 20 17 48 2650 " 12, II 32 55 47 58 6600* II 26, " 39 14 19 01 2820 " 13, 11 33 03 48 36 3550 11 29, " 34 23 20 57 2150 " 15, II 32 47 50 00 3250* 11 30, " 31 46 22 03 2850 " 20, 11 29 26 56 42 1480 Oct. 1, " 29 12 22 50 2800 " 22, 11 .28 20 59 44 2900 11 3, " 28 58 24 20 2700 " 23, 11 28 04 61 44 8080 11 4, " 21 06 24 38 2625 " 24, 11 28 23 64 17 2518 II 5, " 18 14 24 51 2080 " 26, 11 26 49 66 54 2720 11 10, " 17 02 28 08 2460 " 28, II 28 14 69 24 2950 11 11, " 18 44 29 18 2520 June 2, II 37 24 68 52 2920 11 12, " 20 02 31 06 2560 " 3, II 38 03 67 14 4920* 11 13, " 21 48 32 36 7020 " 7, 11 40 34 58 30 2750 11 14, " 20 29 34 18 2850 " 10, II 41 07 54 37 2710 11 15, " 18 49 36 16 2820 " 14, 11 41 43 51 31 3130 II 17, " 19 23 40 23 2580 " 17, 11 42 22 50 00 1650 11 18, " 21 16 42 09 2370 " 21, 11 41 09 43 40 1975 11 19, " 23 06 44 00 1760 " 24, 11 39 36 41 06 2675 II 20, " 21 18 46 14 1875 " 29, II 42 10 42 04 1850 II 21, " 19 51 48 02 2240 July 2, 11 46 53 37 46 2000 11 22, " 18 32 49 48 2370 " 3, II 48 16 35 22 2100 11 23, " 21 26 51 31 2300 " 4, II 49 53 31 34 1900 11 24, " 22 27 53 ]5 2390 " 5, 11 51 40 28 33 1750 11 25, " 21 45 55 46 2900 " 6, 11 53 28 25 01 1900 11 26, " 20 51 58 26 2800 " 7, 11 54 17 22 33 2000 11 27, " 20 02 61 02 2810 " 9, II 57 18 16 07 620 Nov. 3, " 21 19 66 27 2960 " 12, 11 54 26 12 10 1625 II 4, " 23 42 67 37 2940 * No bottom. 186 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Deep-Sea Soundings on Board the U. S. Ship Jamestown. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. Jaa. 3, 1851 5, " 6, " II fj II 36° 43' N. 36 33 37 06 38 13 38 50 74° 10' W. 73 00 68 02 62 32 45 33 1500* 1900* 2000 3700 2000 June 13,1851 " 18, " " 23, " " 24, " 38° 50' N. 37 50 36 00 35 06 43° 49' W. 32 07 27 20 26 52 leoof 2000 4000* 2000* U. S. Ship Plymouth. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. Sept. 2, 1851 37° 28' K 56° 22' W. 5000 Sept. 9, 1851 34° 11' N. 43° 21' W. 2800 U. S Ship Portsmouth. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. Dec. 31, 1851 Aug. 4, 1853 21° 19' N. 39 55 38° lO'W. 140 13 4700t 2500* Aug. 5, 1853 39° 40' N. 139° 26' W. 2850 U. S. Schr. Taney. U. S. Ship Saratoga. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. Nov. 15, 1849 31° 59' N. 56° 43' W. 5700* Nov. 28, 1850 28° 21' S. 29° 31'W. 3100 U. S. Ship Congress. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. June 12, 1851 Aug. 7, " April 1, " " ■ 3, " 9, " 28° 46' S. 23 59 35 20 35 23 34 37 43° 46' W. 43 44 51 30 47 27 44 11 2880 90 1000 2550 2093* April 15, 1851 May 12, " " 13 " Sept. 10, " 34° 50' S. 28 00 27 32 30 28 51° 40' W. 45 58 47 08 45 41 950 800 320 1780 • U. S. Ship , Tohn Adams. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. May 3, 1851 9, " 33° 50' N. 32 06 52° 34' W. 44 47 2600 5500t May 10,1851. II 21, " 31° 01' N. 35 07 44° 31'W. 25 43 2300 1040 ♦ No bottom. f Uncertain. THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 137 ■ U. S. Ship Susquehanna. U. S. SIdp St. Louis. DATS. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. June 18, 1851 33° 35' N. 38° 82' W. 1800 Oct. 4, 1852 36° 16' N. 46° 52'W. 5070* U. S. Steamer Saranac. BATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. DATE. LATITUDE. LONGITUDE. FATHOMS. July 24, 1853 12° 09' N. 55° 17'W. 2435 "With the view of showing the law of descent, both from boats and ships, for the various weights used with the small twine, the following tables have been prepared by Lieutenants S. P. Lee and R. H. Wyman. This law, owing to various circumstances connected with the commencement of almost every sounding, does not begin fairly to develop itself until 400 or 500 fathoms have run out. Notwithstanding this, certain anomalies remain for which it is difficult to account. They warn us, however, of the importance of close attention to the timing of every 100 fathoms, as the marks go out, and to keeping the line up and down from the boat by aid of the oars. Berryman's line was of a more uniform size than Lee's, which, therefore, gives the more weight to his values of the rate of descent. Though these tables exhibit anomalies which we cannot satisfactorily account for, yet they are exceedingly valuable by reason of the check and the guide they afford for our future deep-sea soundings. They admonish operators as to the importance of always sounding from a boat, of using the same weights and the same twine, and of timing accurately. No bottom. 18 138 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Time of Descent for every 100 Fathoms. Small Line FATHOMS 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100^12001300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 December 10, 185.3 . . . 1.02 1.16 10, (« 1.02 1.16 1.06 10, (( 0.57 1.13 1.22 1.35 11, <( 1.02 1.12 1.29 1.52 1.42 2.01 12, (< 0.53 1.11 1.21 11.35 1.39 1.40 12, (( 0.53 1.12 1..32 1.37 2.07 12.23 -2.20 2.28 2.49 2.41 2.13 1. (( 0.54 1.00 59 0.59 1.16 1.48 1.43 1.50 1.56 1.29 1.45 2.07 1.35 1.33 1.49 13, (( 0.59 1.14 127 1.35 1.35 1.35 1.48 2.05 2.28 1.50 2.21 3.10 2.17 3.34 2.44 2.24 •3.33 3.03 2.52 16, 1851 . . . 0.57 1.17 1.22 1.35 1.42 1.49 2.03 2.14 2.06 2,06 2.34 12.31 2.03 2.25 2.45 2.35 2.41 3.08 2.45 February 15, 1852, a. . . 1.04 1.21 1.46 1.51 1.33 1.59 2.11 1.39 2 03 2.17 1.52 2.21 2.04 2.02 2.40 2.09 2.23 16, " b. . . l.OO 1.13 1.22 1.18 1.26 1.36 1.46 2.02 2.09 1.41 1.40 1.50 2.25 2.43 1.59 2.10 2.51 2.12 2.57 December 19, 1851, c. . . 0.54 1.13 1.29 1.42 1.52 1.58 2.12 2.23 2.15 2.18 2.28 2.35 2.44 2.41 2.38 2.46 3.20 2.58 2.36 15, " d. . . 0.55 1.05 1.09 1.13 1.45 1.62 1.49 1.50 2.07 2.12 1.56 |2.20 ,2.17 2.14 2.41 2.17 2.20 2.51 2.16 Average interval (min. & sec.) 0.52 1.12 1.18 1.29 1.35 1.51 1.54 2.07 1 2.15 1.59 2.07 ^2.24 2.10 2.32 2.23 2.22 2.54 3.03 2.38 No of casts .... - 12 12 11 11 10 10 8 ! 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 Time of Descent for every 100 Fathoms. Small FATHOMS. 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 INTERVALS. m. a. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m.8. m. B. m. 8. m. 8. January 3, 1852 . . . 1.52 2.17 2.25 2.20 20, " 1.40 1.54 2.11 2.25 2.47 " 3, " 1.46 2.00 3.34 3.42 2.52 3.07 2.12 October 25, 1851 1.43 2.06 2.21 2.40 2.59 3.00 3.17 3.42 November 28, " 1.42 1.58 2.26 2.40 3.17 3.26 February 14, 1852 1.50 2.03 2.26 1.22 2.49 3.00 3.15 3.15 June 9, " 1.56 2.14 2.32 2.48 3.00 3.17 3.25 3.28 December 17, 1851 1.55 2.05 2.22 2.33 2.52 2.17 3.09 3.39 3.28 June 9, 1852 1.52 2.10 2.30 2.40 2.56 8.08 3.09 3.37 3.41 4.54 December 16, 1851 1.53 2.15 2.26 2.39 2.40 3.00 3.10 3.15 3.19 3.31 3.39 February 18, 1852- 1.50 2.20 2.44 2.58 3.08 3.20 3.37 3.41 3.46 3.55 15, " 1.46- 2.01 2.14 2.33 2.43 2.52 3.03 3.15 3.23 3.29 3.39 3.47 December 14, 1851 1.49 2.06 2.20 3.20 2.00 2.18 4.02 3.20 3.30 3.35 4.03 4.22 January 10, 1852 1.45 2.00 2.14 2.28 2.40 2.59 3.04 3.16 3.16 3.32 3.39 3.50 December 7, 1851 2.14 2.29 2.42 2.53 3.00 3.15 3.20 3.30 3.55 4.09 3.51 3.58 January 10, 1852 1.50 2.06 2.21 2.35 2.45 2.58 3.09 3.25 3.25 3.32 3.38 3.48 May 31, " 1.54 2.11 2.16 2.34 2.49 2.52 3.14 3.22 3.28 3.50 3.56 4.02 November 30, 1851 , 2.05 2.41 2.17 3.12 3.10 3.20 3.40 3.45 3.55 4.10 4.10 4.40 January 8, 1852 1.47 2.08 2.19 2.29 2.50 2.50 2.52 3.28 3.23 3.44 3.37 3.58 20, " 1.43 1.50 1.57 2.32 2.25 2.43 2.45 2.42 2.56 2.56 . 2.52 3.08 April 12, " 2.13 2.32 2.48 2.52 3.15 3.20 3.46 3.56 3.59 4.11 4.13 4.24 January 23, " 2.01 2.14 2.29 2.52 2.54 3.03 3.12 3.22 3.22 3.30 3.44 3.53 21, " 1.54 2.12 2.26 2.30 2.50 3.06 3.20 3.31 3.36 3.51 4.00 4.06 9, " 1.48 2.05 2.22 2.17 2.52 2.57 3.17 3.07 3.31 3.33 3.42 3.45 June 21, " 1.44 2.01 2.15 2.39 2.46 3.00 3.08 3.27 3.40 3.50 3.40 3.55 January 13, " 1.40 1.47 2.11 2.32 2.39 2.54 3.08 3.09 3.27 3.35 3.39 3.53 14, " 1.40 1.56 2.12 2.25 2.37 2.34 2.55 3.05 3.22 3.36 3.35 3.48 17, " 1.56 2.11 2.27 2.42 2.59 3.09 3.19 3.29 3.39 3.45 3.59 3.57 22, " 1.57 2.25 2.35 2.40 2.59 3.00 3.20 3.19 3.21 3.34 3.38 3.47 Average interval . 1.51 2.09 2.25 2.39 2.49 2.58 3.13 3.24 3.31 3.45 3.45 3.57 No. of casts . . 29 29 29 29 27 26 27 26 22 21 19 18 THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAIf. 1S9 waxed; one 32 lb. shot. From U. S. Ship Albany. 4300 a. b. c. d. 2000 2100 2200 1 1 1 i !2300 2400 2500 2600 i ' ' 1 1 1 2700 2800 290013000 1 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500 3600 3700 3800 1 3900 400o'4100|4200 3.27 2.52 1.06 3.20 2.40 159 3.45 3.29 3.55 2.33 3.23 3.11 2.31 2.55 4.49 3.25 3.02 1.58 2.41 3.16 2.59 3.19 2.26 3.19 2.50 2.23 3.15 4.15 2.39 3.01 3.36 2.35 3.00 3.09 2.52 3.13 2.47 3.14 2.42 3.16 2.56 3.22 2.48 2.51 4.10 2.41 5 3.17 2.39 3.35 2.43 2.52 3.07 2.49 j3.27 3.18 2.35 3.00 3.09 2.52 3.13 2.47 3.14 2.42 3.16 2.56 3.22:2.48j2.51|4.10 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 ■ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Line; oiie 32 lb. shot. Boat Dolphin — (Lee). FATHOMS. 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 INTERVALS. m. s. in. B. m. s. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. s. m. s. m. s. ra. s. m. s. 4.35 3.51 4.20 4.21 4.21 4.28 4.01 4.18 4.08 4.17 4.27 4.05 4.35 4.28 4.46 4.01 4.08 4.28 4.14 3.44 4.16 4.30 4.23 4.28 5.07 4.25 4.41 4.43 4.50 4.53 4.57 4.15 4.11 4.34 4.32 4.32 4.28 3.07 8.28 3.26 3.21 3.32 3.34 4.88 4.41 4.38 5.32" 4.48 5.16 3.50 3.56 4.11 4.16 4.26 4.49 4.48 4.09 4.21 4.35 4.25 4.50 4.59 5.09 4.00 4.16 4.09 4.23 4.34 4.44 4.34 4.49 4.18 4.18 4.39 4.35 4.49 4.54 5.19 5.01 5.11 4.04 4.04 4.14 4.19 4.29 4.45 4.44 4.49 4.50 5.07 5.08 3.55 4.04 4.08 4.30 4.28 4.29 4.49 4.53 5.05 5.04 5.17 5.15 6.31 4.02 4.18 4.21 4.39 4.45 4.47 4.49 5.03 5.06 6.06 5.17 5.25 5.42 3.58 4.03 4.01 4.08 4.02 4.11 4.08 4.15 4.16 5.36 4.21 4.08 4.09 4.30 4.44 4.40 4.07 4.13 4.20 4.26 4.31 4.89 4.47 4.48 4.54 5.13 5.01 4.56 5.27 4.80 4.44 4.40 •19 17 17 17 15 12 8 6 5 4 4 3 3 1 1 1 ua THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Time of Descen f/or< zvery 100 Fathoms. Small Line FATHOMS. 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300Jl400 1500 1600 1700 1800 INTERVALS. June 28,1852 . May 26, " " 24 " Feb. 3' " 11 4. « 16^ " March 13, " 28, " Feb. 29, " June 2, " Feb. 5, " Jan. 15, " 18, " March 31, " May 31, " Feb. 13, " Jan. 24, " April 9, " June 4, " Jan. 25, " " 27 " June 6, " 8, " Jan. 31, " June 14, " Jan. 29, " June 12, " m. 8. 1.36 1.37 1.46 1.39 1.33 1.43 1.38 1.39 1.44 1.16 1.27 1.41 2.07 1.35 1.47 1.35 1.42 1.42 1.37 1.40 1.41 1.48 1.45 1.19 1.50 m. 8. 1.45 1.43 1.59 1.55 1.54 1.53 1.49 1.57 1.52 1.25 1.41 1.51 2.23 1.55 2.05 1.49 1.56 2.07 1.48 2.00 1.55 2.00 2.09 1.28 1.59 1.41 m. 8. 1.52 1.55 2.11 2.15 2.07 2.05 2.06 2.00 2.10 2.05 1.33 1.44 2.03 2.29 2.10 2.15 1.59 2.11 2.03 1.52 2.05 2.04 2.12 2.31 1.40 2.12 1.49 m. 8. 2.07 2.07 2.24 2.19 2.18 1.29 2.17 2.08 2.19 2.18 1.34 1.14 2.11 2.46 2.20 2.29 2.14 2.16 2.19 1.58 2.13 2.15 2.20 2.43 1.48 2.14 1.51 m. 8. 2.15 2.14 2.28 2.26 2.35 2.25 2.29 2.14 2.25 2.30 1.42 1.48 2.23 2.56 2.30 2.29 2.16 2.38 2.37 2.20 2.22 2.25 2.28 3.00 1.53 2.45 1.58 m. s. 2.23 2.24 2.30 2.40 2.39 2.33 2.28 2.25 2.43 2.35 1.44 1.53 2.34 3.06 2.55 2.38 2.27 2.43 2.39 2.14 2.30 2.83 2.42 3.12 2.02 3.22 2.02 m. 8. 2.33 2.38 2.53 2.52 2.47 2.42 2.47 2.32 2.49 2.49 1.50 1.58 2.41 3.13 3.00 2.53 2.30 2.42 2.52 2.21 2.38 2.38 2.52 3.17 2.20 2.53 2.10 m. 8. 2.40 2.49 2.57 2.58 3.19 2.55 2.50 2.37 2.53 2.49 1.59 2.03 2.41 3.14 3.05 2.55 2.41 2.15 3.09 1.58 2.47 2.47 2.55 2.28 2.48 2.14 m. a. 2.48 2.53 3.05 3.02 3.02 3.00 3.07 2.45 3.07 2.52 2.07 2.07 2.52 3.20 3.15 3.10 2.47 2.57 3.20 2.39 2.55 2.52 3.08 3.30 2.32 2.57 2.26 m. 8. 2.51 3.11 3.08 3.10 2.48 3.04 3.07 2.58 3.18 2.57 2.07 2.08 2.59 3.33 3.15 3.10 2.55 3.05 3.24 2.43 2.58 3.00 3.15 3.33 2.50 3.02 2.32 m. 8. 3.02 3.06 3.20 3.12 2.54 3.13 3.11 3.27 3.09 2.13 2.15 3.10 3.36 3.25 3.16 3.05 3.05 3.33 2.52 3.12 3.05 3.20 3.46 2.50 3.14 2.32 m. B. 3.06 3.19 3.22 3.14 3.01 3.19 3.24 3.40 3.20 2.20 2.20 3.15 3.35 3.30 3.12 3.07 8.48 2.50 8.12 3.20 3.20 3.55 2.58 3.17 2.34 m. 8. 3.14 3.38 3.28 3.06 3.19 3.32 3.12 3.46 3.15 2.21 2.23 3.28 8.40 3.30 3.15 3.47 3.44 3.03 3.16 3.19 8.35 3.44 3.01 3.18 2.42 m. 8. 3.15 3.38 3.18 3.16 3.31 3.30 8.11 3.47 3.27 2.28 2.30 3.23 3.53 3.50 3.82 8.18 3.52 3.49 3.11 3.25 3.26 3.36 3.02 3.14 2.36 m. 8. 3.20 3.51 3.25 3.32 3.30 3.30 3.16 4.00 3.86 2.37 2.27 3.28 4.05 4.45 3.30 3.22 3.49 4.06 8.17 3.31 8.38 3.49 4.16 3.08 3.25 2.43 m. s. 3.35 8.50 3.18 3.56 3.32 3.42 8.14 4.07 3.46 2.42 2.32 3.38 3.44 4.00 3.46 3.28 3.55 4.19 3.17 3.43 3.38 3.50 4.15 3.26 3.28 2.41 Average interval 1.39 I1.53 2.03 '2.10 1 2.23 2.32 2.40 2.43 2.54 3.00 3.07 3.12 3.18 3.21 3.31 3.85 No. of casts . . 25 26 27 27 27 27 27 26 27 27 26 25 25 25 26 26 THE DKPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 141 waxed; one 32 lb. sJwt. Boat Dolphin — (Lee). FATHOMS. 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500 3600 3700 3800 INTERVALS. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. a. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. 3.45 3.46 2.49 4.02 4.11 3.42 3.57 4.02 3.50 3.51 3.24 3.25 3.43 3.38 4.13 4.15 4.23 4.33 4.46 4.40 3.54 3.58 3.39 3.50 4.02 4.07 4.10 2.45 2.52 2.50 2.50 3.06 3.07 3.17 2.50 2.39 2.45 2.42 2.54 2.54 2.51 3.01 2.57 3.12 3.36 3.50 3.50 4.07 4.06 4.12 4.06 :4.14 4.32 3.51 3.32 4.03 3.55 3.38 2.56 !3.53 4.12 4.39 3.00 3.59 4.01 4.00 4.15 4.10 4.20 ,4.15 4.20 4.25 3.39 4.11 4.01 4.03 3.35 3.59 4.02 4.15 5.47 3.29 3.35 3.43 3.44 3.50 3.56 4.04 3.59 4.13 4.22 4.21 4.02 3.58 3.05 4.05 3.40 5.27 4.50 4.15 4.20 4.30 4.06 4.15 4.15 4.25 4.15 4.59 4.41 4.48 4.52 5.00 4.53 5.28 3 30 3.31 3.37 3.37 3.48 3.44 3.57 3.58 4.00 4.02 4.00 4.13 4.11 4.10 3.48 3.54 4.11 3.50 4.01 4.07 4.07 4.24 4.26 4.21 4.47 4.35 5.34 5.52 3.45 3.49 3.52 4.00 4.07 4.11 4.15 4.25 4.26 '4.29 4.29 4.34 5.12 5.12 3.54 3.56 4.00 4.06 4.23 4.16 4.25 4.27 4.40 4.36 4.32 4.35 4.52 5.03 6.15 4.24 4.27 4.24 4.17 4.47 4.49 5.10 4.57 5.00 5.18 5.27 6.48 7.25 8.07 3.30 3.35 3.38 3.39 3.46 3.52 4.02 4.08 14.12 4.16 4.24 4.31 4.31 4.36 4.37 4.39 3.29 3.33 3.38 3.34 3.40 3.33 3.34 3.31 3.43 4.07 5.25 4.08 4.20 4.59 4.39 5.09 4.22 . 2.44 2.44 2.46 2.51 2.53 2.59- 3.07 3.07 3.08 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.10 3.10 3.12 3.13 3.20 3.23 3.28 3.34 3.40 3.40 3.41 3.46 3.52 3.55 4.01 4.01 4.15 4.27 4.30 4.30 4.39 4.58 5.13 5.17 3.51 3.23 3.28 3.34 25 24 20 18 19 20 18 17 15 12 11 9 8 8 5 4 2 1 1 1 142 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Time of Descent for every 100 Fathoms. Two 82 lb. FATHOMS. 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 INTERVALS. m. B. m. s. m. B. m. 8.- m. B. m. B. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. s. November 23, 1851 . . . 1.30 1.38 1.50 2.10 K 30, " 1.20 1.34 1.46 2.00 December 14, " 1.85 1.47 1.56 2.00 January 3, 1852 1.23 1.31 1.45 1.49 u 6, " 1.18 1.30 1.40 1.45 , <( 14, " 1.09 1.18 1.33 1.38 November 30, " 1.21 1.34 1.40 1.56 2.02 December 16, " 1.49 1.17 1.58 2.03 2.07 K 17, " 1.30 1.37 1.50 1.59 2.10 January 20, " 1.11 1.24 1.18 1.87 2.07 November 28, " 1.47 2.00 2.01 2.17 2.15 January 9, " 1.16 1.27 1.34 1.43 1.54 2.01 It 7, " 1.18 1.32 1.40 1.47 1.52 1.58 2.08 2.15 2.26 « 7, " 1.15 1.25 1.30 1.42 1.53 1.58 2.10 2.14 2.24 November 30, " 1.13 1.34 1.38 1.37 1.52 1.50 2.00 2.03 2.04 2.12 December 16, « 1.24 1.41 2.48 1.57 2.42 1.16 2.22 2.33 2.39 2.89 January 13, " 1.10 1.20 1.32 1.43 1.48 2.02 2.10 2.17 2.20 2.33 December 15, " 1.30 1.40 2.14 1.46 2.16 2.19 2.18 2.27 2.42 2.40 II 7, " 1.31 1.41 1.55 1.47 2.01 2.50 2.21 2.26 2.37 3.37 11 10, " 1.32 1.45 1.53 2.01 2.11 2.17 2.20 2.33 2.40 2.38 November 24, " 1.28 1.42 2.15 2.30 2.13 2.27 2.27 2.43 2.40 2.25 December 13, " 1.35 1.42 1.53 2.00 2.02 2.17 2.12 2.38 2.35 2.42 January 9, " 1.19 1.33 1.41 1.48 1.55 2.10 2.13 2.21 2.31 2.38 December 1, " 1.30 1.44 1.58 2.04 2.18 2.23 2.30 2.46 2.49 2.47 January 12, " 1.02 1.07 1.13 1.19 1.25 1.28 1.86 1.35 1.41 1.44 November 30, " 1.28 1.42 1.53 1.57 2.09 2.19 2.29 2.30 2.39 2.50 January 11, " 1.14 1.30 1.40 1.46 1.59 2.03 2.14 2,20 2.29 2.36 11 19, " 1.16 1.24 1.34 1.42 1.52 2.02 2.13 2.19 2.23 2.28 Average interval 1.22 1.83 1.47 1.52 2.03 2.06 2.14 2.22 2.29 2.36 No. of casts . . 27 28 28 28 22 18 16 16 16 14 THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 143 shot; Small Line. U. S. Brig Dolphin — (Lee). FATHOMS. 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 INTERVALS. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. tn. B. m. 6. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. 2.41 3.44 2.46 2.51 3.00 3.16 3.21 2.52 2.37 2.48 3.05 2.41 3.11 3.08 3.40 3.25 2.49 2.55 3.00 3.06 3.09 3.17 3.28 2.47 2.58 2.57 3.00 3.13 3.10 3.17 3.06 3.07 3.24 3.22 3.25 3.45 3.39 3.50 3.55 1.47 1.48 1.52 1.57 1.56 2.04 2.07 2.10 2.15 2.57 3.10 3.12 3.21 3.27 3.29 3.46 3.39 3.47 3.52 2.39 2.51 2.56 3.00 3.13 3.12 3.24 3.29 3.29 3.36 3.40 3.40 3.57 2.32 2.38 2.47 2.48 2.58 3.01 3.03 3.12 3.18 3.17 3.23 3.24 3.34 3.43 2.41 2.54 2.56 3.04 3.06 3.08 3.15 3.16 3.21 3.25 3.31 3.32 3.45 3.43 11 11 11 10 8 7 7 5 5 3 2 2 2 1 lU THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHAKTS. ■ ; .- Tahh showing the Intervals of Descent for every 100 Fathoms. 100 FATHOMS. 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 |lOOO 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 1 INTERVALS. BATE. 1 m. B. m.s. m.s. m.B m. 8. m. 8. m.s. m.B. tn. 8. m.B. m.s. 1 1 m.s. .m.s. m.s. m.s. m.s. m.B. m.s. m. 8. Im. 8. m.B. October 7, 1852 , 1.05 1.22 ;1.38 1.45 1.55 2.09 3.46 2.08 2.28 2.3K February 2, 1853 , . 1.00 1.0011.30 1.30 1.55 1.50 2.00 4.35' 240 2.40 2.50 3.00 '3.00 3.00 3.20 3.00 October 25, 1852 , , 1.00 1.20(1.40 2.15 2.30 1.15' 2.10 2.30 1.30' 2.30 3.30 3.00 3.30 3.15 225'|3.00' 3.40 3.40 February 9, 1853 , 0.59 1.09 1.20 1.35 1.51 1.57 2.05 2.20 2.27 2.45 2.41 2.47 3.08 3.11 3.1713.34 3.32 3.36 3.53 3.49 4.00 January 3, " , 0.56 1.12 1.25 1.36 1.44 1.52 2.03 2.10 2.17 2.32 2.39 2 46 3.00 3.00 3.06 3.09 3.17 3.28 3.35 8.40 3.45 29, " . 1.00 1.16 1.29 1.43 1.51 2.01 2.09 2.22 2.38 2.36 3.08 3.01 ,3.04 ,3.21 3.09 3.22 3.41 3.44 3.50 4.10 4.00 " 30, " a. . 1.00 1.15 1.31 1.42 1.57 2.06 2.17 2.23 2.37 2.43 2.47 3.00 13.04 '3.I8 3.22 3.25 3.31 3.54 3.38 3.45 3.55 February 6, " b. . 0.45 1.00 jl. 45 1.40 1.50 2.00 2.10 2.40 2.30 2.45 2.50 3.01 3.15 3.05 3.20 :3.45' 3 35 3.40 3.50 4.20 4.10 October 10, 1852, c. . 1.15il.28 1.40 1.57 2.00 2.18 2.22 2.30 2.50 '2 50 3.45 2.50 '3.15 3.30 3.30 :3.25 3.25 3.30 3.50 4.05 4.05 January 9, 1853, d. . 0.69 1.18 1.28 1.40 1.55 1.59 2.11 2.20 2.28 |2. 32 2.49 2.55 2.53 3.23 2.58:3.19 3.18 3.34 3.26 3.30 4.02 February 4, " e. . 0.40 1.00 1.20 1.30 1.50 2.05 2.05 2.30 2.15 12.35 2.30 2.60 2.55 '3.00 3.05 3.20 3.30 3.30 3.30 3,40 8.40 January 9, " f. . 0.45 1.15 1.25 1.35 2.00 1.50 2.10 2.10 2.20 2.30 3.00 2.45i2.55 3.00 3.00 8.30 3.00 3.20 3.10 3.25 3.55 October 24, 1852, g- • 1.01 1.34 1.33 1.47 2.00 2.05 2.16 220 2.37 2.51 2.53 3.09 3.11 3.19 3.25 3.33 3.43 3.45 3.56 4.02 4.07 9, " A. . 4.03' 1.40 2.06 2.08 2.32 2.38 2.47 2.56 3.11 13.23 3.31 3.34 3.41 3.45 3.48 3.47 3.45 3.51 3.53 4.08 4.05 11, " I. . 1.05 1.29 1.40 1.53 2.08 2.19 2.29 2.37 2.42 i2.48 2.56 3.0913.16 3.25 3.23 3.29 3.28 3.32 3.39 3.41 3.49 20, " k. . 1.00 1.00 2.00 1.40 1.50 2.30 2.10 2 30 2.20(2.30 2.30 3.1512.18 2.27 2.45 2.55 2.20 3.10 3.40 3.40 4.10' February 13, 1853, I. . 1.16 1.32 1.31 1.50 2.00 2.22 2.07 2.38 2.39 2.36 3.00 '3.00 3.00 3.2013.30 3.30 3.40 3.50 8.50 3.50 23, " m. . 1.35 1.45 1.54 1.58 2.10 2.23 2.27 2.30 2.35 2.50,2.55 3.00 3.15 3.09 3.16 3.26 3.28 3.37 3.40 26, " n. . 0.56 1.20 1.40 2.50 2.00 1.48' 2.24 2.36 2.37 2.42 2.55 3.03 3.04 3.21 3.13 3.44' 3.31 3.42 3.48 8.41 16 4.12 8.51 16 3.58 Average interval . 0.56 1.16 1.36 1.47 19 1.58 19 2.06 17 2.19 19 2.25 18 2.33 18 2.40 19 2.55 18 2.59 18 3.05 18 3.11 3.15 3.22 3.25 3.35 4.03 No. of casts . . . 16 18 19 18 17 16 17 17 15 The times marked with a small figure (') are omitted in the means, as evidently incon-ect. Time of Deseei -it for every 100 Fathoms. Two 32 Ih. shot; FATHOMS. 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 INTERVALS. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. B. m. s. m. s. m s. m. 8. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. a. August 12, 1853 .... 1.00 1.20 1.33 3.40 2.02 2.12 2.22 2.25 2.38 2.58 2.50 July 24, a 1.06 1.26 1.40 1.50 2.00 2.10 2.25 2.30 2.40 2.50 3.00 3.10 11 21, (1 1.00 1.20 1.35 1.45 2.00 2.10 2.20 2.30 2.50 2.45 2.55 3.05 3.15 3.25 (( 20, 11 1.00 1.20 1.35 1.45 1.55 2.05 2.16 2.26 2.36 2.46 2.54 2.47 3.05 3.15 October 11, 11 1.03 1.20 1.35 1.44 1.54 August 10, (( 1.00 1.21 1.39 1.48 1.55 2.07 2.19 2.21 2.38 2.37 2.48 2.57 3.10 3.25 u 14, (( 1.00 1.12 1.25 1.37 1.50 2.06 2.08 2.20 2.34 2.48 2.48 2.58 3.00 3.20 June 17, i( 0.56 1.15 1.27 1.33 1.54 1.57 2.08 2.16 2.31 2.33 2.35 2.45 2.52 3.00 u 21, u 1.19 1.28 1.41 1.51 2.01 2.14 2.28 2.34 2.44 2.51 3.07 3.09 3.16 3.53 August 15, 11 1.00 1.20 1.35 1.35 1.50 2.00 2.10 2.20 2.30 2.30 2.30 2.45 2.55 3.00 July 4, (t 0.55 1.15 1.30 1.40 1.50 2.00 2.12 2.24 2.24 2.35 2.45 2.45 2.55 3.05 iL 2, u 1.05 1.25 1.35 1.47 1.58 2.13 2.26 2.43 2.33 2.49 2.55 3.00 3.05 3.13 October 2, (1 1.03 1.17 1.30 1.44 1.56 2.05 2.18 2.27 2.47 2.41 2.62 3.06 3.14 3.30 September 21, i( 1.00 1.17 1.36 1.47 2.00 2.05 2.13 2.22 2.33 2.50 2.50 3.00 3.10 3.05 Ju y 16, " « 1.05 1.20 1.35 1.50 2 05 2.10 2.15 2.25 2.35 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.55 3.05 September 23, "6 0.40 1.10 1.20 1.35 1.45 1.55 1.55 2.10 2.20 2.30 2.30 2.40 2.35 3.00 u 24, " c 1.02 1.18 1.30 1.42 1.58 i2.08 2.08 2.28 2.38 2.48 2.52 2.58 3.00 3.05 June 10, " d . . . . 1.13 1.22 1.35 1.45 1.50 1.56 2.09 2.15 2.20 2.27 2.38 2.51 2.54 2.55 K 24, "/..... 0.58 1.17 1.35 1.42 1.53 2.03 2.14 2.25 2.25 2.38 2.50 3.00 3.02 3.03 <( 7, " ff 0.56 1.14 1.25 1.40 1.50 1.53 2.02 2.10 2.25 2.25 2.30 2.42 2.43 2.50 October 3, " h 1.03 1.15 1.29 1.39 1.42 2.00 2.00 2.08 2.20 2.30 2.35 2.40 2.45 2.50 November 4, " ^ 1.06 1.19 1.37 1.50 2.14 2.12 2.25 2.40 2.48 2.54 3.06 3.21 3.20 3.35 June 14, " I. . . . . 1.14 1.29 1.42 1.53 2.01 2.11 2.18 2.35 2.39 2.42 2.48 2.56 3.00 3.05 Average interval .... 1.02 1.19 1.33 1.49 1.55 2.05 2.15 2.24 2.34 2.41 2.48 3.01 3.01 3.10 No. of casts 23 23 23 23 28 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 20 20 THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 145 Two 3^ Ih. shot; Small Line. From Boat Dolphin — (Berbyman). FATHOMS. 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500 3600 3700 3800 3900 4000 4100 4200 4300 4400 4500 INTERVALS. m.B. m... m.8. m.8. m... ra.». m.8. m.B. m.8. m.B. m.8. m.B. m.s. m. s. m.B. m.B. m.B. ra. 8. m.B. - m.8. m.8. m. ■. m.s. m.i. 3.47 4.00 a. 3.59 4.01 4.15 b. 4.10 4.00 4.00 a. 4.00 4.00 361' 4.47 d. 4.04 3.51 3.49 4.09 e. 3.55 4.15 4.00;4.05 4.00 f. 3.30 3.40 4.20 3.60 4.10 4.00 <7- 4.13 4,18 4.30 4.39 4.52 5.08 A 4.15 4.14 4.26 4.49 4.53 i 4.06 4.18 4.18 4.21 4.24 4.23 4.25 4.30 4.36 4.39 4.44 4.46 4.50 k. 3 00' 3.50 4.10 6.20' 5.15 2.16' 3.30 3.30 7.10'! 5.50 7.20' 4.10 7.00'| 5.10 4.20 5.06 6.45 7.30 6.50 6.55 5.15 8.00 7.00 6..50 I 4.00 4.20 4.10 4.10 4.00 4.10|6.00i 12 20'|y00'12.20' 13.30' 13.00' 14.15' 12.15' m. 3.48 3.57 3.52 3.58 4.02 4.13 4.16 4.35 4.30 n. 3.52 4.00 f35 4.30 4.25 4.25 4.30 3.58 14 4.03 18 4.12 4.19 4.27 4.28 4.10 4.09 4.33 5.14 4.44 4.28 4.50 5.10 4.20 6.05 6.45 7.30 1 6.50 1 0.56 1 5.15 1 8.00 1 7.00 1 6.50 12 10 9 6 4 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Small Line. From Boat Dolphin — (Berryman). FATHOMS. 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 intervals. m. s. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. a. m. s. m. s. m. s. 3.25 3.20 3.19 3.04 3.14 4.00 3.33 3.38 3.42 3.50 3.00 3.10 3.30 4.10 3.05 3.10 3.22 3.22 4.06 3.22 3.33 3.17 3.33 3.42 8.55 8.30 3.30 3.50 3.45 4.00 3.55 4.05 3.15 3.15 3.25 4.00 3.50 3.55 3.35 4.20 a. 3.10 3.15 3.20 3.25 3.30* 3.36 3.47 3.47 3.55 3.55 h. 3.10 3.20 3.20 3.30 3.30 3.45 3.55 8.50 4.00 4.10 4.20 c. 3.15 3.15 3.30 3.30 3.40 3.50 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.15 4.25 d. 3.10 3.20 3.21 3.26 3.28 3.82 3.46 3.47 3.52 4.02 4.02 4.08 f. 3.12 3.53 3.30 3.42 3.46 3.32 3.45 3.57 4.07 4.01 3.38 4.52 CI- 3.00 3.05 3.08 3.12 3.20 8.35 3.45 3.50 3.55 3.45 4.00 4.03 4.07 h. 3.55 3.19 3.29 3.21 3.11 3.26 3.50 3.36 3.37 3.45 4.45 4.15 3.45 h. 3.36 3.33 3.56 3.54 4.07 4.17 4.15 4.41 4.27 4.37 4.56 4.40 5.10 4.51 5.15 I. 3.10 3.14 3.27 3.24 3.43 3.43 3.48 8.88 3.40 3.50 4.40 4.03 4.40 4.50 4.17 4.17 3.14 3.18 3.30 3.36 3.41 3.45 8.51 3.57 3.58 4.02 4.16 4.20 4.25 4.50 4.45 4.17 19 16 16 15 13 12 11 10 9 9 8 6 4 2' 2 1 19 146 THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. Time of Descent / or every 100 Fathoms. Oi le 32 11 ). shot; FATHOMS. 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 INTERVALS. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. s. m. s. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. October 22, 1853, a. . . . 1.00 1.25 1.45 2.00 2.13 2.21 2.32 2.45 2.55 3.03 3.07 3.27 " 20, " ... 0.53 1.17 1.40 2.01 2.10 2.23 2.26 2.47 2.51 3.42 " 23, " h. . . . 1.11 1.30 1.51 2.09 2.25 2.41 2.50 3.06 3.15 3.24 3.41 3.46 " 18, " c. . . . 1.03 1.24 1.44 2.00 2.20 2.32 2.47 2.55 3.04 3.13 3.25 3.37 " 13, " d. . . . 1.10 1.27 1.45 2.07 2.24 2.34 2.51 3.03 3.06 3.17 3.25 3.38 " 27, " e. . . . 0.55 1.21 1.44 1.56 2.17 2.32 2.35 2.46 2.56 3.04 3.14 3.15 Average interval . . 1.02 1.24 1.45 2.02 2.18 2.30 2.40 2.54 3.01 3.12 3.22 3.34 No. of casts .... 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 6 Average Time of Descent for every 100 Fathoms. Two 32 lb. shot, Small Line From 100 200 300 400 500 600 •700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 Mean of soundings — (Lee) . . . " " (Beeeyman) . ra.B. 0.56 1.02 m.s. m. B. 1.22 1.16 1.35 1.19 1.33 m. s. 1.33 1.47 1.49 m.H. 1.47 1.58 1.55 m.B. 1.52 2.06 2.05 m.B. 2.03 2.19 2.15 m.B. 2.06 2.25 2.24 m.B. 2.14 2.33 2.34 m.B. 2.22 2.40 2.41 m.B. 2.29 2.55 2.48 m.B. 2.36 2.59 3.01 m.B. 2.41 3.05 3.01 m. s. 2.54 3 11 3.10 m.B. 2.56 3.15 3.14 m.s. 3.4 3.22 3.18 m.B. 3.6 3.25 3.30 m.B. 3.8 3.35 t 3.36 m.B. 3.51 3.41 3.41 Average interval 0.58 1.17 1.30 1.43 1.53 2.01 2.12 2.18 2.27 2.34 2.44 2.52 2.56 3.05 3.08 3.14 3.23 3.26 3.32 No. of casts 39 41 69 70 70 67 63 58 56 67 56 53 49 49 47 41 41 39 36 Table showing^ the Intervals of Descent for every 100 FatJioms. One 32 lb. shot; Small Line. 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 m. 8. 3.24 3.12 1100 1200 1300 1400 Mean of sound- ) ings — (Lee) j Mean of sound- "^ ings — (Ber- V syman) j m. s. 1.02 m. s. 1.24 m. 8. 1.51 1.45 m. 8. 2.09 2.02 m. s. 2.25 2.18 m. 8. 2.39 2.30 m. 8. 2.49 2.40 m. s. 2.58 2.54 m. 8. 3.13 • 3.01 m. 8. 3.31 3.22 m. 8. 3.45 3.34 m. 8. 3.45 3.41 m. 8. 3.57 3.43 Average interval 1.02 1.24 1.12 2.05 2.21 2.34 2.44 2.56 3.07 3.18 3.26 3.39 3.43 3.50 No. of casts . . 6 6 35 35 35 35 33 32 33 31 27 27 24 24 THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. - 147 Small Line. From Boat Dolphin — (Berryman). FATHOMS. 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 INTERVALS. m. a. m. s. m. a. m. s. m. s. m. s. m. a. m. a. m. s. m. s. m. a. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. 8. m. B. a. 3.37 3.80 3.37 3.27 3.57 3.41 4.02 4.14 4.22 4.10 4.13 4.16 4.37 4.44 4.47 4.52 5.15 b. 4.06 4.06 4.26 4.28 4.33 4.42 4.49 5.02 5.06 5.12 5.26 c. 3.46 3.53 4.02 3.57 4.20 4.23 4.22 4.36 4.47 4.30 5.03 5.00 d. 4.19* 3.57 4.01 4.17 4.24 4.30 5.03 4.35 4.47 5.25 5.02 5.02 5.26 5.29 5.41 e. 3.27 3.19 3.29 3.36 4.04 3.51 4.05 4.04 4.13 4.21 4.21 4.25 4.37 4.26 4.38 4.47 3.41 3.43 3.54 4.04 4.19 4.20 4.28 4.35 4.43 4.51 5.08 4.55 5.01 4.58 5.09 4.47 5 6 6 5 5 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 2 2 2 1 Mean of Soundings by Lieutenants S. P. Lee and O. H. Berrtman, 1851-52-53. 2000 m. s. 3.16 8.51 3.45 3.37 33 2100 in. a. 3.21 4.03 3.51 3.45 31 2200 m.8. 3.25 3.58 3.57 3.47 27 2300 ra. 8. 3.31 4.03 3.58 3.51 24 2400 m.8. 3.32 4.12 4.02 3.55 23 2500 m.8. 3.45 4.19 4.16 4.00 20 2600 m.8. 3.43 4.27 4.20 4.10 16 2700 m. 8. 4.28 4.25 4.26 11 2800 m.8. 4.10 4.50 4.30 6 2900 m.8. 4.09 4.46 4.27 5 3000 m.8. 4.33 4.17 4.25 3 3100 m.>. 5.14 5.14 2 3200 m.8. 4.44 4.44 1 3300 m. a. 4.28 4.28 2 3400 m.8. 4.50 4.50 1 3500 m. a. 5.10 5.10 1 3000 m.a. 5.20 O.20 1 3700 m.a. 5.05 5.05 1 3800 m.a. 6.46 6.45 1 3900 m.a. 7.30 7.30 1 4000 m.8. 6.50 6.60 1 4100 m.8. 6.55 6.55 1 4200 m.a. 5.15 0.15 1 4300 m. 8. 8.00 8.00 1 4400 m.a. 7.00 7.00 1 4500 m.a. 6.50 6.50 1 From Mean of Soundings by Lieutenants S. P. Lee and 0. H . Berryman, 1851-52-53 1500 m. 8. 4.07 3.54 1600 m. B. 4.13 4.04 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 m. 8. 4.20 4.19 m. 8. 4.26 4.20 m. 8. 4.31 4.28 m. 8. 4.39 4.35 m. 8. 4.4 4.43 m. 8. 4.48 4.51 m. 8. 4.54 5.08 m. s. 5.13 4.55 m. 8. 5.01 5.01 m. 8. 4.56 4.58 m. 8. 5.27 5.09 m. 8. 4.30 4.47 m. 8. 4.44 m. 8. 4.40 4.00 4.08 4.19 4.23 4.29 4.37 4.45 4.49 5.01 5.04 5.01 4.57 5.18 4.38 4.44 4.40 25 22 22 23 21 17 13 11 10 8 6 5 5 2 1 1 148 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. It will be remarked how much more rapidly the line went out from the Albany, than it did to the same weight (one 32 lb. shot) from the Dolphin's boat. It will be also noted, how very uniform is the rate of descent in the last of the Dolphin's tables, and in which two 32 lb. shot were used. This was on her last cruise, when the soundings were intrusted entirely to one ofl&cer — young Mitchell — and when the boat's crew had become so au fait at the business, that they claimed to tell by " the feel" of the line when the shot touched bottom. These results are highly satisfactory ; they do Mitchell great credit, and I point to them as a model for others. It is very evident that a shot will sink at the same rate, whether it be dropped overboard from a ship or a boat. We account, then, for the apparently more rapid rate of descent from the Albany, by the greater drift of the vessel ; for, of course, as she fell off and gathered headway, she slipped from under the line, which increased its rate of going out. We, therefore, are forced to the conclusion that the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are not so deep as, from the Albany's soundings, these two basins were supposed to be. Indeed, the ocean generally is not quite so deep as this system of deep-sea soundings would represent it. The under currents operate upon the line ; it bends to them, and of course the sounding reported is rarely, if ever, a true " up and down" measure. It will be observed how much the waxing of the line increases its rate of descent. Many of the irregularities in these tables of the Dolphin, are owing to changes in the size of the line. Lieut. Lee weighed his, and found it to vary from 100 to 114 lbs. per 10,000 fathoms. The human mind delights in the marvellous ; and there is no subject which those who cater for it are likely to seize upon with more avidity, thau upon the reports which are now and then made of the enormous depths to which the plummet has descended in the deep sea, without reaching bottom. It is always desirable to prevent error from building up its edifices in the popular mind; for, when truth comes along, it has first to pull these down, and to contend with many difficulties in removing the vast amount of rubbish that falsehood may have made, before it can begin a single structure. It seems, therefore, the proper time, now that so much has been done with the Atlantic Ocean, in the way of sounding it out, to review the great depths which have been reported from time to time. First referring to Plate XIV. and the fifth edition of this work, there is the great wire cast of 5,700 fathoms from the Taney. This always, in my judgment, required confirmation, because of the material used. The other soundings, near the same place on the chart, render the probability of any such depth of water in that part of the ocean still more questionable. I, therefore, in the shadings of this plate, requested Professor Flye, by whom the lines Avere drawn, not to regard it. Besides this, there are the soundings of 5,200 fathoms by the Plymouth, in lat. 37° 28' N., long. 56° 32' W.; of 5,070 by the St. Louis, in lat. 36° 16' K, long. 46° 52' 15" W.; and of 4,000 by the Jamestowu, lat. 36° N., long. 27° 20' W., all of which are reported without bottom, and all of which were , THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAIf. 149 marked as doubtful from the first, owing to the evidence furnished by the official reports which were made with them to this office. With regard to the Plymouth's sounding, no time except the total was kept. The cast was made from the vessel; and, during the operation, the wind and sea increased so much, says Captain Kelly, "that I deemed it advisable to part the line and await a more favorable opportunity, not being able to sound with any accuracy."* In the case of the St. Louis, the sounding was made from a boat; pains were taken to keep the line up and down, but the shot was timed only by the 1,000 fathoms. And though Captain Ingraham reported bottom, the intervals, in my judgment, did not indicate such a depth, and therefore the note of interroga- tion was applied, expressive of that doubt. The Jamestown simply reports no bottom ; and on board that vessel, the supposition that bottom in any case had been reached, "arose from the fact that the line paying out briskly would suddenly cease, and on being hauled in would for a moment come up very heavily, and then, as though the weight of the shot had parted from it, come up easily ."f It was not supposed that the depth of the ocean could be so great, so near the Western Islands ; hence the note of interrogation, which I ventured to attach to that sounding, the propriety of which Berryman's soundings seem now to confirm. I have practically erased the last; and though I doubt the other two, yet, as they are in a part of the ocean where soundings are scarce, and where vessels frequently go, I have left them there with the hope that they would tempt some navigator to get a true sounding, and so erase them, or the mark of doubt. With regard to the other soundings, which I had no reason, at the time they were made, to doubt, but upon which subsequent results hav^ thrown light sufficient to cause them to be erased entirely, or seriously questioned, I may simply remark, that in this class, among others, is included Capt. Barron's sounding of 5,500 fathoms in the Jno. Adams, lat. 32° 06' K, long. 44° 47' W. This cast was made from the ship. The shot was timed by the 1,000 fathoms, but the officers were sure, from the feeling of the line, that bot- tom had been reached. Several good and accurate soundings have been since made near the same place by the Dolphin, and from a boat, which show the depth to be loss tlian 3,000 fathoms. Hence the erasure of Barron's cast. There is a number of other soundings, especially those very great ones which are marked with the sign of "no bottom," to which I have attached notes of doubt (?) on Plate XIV. Though I had no reason to question their accuracy at first, yet subsequent and reliable soundings seem to show that the sea, there, is not as deep as they indicate it to be. Since, however, the great wire sounding of Lieut. Walsh, in the Taney, was made, in 1849, and for full details of which, see the fifth edition of this work, tliree others, with a greater length of line out, have been made. They deserve special notice, for I think all of them are in error as to depth. * See Maury's Sailiug Directions, page 213, Gtli ed. i IbiJ. 160 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. One of these casts was of 8,300 fathoms, by Lieut. J. P. Parker, of the U. S. frigate Congress, 4th April, 1852, lat. 35° 35' S., long. 45° 10' W. Another, of 7,706 fathoms, by Capt. Denham, of H. M. S. Herald, 80th Oct. 1852, lat. 36° 49' S., long. 37° 06' W. And the other, of 6,600 fathoms, by Lieut. O. H. Berryman, commanding U. S. brig Dolphin, 12th Feb. 1853, lat. 32° 55' K, long. 47° 58' W. The first two casts, it will be observed, were made within 400 miles of each other, and with the same twine ; for Commodore McKeever supplied, from the stock on board the Congress, 15,000 fathoms to the Herald. The plummet used by Capt. Denham was a 9 lb. lead. It is much to be regretted that he did not use a 32 lb. shot; for, then, his line being the same, his sounding might have been compared with our own, with far greater satisfaction. Capt. Denham's last 706 fathoms (from 7,000 to 7,706) went out at the rate of four-fifths of a mile per hour. He had a 9 lb. lead as a sinker. Kow let us ask any sailor who is familiar with the resistance made by lines when towed through the water, whether, in his opinion, a force of 9 lbs. could tow eight miles length of line, three-tenths of an inch in circumference, at the rate of four-fifths of a mile the hour ? Moreover, his eighth thousand fathoms went out faster than his fifth. Surely, a 9 lb. lead would not drag a line 7,000 fathoms long, and upwards, through the water faster than it would drag one out 4,000 fathoms in length. It is probable that there is in all parts of the deep sea one or more under currents, of greater or less velocity. Nature, by her ways, indicates this ; reason, with her lights, suggest it ; and experiment seems to confirm it. Our experience in deep-sea soundings is now considerable ; and seldom indeed has it occurred that the line has ceased going out after the shot has reached bottom. And I suppose it is the currents of the sea, coursing through their channels of circulation, that continue to take it out. Suppose where Captain Denham sounded, there had been but one under current, and that that had a rate of only one-tenth of a mile per hour; the line, then, that his 9 lb. sinker had to tow through the water, instead of being straight was probably a curve. It may in reality have been a curve of several convolu- tions ; for, for aught we know, there may be in the deep sea several strata of currents, as we know there often are several strata of winds, one above the other, in the atmosphere. Parker, of the Congress, gives the time of every 500 fathoms, after the first 300 had gone out; Denham, of the Herald, is more systematic; he gives the time of every 100 fathoms, from the beginning; Berryman, of the Dolphin, on the contrary, is less so ; he gives the time for every 500, for the first 1,500 fathoms, then for every 200, till he reached 2,500 fathoms; then for 400, then for 1,000, then for 100, and so on at irregular intervals, which impairs the value of his results. Denham's is the best in this respect. Now to compare them fairly, we must have them all for like intervals. I therefore compute Berryman's as far only as is necessary to make them correspond with Parker's times and intervals, arranging Denham's accordingly. Tins being done, let us compare the times of the three casts together, referring them also to the average rate of descent determined by actual experiment (see pp. 146, 147), that we may see the difference of rate THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN. 151 at which the same line will run out, as Parker's and Denham's, to sinkers of different weights ; as well as the depths at which all uniformity as to rate of descent begins to disappear. INTERVALS. 8300 fathoms. 7706 fathoms. G600 fathoms. 32 lb. shot. 9 lb. lead. 46 lb. ! shot. CONGEESg. HEBALD. DOLPHIN. min. sec. min. sec. min. sec. From 300 to 800 fathoms 8 45 14 20 12 6 (( 800 to 1300 ' 11 00 18 25 12 51 11 1300 to 1800 ' 13 00 19 30 15 07 (1 1800 to 2300 ' ' 15 00 22 00 20 07 (( 2300 to 2800 ' 19 00 23 50 24 11 a 2800 to 8300 ' 87 00 28 20 25 53 (( it 3300 to 3800 ' 3800 to 4300 ' 51 28 00 00 39 43 20 40 28 34 00) } 1000 fathoms 00] (I 4300 to 4800 ' 33 15 42 25 47 22 (I 4800 to 5300 ' 34 45 47 50 52 16 II 5300 to 5800 ' 34 00 53 50 64 50 11 5800 to 6800 ' 34 30 55 05 70 32 II 6300 to 6800 ' 21 30 53 55 72 34 11 6800 to 7300 ' 27 00 52 25 II 7300 to 7600 ' 38 80 44 14 II 7800 to 8800 ' ' 21 00 I do not recollect the size of the Dolphin's twine ; it is evident, however, that this, as well as all other sounding-twine, requires force to pull it from the reel, and to drag it down through the depths of the ocean ; that the deeper the plummet, and the greater the length of line to be dragged down, the greater the resistance, and, therefore, the slower the rate at which the line goes out. Hence, we may deduce a rule which, as a general one, may be taken as correct, viz : that when the line ceases to go out at something like a regularly decreasing rate, there is no reliance to be put upon the sounding, after the change; and that when the rate of going out becomes uniform — or now fast, now slow — the plummet has probably ceased to drag the line down, and the force which continues to take the sounding-line out, is due to the wind, currents, heave of the sea, or drift — one, some, or all. Let us apply this rule to these casts : — That of the Congress fulfilled these conditions, as to a tolerably regular decreasing, rate, to the 2,800 fathoms mark. The rates after that, indicate pretty clearly that, whatever might have been the agent which continued to take the line out, it was not the sinking of the 32 lb. shot. There is an appearance of 152 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. too much uniformity in the rate after that. Therefore, I infer that, when the 2,800 fathoms mark went out, the shot was probably on or near the bottom ; and that, where this sounding was made, the ocean, instead of being some 8,300 fathoms deep, is not more than 3,000. The Herald's plummet fulfilled the conditions, generally, of a decreasing rate, until the 4,300 fathoms mark went out; and after this the rate becomes of such a character as to justify the conclusion that the 9 lb. sinker used had then ceased, or nearly ceased, to descend, if it were not already on the bottom. The care with which Captain Denham observed every 100 fathoms mark, and timed it as it went out, enables us to detect, probably, more closely in his sounding than in either of the others, the time when his plummet ceased to sink. From 100 to 700 fathoms, each 100 fathoms mark required between two and three minutes to go out ; from 700 to 1,600, each mark required between three and four minutes ; from 1,600 to 2,700, each mark required between four and five minutes; from 2,700 to 3,000, each required between five and six minutes. Here the times begin to become irregular ; the 3,200 and 3,300 marks, each took between six and seven minutes to go out. After this, there is no more regularity as to the increasing times. Every 100 fathoms mark thereafter appears to have a rate of its own, varying from seven to twelve minutes — but now fast, now slow — and in such a manner as to justify the inference that the ocean, where the. Herald reports 7,706 fathoms, is probably not more than 4,000 fathoms deep. It was probably the wind, or some agent at the surface, that caused the irregularity as to time, after the 4,300 fathoms mark went out. The Dolphin had the heaviest plummet, and the largest line. The time required with her for each of the first 500 fathoms marks to run out, was longer than the Congress, but shorter than the Herald. But, after the 4,300 fathoms mark of the Herald went out, then the Herald's line was the swifter ; then it assumed, approximately at least, the condition of equal lengths in equal times ; whereas, the Dolphin's continued to decrease its rate, and to go slower and slower, till the 6,300 fathoms mark went out. She sent down 6,600 fathoms ; the interval, therefore, from 6,300 to 6,800 is computed. The inference therefore, would be that, if the weight had not reached bottom before, it ceased to go down about the time the 6,300 fathoms mark went out. But the sounding was not made with the usual care ; and, with the lights now before me, no such inference as to depth is admissible. Subsequent soundings jn the vicinity give bottom at a much less depth. Lieut. Berryman informs me that, since these were made, he has no confidence whatever in that 6,300 fathoms cast. Nor have I. By aid of the law which a careful examination of the tables, pp. 138 — 147, will indicate,- we can tell very nearly when the ball ceased to carry the line out, and when, of course, it began to go out in obedience to the current and drift alone ; for currents sweep the line out at a uniform rate, while the cannon ball drags it out at a decreasing rate. The development of this law certainly was an achievement, for it enabled us to show that the depth of the sea at the places named (§ 157) was not as great as reports made it. These researches were interesting ; the problem in hand was important, and it deserved every effort that ingenuity could suggest for reducing it to a satisfactory solution. THE BASIN OF THE ATLANTIC. 158 As yet, no specimens of the bottom had been brought up. The line was too small, the shot too heavy, and it could not be weighed. In this state of the case, Passed Midshipman J. M. Brooke, United States Navy, who, at the time, was associated with me on duty at the Observatory, proposed a contrivance by which the shot, on striking the bottom, would detach itself, and send up the line with a specimen of the bottom. This beautiful contrivance, called Brooke's Deep-sea Sounding Apparatus, is represented in Plates VII. and VIII. A, cannon ball, having a hole through it for the rod, B. Plate VII. represents the rod, B ; the slings, D D, with the shot slung, and in the act of being lowered down. Plate VIII. represents the apparatus in the act of striking the bottom, and shows how the shot is detached, and how specimens of the bottom are brought up, by adhering to a little soap or tallow,* called " arming," in the cup, C, at the lower end of the rod, B. With this contrivance specimens of the bottom have been brought up from the depth of two miles. 164. The greatest depths at which the bottom of the sea has been reached with the plummet are in the North Atlantic Ocean, and the places where it has been fathomed do not show it to be deeper than twenty- five thousand feet. The deepest place in this ocean (Plate XIV.) is probably between the parallels of 35° and 40° north latitude, and immediately to the southward of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. No satisfactory deep-sea soundings worth mentioning, either in the Pacific or Indian Oceans, have as yet been made by those who are co-operating in this admirable plan of research. A few have been made in the South Atlantic, but not enough to justify deduction as to its depths or the shape of its floor. CHAPTEE XI. THE BASIN OF THE A TLA N TIC. f Height of Cliimborazo above the Bottom of the Sea, g 105. — The deepest Place in the Atlantic, IGC. — The Utility of Deep-sea Soundings, 167. — A Microscopic Examination of them, 108. — Brooke's Deep-sea Lead presents the Sea in a new Light, 109. — Tlio Agents at ■work upon the Bottom of the Sea, 170. — How the Ocean is prevented from growing Salter, 171. — Knowledge of our Planet to be derived from the Bottom of the Sea, 172. 165. The Basin of the Atlantic, according to the deep-sea soundings made in the manner described in the foregoing chapter, is shown on Plate XIV. This plate refers chiefly to that part of the Atlantic which is included within our hemisphere. In its entire length, the basin of this sea is a long trough, separating the Old World from the New, and extending probably from pole to pole. This ocQan-furrow was scored into the solid crust of our planet by the Almighty hand, that there the * A Stillwngen cup is found to answer better. I Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. 20 154 - THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Avaters which "he called seas" might be gathered together, so as to "let the dry land appear," and fit the earth for the habitation of man. From the top of Chimborazo to the bottom of the Atlantic, at the deepest place yet reached by the plummet in the North Atlantic, the distance, in a vertical line, is nine miles. Could the waters of the Atlantic be drawn off, so as to expose to view this great sea-gash, which separates continents, and extends from the Arctic to the Antarctic, it would present a scene the most rugged, grand, and imposing. The very ribs of the solid earth, with the foundations of the sea, would be brought to light, and we should have presented to us at one view, in the empty cradle of the ocean, " a thousand fearful wrecks," with that dreadful array of dead men's skulls, great anchors, heaps of pearl and inestimable stones, which, in the poet's eye, lie scattered in the bottom of the sea, making it hideous with sights of ugly death. To measure the elevation of the mountain-top above the sea, and to lay down upon our maps the mountain ranges of the earth, is regarded in geography as an important thing, and rightly so. Equally important is it, in bringing the physical geography of the sea regularly within the domains of science, to present its orology, by mapping out the bottom of the ocean so as to show the depressions of the solid parts of the earth's crust there, below the sea-level. 166. Plate XIV. presents the second attempt at such a map. It relates exclusively to the bottom of that part of the Atlantic Ocean which lies north of 10° south. It is stippled with four shades ; the darkest (that which is nearest the shore-line) shows where the water is less than sis thousand feet deep; the next, where it is less than twelve thousand feet ; the third, where it is less than eighteen thousand ; and the fourth, or lightest, where it is not over twenty-four thousand feet deep. The blank space south of Nova Scotia and the Grand Banks includes a district within which very deep water has been reported ; but from casts of the deep-sea lead which, upon discussion, do not appear satisfactory. The deepest part of the North Atlantic is probably somewhere between the Bermudas and the Grand Banks, but how deep it may be, yet remains for the cannon ball and sounding-twine to determine. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are held in a basin about a mile deep in the deepest part. The Bottom of the Atlantic, or its depressions below the sea-level, are given, perhaps, on this plate, with as much accuracy as the best geographers have been enabled to show, on a map, the elevations above the sea-level of the interior either of Africa or Australia. 167. "What is to be the use of these deep-sea soundings?" is a question that often occurs; and it is as difficult to be answered in categorical terms as Franklin's question: "What is the use of a new-born babe?" Every physical fact, every expression of nature, every feature of the earth, the work of any and all of those agents which make the face of the world what it is, and as we see it, is interesting and instructive. Until we get hold of a group of physical facts, we do not know what practical bearings they may have, though right-minded men know that they contain many precious jewels, which science or the expert hand of philosophy will not fail to bring out, polished, and bright, and beautifully adapted to man's purposes. Already we are obtaining practical answers to this question as to the use of deep-sea soundings; THE BASIN OF THE ATLANTIC. 155 for, as soon as they were announced to the public, they forthwith assumed a practical bearing in the minds of men, with regard to the question of a submarine telegraph across the Atlantic. There is, at the bottom of this sea, between Cape Eace in Newfoundland and Cape Clear in Ireland, a remarkable steppe, which is already known as the telegraphic plateau. A company is now engaged with the project of a submarine telegraph across the Atlantic. It is proposed to carry the wires along this plateau, from the eastern shores of Newfoundland to the western shores of Ireland. The great circle distance between these two shore-lines is one thousand six hundred miles, and the sea along the route is probably nowhere more than ten thousand feet deep. This company, it is understood, consists of men of enterprise and wealth, who, should the inquiries that they are now making prove satisfactory, are prepared to under- take the establishment forthwith of a submarine telegraph across the Atlantic. It was upon this plateau that Brooke's sounding apparatus (§ 162) brought up its first trophies from the bottom of the sea. These specimens Lieutenant Berryman and his officers judged to be clay ; but they took the precaution to label them, carefully to preserve them, and, on their return to the United States, to send them to the proper bureau. They were divided ; a part was sent for examination to Professor Ehrenberg, of Berlin, and a part to Professor Bailey, of West Point — eminent microscopists both. I have not heard from the former, but the latter, in November, 1853, thus responded. 168. " I am greatly obliged to you for the deep soundings you sent me last week, and I have looked at them with great interest. They are exactly what I have wanted to get hold of The bottom of the ocean at the depth of more than two miles I hardly hoped ever to have a chance of examining ; yet, thanks to Brooke's contrivance, we have it clean and free from grease, so that it can at once be put under the microscope. I was greatly delighted to find that all these deep soundings are filled with microscopic shells ; not a particle of sand or gravel exists in them. They are chiefly made up of perfect little calcareous shells (Foraminifera), and contain, also, a small number of silicious shells (Diatomacese). " It is not probable that these animals lived at the depths where these shells are found, but I rather think that they inhabit the waters near the surface; and when they die, their shells settle to the bottom. With reference to this point, I shall be very glad to examine bottles of water from various depths which were brought home by the Dolphin, and any similar materials, either ' bottom,' or water from other locali- ties. I shall study them carefully The results already obtained are of very great interest, and have many important bearings on geology and zoology " I hope you will induce as many as possible to collect soundings with Brooke's lead, in all parts of the world, so that we can map out the animalculse as you have the whales. Get your whalers also to collect mud from pancake ice, &c., in the polar regions : this is always full of interesting microscopic forms." I extract from an interesting letter, lately received from Passed Midshipman Brooke, of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, dated U. S. ship Vincennes, Sept. 3, 1854: — " * * * * * There has been inclosed to the Department a table of temperatures at various depths, from 100 to 500 fathoms, and two reports of experiments in deep-sea soundings. Several unsuccessful attempts to sound from the ship were made, under the direction of Captain Ringgold, but 156 THE WINU AND CURRENT CHARTS. were considered unworthy of a remark — in which opinion I coincide ; for, at considerable depths, one is entirely dependent upon the times of the 100 fathoms. As a general thing, I suppose an hundred thousand fathoms would all be eventually taken from the reel by the drift of the ship. On one of those occasions, a breeze sprung up on the quarter, shooting the ship ahead in such a manner as to render the cast utterly worthless. From our experience in the Indian Ocean and Coral Sea, I am inclined to believe that there is no depth from which specimens of the bottom may not be obtained. It will ever be a source of regret that, owing to circumstances beyond my control, we were unsuccessful in recovering the line and specimen after reaching bottom with 7,040 fathoms in the Indian Ocean. Such opportunities are rare in that locality ; yet, owing to the current of 60 miles, it will be a difficult matter to determine the absolute depth. That current was not as superficial as one might at first suppose ; for it was during the latter part of the opera- tion that the boat experienced its effect, and it would seem that, had the current been superficial, the line would have given indication by tending ahead, whereas it ran rigid doivn. Moreover, that current was local, which adds to the probability of its depth. The cast made in the Coral Sea was satisfactory in every respect ; the arming-rod came up with its lower extremity completely coated with what appeared to be a calcareous clay of such adhesive and tena- cious character as to preserve the marks of the shot, made in slipping off. In fact, we had fallen upon one of those beds which eventually present the characteristic formations of England. I fear that the specimen delivered to the chemist of the expedition has been mislaid ; but, fortunately, I have in my possession ample quantity for microscopic examination, and which will be sent to you by Lieut. Maury, of the Mississippi. I am indebted to the politeness of Lieut. "Wm. L. Maury, of the Japan Expedition, for the specimen alluded to. It came from the Coral Sea, lat. 13° S., long. 162° E., and was brought up by Brooke's sounding rod from the depth of 2,150 fathoms. I am without any further account as to the manner of making the sounding, or the time of running out. The specimen was immediately divided between the microscopes of my friends, Professors Bailey and Elirenberg. The latter reports as follows : — ■ " You may be sure I was not backward in taking a look at the specimens you sent me, which, from their locality, promised to be so interesting. The sounding from 2,150 fathoms, although very small in quantity, is not bad in quality, yielding representatives of most of the great groups of microscopic organ- isms usually found in marine sediments. " The predominant forms are silicious spicules of sponges. Various forms of these occur ; some long and spindle-shaped, or acicular ; others pin-headed ; some three spined, &;c. &c. " The Diatoms (silicious infusoria of Ehrenberg) are very few in number, and mostly fragmentary. I found, however, some perfect valves of a coscinodiscus. "The Foraminifera (Polythalamia of Ehrenberg) are very rare, only one perfect shell being seen, with a few fragments of others. "The Polycistineas are present, and some species of Ilaliomma were quite perfect. Fragments of other r, j^ THE BASIN OF THE ATLANTIC. . 157 forms of tbis group indicate that various interesting species might be obtained, if we had more of the material. " You will see by the above, that this deep sounding differs considerably from those obtained in the Atlantic. The Atlantic soundings were almost wholly composed of calcareous shells of the Foraminifera ; these, on the contrary, contain very few Foraminifera, and are of a silicious rather than a calcareous nature. This only makes the condition of things, in the Northern Atlantic, the more interesting." And just as this sheet is going to press, I have received, in reply, the following letter from Professor Bailey : — West Point, February 18, 1855. "You ask 'Why do the silicious organisms of the Coral Sea make the calcareous ones of the Atlantic more interesting?' My idea was that they prove that deep water is not necessarily underlaid by foramini- ferous deposits, and that some peculiar local conditions of temperature, currents, or geological substratum, have made the North Atlantic a perfect vivarium for the calcareous forms. " The chart (Plate XIX.) you send is very interesting, and combines a wonderful amount of interesting phenomena. I have little doubt that the history of the bottom of the ocean, as recorded by the sediments, would show a close relation to the facts determined for the surface, besides many unexpected relations. I cannot conceive how any intelligent seaman can need urging to undertake the task of deep sounding. I feel sure that you can present the matter in a light that would be more attractive to them than I can. I am very anxious to get some soundings from the great ocean current that, as shown in your chart, sweeps in through the Caribbean Sea, and along the coast of Mexico and Texas. "I observe on your chart something which looks like a sargassum sea, S. E. of Madagascar. Is it so ? Get soundings, if possible, in these sargassum seas. Get soundings anyivhere— everywhere. Even when they yield nothing, the negative fact is of value." Ilere, again, we perceive these little conservators of the sea at work. This specimen comes from the coral regions, and the task of secreting the calcareous matter from the sea water appears to have been left by these little mites of creatures to the madrepores and shell-fish, though they themselves undertook the hard task of getting the silicious matter out. The division of labor among the organisms of the sea are wonderful. It is a great workshop, in which the machinery is so perfect that nothing ever goes wrong. • These little mites of shells seem to form but a slender clew indeed by which the chambers of the deep are to be threaded, and mysteries of the ocean revealed; yet the results are suggestive; in right hands and to right minds, they are guides to both light and knowledge. . The first noticeable thing the microscope gives of these specimens is, that all of them are of the animal, not one of the mineral kingdom. The ocean teems with life, we know. Of the four elements of the old philosophers — fire, earth, air, 168 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. and water — perhaps the sea most of all abounds with living creatures. The space occupied on the surface of our planet by the different families of animals and their remains is inversely as the size of the individual. The smaller the auimal, the greater the space occupied by his remains. Though not invariably the case, yet this rule, to a certain extent, is true, and will, therefore, answer our present purposes, which are simply those of illustration. Take the elephant and his remains, or a microscopic animal, and his, and compare them. The contrast, as to space occupied, is as striking as that of tlie coral reef or island with the dimensions of the whale. The grave-yard that would hold the corallines is larger than the grave-yard that would hold the elephants. We notice another practical bearing in this group of physical facts, that Brooke's apparatus fished up from the bottom of the deep sea. Bailey, with his microscope (§ 168), could not detect a single particle of sand or gravel among these little mites of shells. They were from the great telegraphic plateau (§ 167), and the inference is that there, if anywhere, the waters of the sea are at rest. There was not motion enough there to abrade these very delicate organisms, nor current enough to sweep them about and mix up with them a grain of the finest sand, nor the smallest particle of gravel torn from the loose beds of debris that here and there strew the bottom of the sea. This plateau is not too deep for the wire to sink down and rest upon, yet it is not so shallow that currents, or icebergs, or any abrading force can derange the wire after it is once lodged. As Professor Bailey remarks, the animalculse, whose remains Brooke's lead has brought up from the bottom of the deep sea, probably did not live or die there. They would have had no light there, and, had they lived there, their frail little textures would have been subjected in their growth to a pressure upon them of a column of water twelve thousand feet high, equal to the weight of four hundred atmospheres. They probably lived and died near the surface, where they could feel the genial influences of both light and heat, and were buried in the lichen caves below, after death. 169. Brooke's lead and the microscope, therefore, it would seem, are about to teach us to regard the ocean in a new light. Its bosom, which so teems with animal life ; its face, upon which time writes no wrinkles — makes no impression — are, it would now seem, as obedient to the great law of change as is any department whatever, either of the animal or the vegetable kingdom. It is now suggested that, henceforward, we should view the surface of the sea as a nursery teeming with nascent organisms, its depths as the cemetery for families of living creatures that outnumber the sands on the sea-shore for multitude. Where there is a nursery, hard by there will be founcWalso a grave-yard — such is the condition of the animal world. But it never occurred to us before to consider the surface of the sea as one wide nursery, its every ripple a cradle, and its bottom one vast burial-place. 170. On those parts of the solid portions of the earth's crust which are at the bottom of the atmosphere, various agents are at work, levelling both upward and downward. Heat and cold, rain and sunshine, the winds and the streams, all assisted by the forces of gravitation, are unceasingly wasting away the high places on the land and as perpetually filling up the low. r THE BASIN OF THE ATLANTIC. 159 But in contemplating the levelling agencies that are at work upon the solid portions of the crust of our planet which are at the bottom of the sea, one is led, at first thought, almost to the conclusion that these levelling agents are powerless there. In the deep sea there are no abrading processes at work; neither frosts nor rains are felt there, and the force of gravitation is so paralyzed down there that it cannot use half its power, as on the dry land, in tearing the overhanging rock from the precipice and casting it down into the valley below. When considering the bottom of the ocean, we have, in the imagination, been disposed to regard the waters of the sea as a great cushion, placed between the air and the bottom of the ocean, to protect and defend it from these abrading agencies of the atmosphere. The geological clock may, we thought, strike new periods ; its hands may point to era after era ; but, so long as the ocean remains in its basin, so long as its bottom is covered with blue water, so long must the deep furrows and strong contrasts in the solid crust below stand out bold, ragged, and grand. Nothing can fill up the hollows there ; no agent now at work, that we know of, can descend into its depths, and level off the floors of the sea. But it now seems that we forgot these oceans of animalculas that make the surface of the sea sparkle and glow with life. They are secreting from its surface solid matter for the very purpose of filling up those cavities below. These little marine insects are building their habitations at the surface, and when they die, their remains, in vast multitudes, sink down and settle upon the bottom. They are the atoms of which mountains are formed — plains spread out. Our marl-beds, the clay in our river-bottoms, large portions of many of the great basins of the earth, are composed of the remains of just such little creatures as these, which the ingenuity of Brooke and the industry of Berryman have enabled us to fish up from the depth of more than two miles (twelve thousand feet) below the sea-level. These /ora?nin?/ercE, therefore, when living, may have been preparing the ingredients for the fruitful soil of a land that some earthquake or upheaval, in ages far away in the future, may be sent to cast up from the bottom of the sea for man's use. The study of these "sunless treasures," recovered with so much ingenuity from the rich bottom of the sea, suggests new views concerning the physical economy of the ocean. Tn the chapter on the Sails of the Sea, I have endeavored to show how sea-shells and marine insects may, by reason of the offices which they perform, be regarded as compensations in that exquisite system of physical machinery by which the harmonies of nature are preserved. But the treasures of the lead and revelatiotis of the microscope present the insects of the sea in a new and still more striking light. We behold them now serving not only as compensations by which the motions of the water in its channels of circulation are regulated, and climates softened, but acting also as checks and balances by which the equipoise between the solid and the fluid matter of the earth is preserved. Should it be established that these microscopic creatures live at the surface, and are only buried at the bottom of the sea, we may then view them as conservators of the ocean ; for, in the offices which they perform, they assist to preserve its status by maintaining the purity of its waters. 160 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. It is admitted (§ 105) that the salts of the sea come from the land, and that they consist of the soluble matter which the rains wash out from the fields, and which the rivers bring down to the sea. The waters of the Mississippi and the Amazon, together with all the streams and rivers of the world, both great and small, hold in solution large quantities of lime, soda, iron, and other matter. They discharge annually into the sea an amount of this soluble matter which, if precipitated and collected into one solid mass, would no doubt surprise and astonish the boldest speculator with its magnitude. 171. This soluble matter cannot be evaporated. Once in the ocean, there it must remain ; and as the rivers are continually pouring in fresh supplies of it, the sea, it has been argued, must continue to become more and more salt. Now, the rivers convey to the sea this solid matter mixed with fresh water, which, being lighter than that of the ocean, remains for a considerable time at or near the surface. Here the microscopic organisms of the deep-sea lead are continually at work, secreting this same lime and soda, &c., and extracting from the sea-water all this solid matter as fast as the rivers bring it down and empty it into the sea. Thus we haul up from the deep-sea specimens of dead animals, and recognize in them the remains of creatures, which, though invisible to the naked eye, have nevertheless assigned to them a most important office in the physical economy of the universe, viz : that of regulating the saltness of the sea (§ 105). This view suggests many contemplations. Among them, one, in which the ocean is presented as a vast chemical bath, in which the solid parts of the earth are washed, filtered, and precipitated again as solid matter, but in a new form, and with fresh properties. Doubtless it is only a re-adaptation, though it may be in an improved form, of old, and perhaps effete matter, to the uses and well-being of man. These are speculations merely ; they may be fancies without foundation, but idle they are not, I am sure ; for when- we come to consider the agents by which the physical economy of this our earth is regulated, by which this or that result is brought about and accomplished in this beautiful system of terrestrial arrangements, we are utterly amazed at the ofi&ces whicli bave been performed, the work which has been done, by the animalculae of the water. But whence come the little silicious and calcareous shells which Brooke's lead has brought up, in proof of its sounding, from the depth of over two miles? Did they live in the surface waters immediately above? or is their liaUtat in some remote part of the sea, whence, at their death, the currents were sent forth as pall-bearers, with the command to deposit their remains where the plummet found them ? 172. In this view, these little organisms become doubly interesting. When dead, the descent of the shell to its final resting-place would not, it may be supposed, be very rapid. It would partake of the motion of the sea water in which it lived and died, and probably be carried along with it in its channels of circulation for many a long mile. The microscope, under the eye of Ehrenberg, has enabled us (§ 41) to put tallies on the wings of the wind, to learn of them somewhat concerning its " circuits." Now, may not these shells, which were so fine and impalpable that the officers of the Dolphin took THE CLIMATES OF THE OCEAN. liSl them to be a mass of unctuous clay— may not, I say, these, with other specimens of soundings yet to be collected, be all converted by the microscope into tallies for the waters of the different parts of the sea, by which the channels, through which the circulation of the ocean is carried on, are to be revealed ? Suppose, for instance, that the dwelling-place of the little shells which compose this specimen from that part of the ocean be ascertained, by referring to living types, to be the Gulf of Mexico, or some other remote region; that the habitat and the burial-place, in every instance, be far removed from each other — by what agency, except through that of currents, can we suppose these little creatures — themselves not having the power of locomotion — to come from the place of their birth, or to travel to that of their burial ? Man can never see — he can only touch the bottom of the deep sea, and then only with the plummet. Whatever it brings up thence is to the philosopher matter of powerful interest ; for on such information alone as he may gather from a most careful examination of such matter, the amount of human knowledge concerning nearly all that portion of our planet which is covered by the sea must depend. Every specimen of bottom from the deep sea is, therefore, to be regarded as probably containing something precious in the way of contribution to the sources of human knowledge. CIIAPTEK XII. THE CLIMATES OP THE OCEAN.* Gulf Stream a Milky Way, J 173.— The hottest Months in the Sea, 174.— A Line of invariable Temperature, 175.— How the western half of the Atlantic is heated up, 176.— How the Cold Waters from Davis's Straits press upon the Gulf Stream, 178. — How the different Isotherms travel from North to South with the Seasons, 179.— The Polar and Equatorial Drift, 180. 173. Thermal Charts, showing the temperature of the surface of the Atlantic Ocean by actual observations made indiscriminately all over it, and at all times of the year, have been published. The isothermal lines which these Charts enable us to draw, and some of which are traced on Plate XX., afford the navigator and the philosopher much valuable and interesting information touching the circulation of the oceanic waters, including the phenomena of the cold and warm sea currents ; they also cast light upon the climatology of the sea, its hyetographic peculiarities, and the climatic conditions of various regions of the earth ; they show that the profile of the coast-line of inter-tropical America assists to give expression to the mild climate of Southern Europe ; they also increase our knowledge concerning the Gulf Stream, for it enables us to mark out, for the mariner's guidance, the " Milky Way" in the ocean, the waters of which teem, and sparkle, and glow with life and incipient organisms as they run across the Atlantic. In them * Vide Maurv's Physical Geography of the Sea. H.'irper and Brothers, New York. 21 162 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. are found the clusters and nebulse of the sea, which stud and deck the great highway of ships on their voyage between the Old World and the New ; and these lines assist to point out for the navigator their limits and his way. They show this via lactea to have a vibratory motion, that calls to mind the graceful wavings of a pennon as it floats gently to the breeze. Indeed, if we imagine the head of the Gulf Stream to be hemmed in by the land in the Straits of Bernini, and to be stationary there, and then liken the tail of the Stream itself to an immense pennon floating gently in the current, such a motion as such a streamer may be imagined to have — very much such a motion — do my researches show the tail of the Gulf Stream to have. Kunning between banks of cold water, it is pressed now from the north, now from the south, according as the great masses of sea matter on either hand may change or fluctuate in temperature. In September, when the waters in the cold regions of the north have been tempered, and made warm and light by the heat of summer, its limits on the left (Plate XYII.) are as denoted by the line of arrows ; but after this great sun-swing, the waters on the left side begin to lose their heat, grow cold, become heavy, and press the hot waters of this stream within the channel marked out for them. Thus it acts like a pendulum, slowly propelled by heat on one side and repelled by cold on the other. In this view, it becomes the chronograph of the sea, keeping time for its inhabitants, and marking the seasons for the great whales; and there it has been for all time, vibrating to and fro, swinging from north to south and from south to north, a great self-regulating, self-compensating pendulum. In seeking information concerning the climates of the ocean, it is well not to forget this remarkable contrast between its climatology and that of the land, viz: on the land, February and August are considered the coldest and the hottest months ; but to the inhabitants of the sea, the annual extremes of cold and heat occur in the months of March and September. On the dry land, after the winter " is past and gone," the solid parts of the earth continue to receive from the sun more heat in the day than they radiate at night; consequently there is an accumulation of caloric, which continues to increase until August. The summer is now at its height ; for, with the close of this month, the solid parts of the earth's crust and the atmosphere above begin to dispense with their heat faster than the rays of the sun can impart fresh supplies, and consequently the climates which they regulate grow cooler and cooler until the dead of winter again. 174. But, at sea, a different rule seems to prevail. Its waters are the storehouses in which the surplus heat of summer is stored away against the severity of winter, and they continue to grow warmer for a month after the weather on shore has begun to get cool. This brings the highest temperature to the sea in September, the lowest in March. Plate XX. is intended to show the extremes of heat and cold to which the waters — not the ice — of the sea are annually subjected, and therefore the isotherms of 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, and 80° have been drawn for March and September, the months of extreme heat and extreme cold to the inhabitants of the " great deep." Corresponding isotherms for any other month will fall between these, taken by pairs. Thus the isotherm of 70° for July will fall nearly between the same isotherms (70°) for March and September. A careful study of this plate, and the contemplation of the benign influences of the sea upon the climates which we enjoy, suggest many beautiful thoughts; for, by such study, we get a glimpse into the THE CLIMATES OF THE OCEAN. 163 arrangements and the details of that exquisite machinery in the ocean which enables it to perform all its offices, and to answer with fidelity its marvellous adaptations. now, let us inquire, does the isotherm of 80°, for instance, get from its position in March to its position in September ? Is it wafted along by currents, that is, by water which, after having been heated near the equator to 80°, then flows to the north with this temperature? Or is it carried there simply by the rays of the sun, as the snow-line is carried up the mountain in summer? We have reason to believe that it is carried from one parallel to another by each of these agents acting together, but mostly through the instrumentality of currents ; for currents are the chief agents for distributing heat to the various parts of the ocean. The sun with its rays would, were it not for currents, raise the water in the torrid zone to blood heat ; but, before that can be done, they run off with it to the poles, softening, and mitigating, and tempering climates by the way. The provision for this is as beautiful as it is benign ; for, to answer a physical adaptation, it is provided by a law of nature that when the temperature of water is raised, it shall expand ; as it expands, it must become lighter, and just in proportion as its specific gravity is altered, just in that proportion is equilibrium in the sea destroyed. Arrived at this condition, it is ordained that this hot water shall obey another law of nature, which requires it to run away, and hasten to restore that equilibrium. Were these isothermal lines moved only by the rays of the sun, they would slide up and down the ocean like so many parallels of latitude — at least there would be no breaks in them, like that which we see in the isotherm of 80° for September. It appears, from this line, that there is a part of the ocean near the equator, and about midway the Atlantic, which, with its waters, never does attain the temperature of 80° in September. Moreover, this isotherm of 80° will pass, in the North Atlantic, from its extreme southern to its extreme northern declination — nearly two thousand miles — in about three months. Thus it travels at the rate of about twenty-two miles a day. Surely, without the aid of currents, the rays of the sun could not drive it along that fast. Being now left to the gradual process of cooling by evaporation, atmospherical contact, and radiation, it occupies the other eight or nine months of the year in slowly returning south to the parallel whence it commenced to flow northward. As it does not cool as rapidly as it was heated, the disturbance of equili- brium by alteration of specific gravity is not so sudden, nor the current which is required to restore it so rapid. Hence the slow rate of movement at which this line travels on its march south. Between the meridians of 25° and 30° west, the isotherm of 60° in September ascends as high as the parallel of 56°. In October, it reaches the parallel of 50° north. In November, it is found between the parallels of 45° and 47°, and by December, it has nearly reached its extreme southern descent between these meridians, which it accomplishes in January, standing then near the parallel of 40°. It is all the rest of the year in returning northward to the parallel whence it commenced its flow to the south in September. Now, it will be observed that this is the season — from September to December — immediately succeed- ing that in which the heat of the sun has been playing with greatest activity upon the polar ice. Its melted waters, which are thus put in motion in June, July, and August, would probably occupy the fall months 164 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. in reaching the parallels indicated. These waters, though cold, and rising gradually in temperature as they flow south, are probably fresher, and if so, probably lighter than the sea water ; and, therefore, it may well be that both the warmer and cooler systems of these isothermal lines are made to vibrate up and down the ocean principally by a gentle surface current in the season of quick motion, and in the season of the slow motion principally by a gradual process of calorific absorption on the one hand, and by a gradual process of cooling on the other. We have precisely such phenomena exhibited by tlie waters of the Chesapeake Bay as they spread themselves over the sea in winter. At this season of the year, the Charts show that water of very low temperature is found projecting out and overlapping the usual limits of the Gulf Stream. The outer edge of this cold water, though jagged, is circular in its shape, having its centre near the mouth of the bay. The waters of the bay, being fresher than those of the sea, may, therefore, though colder, be lighter than the warmer waters of the ocean. And thus we have repeated here, though on a smaller scale, the pheno- menon as to the flow of cold waters from the north, which force the surface isotherm of 60° from latitude 56° to 40° during three or fou^ months. Changes in the color or depth of the water, and the shape of the bottom, &;c., would also cause changes in the temperature of certain parts of the ocean, by increasing or diminishing the capacities of such parts to absorb or radiate heat ; and this, to some extent, would cause a bending, or produce irregular curves in the isothermal lines. After a careful study of this plate, and the Thermal Charts of the Atlantic Ocean, from which the materials for this plate were derived, I am led to infer that the mean temperature of the atmosphere between the parallels of 56° and 40° north, for instance, and over that part of the ocean in which we have been considering the fluctuations of the isothermal line of 60°, is at least 60° of Fahrenheit, and upward, from January to August, and that the heat which the waters of the ocean derive from this source — atmospherical contact and radiation — is one of the causes which move the isotherm of 60° from its January to its September parallel. It is well to consider another of the causes which are at work upon the currents in this part of the ocean, and which tend to give the rapid southwardly motion to the isotherm of 60°. We know the mean dew-point must always be below the mean temperature of any given place, and that, consequently, as a general rule, at sea the mean dew-point due the isotherm of 60° is higher than the mean dew-point along the isotherm of 50°, and this, again, higher than that of 40° — this than 30°, and so on. Now suppose, merely for the sake of illustration, that the mean dew-point for each isotherm be 5° lower than the mean temperature, we should then have the atmosphere which crosses the isotherm of 60°, with a mean dew-point of 55°, gradually precipitating its vapors until it reaches the isotherm of 50°, with a mean dew-point of 45° ; by which difference of dew-point the total amount of precipitation over the entire zone between the isotherms of 60° and 50° has exceeded the total amount of evaporation from the same surface. The prevailing direction of the winds to the north of the fortieth parallel of north latitude is from the southward and westward (Plate XYIII.) ; in other words, it is from the higlier to the lower isotherms. Passing, therefore, from a higher to a lower temperature over the ocean, the total amount of vapor deposited by any THE CLIMATES OF THE OCEAN. 165 given volume of atmosphere, as it is blown from the vicinity of the tropical toward that of the polar regions, is greater than that which is taken up again. The area comprehended on Plate XVIII. between the isotherms 40° and 50° Fahrenheit is less than the area comprehended between the isotherms 50° and 60°, and this, again, less than the area between this last and 70°, for the same reason that the area between the parallels of latitude 50° and 60° is less than the area between the parallels of latitude 40° and 50° ; therefore, more rain to the square inch ought to fall upon the ocean between the colder isotherms of 10° difference, than between the warmer isotherms of the same difference. This is an interesting and an important view, therefore let me make myself clear: the aqueous isotherm of 50°, in its extreme northern reach, touches the parallel of 60° north. Now, between this and the equator, there are but three isotherms, 60°, 70°, and 80°, with the common difference of 10°. But between the isotherm of 40° and the pole, there are at least five others, viz : 40°, 30°, 20°, 10°, 0°, with a common difference of 10°. Thus, to the north of the isotherm 50°, the vapor which would saturate the atmosphere from zero, and perhaps far below, to near 40°, is deposited, while to the south of 50°, the vapor which would saturate it from the temperature of 50° up to that of 80° can only be deposited. At least, such would be the case if there were no irregularities of heated plains, mountain ranges, land, &c., to disturb the laws of atmospherical circulation as they apply to the ocean. Having therefore, theoretically, at sea more rain in high latitudes, we should have more clouds ; and therefore it would require a longer time for the sun, with his feeble rays, to raise the temperature of the cold water, which, from September to January, has brought the isotherm of 60° from latitude 56° to 40°, than it did for these cool surface currents to float it down. After this southward motion of the isotherm of 60° has been checked in December by the cold, and after the sources of the current which brought it down have been bound in fetters of ice, it pauses in the long nights of the northern winter, and scarcely commences its return till the sun recrosses the equator, and increases its power as well in intensity as in duration. Thus, in studying the physical geography of the sea, we have the effects of night and day, of clouds and sunshine, upon its currents and its climates, beautifully developed. These effects are modified by the operations of certain powerful agents which reside upon the land; nevertheless, feeble though those of the former class may be, a close study of this plate will indicate that they surely exist. 175. Now, returning toward the south: we may, on the other hand, infer that the mean atmospherical temperature for the parallels between which the isotherm of 80° fluctuates is below 80°, at least for the nine months of its slow motion. This vibratory motion suggests the idea that there is, probably, somewhere between the isotherm of 80° in August and the isotherm of 60° in January, a line or belt of invariable or nearly invariable temperature, which extends on the surface of the ocean from one side of the Atlantic to the other. This line or band may have its cycles also, but they are probably of long and uncertain periods. 176. The fact has been pretty clearly established by the discoveries to which the Wind and Current Charts have led, that the western half of the Atlantic Ocean is heated up, not by the Gulf Stream alone, as is generally supposed, but by the great equatorial caldron to the west of longitude 35°, and to the north t68 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. of Cape St. Roque, ia Brazil. The lowest reach of the 80° isotherm for September — if we except the remarkable equatorial flexure (Plate XX.) which actually extends from 40° north to the line — to the west of the meridian of Cape St. Eoque, is above its highest reach to the east of that meridian. And now that we have the fact, how obvious, beautiful, and striking is the cause ! Cape St. Roque is in 5° south. Now study the configuration of the Southern American Continent from this cape to the Windward Islands of the West Indies, and take into account certain physical conditions of these regions : the Amazon, always at a high temperature, because it runs from west to east, is pouring an immense volume of warm water into this part of the ocean. As this water and the heat of the sun raise the temperature of the ocean along the equatorial sea-front of this coast, there is no escape for the liquid element, as it grows warmer and lighter, except to the north. The land on the south prevents the tepid waters from spreading out in that direction as they do to the east of 35° west, for here there is a space, about 18 degrees of longitude broad, in which the sea is clear both to the north and south. They must consequently flow north. A mere inspection of the plate is sufficient to make obvious the fact that the warm waters which are found east of the usual limits assigned the Gulf Stream, and between the parallels of 30° and 40° north, do not come from the Gulf Stream, but from this great equatorial caldron, which Cape St. Roque blocks up on the south, and which forces its overheated waters up to the fortieth degree of north latitude, not through the Caribbean Sea and Gulf Stream, but over the broad surface of the left bosom of the Atlantic Ocean. Here we are again tempted to pause and admire the beautiful revelations which, in the benign system of terrestrial adaptation, these researches into the physics of the sea unfold and spread out before us for contemplation. In doing this, we shall have a free pardon from those at least who delight "to look through nature up to nature's God." What two things in nature can be apparently more remote in their physical relations to each other, than the climate of Western Europe and the profile of a coast-line in South America ? Yet this plate not only reveals to us the fact that these relations between the two are the most intimate, but makes ua acquainted with the arrangements by which such relations are established. 177. The barrier which the South American shore-line opposes to the escape, on the south, of the hot waters from this great equatorial caldron of St. Roque, causes them to flow north, and in September, as the winter approaches, to heat up the western half of the Atlantic Ocean, and to cover it with a mantle of warmth above summer heat, as far up as the parallel of 40°. Here heat, to temper the winter climate of Western Europe, is stored away as in an air-chamber for furnace-heated apartments; and during the winter, when the fire of the solar rays sinks down, the westwardly winds and eastwardly currents are sent to perform their office in this benign arrangement. Though unstable and capricious to us they seem to be, they nevertheless " fulfil His commandments" with regularity and perform their offices with certainty. In tempering the climates of Europe with heat, in winter, that has been bottled away in the waters of the ocean, during summer, they are to be regarded as the flues and the regulators for distributing at the right time, and at the right places, in the right quantities. THE CLIMATES OF THE OCEAK. 167 By March, when "the winter is past and gone," the furnace which had been started by the rays of the sun in the previous summer, and which, by autumn, had heated up the ocean in our hemisphere, has gone down. The caldron of St. Eoque, ceasing in activity, has failed in its supplies, and the chambers of warmth upon the northern sea, having been exhausted of their heated water, which has been expended in the manner already explained, have contracted their limits. The surface of heated water which, in September, was spread out over the western half of the Atlantic, from the equator to the parallel of 40° north, and which raised this immense area to the temperature of 80° and upward, is not to be found in early spring on this side of the parallel of 8° north. The isotherm of 80° in March, after quitting the Caribbean Sea, runs parallel with the South American coast toward Cape St. Roque, keeping some 8 or 10 degrees from it. Therefore the heat dis- pensed over Europe from this caldron falls off in March. But, at this season, the sun comes forth with fresh supplies ; he then crosses the line and passes over into the northern hemisphere ; observations show that the process of heating the water in this great caldron for the next winter is now about to commence. In the mean time, so benign is the system of cosmical arrangements, another process of raising the temperature of Europe commences. The land is more readily impressed than the sea by the heat of the solar rays ; at this season, then, the summer climate due these transatlantic latitudes is modified by the action of the sun's rays directly upon the land. The land receives heat from them, but, instead of having the capacity of water for retaining it, it imparts it straightway to the air; and thus the proper climate, because it is the climate which the Creator has, for his own wise purposes, allotted to this portion of the earth, is maintained until the marine caldron of Cape St. Roque is again heated and brought into the state for supplying the means of maintaining the needful temperature in Europe during the absence of the sun in the other hemisphere. In like manner, the Gulf of Guinea forms a caldron and a furnace, and spreads out over the South Atlantic an air-chamber for heating up in winter and keeping warm the extra-tropical regions of South America. Every traveller has remarked upon the mild climate of Patagonia and the Falkland Islands. "Temperature in high southern latitudes," says a very close observer, who is co-operating with me in collecting materials, "differs greatly from the temperature in northern. In southern latitudes, there seem to be no extremes of heat and cold, as at the north. Newport, R. I., for instance, latitude 41° north, longi- tude 71° west, and Rio Negro, latitude 41° south, and longitude 63° west, as a comparison: in the former, cattle have to be stabled and fed during the winter, not being able to get a living in the fields on account of snow and ice. In the latter, the cattle feed in the fields all winter, there being plenty of vegetation and no use of hay. On the Falkland Islands (latitude 51-2° south), thousands of bullocks, sheep, and horses are running wild over the country, gathering a living all through the winter." The water in the equatorial caldron of Guinea cannot escape north — the shore-line will not permit it. It must, therefore, overflow to the south, as that of St. Roque does to the north, carrying to Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, beyond 50° south, the winter climate of Charleston, South Carolina, on our side of the North Atlantic, or of the "Emerald Island" on the other. 168 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. All geographers have noticed, and philosophers have frequently remarked upon the conformity, as to the shore-line -profile of equatorial America and equatorial Africa. It is true, we cannot now tell the reason, though explanations founded upon mere conjecture have been offered, why there should be this sort of jutting in and jutting out of the shore-line, as at Cape St. Eoque and the Gulf of Guinea, on opposite sides of the Atlantic ; but one of the purposes, at least, which this peculiar configuration was intended to subserve, is without doubt now revealed to us. We see that, by this configuration, two cisterns of hot water are formed in this ocean; one of which distributes heat and warmth to western Europe; the other, at the opposite season, tempers the climate of Eastern Patagonia. Phlegmatic must be the mind that is not impressed with ideas of grandeur and simplicity as it contemplates that exquisite design, those benign and beautiful arrangements, by which the climate of one hemisphere is made to depend upon the curve of that line against which the sea is made to dash its waves in the other. Impressed with the perfection of terrestrial adaptations, he who studies the economy of the great cosmical arrangements, is reminded that not only is there design in giving shore-lines their profile, the land and the water their proportions, and in placing the desert and the pool where they are, but the conviction is forced upon him also, that every hill and valley, with the grass upon its sides, has each its office to perform in the grand design. March is, in the southern hemisphere, the first month of autumn, as September is with us ; conse- quently, we should expect to find in the South Atlantic as large an area of water of 80° and upward in March, as we should find in the North Atlantic for September. But do we? By no means. The area on this side of the equator is nearly double that on the other. Thus we have the sea as a witness to the fact that the winds had proclaimed, viz : that summer in the northern hemisphere is hotter than summer in the southern, for the rays of the sun raise on this side of the equator double the quantity of sea surface to a given temperature that they do on the other side ; at least this is the case in the Atlantic. Perhaps the breadth of the Pacific Ocean, the absence of large islands in the temperate regions north, the presence of New Holland with Polynesia in the South Pacific, may make a difference there. But of this I cannot now speak, for the thermal charts of that ocean havo not yet been prepared. 178. Pursuing the study of the climates of the sea, let us now turn to Plate XIX. Here we see at a glance how the cold waters, as they come down from the Arctic Ocean through Davis's Straits, press upon the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and curve their channel into a horseshoe. Navigators have often been struck with the great and sudden changes in the temperature of the waters hereabouts. In the course of a single day's sail, in this part of the ocean, changes of 15°, or 20°, and even of 30°, have been observed to take place in the temperature of the sea. The cause has puzzled navigators long, but bow obvious is it not now made to appear I This " bend" is the great receptacle of the icebergs which drift down from the north ; covering frequently an area of hundreds of miles in extent, its waters differ as much as 20°, 25°, and in rare cases even as much as 30° of temperature from those about it. Its shape and THE CLIMATES OF THE OCEAN. 169 place are variable. Sometimes it is like a peninsula, or tongue of cold water projected far down into the waters of the Gulf Stream. Sometimes the meridian upon which it is inserted into these is to the east of 40°, sometimes to the west of 50° longitude. By its discovery we have clearly unmasked the very seat of that agent which produces the Newfoundland fogs. It is spread out over an area frequently embracing several thousand square miles in extent, covered with cold water, and surrounded on three sides, at least, with an immense body of warm. May it not be that the proximity to each other of these two very unequally heated surfaces, out upon the ocean, would be attended by atmospherical phenomena not unlike those of the land and sea breezes ? These warm currents of the sea are powerful meteorological agents. I have been enabled to trace, in thunder and lightning, the influence of the Gulf Stream in the eastern half of the Atlantic, as far north as the parallel of 55° north ; for there, in the dead of winter, a thunder-storm is not unusual. • ■ 179. These isothermal lines of 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, &c., may illustrate for us the manner in which the climates in the ocean are regulated. Like the sun in the ecliptic, they travel up and down the sea in declination, and serve the monsters of the deep for signs and for seasons. 180. It should be borne in mind that the lines of separation, as drawn on Plate XIX., between the cool and warm waters, or, more properly speaking, between the channels representing the great polar and equatorial flux and reflux, are not so sharp in nature as this plate would represent them. In the first place, the plate represents the mean or average limits of these constant flows — polar and equatorial ; whereas, with almost every wind that blows, and at every change of season, the line of meeting between their waters is shifted. In the next place, this line of meeting is drawn with a free hand on the plate, as if to represent an average ; whereas there is reason to believe that this line in nature is variable and unstable as to position, and as to shape rough and jagged, and oftentimes deeply articulated. In the sea, the line of meeting between waters of different temperatures and density is not unlike the sutures of the skull-bone on a grand scale — very rough and jagged ; but, on the plate, it is a line drawn with a free hand, for the purpose of showing the general direction and position of the channels in the sea, through which its great polar and equatorial circulation is carried on. Now, continuing for a moment our examination of Plate XX., we are struck with the fact that most of the thermal lines there drawn run from the western side of the Atlantic toward the eastern, in a northeast- wardly direction, and that, as they approach the shores of this ocean on the east, they again turn down for lower latitudes and warmer climates. This feature in them indicates, more surely than any direct observa- tions upon the currents can do, the presence, along the African shores in the North Atlantic, of a large volume of cooler waters. These are the waters which, having been first heated up in the caldron (§ 176) of St. Eoque, in the Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, have been made to run to the north, charged with heat and electricity to temper and regulate climates there. Having performed their offices, they have cooled down ; but, obedient still to the " Mighty Voice" which the winds and the waves obey, they now return by this channel, along the African shore, to be again replenished with warmth, and to keep up the system of beneficent and wholesome circulation designed for the ocean. 22 170 THE WIND AND CURKENT CHARTS. CHAP TEE XIII. THE DRIFT OF THE SEA.* Date XIX., ? 181.— The Polar Drift about Cape Horn, 182.— How the Polar Waters in the South Atlantic force the Equatorial aside, 183. — A Harbor for Icebergs, 184.— Why Icebergs are not found in the North Pacific, 185. — Drift of Warm Waters out of the Indian Ocean, 186.— The opinion of Lieutenant Jansen, of the Dutch Nayy, 187.— A Current of Warm Water sixteen hundred miles wide, 188.— The Pulse of the Sea, 189.— The Circulation of the Sea like that of the Blood, 190.— Number of Vessels engaged in the Fisheries of the Sea, 191. — The Sperm Whale, 192. — The Torrid Zone impassable to the Right Whale, 193. 181. I HAVE spoken about currents; but tbere is a movement of the waters of the ocean which, though it be a translation, yet does not amount to wliat is known to the mariner as current, for our nautical instruments and the art of navigation have not been brought to that state of perfection which will enable navigators generally to detect as currents the flow to which I allude as dnft. It arises from changes in the specific gravity of sea water, caused chiefly by the effects of heat. If water, from any cause, commence to flow from the equator towards the poles, it must grow cool by the way ; by growing cool, it changes its specific gravity, and when its specific gravity is changed, it cannot any longer be considered as the same mass, for it does not occupy the same space it did before. The great thermal agent of the universe, therefore, is continually disturbing the equilibrium of the sea, and setting its waters in motion by expanding them with heat in the torrid, and contracting them with cold in the frigid zone ; conse- quently, there is a general movement going on to and fro in the sea, in obedience to the forces of heat, which nothing can interrupt. Storms may override, but they cannot arrest this flow. The disturbance created in this mighty and ceaseless flow and ebb, by the agents which produce other currents, is like the eddy which follows in the wake of the steamboat on the Mississippi ; it never interferes with the march of the stream in its onward flow. If we imagine an object to be set adrift in the ocean at the equator, and if we suppose that it be of such a nature that it would obey only the influence of sea water, and not of the winds, this object, I imagine, would, in the course of time, find its way to the icy barriers about the poles, and again back among the tepid waters of the tropics. Such an object would illustrate the drift of the sea, and by its course would indicate the route which the surface waters of the sea follow in their general channels of circulation to and fro between the equator and the poles. Accordingly, the object of Plate XIX. is to illustrate, as far as the present state of my researches enables me to do, this normal circulation of the ocean, as influenced by heat and cold, and to indicate the routes by which the overheated waters of the torrid zone escape to cooler regions, on one hand, and on the * Vide Maury's Physical Geography of the Sea. THE DRIFT OF THE SEA. ' 171 Other, the great channel ways through which the same waters, after having been deprived of this heat in the extra-tropical or polar regions, return again toward the equator ; it being assumed that the drift or flow is from the poles wlien the temperature of the surface water is heloio, and from the equatorial regions when it is above that due the latitude. Therefore, in a mere diagram, as this plate is, the numerous eddies and local currents which are found at sea are disresjarded. Of all the currents in the sea, the Gulf Stream is the best defined; its limits, especially those of the left bank, are always well marked, and, as a rule, those of the right bank, as high as the parallel of the thirty-fifth degree of latitude, are quite distinct, being often visible to the eye. The Gulf Stream shifts its channel (§ 143), but nevertheless its banks are often very distinct. As I write these remarks, the abstract log of the ship Herculean (William M. Chamberlain), from Callao to Ilampton Eoads, in May, 1854, is received. On the eleventh of that month, being in latitude 33° 39' north, longitude 74° 56' west (about one hundred and thirty miles east of Cape Fear), he remarks : — "Moderate breezes, smooth sea, and fine weather. At ten o'clock fifty minutes, entered jnto the southern (right) edge of the Stream, and in eight minutes the water rose six degrees; the edge of the stream was visible, as far us the eye could see, by the great rippling and large quantities of gulf weed — more ' weed' than I ever saw before, and I have been many times along this roiite in the last twenty years." In this diagram, therefore, I have thought it useless to attempt a delineation of any of those currents, as the Eennell Current of the North Atlantic, the " Connecting Current'' of the South Atlantic, " Mentor's Counter Drift," Kossel's Drift of the South Pacific, &c., which run now this way, now that, and which are frequently not felt by navigators at all. In overhauling the log-books for data for this Chart, I have followed vessels with the water thermo- meter to and fro across the seas, and taken the registrations of it exclusively for my guide, without regard to the reported set of the currents. When, in any latitude, the temperature of the water has appeared too high or too low for that latitude, the inference has been that such water was warmed or cooled, as the case may be, in other latitudes, and that it has been conveyed to the place where found, through the great channels of circulation in the ocean (§ 181). If too warm, it is supposed that it had its temperature raised in warmer latitudes, and therefore the channel in which it is found leads from the equatorial regions. On the other hand, if the water be too cool for the latitude, then the inference is that it has lost its heat in colder climates, and therefore is found in channels which lead from the polar regions. The arrow-beards point to the direction in which the waters are supposed to flow. Their rate, according to the best information that I have obtained, is, at a mean, only about four knots a day— rather less than more. 182. Accordingly, therefore, as the immense volume of water in the Antarctic regions is cooled down, it commences to flow north. As indicated by the arrow-heads, it strikes against Cape Horn, and is divided by the continent, one portion going along the west coast as Humboldt's Current (§ 119); the other, entering the South Atlantic, flows up into the Gulf of Guinea, on the coast of Africa. Now, as the waters 172 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. of this polar flow approach the torrid zone, they grow warmer and warmer, and finally themselves become tropical in their temperature. They do not then, it may be supposed, stop their flow ; on the contrary, they keep moving, for the very cause which brought them from the extra-tropical regions now operates to send them back. This cause is to be found in the difference of the specific gravity at the two places. If, for instance, these waters, when they commence their flow from the hyperborean regions, were at 30°, their specific gravity will correspond to that of sea water at 30°. But when they arrive in the Gulf of Guinea or the Bay of Panama, having risen by the way to 80°, or perhaps 85°, their specific gravity becomes such as is due sea water of this temperature ; and, since fluids differing in specific gravity can no more balance each other on the same level than can unequal weights in opposite scales, this hot water must now return to restore that equilibrium which it has destroyed, in the sea, by rising from 30° to 80° or 85°. Hence it will be perceived that these masses of water which are marked as cold are not always cold. They gradually pass into warm ; for, in travelling from the poles to the equator, they partake of the temperature of the latitudes through which they flow, and grow warm. 183. Plate XIX., therefore, is only introduced to give general ideas; nevertheless, it is very instructive. See how the influx of cold water into the South Atlantic appears to divide the warm water, and squeeze it out at the sides, along the coasts of South Africa and Brazil. So, too, in the North Indian Ocean, the cold water again compelling the warm to escape along the land at the sides, as well as occasionally in the middle. In the North Atlantic and North Pacific, on the contrary, the warm water appears to divide the cold, and to squeeze it out along the land at the sides. The impression made by the cold current from Baffin's Bay, upon the Gulf Stream, is strikingly beautiful. Why is it that these polar and equatorial waters should appear now to divide and now to be divided ? The Gulf Stream has revealed to us a fact in which the answer is partly involved. We learn from that stream that cold and warm sea waters are, in a measure (§ 143), like oil and vinegar; that is, there is among the particles of sea water at high temperatures and velocities, and among the particles of sea water at a low temperature, a peculiar molecular arrangement that is antagonistic to the free mixing up of cold and hot together. At any rate, that salt waters of different temperatures do not readily intermingle at sea, is obvious. Does not this same repugnance exist, at least in degree, between these bodies of cold and warm water of the plate? And if so, does not the phenomenon we are considering resolve itself into a question of masses or momentum? The volume of warm water in the North Atlantic is greater than the volume of cold water that meets and opposes it; consequently, the warm thrusts the cold aside, dividing and compelling it to go round. The same thing is repeated in the North Pacific, whereas the converse obtains in the South Atlantic. Here the great polar flow, after having been divided by the American continent, enters the Atlantic, and, filling up nearly the whole of the immense space between South America and THE DRIFT OF THE SEA. 173 Africa, seems to press the warm waters of the tropics aside, compelling them to drift along the coast on either hand. 184. Another feature of the sea, expressed by this plate, is a sort of reflection or recast of the shore- line in the temperature of the water. This feature is particularly striking in the North Pacific and Indian Ocean. Since this plate was finished, I have discovered the same phenomenon in the Gulf Stream. There is a slight bending of its northern edge as it passes the Nantucket Shoals, then there is a curve upwards to indicate the Bay of Fundy. Again, a bending to the south as it passes Nova Scotia, and then a curve upwards answering to the St. Lawrence, and then another sharp turn southward to avoid the Grand Banks, after which its northern edge shoots off" to the N. E., for the Faroe Islands. The curves representing the mean limits of this edge for 60° in September, and 50° in March, being traced off with a free hand, conform to each other and with the shore-line in the most beautiful and striking manner. It seems curious that the icebergs should all make for this great bend oif the Grand Banks, where the Gulf Stream turns sharply to the N. E. The prevailing winds are westwardly, and would, were there no counteracting force, drive the ice to the east. The Gulf Stream would help them. But the forces of diurnal rotation which are obeyed by the trade-winds, and which are felt by the drift wood of the Missis- sippi, are present here also to press the iceberg west and force it down into this Great Bend. The peninsula of cold water of which I have so often spoken is in this bend. But let us return to the problems of Plate XIX.: The remarkable intrusion of the cool into the volume of warm waters to the southward of the Aleutian Islands, is not unlike that which the cool waters from Davis's Straits make in the Atlantic upon the Gulf Stream. As I write, I receive from Captain N. B. Grant the abstract log of the American ship Lady Arbella, bound from Hamburg to New York, in May, 1854. In sailing through this " horse- shoe," or bend in the Gulf Stream (§ 178), he passed, from daylight to noon, twenty-four large "bergs," besides several small ones, " the whole ocean, as far as the eye could reach, being literally covered with them." "I should," he continues, "judge the average height of them above the surface of the sea to be about sixty feet ; some five or six of them were at least twice that height, and, with their frozen peaks jutting up in the most fantastic shapes, presented a truly sublime spectacle." 185. This "horseshoe" of cold in the warm water of the North Pacific, though extending five degrees farther toward the south, cannot be the harbor for such icebergs. The cradle of those of the Atlantic was perhaps in the Frozen Ocean, for they may have come thence through Baffin's Bay. But, in the Pacific, there is no nursery for them. The water in Behring's Strait is too shallow to let them pass from that ocean into the Pacific, and the climates of Russian America do not favor the formation of large bergs. But, though we do not find in the North Pacific the physical conditions which generate icebergs like those of the Atlantic, we find them as abundant with fogs. The line of separation between the warm and cold water assures us of these conditions. What beautiful, grand, and benign ideas do we see expressed in that immense body of warm waters wliicli are gathered together in the middle of the Pacific and Indian Oceans! It is the womb of the soa. In it, coral islands innumerable have been fashioned, and pearls formed in "great heaps;" there, 174 TUE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. multitudes of living things, countless in numbers find infinite in varietj^, are liourly conceived. With space enough to hold the four continents and to spare, its tepid waters teem with nascent organisms. "It is the realm of reef-building corals, and of the wondrously beautiful assemblage of animals, vertebrate and invertebrate, that live among them or prey upon them. The brightest and most definite arrangements of color are here displayed. It is the seat of maximum development of the majority of marine genera. It has but few relations of identity with other provinces. The Red Sea and Persian Gulf are its offsets."* They sometimes swarm so thickly there that they change the color of the sea, making it crimson, brown, black, or white, according to their own hues. These patches of colored water sometimes extend, especially in the Indian Ocean, as far as the eye can reach. The question, " What produces them ?" is one that has elicited much discussion in seafaring circles. The Brussels Conference deemed them an object worthy of attention, and recommended special observations with regard to them. The discolorations of which I speak are no doubt caused by organisms of the sea ; but whether wholly animal or wholly vegetable, or whether sometimes the one and sometimes the other, has not been satisfac- torily ascertained. I have had specimens of the coloring matter sent to me from the pink-stained patches of the sea. They were animalculse well defined. Quantities of slimy, red coloring matter are, at certain seasons of the year, washed up along the shores of the Red Sea, which Dr. Ehrenberg, after an examination under the microscope, pronounces to be a very delicate kind of sea-weed : from this matter that sea derives its name. So also the Yellow Sea. Along the coasts of China, yellowish-colored spots are said not to be uncommon. I know of no examination of this coloring matter, however. In the Pacific Ocean, I have often observed these discolorations of the sea. Red patches of water are most frequently met with, but I have also observed white or milky appearances, which at night I have known greatly to alarm navigators, they taking them for shoals. Capt. AV. E. Kingman, of the American clipper ship the Shooting Star, came across a remarkable white patch in lat. 8° 46' S., long. 105° 30' E., and which, in a letter to me, he thus describes: — ''Thursday, July 27, 1854.— At 7h. 45m. P. M., my attention was called to notice the color of the water, which was rapidly growing white; knowing that we were in a much frequented part of the ocean, and having never heard of such an appearance being observed before in this vicinity, I could not account for it; I immediately hove the ship to and cast the lead; had no bottom at sixty fathoms ; I then kept on our course, tried the water by thermometer, and found it to be 78 i°, the same as at 8 A. M. We filled a tub, containing some 60 gallons, Avith the water, and found that it was filled with small luminous particles, which, when stirred, presented a most remarkable appearance ; the whole tub seemed to be alive with worms and insects, and looked like a grand display of rockets and serpents, seen at a great distance in a dark night; some of the serpents appeared to be six inches in length, and very luminous; we caught, and could feel them in our hands; and they would emit light until brought within a few feet of a lamp. ' * From Professor Forbes's paper on the "Distribution of Marine Life." Plate 31, Jolinston's Physical Atlas, 2d cd. Wm. Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh and London, 1 854. TUK DRIFT OF TUE SEA. ■ 175 when, upon looking to see what we had, behold nothing was visible ; but, by the aid of a Sextant's niao-nifier, we could plainly see a jelly-like substance without color ; at last, a specimen was obtained of about two inches in length, and plainly visible to the naked eye ; it was about the size of a large hair, and tapered at the ends ; by bringing one end within about one-fourth of an inch of a lighted lamp, the flame was attracted towards it, and burned with a red light ; the substance crisped in burning something like a hair, or appeared of a red heat before being consumed. In a glass of the water, there were several small, round substances (say ^'g of an inch in diameter), which had the power of expanding to more than twice their ordinary size, and then contracting again ; when expanded, the outer rim appeared like a circular saw, only that the teeth pointed towards the centre. '' This patch of white water was about twenty-three miles in length, north and south, divided near its centre by an irregular strip of dark water half a mile wide ; its east and west extent I can say nothing about. " I have seen what is called white water in about all the known oceans and seas in the world, but nothing that would compare with this in extent or whiteness. Although we were going at the rate of nine knots, the ship made no noise either at the bow or stern ; the whole appearance of the ocean was like a plain covered with snow ; there was scarce a cloud in the heavens, yet the sky, for about ten degrees above the horizon, appeared as black as if a storm was raging; the stars of the first magnitude shone with a feeble light, and the "milky way" of the heavens was almost entirely eclipsed by that through which we were sailing. The scene was one of awfnl grandeur, the sea having turned to phosphorus, and the heavens being hung in blackness, and the stars going out, seemed to indicate that all nature was preparing for that last grand conflagration which we are taught to believe is to annihilate this material world. " After passing through the patch, we noticed that the sky, for four or five degrees above the horizon, was considerably illuminated, something like a faint aurora borealis; wc soon passed out of sight of the whole concern, and had a fine night, without any conflagration (except of midnight oil in trying to find out what was in the water). I send you this, because I believe you request your corps of " one thousand assistants" to furnish you with all such items, and I trust it will be acceptable : but, as for its furnishing you with much, if any information relative to the insects or animals that inhabit the mighty deep, time will only tell ; I cannot think it will." These teeming waters bear off through their several channels the surplus heat of the tropics, and dis- perse it among the icebergs of the Antarctic. See the immense equatorial flow to the east of New Holland. It is bound for the icy barriers of that unknown sea, there to temper climates, grow cool, and return again, refreshing man and beast by the way, either as the Humboldt Current, or the ice-bearing current which enters the Atlantic around Cape Horn, and changes into warm again as it enters the Gulf of Guinea. It was owing to this great southern flow from the coral regions that Captain Eoss was enabled to penetrate so much further south than Captain Wilkes, on his voyage to the Antarctic, and it is upon these waters that that sea is to be penetrated, if ever. The North Pacific, except in the narrow passage between Asia and America, is closed to the escape of these warm waters into the Arctic Ocean. The only outlet for them is 176 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. to the south. They go down toward the Antarctic regions to dispense their heat and get cool ; and the cold of the Antarctic, therefore, it may be inferred, is not so bitter as is the extreme cold of the Frozen Ocean of the north. 186. The warm flow to the south from the middle of the Indian Ocean is remarkable. Masters who return their abstract logs to me mention sea-weed, which I suppose to be brought down by this current, as far as 45° south. There it is generally, but not always, about five degrees warmer than the ocean along the same parallel on either side. 187. But the most unexpected discovery of all is that of the warm flow along the west coast of South Africa, its junction with the Lagullas current, called, higher up, the Mozambique, and then their starting off as one stream to the southward. The prevalent opinion used to be that the Lagullas current, which has its genesis in the Red Sea (§ 144), doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and then joined the great equatorial current of the Atlantic to feed the Gulf Stream. But my excellent friend. Lieutenant Marin Jansen, of the Dutch Navy, suggested to me, a few months ago, that this was probably not the case. This induced a special investigation, and I found as he suggested, and as is represented on Plate XIX. Captain N. B. Grant, in the admirably well-kept abstract log of his voyage from New York to Australia, found this current remarkably developed. He was astonished at the temperature of its waters, and did not know how to account for such a body of warm water in such a place. Being in longitude 14° east and latitude 39° south, he thus writes in his abstract log : — "That there is a current setting to the eastward across the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans is, I believe, admitted by all navigators. The prevailing westerly winds seem to offer a sufiBcient reason for the existence of such a current, and the almost constant southwest swell would naturally give it a northerly direction. But why the water should be imrmer here (38° 40' south) than between the parallels of 85° and 37° south is a problem that, in my mind, admits not of so easy solution, especially if my suspicions are true in regard to the northerly set. I shall look with much interest for a description of the ' currents' in this part of the ocean." 188. In latitude 38° south, longitude 6° east, he found the water at 56°. His course then was a little to the south of east, to the meridian of 41° east, at its intersection Avith the parallel of 42° south. Here his water thermometer stood at 50°, but between these two places it ranged at 60° and upward, being as high on the parallel of 39° as 73°. Here, therefore, was a stream — a mighty "river in the ocean" — one thousand six hundred miles across from east to west, having water in the middle of it 23° higher than at the sides. This is truly a Gulf Stream contrast. "What an immense escape of heat from the Indian Ocean, and what an influx of warm water into the frozen regions of the south ! This stream is not always as broad nor as warm as Captain Grant found it. At its mean stage, it conforms more nearly to the limits assigned it in the diagram (Plate XIX.). 189. We have, in the volume of heated water reported by Captain Grant, who is a close and accurate observer, an illustration of the sort of spasmodic efibrts — the heaves and throes — which the sea, in the performance of its ceaseless task, has sometimes to make. By some means, the equilibrium of its waters, THE DRIFT OF THE SEA. 177 at tlie time of Captain Grant's passage, December— the southern summer — 1852, appears to have been disturbed to an unusual extent; hence this mighty rush of overheated waters from the great inter -tropical caldron of the two oceans, down toward the south. Instances of commotion in the sea at uncertain intervals— the making, as it were, of efforts by fits and starts to keep up to time in the performance of its manifold offices — are not unfrequent, nor are they inaptly likened to spasms. The sudden disruption of the ice which arctic voyagers tell of, the immense bergs which occasionally appear in groups near certain latitudes, the variable character of all the currents of the sea — now fast, now slow, now running this way, then that — may be taken as so many signs of the tremendous throes which occur in the bosom of the ocean. Sometimes the sea recedes from the shore, as if to gather strength for a great rush against its barriers, as it did when it fled back to join with the earth- quake and overwhelm Callao in 1746, and again Lisbon nine years afterward. The tide-rips in mid-ocean, the waves dashing against the shore, the ebb and flow of the tides, may be regarded, in some sense, as the throbbings of the great sea pulse. The motions of the Gulf Stream (§ 143), beating time for the ocean and telling the seasons for the wliales, also suggest the idea of a pulse in the sea, which may assist us in explaining some of its phenomena. At one beat, there is a rush of warm water from the equator toward the poles; at the next beat, a flow from the poles toward the equator. This sort of pulsation is heard also in the howHngs of the storm and the whistling of the wind; the needle trembles unceasingly to it, and tells us of magnetic storms of great violence, which at times extend over large portions of the earth's surface ; and when we come to consult the records of those exquisitely sensitive anemometers, which the science and ingenuity of the age have placed at the service of philosophers, we find there that the pulse of the atmosphere is never still ; in what appears to us the most perfect calm, the recording pens are moving to the pulses of the air. 190. Xow, if we may be permitted to apply to the Gulf Stream and to the warm flows of water from the Indian Ocean an idea suggested by the functions of the human heart in the circulation of the blood, we perceive how these pulsations of the great sea-heart may perhaps assist in giving circulation to its waters through the immense system of aqueous veins and arteries that run between the equatorial and polar regions. The waters of the Gulf Stream, moving together in a body through such an extent of ocean, and being almost impenetrable to the cold waters on either side — which are, indeed, the banks of this mighty river — may be compared to a wedge-shaped cushion placed between a wall of waters on the right and a wall of waters on the left. If now we imagine the equilibrium of the sea to be disturbed by the heating or cooling of its waters to the right or the left of this stream, or the freezing or thawing of them in any part, or if we imagine the disturbance to take place by the action of any of those agencies which give rise to the motions which we have called the pulsations of the sea, we may conceive how it might be possible for them to force the wall of waters on the left to press this cushion down toward the south, and then again for the wall on the right to press it back again to the north, as (§ 144) we have seen that it is. Now the Gulf Stream, with its head in the Straits of Florida, and its tail in the midst of the -ocean (§ 173), is wedge-shaped; its waters cling together (§ 131), and are pushed to and fro— squeezed, if you 23 178 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. please— by a pressure (§ 143), now from the right, then from the left, so as to work the whole wedge along between the cold liquid walls which contain it. May not the velocity of this stream, therefore, be in some sort the result of this working and twisting, this peristaltic force in the sea? In carrying out the views suggested by the idea of pulsations in the sea, and their effects in giving dynamical force to the circulation of its waters, attention may be called to the two lobes of polar waters that stretch up from the south into the Indian Ocean, and which are separated by a feeble flow of tropical waters. Icebergs are sometimes met with in these polar waters as high up as the parallel of the fortieth degree of latitude. Now, considering that this tropical flow in mid-ocean is not constant — that many navigators cross the path assigned to it in the plate without finding their thermometer to indicate any increase of heat in the sea ; and considering, therefore, that any unusual flow of polar waters, any sudden and extensive disruption of the ice there, sufficient to cause a rush of waters thence, would have the effect of closing for the time this mid-ocean flow of tropical waters, we are entitled to infer that there is a sort of conflict, at times, going on in this ocean between its polar and equatorial flows of water. For instance, a rush of waters takes place from the poles toward the equator. The two lobes close, cut off" the equatorial flow between them, and crowd the Indian Ocean with polar waters. They press out the overheated waters; hence the great equatorial flow encountered by Captain Grant. Thus this opening between the cold-water lobes appears to hold to the chambers of the Indian Ocean, with their heated waters, the relations which the valves and the ventricles of the human heart hold to the circulation of the blood. The closing of these lobes at certain times prevents regurgitation of the warm waters, and compels them to pass through their appointed channels. From this point of view, how many new beauties do now begin to present themselves in the machinery of the ocean ! its great heart not only beating time to the seasons, but palpitating also to the winds and the rains, to the cloud and the sunshine, to day and night (§ 174). Few persons have ever taken the trouble to compute how much the fall of a single inch of rain over an extensive region in the sea, or how much the change even of two or tliree degrees of temperature over a few thousand square miles of its surface, tends to disturb its equilibrium, and consequently to cause an aqueous palpitation that is felt from the equator to the poles. Let us illustrate by an example: The surface of the Atlantic Ocean covers an area of about twenty-five millions of square miles. Now, let us take one-fifth of this area, and suppose a fall of rain one inch deep to take place over it. This rain would weigh three hundred and sixty thousand millions of tons ; and the salt which, as water, it held in solution in the sea, and which, when that water was taken up as vapor, was left behind to disturb equilibrium, weighed sixteen millions more of tons, or nearly twice as much as all the ships in the world could carry at a cargo each. It might fall in an hour, or it might fall in a day ; but, occupy what time it might in falling, this rain is calculated to exert so much force — which is inconceivably great — in disturbing the equilibrium of the ocean. If all the water discharged by the Mississippi Eiver during the year were taken up in one mighty measure, and cast into the ocean at oue effort, it would not make a greater disturbance in the equilibrium of the sea than would the fall of rain supposed. Now this is for but one-fifth of the Atlantic, and the area of the THE DRIFT OF THE SEA. 179 Atlantic is about one-fifth of the sea-area of the world ; and the estimated fall of rain was but one inch, whereas the average for the year is (§ 35) sixty inches ; but we will assume it, for the sea, to be no more than thirty inches. In the aggregate, and on an average, then, such a disturbance in the equilibrium of the whole ocean as is here supposed occurs seven hundred and fifty times a year, or at the rate of once in twelve hours. Moreover, when it is recollected that these rains take place now here, now there; that the vapor of which they were formed was taken up at still other places, we shall be enabled to appreciate the better the force and the effect of these pulsations in the sea. 191. Between the hottest hour of the day and the coldest hour of the night, there is frequently a change of four degrees in the temperature of the sea.* Let us, therefore, to appreciate the throbbings of the sea-heart, which take place in consequence of the diurnal changes in its temperature, call in the sunshine, the cloud without rain, with day and night, and their heating and radiating processes. And, to make the case as strong as, to be true to nature, we may, let us again select one-fifth of the Atlantic Ocean for the scene of operation. The day over it is clear, and the sun pours down his rays with their greatest intensity, and raises the temperature two degrees. At night the clouds interpose, and prevent radiation from this fifth, whereas the remaining four-fifths, which are supposed to have been screened by clouds, so as to cut off the heat from the sun during the day, are now looking up to the stars in a cloudless sky, and serve to lower the temperature of the surface waters, by radiation, two degrees. Here, then, is a difference of four degrees, which we will suppose extends only ten feet below the surface. The total and absolute change made in such a mass of sea water, by altering its temperature four degrees, is equivalent to a change it its volume of three hundred and ninety thousand millions of cubic feet. 192. Do not the clouds, night and day, now present themselves to us in a new light? They are cogs, and rachets, and wheels in that grand and exquisite machinery which governs the sea, and which, amid all the jarrings of the elements, preserves in harmony the exquisite adaptations of the ocean. 193. It seems to be a physical law, that cold-water fish are more edible than those of warm water. Bearing this fact in mind, as we study Plate XIX., we see at a glance the places which are most favored with good fish markets. Both shores of North America, the east coast of China, with the west coasts of Europe and South America, are all washed by cold waters, and therefore we may infer that their markets abound with the most excellent fish. The fisheries of Newfoundland and New England, over which nations have wrangled for centuries, are in the cold water from Davis's Strait. The fisheries of Japan and Eastern China, which almost, if not quite, rival these, are situated also in the cold water. Neither India nor the east coasts of Africa and South America, where the warm waters are, are celebrated for their fish. Three thousand American vessels, it is said, are engaged in the fisheries. If to these we add the Dutch, French, and English, we shall have a grand total, perhaps of not less than six or eight thousand, of all sizes and flags, engaged in this one pursuit. Of all the industrial pursuits of the sea, however, the * FiWf Admiral Smyth's Memoir of the Mcditerrnneiin, p. 126. 180 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. whale fishery is the most valuable. Wherefore, in treating of the physical geography of the sea, a map for the whales would be useful. The sperm whale is a warm-water fish. The right whale delights in cold water. An immense number of log-books of whalers have been discussed at the National Observatory, with the view of detecting the parts of the ocean in which the whales are to be found at the different seasons of the year. Charts showing the result have been published; they belong to the series of Wind and Current Charts. In the course of these investigations, the discovery was made that the torrid zone is to the right whale as a sea of fire, through which he cannot pass ; that the right whale of the northern hemisphere and that of the southern are two different animals ; and that the sperm whale has never been known to double the Cape of Good Hope — he doubles Cape Horn. With these remarks, and the explanations given on Plate XIX., the parts of the ocean to which the right whale most resorts, and the parts in which the sperm are found, may be seen at a glance. MARITIME COJSTFEREXCE HELD AT BRUSSELS, FOR DEVISING A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT SEA ; AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1853. THE GOVERNMENTS REPRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE, AND THE NAMES OF THE OFFICERS WHO ATTENDED, WERE:— Belgium — by A. Quetelet, directeur de I'Observatoire royal, secretaire perpcl Column. — Latitude observed. / frequently at sea, and more especially about 4 A. M., noon, and 8 P. M., and the result referred by the log to the hour nearest to which the observations were made, in order that the ship's position may be as accurately determined as possible at those times. Ath Column. — Latitude by Dead Beckoning. I This should be particularly attended to, when the ship is expected to cross or enter upon any of the 'great streams and currents of the ocean, the trade \ or periodical winds. The position by dead reckon- Jing should be deduced from the last observation for [latitude and longitude. If the longitude is deter- mined by lunar distances, note it in the column with its proper sign OC,*C, and if by chronometer O or *. When in sight of land, and the ship's position is determined by bearings, it is still desirable that Qih Column. — Longitude by Dead Reckoning. 1 the position of the ship should be given in latitude \ and longitude, in the proper column. Tth and %th Co Zwmns.— Direction and Rate of Currents; on ordinary occasions, the currents should be determined at noon on each day, by comparing the position of the ship as determined by observation, and its position as found by dead reckoning; the direction and rate of the current in nautical miles for the bill Column. — Longitude observed. * The remarks contained in brackets [ ] are added by me. — M. F. M. 196 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. last twenty-four hours should be given [or, better, for the time during which it has been felt] ; besides the daily entry at noon, the rate and direction of currents should be noted at shorter intervals, when the ship is in the vicinity of the great oceanic currents, or when it is supposed that the currents may sensibly vary in the twenty-four hours. 9ih Column. — The observed Variation should be entered in degrees and minutes ; and when the variation is determined by observation of the moon or a star, the sign C or * should be placed after the entry, thus: 23° 16' W. C. The variation should be corrected for local attraction ; in other words, the variation entered should be what the variation would have been, bad the ship been heading at the time of observation upon the course in which the local variation would be 0. It is desirable that every vessel should be provided with a standard compass, with which all the observations for variation should be made. The position of the standard compass, or of the one used, should be that at which the local attraction is the least, and the compass should always be placed in the same place. When the variation has not been observed, the variation used should be corrected for local attraction, and noted. The direction and force of the wind should be regularly entered at 4 A.M., noon, and 8 P.M. The force and direction entered should be that which has ^„, ^, _ . been most prevalent during the eight preceding IQih Column. — DIRECTION J f fTi "W /hours. The direction should be by compass, and -J 1 , p J -p, \ \ expressed in points. The force of the wind should be indicated by the figures given in the first page; if there are squalls, their force should be given in a parenthesis ( ), opposite the hour at which it takes ^ place. 12ih and lUh Columns. — The Barometer and its Thermometer should be observed, if possible, at all the hours given in Column 2, and at least at 4 and 9 A. M., noon, 3 and 8 P. M. [The thermometer attached to the barometer — and if none be attached, one should be tied to the lower end — should be care- fully noted whenever the barometer is observed, for we depend upon it for an important correction for the Bar.] l^th and Ibth Columns. — The Dry and Wet Bulb Thermometers should be observed at the same hours as the barometer. If it rains at the time when the observation with the wet bulb is taken, put the letter B after the temperature. Before reading the wet bulb thermometer, the bulb [or, rather, a thin old linen rag should be tied tightly about the bulb, and then the bulb] should be moistened with fresh water, and allowed to remain a few minutes in the open air, in the shade, and where strong currents of wind from the sails cannot affect it. All the thermometers ought to have two scales, one that of the country to which the ship belongs, the other the centigrade. EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR KEEPING ABSTRACT LOG. 197 IGlh Column. — The Form and Direction of the Clouds should be noted at least at 4 A. M., noon, and 8 P. M., and as they appear at the time of observation. The form of the clouds should be indicated by the letters given at page 194:. When the clouds are observed to be going in different directions at the same time, the direction of the upper ones should be stated above that of the lower, and separated by a bar, thus : 'g ^ ^^ • [Plate XVI. shows the form of Clouds.] 17th Column. — The Proportion of the Sky Clear should be indicated by figures from to 10. Thus 8 indicates that /^ of the sky is clear. 18 W. N. W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 79°. Winds : during the first and middle part, E. S. E. ; latter part, S. E. Strong breezes, and fine weather. I considered my passage thus far extra, and I consider myself far enough to the east- ward to be safe, in order to clear the cape (19 days and 19 hours). I can see where I have lost one day in this passage, by not bracing sooner, and keeping to the eastward, in order to cross 20° N., according to Maury's direction ; but supposing the wind would favor me, if I kept on with the wind free until I crossed the latitude of 15° N., I was obliged, as the wind still hung to the eastward, to brace up sharp, to make my mark, and have been so for the last eight days, and making a zigzag track. However, I was determined not to tack until the land compelled me, or as long as she would head S. S. W. good full. Dec. 15; Lat. 1° 20' S. ; long. 33° 00' W. Current per hour, I knot K Barometer, 30.00 ; tempera- ture of air, 80° ; of water, 79°. Winds : first part, S. E. by E. ; middle part, S. E. ; latter part, S. E. Light breezes and fine weather ; wind hanging steady for S. E., and every appearance of continuing so. Dec. 16. Lat. 3° 24' S. ; long. 34° 00' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 79°, Winds : during first and latter part, S. E. ; middle part, S. E. by E. Light and steady winds, and fine weather. I have been looking for a strong current, but experience none of any consequence. Dec. 17. Lat. 6° 17' S. ; long. 34° 34' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 79°. Winds : during first and middle part, E. S. E. ; latter part, S. E. by E. Moderate breeze from the E. S. E. through the night ; wind seems to favor us a point ; no prospect of weathering " Eoccas ;" fortunately, there is water enough to the leeward of it ; for the Tingqua shall proceed— cannot think of tacking so long as there is room to wear — in hopes the wind will favor us through the night as heretofore. Latter part, fine weather — to the southward of "Koccas;" judged we passed about nine miles to the west of it, 334 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. but did not see it ; ship heading up S. ^ W. during the night. At noon, saw the land about Point Natal and Point Anger ; cannot weather it. I believe I will stand off a few hours, in order to take advantage of the breeze through the night. Dec. 18. Lat. 7° 48' S. ; long. 84° 40' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 79°. Winds: during first part, S. E. ; middle and latter part, E. S. E. Light breezes, and pleasant; stood off shore until 10 P. M. ; wind still continuing steady from the S. E. ; appearance of a change to the eastward. Tacked in shore, wind dying away ; at 11 P. M. wind from the E. S. E., in a squall. Continued blowing fresh throughout the day. At noon, passed in sight of Olinda; and now I consider myself clear of all dangers, with a good leading breeze, and all the kites out. 24 days out, and clear of Cape St. Augustine. Dec. 19. Lat. 9° 55' K ; long. 84° 45' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds from the E. S. E. during the 24 hours ; with moderate breezes, and fine weather ; under all sail ; sea very smooth. I do not suppose there is one instance out of a hundred, where the wind has held so steady from the S. E., as in this one — which shows the worst side of Maury's Track — which, I think, I have given a little more than a fair trial — that is, exceeded his limits somewhat ; however, I have found no difficulty, and would try the same track again. I found no current of any consequence south of the line, and the wind bearing to the eastward at night, has helped me amazingly. Since leaving 5° N. the wind has held S. E. steady, which would carry me on to Cape St. Eoque ; and I stood on, still in hopes of a change, until, by help of winds veering by night, and a short tack, I weathered and passed about ten miles east of Olinda. 24 days out, without any trouble whatever, except what was borrowed. Dec. 20. Lat. 12° 10' S.; long. 35° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : during first and middle parts, E. ; latter part, E. N. E. Commenced with light winds, and fine weather. At 3 P. M. made two sails ahead from the top-gallant yard ; at 5 P. M. saw them from the deck, a ship and a barque. Ship steering S. S. E. ; barque, the same course as ourselves. At 7 P. M. spoke the barque, which proved to be the Francis F. Jenness, of Portland, from Philadelphia, bound to San Francisco, 84 days out; did not understand the longitude in which she crossed the line, but she was 33 days between 10° N. and the line ; suppose, of course, he must have been to the eastward. If there is any virtue in Maury's Charts, I think I have had the benefit of them. This ship left Philadelphia 4 days before the Tingqua was launched at Portsmouth. I do not know whether this is a comparison or not between the new and old route ; if so, the advantage is decidedly in favor of the new one. Dec. 21. Lat. 15° 07' S.; long. 35° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00. Winds : during first and middle part, E.; latter part, E. N. E. Commenced with light breeze; saw a number of vessels to the northward. At 6 P. M. wind dying away ; at sunrise, saw a large ship to windward, steering S. S. W. ; appeared as if her foretopmast was gone ; wind inclining to the N.; clouds rising from the N. E. Dec. 22. Lat. 17° 37' S.; long. 36° 10' W. Current, per hour, J knot S. W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : during first part; E. S. E.; middle, E. N. E. and latter part, N. E. First part, light and baffling winds ; latter part, fresh breeze, and cloudy. Dec. 23. Lat. 20° 50' S.; long. 37° 20' W. Current, per hour, 1 knot S. W. Barometer, 29.90; HODTES TO KIO, ETC. 335 temperature of air, 80°; of water, 78°. Winds: during tte first and latter part, N. E.; middle part, N. N. E. Commences and continues during the night with moderate breezes and squalls, with much rain. Ends squally ; wind veering two points in the squall, owing, I suppose, to the Abrolhos Bank, although there is no change in the barometer or thermometer. Ends with strong breeze. Dec. 24. Lat. 23° 51' S. ; long. 41° 00' W. Current, per hour, one knot, S. W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 78°. Winds: during first and latter part, N. E. ; middle part N.N. E. Light winds and pleasant; all sail set; saw two fishing-boats. Ends cloudy; 30 days out, and to the southward of Rio, and only one degree to the eastward of it. Ship Alboni (N. R. Littlefield), New York to San Francisco, fourteen days out. Dec. 6, 1852. Lat. 21° 43' N.; long. 37° 50' W. Temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 79°. Winds : N. E. baffling, E. S. E. First part, light; middle very light; latter, pleasant breezes. Dec. 7. Lat. 19° N.; long. 37° 50' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 79°. Winds : S. E., E., E. S. E.; first and middle parts, fresh and squally ; latter, pleasant. Dec. 8. Lat. 16° 20' N. ; long. 37° 58' W. Current, 64 miles E.; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 85°. Winds: E. N. E.; fresh gales and squally. Rainbows, sundogs, wind gulls(?) — everything to make it unpleasant. I have never found such a current hereabout. I have crossed this latitude some forty or fifty times. I have often, in long. 40° near the equator, found similar currents. Dec. 9. Lat. 14° 30' N.; long. 34° W. Current, 1.4 miles per hour E.; temperature of air, 79° ; of water. 79°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., E. ; fresh gales and squally. Tide-rips. Dec. 10. Lat. 12° 24' N. ; long. 33° 10' W. Current, 0.6 miles per hour E. ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E., fresh and unpleasant, very heavy sea from S. E. Dec. 11. Lat. 10° 18' N. ; long. 32° 15' W. Temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. S. E., E., E. ; fresh and squally. Tide-rips ; found no current. Dec. 12. Lat. 7° 33' N. ; long. 31° 58' W. Temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. ; fresh and squally, Dec. 13. Lat. 5° 16' N. ; long. 31° 38' W. Temperature of air, 82° of water, 81°. Winds : E. S. E. and baffling ; first part fresh and pleasant, middle and latter squally. Dec. 14. Lat. 3° 28' N. ; long. 32° 10' W. Temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. E. and baffling ; light and squally. Dec. 15. Lat. 3° N. ; long. 32° W. Temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Calm throughout. This day calm ; with rain, thunder, and lightning. Dec. 16. Lat. 1° 54' N.; long. 32° 10' W. Temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°. Winds: calm, S. E., S. E. First part calm, with thick fog ; middle and latter, light breezes. Dec. 17. Lat. 0° 27' S.; long. 32° 25' W. Temperature of air, 80°; of water. 80°. Winds: S. E. light and pleasant. 336 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Dec. 18. Lat. 3° 03' S. ; long. 32° 38' W. Temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. "Winds : S. E. by E., S. E., S. E. All this day, light and pleasant. Dec. 19. Lat. 5° 43' S. ; long. 32° 38' W. Temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E., S. E. Light and pleasant. Dec. 20. Lat. 8° 43' S.; long. 33° 41' W. Temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E. This day pleasant ; I found not the least difficulty in clearing the land. Jan. 15, 1853. Lat. 50° 11' S. ; long. 64° 10' W. Temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 48°. Winds : south, calm, west. First part, light; latter part, with rain; saw patches of kelp. Jan. 16. Lat. 42° 21' S. ; long. 63° 50' W. Temperature of air, 46° ; water, 48°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. S. W., S. W. First part, fresh ; middle, fresh gales ; latter, fresh breezes and pleasant. Large schools of whales, two or three hundred or more. Jan. 17. Lat. 52° 40' S. ; long. 64° 12' W. Temperature of air, 47° ; water, 46°. Winds : S. S. W., west, calm. First part, light ; middle, very light, with rain squalls. The next passage I make to Cape Horn, I will, if possible, keep much nearer the land. If I had been two degrees nearer the land, I have no doubt but what I should have shortened my passage at least five days. Ship Samuel Russell (J. Limeburner), 19 days to the line from New York, ten days out. Dec. 15, 1851. Lat. 19° V N. ; long. 43° 29' W. Wind : E. S. E. ; fine and pleasant. Dec. 16. Lat. 16° 13' N. ; long. 42° 2' W. Winds : E., E. N. E. ; baffling winds and squally weather. Dec. 17. Lat. 13° 47' N. ; long. 39° 48' W. Wind : E. S. E. ; strong breezes. Dec. 18. Lat. 11° 36' N.; long. 37° 25' W. Wind : E.N. E.; strong breezes and rainy. Dec. 19. Lat. 8° 59' N. ; long. 34° 47' W. Wind: E. N. E. ; very fine. Dec. 20. Lat. 6° 27' N. ; long. 32° 31' W. Wind : E. N. E. ; fine breezes and squally weather. Dec. 21. Lat. 4° 30' N. ; long. 30° 38' W. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., east ; moderate and pleasant. Dec. 22. Lat. 2° 27' N.; long. 30° 30' W. Wind: east; light airs. Dec. 23. Lat. 0° 00'. long. 30° 18'_W. Wind: S.E,; moderate breezes; crossed the equator in 18 days and 20 hours from New York. Dec. 24. Lat. 3° 32' S. ; long. 32° 18' W. Wind : S. E. by S. ; fine breezes. At 3, passed Fernando de Noronha, Dec. 25. Lat. 7° 9' S. ; long. 32° 55' W. Wind : S. E. ; strong breezes, with passing squalls of rain. Dec. 26. Lat. 11° 14' S. ; long. 33° 12' W. Wind : E. S. E. ; fine breezes and pleasant. Barque Hazard (Andrew Barstow), New York to Eio, thirteen days out. Dec. 16, 1853. Lat. 20° ll'N. ; long. 39° 51' W. Barometer, 30.00. Winds : E. S. E., E., E. N. E. ; fresh breezes and squalls ; ends hazy. Dec. 17. Lat. 16° 54'; long. 38° 31' W. Barometer, 30.00. Winds: E. N. E., E. S. E., E.; fresh breezes and squalls ; ends hazy. 337 Dec. 18. Lat. 13° 55' K ; long. 37° 12' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : E., E., E. ; squally from E. S. E. to E. N. E. Dec. 19. Lat. 11° W N. ; long. 35° 48' W. Barometer, 30.00. Winds : E., E., E. ; moderate weather. Dec. 20. Lat. 8° 31' N.; long. 34° 49' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : E., E., E. ; first moderate, middle and latter fresh. Dec. 21. Lat. 6° 03'; long. 32° 54' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds: E., E., E.N.E.; fresh breezes and pleasant weather. Dec. 22. Lat. 4° 37' K ; long. 31° 46' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : E. N. E., E., E. S. E. ; a heavy S. E. squall ; middle and latter, squally. Dec. 23. Lat. 3° 11' N. ; long. 31° 47' W. Barometer, 22.9. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. ; light airs and cloudy. Dec. 24. Lat. 1° 14' N. ; long. 31° 35' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : E., E., S. E.; middle, heavy; E. N". E., squalls ; thunder, lightning, and rain. Dec. 25. Lat. 0° 47' S. ; long. 31° 41' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : E., E. N. E., E. ; squalls with thunder, lightning, and rain. Dec. 26. Lat. 2° 20' S. ; long. 31° 50' W. Barometer, 29.9. Current, per hour, 1 knot, W. Winds : E., E., S. E.; for 20 hours squalls from N. E., E., to S. S. E. ; thunder, lightning, and rain. Dec. 27. Lat. 4° 20' S. ; long. 32° 30' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. S. E.; squally, with much lightning; tacked several times. Dec. 28. Lat. 6° 36' S. ; long. 32° 32' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds: S. E., S. E., E. N. E.; squally, Avith lightning. Dec. 29. Lat. 9° 50' S.; long. 33° 18' AV. Barometer, 29.9. Winds: S. E., S.B., E.S.E.; fresh breezes, and pleasant. New Orleans, March 22, 1853. Sir : Having taken passage in the barque Hazard, of Salem, George M. Pollard, master, for Eio de Janeiro and back to New Orleans, Captain P. requested me to keep an abstract journal, which he received from your agent with a set of Wind and Current Charts, having engaged that it should be sent you on his return to the United States. I now take the liberty of transmitting it to you, with the hope that you may find something therein to repay the examination. I would also take the liberty of making some remarks. It was Captain Pollard's intention to follow in the track to the line that you recommended, as nearly as possible ; but strong southerly winds, soon after leaving New York, drove the barque to the eastward, and when the track was regained, it was impossible to cross the line, as advised, without wasting time in beating to eastward in the doldrums. Having myself, in 1818, in ship Commerce, of Salem, about same season, crossed the line in about 34° ; and, although a wooden-bottomed ship, passed Pernambuco in nine days from the line, after making the land ten or twelve miles to leeward of St. Roque ; I advised Captain 43 338 THE WIND AND CUKKENT CHAKTS. Pollard to stand boldly across in 34°, the Hazard being a fast vessel. The result proved as was expected, passing Pernambuco in only four and three-fourth days from the equator, in long. 34°, notwithstanding falling twenty miles to leeward of St. Eoque. From these examples, and the information gathered from traders between Maranham and Kio de Janeiro, I should not hesitate crossing the line in 36°, even in a good sailing vessel, feeling confident of beating round St. Eoque by making short tacks on soundings which are very regular, and may be trusted to. Off soundings, the current sets very strongly to westward. On my arrival at Bahia, in December, 1818, I found that the passage from the latitude of Cape Verdes was from 10 to 20 days shorter than any other vessel's. The conclusion I then came to, was that the best track was 8 to 10° west of the Cape Verdes, passing the equator from 28° and 32° according to season. This is now proved beyond a doubt by your Charts, which are of incalculable benefit to all navigators. I would suggest more particular inquiry about the monsoon, if I may so call it, that prevails along the Brazil coast from N. E. to N. N. B. during January and February, sometimes in December, which makes it very difficult to reach the equator from Eio. Dull vessels are often thirty days or more to Bahia and Pernambuco from Eio, and should they fall to leeward of St. Augustine, bound north, find it almost impossible to beat around, the currents set so strong to S. "W. During the winter months, the prevailing winds are southerly and S. W., but not so steady and constant as the N. E. in summer. I have added to the Journal an abstract of the Hazard's passage from New York to Eio, in 1851, in thirty-one days, the shortest ever made by a merchant vessel loaded with a full cargo, or probably than any; also, some memorandums of her six passages from Boston and New York to the equator, showing an average of only twenty-six and a half days; her tracks being always those which you recommend, and they are very conclusive evidence of the correctness of your advice, if any further evidence was wanting of its superiority over the old ones. I remain very respectfully. Your obedient and obliged servant, JOHN GAEDNEE. Lieutenant Mauby, U. S. N. National Observatory, Washington, D. C. I have investigated the subject of the so-called monsoons along the coast of Brazil. — See Pilot Chart of the Coast of Brazil. I find none upon a scale for that chart of 2° of lat. by 1° of long. During some seasons of the year, certain winds are more prevalent than at others, as winds with northing in them, in our winter and spring ; but these winds do not partake of the characteristics of monsoons. Further, in reply to this very clever letter, I may remark, that a vessel crossing the line as far west as 36°, may clear St. Eoque in three days ; but on the average it will take about a week. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 889 Ship Tuscany (Thomas Mayo), New York to San Francisco, twenty -two days out. Dec. 20, 1853. Lat. 21° 58' K ; long. 34° 35' W. Barometer, 29.09 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 74°. "Winds : North, N. by E., N. E. ; good breezes ; squalls of wind and rain, with a heavy sea from N. N. "W". Barometer frequently fluctuating a tenth in the course of two hours. Dec. 21. Lat. 19° 30'; long. 34° 15'. Barometer, 29.09; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 76°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by N., E. Throughout good breezes, attended with frequent squalls of rain. At 10 hours 30 min. A. M. observed tide rips, with every indication of a strong current, although we have not experienced any. A confused sea from north. Dec. 22. Lat. 16° 58' K ; long. 33° 40' W. Barometer, 29.09 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 76° "Winds: E. by S., E., E. All of these twenty-four hours, fresh breezes; first and middle parts, squally, with considerable sea from N. N. E. ; observed tide rips several times during the day. Dec. 23. Lat. 14° 25' K; long. 33° 15' "W. Current, S. "W. by "W., three miles throughout. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76° ; of water 74°. "Winds : E. by S., E. S. E., E. Fine pleasant weather, with steady trades. Dec. 24. Lat. 12° 00' N.; long. 32° 44' "W. Barometer, 29.09 ; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 75°. "Winds: E., E. by N., E. First part, fresh breezes and pleasant, middle and latter parts, moderate and cloudy. Dec. 25. Lat. 9° 50' N. ; long. 32° 17' W. Barometer, 29.08 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 78°. "Winds : E., E. by N., E. Throughout, moderate breezes, with hazy weather. Dec. 26. Lat. 7° 25' N. ; long. 31° 18' "W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 78°. "Winds: E. by N., E. N. E., E. by N. Moderate breezes, with hazy weather. Dec. 27. Lat. 5° 52' N.; long. 30° 30' "W. Current, "W., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 78° ; of water 76°. "Winds : E. N. E., E., E. S. E. First part, moderate breezes as per column ; middle and latter parts, squally, raining in torrents. Dec. 28. Lat. 4° 46' X. ; long. 30° 12' W. Current, N. W., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.06 ; temperature of air, 78°; of Avater, 77°. Winds: S. E. to S., S. E. to S. W., calm. Throughout these twenty-four hours, light baffling winds from S. E. to S. W., with much rain, thunder, and lightning. Dec. 29. Lat. 4° 35' K; long. 29° 57' W. Current, N. W., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 78°. AYiads : calm, E. to S., E. N. E. to S. W. Squally throughout, with rain, thunder, and lightning, with a confused sea from S. S. E. Dec. 30. Lat.* 4° 10' X. ; long. 29° 52' W. Current, W., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.06 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds : E. to S., calm. Calm throughout, light baffling winds with rain. Sea from S. S. E. Exchanged signals with British brig Corsair, standing to the northward and eastward. Dec. 31. Lat. 3° 32' N.; long. 30° 15' W. Current, W., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Winds: calm, S. S. E., S. E. by S. Squally, with much rain, thqnder, and lishtnincr, from S. W. 3i0 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Jan. 1, 1853. Lat. 3° 02' N. ; long. 30° 47' W. Current, W. IST. W., half knot per liour. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. S. E., S. S. E. Light baffling airs from S. E. to S., with much sea from S. S. E. Eain, &c. Jan. 2. Lat. 2° 42' D. K. ; long. 31° 17' W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 78°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. S. E., S. E. by S. Light airs from S. E. to S., with frequent rain squalls. Lightning from westward. Jan. 3. Lat. 2° 02' K; long. 31° 42' W. Current, for the last 48 hours, 35 miles W. K.W. Barometer 29.06; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 80°. Winds: S.S.E., S., S. by E. First part, moderate breezes from S. S. E.; at 7 P.M. tacked to the eastward. Ends with light airs. Sea from the northward. Jan. 4. Lat. 2° 16' N.; long. 31° 12' W. Current, W. N. W., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.07; tem- perature of air, 77°; of water, 79°. Winds: S., S. S. E., S. E. by S. Throughout, light breezes, with a very irregular sea from all points of the compass. Jan. 5. Lat. 1° 48' K; long. 31° 56' W. Current, W. N. W., 15 miles. Barometer, 29.08; temperature of air, 79 ; of water 80°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. S. E., S. by E. Light baffling airs at 9 P. M. I find the current to run at an average rate of 0.7 per hour, for the last five days set W. N. W., true. Jan. 6. Lat. 2° 12' N.; long. 31° 16' W. Current, W. N". W., fifteen miles; barometer, 29.07; temper- ature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. E. by S. ; light breezes from S. by E. to S. E. by S.; ship moving slowly against a head sea and making much drift. Jan. 7. Lat. 1° 46' N.; long. 31° 37' W. Current, 0.7 knot per hour. Barometer, 22.07; temperature of air, 79° ; water, 82°. Winds: S. S. E., south, S. by W.; light airs, with a high, irregular sea from S. S. E. ; latter part calm, bad sea on. Jan. 8. Lat. 1° 18' K; long. 31° 10' W. Current, 0.7 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.06; tempera- ture of air, 81°; of water, 81°. Winds: calm, S. E., S. E.; first part, calm. At 2 hours 30 min. P. M. wind sprung up from S. E., attended with frequent showers of rain. Jan. 9. Lat. 0° 10' N.; long. 31° 47' W. Current, 0.6 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.07; tempera- ture of air, 83°; of water 82°. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E. by E.; E. S. E.; steady breezes; every indication of S. E. trades. Jan. 10. Lat. 1° 30' S.; long. 32° 17' W. Current, 0.4 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.08 ; tempera- ture of air, 83°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E., S. S. E.; moderate breezes ; stood to the eastward 4 hours. Jan. 11. Lat. 3° 34' S.; long. 32° 46' W. Current, 0.6 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.07; tempera- ture of air, 82°; water, 81°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., E. S.E. Moderate breezes, and a smooth sea. At 11 hours 30 min. A.M., saw the island Fernando de Noronha. Jan. 12. Lat. 4° 53' S.; long. 33° 37' W. Current, 0.9 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.08 ; tempera- ture of air, 83°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E., S. E., S. S. E. ; moderate winds, and pleasant; strong westerly set. KOUTES TO KIO, ETC. 341 Jan. 13. Lat. 6° 36' S.; long. 33° 58' W. Current, 0.5 knot per hour. Barometer, 59.07; tempera- ture of air, 83° ; of water, 82°. Winds: S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E.; steady breezes, and pleasant. Jan. 14. Lat. 8° 21' S.; long. 34° 24' W. Current, slight, N. W. Barometer, 29.08; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. S. E., E., E. S. E.; steady breezes, and pleasant. I have found no difficulty in passing St. Augustine, although I crossed the equator in 31° 53' ; and this in a vessel that seldom goes over seven knots within seven points of the wind. In future, I shall not think of crossing east of 30°. Clipper Ship Winged Racer (Wm. Homans), New York to San Francisco, fourteen days out. Dec. 26, 1852. Lat. 21° 20' N. ; long. 34° 55' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Wind: E.S.E. Dec. 27. Lat. 17° 53'; long. 33° 37'. Barometer, 29.7; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 76°. Wind: east. Dec. 28. Lat. 14° 14' N. ; long. 31° 48' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 78°. Wind: E. by N. Dec. 29. Lat. 10° 14' N. ; long. 30° W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Wind : E. by N. Dec. 30. Lat. 6° 5' N.; long. 28° 35' W. Barometer, 29.5; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°; Wind : E. by N. Dec. 31. Lat. 3° 50' N. ; long. 28° V W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : first part, E. by N. ; middle part variable, from N. E. to S. E. ; latter part variable. Jan. 1. 1853. Lat. 3° N. ; long. 28° 19' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : first and middle part, N. to E. ; latter part, S. E. Jan. 2. Lat. 1° 55' N. ; long. 29° 44' W. Current, W. K W., 30 miles ; barometer, 29.5 ; tempera- ture of air, 82°; water, 80°. Wind: variable. Jan. 3. Lat. 0° 24' S. ; long. 31° 32' W. Current, W. N. W., 20 miles; barometer, 29.5 ; temperature, of air, 83° ; of water, 79°. Winds : first part, S. S. E. ; middle and latter part, S. E. At 8 A. M. crossed the equator in long. 31° 16' W., 21 days and 21 hours from New York. Distance sailed, by log, 4,086 miles ; by Maury's calculations, 4,115 miles. Jan. 4. Lat. 3° 11' S. ; long. 33° 4' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 79°. Winds: first part, S. E.; middle part, S.E. by S.; latter part, S. E. Jan. 5. Lat. 6° 38' S. ; long. 33° 52' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 79°. Winds: first part, S.E. ; middle and latter part, S. E. by E. 342 THE WIND AND CUBBENT CHARTS. New York to Bio. — JantjabY. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. True. Per cent. Average. Head. SLANTS FROM Fair. Calms. observa- tious. N'd or E'd. S'd or W'd. From 40° 27'N. 74° OO'to 40 27 70 00 E. 182 6.2 193 2.0 6.0 5.0 87.0 2.1 97 38 52 65 00 E.S.E. 249 7.4 266 2.4 5.6 5.6 86.4 0.8 118 38 52 60 00 d E. 243 6.7 249 0.9 3.6 «;11.7 83.8 3.4 113 37 14 55 00 E.S.E. 255 7.5 274 2.4 3.2 w 8.8 85.6 0.0 128 35 35 50 00 E.S.E. 260 8.3 283 3.0 7.0 8.0 82.0 4.5 105 35 00 48 nd E.S.E. 92 11.4 103 4.4 6.6 w;13.2 75.8 0.0 91 30 00 45 49 S. S. E. 324 12.1 362 1.9 15.2 w;19.0 63.9 10.0 54 29 44 45 00 E.S.E. 42 25.7 53 8.4 w;25.2 11.8 49.8 4.2 24 25 20 40 00 S.E. 347 13.6 425 3.3 w 16.4 8.2 72.1 1.6 61 25 00 39 38 d S.E. 34 28.0 43 13.2 8.7 wll.O 67.0 3.3 88 20 00 37 16 S.S.E. 324 6.4 344 2.5 5.5 5.5 87.5 0.0 80 15 00 85 00 S.S.E. 324 7.7 348 0.0 lu 15.8 10.5 73.7 0.0 19 10 00 32 53 S.S.E. 324 0.4 325 0.0 10 3.0 0.0 97.0 0.0 33 5 00 30 48 d S.S.E. 324 1.6 329 0.0 w 8.0 0.0 92.0 0.0 25 Equator 30 48 s. 300 0.7 302 0.0 w 6.Q 0.0 93.4 0.0 88 1 00' S. 31 13 s. s. w. 65 3.7 67 0.0 wl5.0 0.0 85.0 0.3 294 2 54 32 00 s. s. w. 123 6.1 130 0.0 w2S,9 0.0 76.1 0.0 46 5 00 32 52 d s.s.w. 137 5.8 145 0.0 IV 28.6 0.0 71.4 0.0 21 5 08 33 00 s.w. 12 0.0 12 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 29 7 00 34 00 S.S.W.iW. 136 5.1 143 0.0 tv 14.4 0.0 85.5 0.0 28 9 00 34 50 s. s. w. 130 5.3 137 2.9 2.9 0.0 97.1 8.0 34 Shortest distance to the equator by this route, 3,640 miles. Average distance to be sailed on account of adverse winds, 3,899 miles. The Surprise, in January, 1851, accomplished it in 24 days, and 3,852 miles per log. The courses from 35° N. to 30° K, and from 7° S. to 9° S., run through a part of the ocean that is liable to calms. In the adjacent wind-roses, to the east of these (see Pilot Charts), there is less liability to calms. From New York to the parallel of 25° N., in this month, the south is generally the windward side. Thence to the line it is to leeward. Prefer, therefore, in this month, to cross 25° N. to the E. of 40°, and 7° S. to the E. of 34° W. longitude. Ship John Bertram (F. Lendholm), Boston to San Francisco, sixteen days out. December 28, 1851. Lat. 16° 16' K; long. 43° 15' "W. Current, three-quarters of a mile per hour, S. B. Barometer, 30.42 ; thermometer, not observed. AVinds : E. S. E., E. by jST. to S. E., S. E. by S. First part, wind light, and baffling ; a strong ripple on the water like a current. Barometer, rising and falling rapidly through the twenty -four hours ; in the evening, heavy clouds rising from the W. S. W., with sharp lightning; clouds rising all around the horizon, and settling where they started from ; latter ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 343 part, winds light and baffling, weather pleasant. Barometer falling to 30.35, which is not an indication of the N. E. trades. Dec. 29. Lat. 16° 51' N.; long. 41° 80' W. Current, during the twenty-four hours, twenty-two miles, K E. Barometer, 30.30. Winds : S. E. by S., S. S. E., and S. by E.; light breezes, and pleasant weather ; middle part, light air and a shoirt chopping sea, running from the E. N. E., by which I judge the trades are not far off. Latter part, light airs, and cloudy, hazy weather. Dec. 30. Lat. 16° 47' N.; long. 40° 00' W. Current, during twenty-four hours, nine miles north; barometer, 30.30. Winds : S. by E., variable and calm, S. by W. to S. by E.; light baffling winds and hazy weather ; middle part, light variable airs and calm, with heavy thunder and sharp flashes of lightning; morning pleasant, with light airs from the south ; latter part, gentle breezes and appearances of squally weather. Dec. 31. Lat. 16° 13' N.; long. 38° 39' W. Barometer, 30.25. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., and calm ; first part, light breezes and squally weather; middle part, light airs and cloudy; latter part, calm with rainy weather. Jan. 1, 1852. Lat. 15° 11' N.; long. 33° 13' W. Current, during twenty-four hours, thirty-nine miles, E. N. E.; barometer, 30.42. Winds : variable airs, calm, and E. S. E.; first and middle part, light variable airs and calms, with heavy showers of rain ; latter part, light breezes and squally weather. Jan. .2. Lat. 11° 59' N.; long. 38° 13' W. Barometer, 30.40. Winds : S. E. by E.; first part, mode- rate breezes and heavy weather ; strong rips on the water at times, again very smooth, as though there might be current, but found none; middle and latter part, fresh and moderate breezes with hazy weather. Jan. 3. Lat. 10° 27' N.; long. 36° 55' W. Barometer, 30.39. Winds: E. S.E., east, and E. N. E.; first part, light breezes and hazy weather ; middle part, moderate breezes and hazy ; first appearance of dew in the night; latter part, fine breezes with pleasant weather and passing clouds. I suppose this to be the first of the N. E. trades ; hope I shall not be disappointed this time, as I was eight days ago, in lat. 21° N, Jan. 4. Lat. 7° 49' N.; long. 35° 07' W. Barometer, 30.37. Winds : E. by K, E. by K., and east; during these twenty-four hours, fine breezes and passing clouds ; quite a heavy dew falling, second night. Jan. 5. Lat. 6° 09' N.; long. 32° 22' W. Current, during twenty -four hours, twenty-eight miles east ; barometer, 30.40. Winds : E. by N., E. N. E., E. IST. E.; first and middle part, moderate breezes and pleasant weather ; latter part, brisk trades and passing clouds. N. B. I have experienced this easterly current two voyages previous to this, at about the same season, and nearly in the same place ; perhaps one, or one and a half degree further east. Jan. 6. Lat. 3° 30' K; long. 29° 35' W. Current, during 24 hours, 27 miles, K N E. Winds : E. N. E., E. by N., and E. N. E. throughout these 24 hours; brisk breeze, and passing clouds. Jan. 6. Lat. 1° 17' K; long. 29° 04' W. Barometer, 30.38. Winds : E. S. E., E. by S., E. S. E.; first part, light wind, and pleasant; middle part, moderate breezes with passing squalls of rain; latter part, light breeze, and pleasant. Jan. 8. Lat. 00° 47' S.; long. 30° 02' W. Current, N., 17 mUes. Barometer, 30.38. Winds : S. E., 34:4 THE WIND AND CUKKEKT CHARTS. S. E. by S., S. S. E.; first part, light, baffling wiad, and squally appearance. At 3 P. M. made St. Paul's Eock, bearing S. W. J W.; strong ripplings on the water; middle part, moderate breeze and passing clouds. At 4h. 30m. P. M. the ship was on the equator, in long, 29° 40' W.; 27 days and 16 hours from Boston. Jan. 9. Lat. 3° 01' S.; long. 31° 01' W. Current, during 24 hours, 9 miles, W. Barometer, 30.87. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E. by S., and S. S. E. Throughout light. Jan. 10. Lat. 5° 50' S.; long. 32° 14' W. Current, 13 miles, S. W. J W. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., S. E.; first part, light breeze, and pleasant. At 2 P. M. spoke the English schooner Harriet, 35 days out from St. John, N. F. ; bound to Pernambuco; reported having crossed the equator in 25° 30' W., and had no calm; reported also having taken the N. E. trade in lat. of 22° N., and had fresh trades; his passage being only five days longer than mine. I had great curiosity to know how he had been steering with so much difference in the two vessels' sailing; so much so, that, from the time I could just see him from the deck ahead, until I lost sight of him astern, did not exceed eight hours. I sent my first of&cer on board with letters to be forwarded to the United States; also to gain some information about his passage; the track On his chart showed that he had kept well to the eastward, and had good runs, especially from 22° N., when he first took the trades. [The passage from St. John's to the line ought to be several days shorter than from New York.] Middle and latter part, moderate trade, and pleasant. Captain Curwen, of the Qolden West, to Lieut. Maurrj. San Feancisco, April 29, 1853. Dear Sir : I herewith inclose abstract log of ship Golden West, from Boston to San Francisco. You will perceive that I took the N. E. trades on the Atlantic, in latitude 30° N., and longitude 40° W.; and that I had them throughout from E. to S. E.; never to northward of east. Carried them to latitude 00° 53' K; longitude, 33° 37' W., when wind hauled to S. S. E., and obliged me to tack, 21 days out. From this time, until January 10 (28 days out), when I crossed the equator, experienced light baffling airs and calms, with strong N. W. current most of the time. Although mine was an unusually bad chance, still, I think that 28 days to the equator would be considered a fair passage by the old route. You will also notice, that from latitude 25° to 22° S. on the Pacific, where I should have had S. E. trades— had very light northerly airs and calms— have experienced strong westerly currents from latitude 20° S. to 20° W., in the Pacific. I shall continue keeping an abstract, and will forward the same to you from time to time. " Ship Qolden West (Samuel E. Curwen), foiirteen days out. Dec. 28, 1853. Lat. 19° 48' K; long. 88° 27' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water,* 78°. Winds: E. by S., to S. E. First and middle parts, brisk trades, and squally with rain; latter part, moderate. Dec. 29. Lat. 15° 47' K; long. 38° 20' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 78°; of water,* * 22 feet below the surface. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. SAS 78°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., S. E. by E. First part, moderate and pleasant; middle and latter parts, brisk breezes and squally, with rain. No gulf- weed seen to-day. Great numbers of flying-fish. Dec. 30. Lat. 11°40'N.; long.37° 23' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 76°. "Winds: E. by S. to S. E. by E. Brisk trades and passing clouds; squally at times. Dec. 31. Lat. 7°20'K; long. 35°28'W. Current, N. 29° E., 1| knots per hour. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 78°. Winds : from E. by S. to S. E. by E. throughout the day. Strong trades and cloudy; light showers occasionally; going from lOJ to 11| knots. Distance per log, 262 miles. Jan. 1, 1854. Lat. 5° 08' N.; long. 34° 01' W. Current, N. 29° E., IJ knots per hour. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water (22 feet below surface), 79°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E. to S. S. E., E. Brisk breezes, and squally appearances ; night squally and baffling, with rain ; ends pleasant, with moderate breezes. Distance per log, 211 miles. Jan. 2. Lat. 2° 33' N.; long. 32° 56' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 74°. Winds: E. S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Commences moderate and hazy ; throughout the middle and latter parts squally, with heavy rain; much thunder and lightning. Distance per log, 173 miles. Jan. 3. Lat. 00° 53' N.; long. 33° 37' W. Barometer, 22.90. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E., S. S. E. to S. E. First part squally, with thick rainy weather. At 4 P. M. clear and pleasant ; midnight squally, with much rain. At 8 A. M., wind S. S. E., tacked to the eastward. Ends moderate and pleasant. Distance per log, 171 miles. Jan. 4. Lat. 00° 20' K; long. 34° 16' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of ^ir, 88°. Winds: S.E., E. to S. E., S. S. E. First and latter part, light winds and pleasant ; middle part, squally. At 7 P. M. tacked to the southward 64 miles. Current setting N. 76° W. Distance per log, 137 miles. Jan. 5. Lat. 1° 18' N.; long. 32° 55' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air 81°. Winds: S.S. E., S. by E., to S. E. by S. Moderate and hazy throughout. At 5 P. M. tacked to the eastward. Distance per log, 178 miles. Jan. 6. Lat. 3° 20' N.; long. 30° 51' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 84°. Winds: S. E. to S. S. E. Moderate throughout, with passing clouds. Standing to eastward 41 miles. Current, setting N. 46° W. Distance per log, 171 miles. Jan. 7. Lat. 1° 52' K; long. 29° 03' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 74°; of water (22 feet below surface), 79°. Winds : S. S. E., N. E. to east, E. N. E. First part, light airs and calm ; night, squally; much rain, thunder, and lightning; latter part, light airs and cloudy. No observation. Allow the same current as yesterday. Heavy swell from N. E. Tacked to the southward at 6 P. M. Distance per log, 133 miles. Jan. 8. Lat. 2° 06' K; long. 30° 25' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 88°. Winds: S. E. to S. by E. Calm at intervals. Very heavy swell from E. N. E. A two-knot current setting N. N. W. Ship heading easterly. Distance per log, 71 miles. Jan. 9. Lat. 1° 36' N.; long. 30° 08' W. Currents, N. 29° W., one and a half knot per hour. Baro- meter, 30.00; temperature of air, 77°: of water (22 feet below surface), 80°. Winds : S. to S. S. W., S. to 44 846 . THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS, S. S. W., S. E. by E. Light airs throughout, with passing showers. At 2 P. M. tacked to the eastward, and at 4 A. M. to the southward and westward. Distance per log, 122 miles. Jan. 10. Lat. 00° 46' S.; long. 32° 02' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 85°. "Winds: S. and S. by E., S. and S. by E., S. S. E., and S. E. by S. First and middle parts, gentle breezes and passing clouds ; latter part, brisk wind. No current. Distance per log, 182 miles. Clipper Barque Storm (J. J. Eoberts), from San Francisco, ten days out. Dec. 31. Lat. 21° 41' JST. ; long. 39° 25' W. Barometer, 30.19 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 74°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. Heavy weather and high seas. Lost fore-topgallant-mast; shipping whole seas over the bows. Jan. 1, 1853. Lat. 17° 58' F.; long. 38° 13' W. Barometer, 30.20; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 75°. Winds : E. by. S. Weather, the same as yesterday. • Jan. 2. Lat. 14° 20' N. ; long. 37° 00' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 77°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., E. by S. IVesh breezes and fine weather. Jan. 3. Lat. 10° 55' N.; long. 35° 27' W. Barometer, 30.15 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 77°. Winds : E. by S. Heavy weather and frequent squalls. For the last three days, I notice the barometer falls during the day, and towards night rises again without any material change in the weather. Jan. 4. Lat. 7° 06'; long. 33° 42' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 80°: of water, 79°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., E. S. E. ; first and middle parts, heavy weather and squally — barometer very changeable ; latter part, more moderate. Jan. 5. Lat. 3° 26' N.; long. 33° 16' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. ; first and middle parts, moderate winds and rainy ; latter part, rain and calms ; three inches of rain fell in an hour. Jan. 6. Lat. 2° 24' N.; long. 34° 14' W. Barometer, 29.94; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Winds: calm, S. S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E.; first part, fine and calm; middle, light airs; latter, light breeze. The foretopmast trestle-trees broke short offj and let the mast down by the run. Jan. 7. Lat. 1° 10' N. ; long. 35° 16' W. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds: first and middle parts, light and baffling to south, and calms; latter part, S. E. Fine weather and light airs. Looks rather dubious about clearing Cape St. Eoque ; however, I shall stand on, and trust to luck. [That's right.] It is my own fault if I fall to leeward, and get jammed, for I might easily have made more easting by sailing close-hauled. Jan. 8. Lat. 00° 15' S. ; long. 85° 33' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°; Winds : S. E. by S., E., S. E. ; first part, light breeze. At 5 P. M. a heavy squall from E. N.E., carried away the larboard cathead, from the strain on the jib-guys, and wrung the bowsprit head and cap badly. All the trestle-trees, fore and aft, have given away, owing to bad material, and being too light, and I am obliged to be easier with her than I should otherwise have been. Crossed the line in 17 days and 16 hours, from Sandy Ilook. At 10 A. M. took the trades at S. E. light. ROUTES TO KIO, ETC. 347 Jan. 9. Lat. 2° 14' S.; long. 36° 26' W. Current, J knot per hour, W. Barometer, 30.00 ; tempera- ture of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. "Wind : S. E. Fine weather, and light winds ; observed westerly current for the first time. Jan. 10. Lat. 3° 23' S. ; long. 36° 29' W. No current. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by E. Fine weather, and moderate breezes. Jan. 11. Lat. 3° 14' S. ; long. 36° 08' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, W. Barometer, 29.93 ; tempera- ture of air, 82° ; of water, 79°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by E. First part, fresh breeze, and heavy S. E. swell — tacked to N. E., Point Tubarao bearing south, 35 miles distant, at 8 P. M. Latter part fine. Jan. 12. Lat. 1° 25' S.; long. 34° 36' W. Current per hour, 1 mile, N. W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E., S. E.; fine weather and moderate breezes. Jan. 13. Lat. 1° 27' S.; long. 35° 45' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E. by S. ; S. S. E., S. E. Light wind, and rain .squalls. Jan. 14. Lat. 3° 52' S.; long. 34° 31' W. Current, 1 mile per hour, K W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 79°. Winds: S. E., S. E.by E., S. E. by E. ; fine weather and light breeze ; middle, fresh. Twenty -four days out, and I shall be very well satisfied if I can lay along the coast. Jan. 15. Lat. 5° 55' S. ; long. 34° 42' W. Current, same as yesterday. Barometer, 29.90 ; tempera- ture of air, 84° ; of water, 80°. Wind : E. S. E. ; fine weather and moderate. No sounding with 90 fathoms. Jan. 16. Lat. 8° 10' S. ; long. 34° 30' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 80°, Winds : E. N. E., E., S. by E. At 2 P. M. made Point Pipa, west, 13 miles distant. The more we draw in shore the more the wind favors us. At midnight, passed within 5 miles of Cape Blanco. The Storm behaved to admiration after she found herself jammed ; she followed her guide, put off beating as long as she could, trusting to chance for a slant of wind. Though she crossed the equator as far as 35° 30' — and which is farther than is desirable, yet in 24 days out, from New York, she was clear of Cape St. Roque, despite that great old phantom of a bugbear, the westerly current. Flying Childers (J. Dain White), Boston to San Francisco, 1852-3, 12 days out. Dec. 30. Lat. 20° 05' N.; long. 43° 38' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 77°. Winds : E., E. N. E., E. N. E. ; moderate trades. Dec. 31. Lat. 17° 58' N. ; long. 41° 59' W. Barometer, 39.10 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 77°. Winds : E. N. E., E., E.; moderate trades. Jan. 1, 1853. Lat. 15° 31' N. ; long. 41° 30 W'. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 78°. Winds: E.S.E.,S.E.,E.; moderate trades. Jan. 2. Lat. 13° 14' N.; long. 40° W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 78°. Winds: E., E., E.N. E.; moderate trades. 348 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Jan. 3. Lat. 11° 10' N". ; long. 38° 25' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 78°. "Winds : E. N. E., E. K E., E. ; moderate trades. Jan. 4 Lat. 9° 24' K; long. 36° 10' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. ; moderate trades. Jan. 5. Lat. 7° 17' N.; long. 34° 10' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. ; moderate trades. Jan. 6. Lat. 5° 19' N.; long. 33° 08' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78°. Winds: S. E., E., E. N. E.; light breezes with rain squalls. Jan. 7. Lat. 4° 27' N.; long. 30° 09' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Winds : N. E., N". E., N. E. ; gentle breezes with heavy rain squalls. Jan. 8. Lat. 2° 55' N. ; long. 30° 04' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds: E. S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. ; first part squally, middle part fresh breezes, latter part calm. Jan. 9. Lat. 2° 14' K; long. 30° 15' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80°. Winds : S. W., S. E. ; light airs and calm — all around the compass. Jan. 10. Lat. 0° 09' N. ; long. 30° 29' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E., S. E., S. E. ; light trades, with fine weather. Jan. 11. Lat. 2° 38' S.; long. 31° 30' W. Current, W., 20 miles. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 7^^, Winds : S. E., S. E., S. E. Gentle breezes and clear. Jan. 12. Lat. 5° 04' S. ; long. 32° 50' W. Current, W. N. W., 30 miles. Barometer, 30.00; tem- perature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. E. by E. Fine breezes and clear. Ship Bald Eagle (P. Dumaresq), New York to San Francisco. Jan. 16, 1853. Lat. 18° 56' K; long. 40° 32' W. Barometer, 29.98; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 76°. Wind light and pleasant, S. I E., S. by E., S. S. E. Jan. 17. Lat. 16° 13' N. ; long. 40° 7' W. Barometer, 30.04 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Wind light and pleasant ; braced sharp up ; S. S. E., E. S. E., E. by S. Jan. 18. Lat. 12° 44' N. ; long. 38° 26' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 77°. Wind fresh and pleasant; bi*aced sharp up ; S. by E., E. by S., E. ^ S. Jan. 19. Lat. 9° 49' K; long. 36° 12'. Barometer, 29.97; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 78°. Wind moderate and pleasant, braced sharp up; E., E. by S., latter part, east. Jan. 20. Lat. 6° 41' N.; long. 34° W. Barometer, 29.93; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 80°, Wind moderate and pleasant ; braced sharp up ; E., E., E. i N. Jan. 21. Lat. 4° 19' K; long. 31° 50' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Wind light ; braced sharp up ; E. J N., E., E. by K Jan. 22. Lat. 2° N.; long. 30° 8' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80°. Wind light through the night ; repeated squalls ; E. by N., E., E. by N. Jan. 23. Lat. 0° 1' S.; long. 31° 13' W. Barometer, 29.92; temperature of air, 82° ; of^ater, 80°. ROUTES TO RIO, KTC, 849 Light trades, with a few squalls; first part, S. E. by S., S. E. J S., S. E. Crossed the equator; averaged 14i miles per day. Jan. 24. Lat. 2° 9' S.; long. 32° 20' W. Barometer, 29.88; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 79°. Light trade-winds, S. E. J S., S. E. by E., S. E. Jan. 25. Lat. 5° 5' S. ; long. 33° 30' W. Barometer, 29.88 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 79°. Moderate trades, S. E., S. E., S. S. E. Passed to the westward of Fernando de Noronha. Jan. 26. Lat. 8° 22' S. ; long. 34° 8' W. Barometer, 29.94; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 80°. Moderate trades ; braced sharp up ; S. E. by E., S. E. by E., S. E. | E. Jan. 27. Lat. 11° 27' S. ; long. 34° 37' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 80°. Light trades ; checked the braces, and set studding sails, the first chance since leaving New York ; E. S. E., E. S. E., E. /Ship Eagle (John S. Farron), from New York to San Francisco, eighteen days out. Jan. 25, 1853. Lat. 20° I'N.; long. 32° 58' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 72°. "Winds : E. by S., E. by N., E. by S. Strong breezes, first and middle, flawy ; latter part, fair, Jan. 26. Lat. 16° 43' N.; long. 32° 10' W. Barometer, 29.94; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 73°. Winds: E. by S., E. by S., E. Fine weather. Jan. 27. Lat. 13° 37' N.; long. 31° 35' "W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 73°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by S., E. Fine weather. Jan. 28. Lat. 11° 08' N.; long. 30° 47' W. Barometer, 29.86; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 75°. Winds : E. by N^ E. N. E., E. by N. Light, with passing clouds from the S. W., and fair. Jan. 29. Lat. 7° 59' N.; long. 30° 16' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 78°. Winds: E. by N., east, E. by S. Moderate and fair; clouds passing from S. S. W. At 10 A. M. we had the first light shower. Jan. 30. Lat. 4° 13' N.; long. 29° 5' W. Barometer, 29.86; temperature of air, 79°; of water 79°. Winds fresh, E. S. E. First, cloudy; middle, do.; latter, dark cloudy weather, and heavy sea on. Jan. 31. Lat. 0° 46' N. ; long. 29° W. Barometer, 29.86 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water 76°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. fresh. First, cloudy; middle and latter, squally, with hard rain occasionally ; latter part, wind variable, from E. N. E. to S. E. Feb. 1. Lat. 1° 36' S.; long. 29° 8' W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. to E. N. E., N. E. to S., and E. to N. Variable winds and weather throughout, with dark cloudy weather and frequent hard squalls of heavy rain. At 3 P. M. a large shoal of porpoises going from S. W. to N. E. ; at noon, a whirlwind passed astern of the ship. Ship Tornado (0. E. Mumford), New York to San Francisco, fifteen days out. Jan. 26, 1853. Lat. 22° 30' N. ; long. 37° 25' W. Barometer, 30.15; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 74°. Wind : E. by N. during the 24 hours. Moderate breezes and fine weather. Distance, 203 miles. Ends with fresh breezes and fine weather. , 350 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Jan. 27. Lat. 18° 46' N. ; long. 35° 49' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 75°. Winds : E. by N., east, and east. Fresh breezes, and cloudy rainy weather. Distance, 242 miles. During the afternoon frequent squalls of wind and rain, which appeared to rise in the N. E. and S. E., and meet, when the rain came down in torrents. Ends with rainy weather. Jan. 28. Lat. 15° 16' N. ; long. 33° 53' W". Barometer, 29.99 ; temperature of air, 71° ; of water, 74". Winds during the day east. Fine breezes and squally weather. Strong current riffs. Distance, 238 miles. At 6 P. M. saw a ship bound south, bearing E. S. E., distance 10 miles. Ends with moderate and baffling winds. Jan. 29. Lat. 12° 20' K; long. 33° W. Barometer, 29.94; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 75°. Winds : E. by S., E. S. E., and E. by S. Moderate breezes and fine weather. Distance, 183 miles. The ship we saw last evening bearing N. by E., 13 miles distant. Strong current riffs. Ends, moderate breezes and fine weather. Jan. 30. Lat. 9° 43' N.; long. 31° 30' W. Current, 18 miles, IST.; barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 80°. Winds: E. by N., east, and east. Moderate breezes and fine weather. Distance, 180 miles. At 6 P. M. strong current riffs. Ends with fine breezes and fair weather ; southerly sea. Distance sailed this month, by log, 3,532 ; by abstract, from noon to noon, 3,443. Jan. 31. Lat. 5° 58' N.; long. 30° 11' W. Current, three-fourth mile IST., 62° W. Barometer, 29.94; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°. Winds: E., E. by S., and E. by S. Fine breezes and cloudy weather. Distance, 238. Short heavy sea. Ends fine breezes and fine weather. Feb. 1. Lat. 1° 56' N.; long. 29° 49' W. Barometer, 29.87; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79° Winds: E., E. by S., and east. Fine breezes and fine weather. At 4 P.M. discovered a strong westerly current. Ends moderate breezes and fine weather. Feb. 2. Lat. 1° 9' S.; long. 30° 20' W. Current, S. 80° W., IJ mile per hour. Barometer, 29.89; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., and E. S. E. ; moderate breezes, and fine weather. At 2 P.M. crossed the equator, in long. 30° 06' W. Ends light airs, inclined to calm. Dist. by log to the equator, 3,989 ; by observation, from noon to noon, 3,804.* Feb. 3. Lat. 2° 41' S.; long. 30° 40' W. Barometer, 29.88; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., and S. S. E. ; light airs and squally, with rain ; during the afternoon, wind veering from S. E. to N. E. ; latter part steady, from the S. E. by S. From H. T. Walter, of the Phantom. We inclose herewith, the barque Phantom's abstract log, besides a few small collections of sea- weed. I noticed in your peculiar work, the longer the voyage, the more information ; ours, for that reason, ought to be acceptable. We have not put down the strength of the current, for the reason we had no opportunity of ascertain- ing its correct rate, and, unless such is done, it is more apt to mislead than to be beneficial. Likewise, our * You will please note the distance differs but 90 miles, us given in your tabic, for the mouth of January. 351 navigation is omitted, as the morning and evening amplitudes differed several degrees. I did not like to mix aberration with variation, as it was only useful for us. Neither have we troubled our readers in the log with our misfortunes ; although, three days from Cape Henry, we lost our jib-booms, gallantmast, etc., besides leaking badly, and hence we were not able at times to keep the vessel by the wind, and were com- pelled to go to eastward of your track, for fear we had to beat, which would have been a bad job without a jib. But we have paid the utmost attention to barometer, thermometer, state of weather, etc. The barque Keindeer, which left the Capes with us, arrived the same day at Kio. I believe she crossed the line in 28° 00'. The brigW. A. Steward left the Cape three or four days before us; and arrived the same day withiis; she sighted Fernando de Noronha, and arrived with us the same day. On an average, vessels which sailed before and with us, had very long passages for the time of the year. The barque Inca, which sailed from Baltimore the 2d of January, arrived some days after us ; her passage is therefore from 80 to 90 days. On the other hand, two vessels left Baltimore after us : one made the passage in 35, the other in 41 days. Last year, about the same month and date, I found strong winds from E. S. E., to E. N. E. in the same latitudes, where we had this time, W., S. W., and S. winds. I crossed last year, in 20°, in 43°, 9° 46', in 40° 00', and 0° 15' N., 33° 53' ; tried to beat to windward, between 2° and o° S., but lost some days for nothing. We then made the land to leeward of Cape St. Eoque, and in beating for some days close in shore, weathered the land, having that voyage 57 days to Rio. Another Letter from II. T. Walter. Baltimore, Ith of Nov&mler, 1854, "Lieut. M. F. Maury, U. S. N. Sir: Again we have the pleasure of sending you three abstract logs of the barque Phantom. I have on purpose withholden the abstracts, first, in not being too hasty to judge your route ; secondly, if possible, to give our little experience on the same. I confess that, from the beginning, I was a little prejudiced in following your tracks. Not only I, but several masters of vessels I have seen upon the subject, having done several voyages from Europe to the East Indies, we were always in the habit of crossing the line far to eastward. Cape St. Roque was such a terror that it was never even mentioned; hence my preju- dice. And, notwithstanding, the barque Phantom has not been particularly favored in following your tracks, we must come to the conclusion that there are currents, winds, moons, etc. etc. ; that one or two degrees would be of much importance to the vessel ; but, taking the favorable and unfavorable views of your route, I think it is entitled to much credit. First, because of steadier breezes and the greater certainty of breezes between the N. E, and S. E. trades. Secondly, because of avoiding those heavy squalls and calms. And when we take in consideration the waste of time, the losing of spars, and the chafing of materials, which are experienced to the eastward, 852 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. we must come to the conclusioa that your route is the most favorable, even if we have, sometimes, to beat around Cape Roque. You will see that, in July, 1853, the Phantom crossed the line about 33° 00' long., and had no difficulty in reaching 6° 15' S. without tacking. Again, in August, 1854, the line was crossed in about 32° 00' long. W., and had mostly to tack to 8° 00' S. First, we rather lost than gained, owing to the strong breezes and rain, being not able to stand close in shore; but, having once beating breezes and clear weather, we gained rapidly. In working along the shore, we noticed the night in-shore tacks (although against the rule of land breezes), were the most favorable, and mostly lay up one or two points more to southward. I found not the least difficulty or danger in working along shore during the night, paying particular attention to the lead. I again have omitted variation, because the amplitude observation never agrees with the variation of the chart. Ours, in most cases, is more westerly. Currents are likewise omitted ; first, because we have not the opportunity and knowledge to ascertain their correct rate and direction ; secondly, currents which are found west to day, are east to-morrow ; hence it must mislead every navigator. Even the famous Gulf Stream, this voyage, was so narrow that I hardly experienced any current. The pilots, however, told me that they had had an easterly wind for the last fourteen days. Even large quantities of gulf and sea- weed were found on the edge of soundings. In July, 1853, between 5° 00' and 8° 00' latitude N., about 36° 00' and 38° 00' W., the current set us fast to eastward. Again, in August, 1854, about same lat. and long., the current set us about 110 miles N. N. E. I could not determine whether the current set us that much in one or three days, having had no observation jn that time. I have, however, paid a little more attention to the barometer. The same barometer was used in all three voyages. It stands rather lower than others ; but being very sensitive, I did not like to alter it. The stand of the barometer between four o'clock and five o'clock in the morning, may be j J^ or ygg of an inch out of the way, being not then watched as closely as at the other times." I have often remarked the stress which navigators will lay, each upon his own experience, acquired even during one trip, as to winds and currents by the way. From this one voyage we often see conclusions drawn with great boldness, and rules for the guidance of mariners laid down with the confidence of perfect knowledge. " A little learning — ." The Pilot, and other charts of the series, furnish the experience — not the opinions — the facts, the carefully observed and faithfully recorded facts, of thousands of navigators, as to the winds and currents encountered by them ; and yet, with all these data before me, I often find it exceedingly difficult to come to any satisfactory conclusions as to winds, and currents, and routes, or to lay down sailing directions which shall hold good alike for all. I was reminded by this last letter of Capt. Walter, to examine, and see how much experience the abstract logs in this office affijrd as to the difficulties of clearing Cape St. Roque when one crosses the line EOUTES TO RIO, ETC. 85S west of long. 32°. Considering the ideas whicli have been unwittingly instilled into our minds as to awful currents, and the dangers which beset vessels that cross so far to the west, I was surprised to find how trifling, really, those difficulties are when they come to be tried. I have examined the logs of 78 vessels, bound south, that have crossed the equator to the west of 32°, and of these 78 vessels, 17 crossed to the west of long. 34°, and two of them only, viz : the Huma, that crossed in 37° 10', and the Levanter, that crossed in 35° 28', were more than a week in clearing Cape St. Eoque— the former was 8, the latter 19 days. Two weeks in the equatorial doldrums, east of 25°, is common, and three weeks is not uncommon. The average of these 17, from the line to the fair way, off Cape St. Eoque, was a fraction more than 5 days. And, if we take away the two unfortunates just mentioned, the average time from the line west of long. 8i° to the parallel of St. Eoque, is only a fraction over 4 days, which is about the average time from the line to the same parallel by the old route. Of these seventeen, the Sovereign of the Seas crossed in 36°, and had three days. The Hudson Trask crossed in 35°, and shot past in two days. The Belle of the West took seven days from 35° 45'; and the Golden State the same time to clear this cape of fabulous terror, after having crossed the line in 36° 38'. Suppose experience to decide that it will take one week, on the average, to clear Cape St. Eoque, after having crossed the line in (say) 35° — let us, upon this supposition, compare the passage by this crossing, with the length of passages by the old crossings, say between 20° and 25° W. A vessel, after crossing in 25°, is generally forced to sight St. Eoque, and cer- tainly it is, to vessels from the United States, nearer to cross the equator in 35° and sight St. Eoque a week afterwards, than it is to do it after crossing the line in 25°, and sight it in 3 days afterwards. Ves- sels, especially in summer and fall, that find themselves as far west as 36° or 37° when they lose the N. E. trades, will very frequently find the southwardly monsoons between the two systems of trades sufficiently strong and steady to carry them to the eastward at the rate of 100 miles or more for a couple of days, and so enable vessels thus falling to leeward, to fetch up leeway, by standing to the eastward as far as 32° or 33°. Commodore Mervine's remarks in the following letter bear upon this subject: — U. S. Ship Independence, Eio DE Janeiro, Nov. 1854. Sir: A fair opportunity has been afforded me of testing the soundness of your advice, in crossing the equator " to stand on boldly towards St. Eoque, instead of endeavoring to make easting in order to avoid being 'back-strapped.' " Now, this catastrophe happened to me, but occasioned no more than eighteen or twenty hours' detention. Having pursued the course recommended by you after entering the doldrums, I stood on, crossed the equator in 33° 53' west long., at 11 A. M. on the 15th November, and made land on the 17th, at 11 A. M., twenty five miles to leeward of St. Eoque. The prospect of working so far to windward, against a strong current (which I was induced to believe existed), in a leewardly ship like the Independence, was rather 45 ■ 354 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. inauspicious. It was accomplished, however, during that afternoon and night, by making short tacks off and on the Bank of St. Eoque, in nine and ten fathoms water. On the 18th, at 8 A. M., the Cape was under oifr lee, distant about twelve miles, and the wind at east, which enabled us to lay our course along the land. We lost the N. E. trades in 8° N. lat., and got the S. E. trades in 3° N. lat., very far to the southward, S. by E.; which, after we had crossed the equator, and as we approached the coast, gradually favored us more and more to the eastward, especially during the night. From the frequency and comparative ease with which vessels beat around the Cape, I am inclined to believe that the winds in that vicinity are considerably modified by the land, and will be found generally to prevail from the eastward. I am, very respectfully. Your obed't serv't, WM. MERVINE, Appointed to Command Pacific Squadron. Lieut. M. F. Maury, U. S. N., National Observatory, Washington, D. 0. I have endeavored to impress navigators who attempt the new route, and who use these Sailing Directions, with a sense of the advantages which they gain by standing boldly on when they begin to feel pinched, preferring rather to trust to chances for slants and favorable changes than to attempt to beat up, or to stand back to the northward in order to make easting. They can but do that after they have stood their chance, made the land, and fallen to leeward. Then they can but beat at last, taking advan- tage, as they always should whilst near or far from the land, of favorable slants of the wind. I received this morning the abstract logs of two vessels, which will serve to illustrate the propriety of this course. I might quote great numbers of cases ; but I give the most recent, because it presents a fair average case. Indeed, the George Eaynes hardly presents the case in as favorable a point of view as usual, for she had a longer time than the average from the line to the fair-way off Cape St. Roque. She, I take it, is not a clipper ; nevertheless, she and the fine clipper ship Starlight, left New York and Boston in the same month for the fair- way off St. Roque, and beyond. Up to this point I quote their abstracts. I quote from the abstract log of each, because the log of the clipper, who did not feel so closely pinched, serves to illustrate the propriety of Bachelder's course, who did feel pinched, and who did right, notwithstanding he did it doubtingly. Indeed, the Starlight would have done better if she had been a little more bold, and had not hugged the wind so closely. She crossed the line in 29° the 25th day out, and was five days thence to the fair-way off Cape St. Roque. Bachelder, on tlje other hand, came along, crossing the parallels of 30°, 20°, and 10° N., 13°, 11°, and 7° to the westward of her computed route,* reaching the line in 32° the 26ilh day out, with 6 days thence See Table of Croasings, New Route to Rio for April, p. 459. ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. S69 to the fair-way off St. Roque. Now, suppose Bachelder had yielded to the suggestions of timidity and stood to the northward and eastward, on the 2d April, as he had " a half a mind to;" the probabilities are that for every day he stood to the N. E., he would have lost two in reaching the line ; and, did he not act wisely and prudently to put off tacking as long as he could, and so take his chances for any favor- able change ? Clearly so ; and the two logs show it. Ship George Raynes (N. A. Bachelder), New York to Valparaiso. March 26. Lat. 39°05'N. Barometer (aneroid) 29.46; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 54°. Wind: N. W. throughout. Throughout, strong gales and passing sq^ualls of hail and snow. March 27. No observation. Current, 50 miles E. N. E. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 69°. Wind: W. N. W., throughout. Throughout, hard gales and squalls of snow, hail, and rain. March 28. Lat. 37° 15' N.; long. 60° 48' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 62°. Wind : W. N. W. to N. W. First part, moderate ; latter part, hard gales and squalls. March 29. Lat. 36° 55' N. ; long. 59° W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 69°. Winds : N., N., N. W. First and middle parts, light breeze, rough, heavy swell ; latter part, fresh gales and squally. March 30. Lat. 36° 46' K ; long. 56° W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 62°. Wind : W. N. W. to N. W. f N. First part, fresh gales ; middle and latter parts, light breezes and plea- sant. March 31. Lat. 36° 35' N. ; long. 54° 24' W. Barometer, 30.30; temperature of air, 58° ; of water, 63°. Wind : N. W. to W. S. W. Light breezes, and rain squalls occasionally ; " light." April 1. Lat. 35° 05' N. ; long. 51° 19' W. Barometer, 30.50 ; temperature of air, 64°; of water, 63°. Winds : N.E., E.N. E., E. by N.; first part, moderate; middle and latter parts, strong breezes and passing clouds. April 2. Lat. 31° 59' N.; long. 51° 05' W. Barometer, 30.50; temperature of air, 66° ; of water, 65°. Winds : E., S. E., S. E. by E.* Moderate breezes and pleasant. April 3. Lat. 29° 04' N; long. 51° 03' W. Barometer, 30.30; temperature of air, 71°; of water, 68°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by E.; moderate breezes and pleasant. April 4. Lat. 26° 56' N.; long. 49° 23' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 71°. Winds : E. by S., E., E. by N. ; moderate breezes and pleasant. April 5. Lat. 25° 21' N.; long. 46° 54' W. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 70°; of water, 71°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., N. E. by N. to E. N. E.; first and middle parts, moderate breezes; latter part, light, unsteady, and baffling; large swell from N. E. * " I don't know whether I am doing right or not in standing so long to the southward. We have made a good south course these twenty-four hours. It seems a pity to go on the other taol<. Can't make better than a N. E. course ; might as well be lying still." 35 G THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. April 6. Lat. 23° 26' N.; long. 46° 27' W. Barometer, 30.08 ; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 73°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by S., S. E. by E.; light baffling breezes and squally appearances. . April 7. Lat. 21° 44' N.; long, no observation. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 74°. Winds: E. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by E. ; light baffling breezes throughout ; stood to the K E. four hours. April 8. Lat. 20° 54' K; long. 45° 30' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 74°. Winds : E., E. N. E., E. N. E.; light baffling breezes throughout ; pleasant, smooth sea. April 9. Lat. 19° 35' K; long. 44° 12' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 74°. Winds : E.KE., N. E. by E., E. by N.; light baffling breezes throughout ; sharp braced. April 10. Lat. 17° 39' N.; long. 42° 49' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 74°. Winds : E. | N., from E. N. E. to E. by S.; moderate breezes and pleasant. April 11. Lat. 14° 59' N.; long. 41° 15' W.* Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 75°. Winds : E., E. by S., E.; good breezes and pleasant ; middle and latter parts, overcast. April 12. Lat. 12° 53' N.; long. 39° 38' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 77°. Winds: E., E. by N., E.; first and middle parts, strong breezes and cloudy, "head sea;" latter part moderate. April 13. Lat. 10° 47' N.; long. 37° 5C' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 77°. Winds: E., E. by N., E.; good breezes and cloudy. April 14. Lat. 8° 37' K; long. 35° 52' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 77°. AVinds : E. by N., E. K E., E. N. E.; good breezes, pleasant, " hazy." April 15. Lat. 6° 06' K; long. 34° 03' W. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 79°. Winds : E. by N., E., E. by N.; pleasant breezes and hazy. April 16. Lat. 4° 06' K; long. 32° 05' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 79°. Winds : E. by N., E. K E., E. N. E.; good breezes and hazy ; latter part, heavy showers of rain, wind light and unsteady. April 17. Lat. 2° 50' N.; long. 31° 26' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. N. E., E., E. by S. Light baffling breezes and showers of rain ; in rain squalls, wind hauls to S. E. by S.; "tide rips;" lightning to S. S. E. and E. April 18. Lat. 2° 09' N.; long. 31° 26' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.95;- temperature of air, 81°; of water, 81°. Wind : E. to S. E.; light baffling airs and calms ; frequent showers of rain. April 19. Lat. 0° 45' K; long. 31° 47' W. Current, 30 miles S. E. Barometer, 29.98; temperature of air, 88°; of water, 81°. Wind: S. E, to S. E.; light breezes and calms; latter part, heavy showers of rain ; stood E. N. E. three hours. April 20. Lat. 1° S.; long. 32° 06' W. Current, 10 miles easterly. Barometer, 29.98; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 81°. Wind: S. E. by E. to S. E. by S.; light breezes throughout, and frequent * Too far to leeward again. Don't see how I could have helped it. Trust the wind will favor me, so that I shall be in a good position to cross the equator. KOUTES TO RIO, ETC. 357- sTiowers of rain. At 11 P. M., crossed the equator in long. 31° 55' W., 25 days 15 hours from Sandy Hook. Distance sailed to the equator by observation, from noon to noon, 3,753 miles; by Maury's tables, 3,811 miles. April 21. No observation. Current, 10 miles westerly. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 85°; of water, 82°. Wind: E. S. E. to S. S. E.; first and latter parts, light baffling breezes and light rain squalls; middle part, calm. April 22. Lat. 3° 18' S.; long. 32° 32' AV. Current, 10 miles westerly. Barometer, 29.95 ; tempera- ture of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. by S. to S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. by S.; first part, light baffling ■winds and heavy showers of rain ; middle and latter parts, moderate breezes and cloudy. Stood E. N. E. 4 hours. April 23. Lat. 3° 37' S.; long. 33° W. Current, K W. by W., 30 miles. Barometer, 29.97 ; tem- perature of air, 83°; of water, 81°. Wind: S. E. by S. to S. by E.; moderate breezes throughout. Stood to the eastward 11 hours. April 24. Lat. 3° 57' S.; long. 33° W. Current, W. K W., 17 miles. ' Barometer, 29.97; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by E.; first part, light breezes ; at 9 P. M., wind shifted in a squall to E. S. E.; middle part, light baffling winds and heavy showers of rain ; lightning to the eastward; calm at times; latter part, light breezes and frequent showers of rain. April 25. Lat. 6° 31' S.; long. 33° 47' W. Barometer, 29.97; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E. by E., S. S. E.; moderate breezes and light rain squalls. April 26. Lat. 8° 07' S.; long. 34° 35' W. Barometer, 29.97 ; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. from S.E. to S. S. E.; moderate breezes and passing clouds of rain; light. Ship Starlight (J. Chase), Boston to San Francisco. March 17, 1854. Lat. 41° 19' N.; long. 67° 25' W. Barometer, 29.2; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 39.° Winds : W. S. W. to S., S. to W., N. AV., W. N. W. At 10 A. M., sailed from Lewis's wharf; at noon, discharged the pilot ofi' the " Light." Light breezes from W. S. W. until 3 P. M. ; fresh from S. to 9 P.M.; rigging stretching; in royals and topgallant sails; middle part, wind hauled ^Y. N. W. in a squall, where it remained, with fine weather. March 18. Lat. 41° 19' N. (D. E.); long. 64° ^Y. Barometer, 29.1; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 42°. Winds : ^Y. N. W., S. S. E., ^Y. First part, fine weather ; middle part, heavy gale from S. S. E. to S., with sharp lightning, heavy thunder, and torrents of rain. At 5 P.M., wind shifted suddenly to west in a heavy squall of wind and rain. March 19. Lat. 39° N.; long. 59° 53' W. Barometer, 29.6; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 64°. Winds: W. by N., AV., N. W. Strong breezes, with heavy haU squalls ; under double reefs. March 20. Lat. 37° 25' N.; long. 56° W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 66°. Winds : S. W., S. W., W. N. AA^. Exceedingly squally throughout these 24 hours ; was obliged to run off more to the eastward than I wished ; highest barometer I ever saw for such a wind and such weather, and standing steady. 358 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. March 21. Lat. 36° 28' K; long. 51° 56' W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 66°. Winds : S. "W., W. S. W., S. W. Hard rain squalls throughout the day. March 22. Lat. 34° 43' N.; long. 48° 32' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 58° ; of water, 64°. Winds : W., S. W., S. W. Hard rain squalls throughout the day. March 28. Lat. 32° 48' N. ; long. 45° 44' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 58° ; of water, 68°. Winds : N. W. throughout. Brisk breezes, with frequent squalls ; latter part, moderate. March 24. Lat. 32° 48' N.; long. 44° 10' W. Barometer, 30.B ; temperature of air, 68° ; of water, 63°. Winds : N. W., calm, S. S. E. Fine weather ; had intended to strike the latitude of 30° in longitude 43°, but this wind throws me off the track. March 25. Lat. 31° "55' K; long. 40° 56' W. Barometer, 30.4; temperature of air, 70° ; of water, 69°. Winds : S. by E., S., S. S. W. Fine weather ; but the wind still pushes me to the eastward. March 26. Lat. 30° 26' N. ; long. 38° 10' W. Barometer, 30.4 ; temperature of air, 70° ; of water, at surface, 70°; of water, ten feet below surface, 70°. Winds: S. by W. throughout. Fine weather; but the wind still pushes me to the eastward. March 27. Lat. 29° 43' N.; long. 36° 20' W. Barometer, 30.5; temperature of air, 70°; of water, at surface, 70° ; of water, ten feet below surface, 70°. Winds : S. by W., S. by W., S. W. Light air and baffling, from S. to S. W. ; still going too much to the eastward. At 9 A. M., saw three whales, apparently of the fin-back tribe. Latter part, nearly calm ; irregular swell ; small Portuguese man-of-war floating by. March 28. Lat. 29° 30' K ; long. 35° 44' W. Barometer, 30.5 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 70°. Calms throughout, with a long, irregular swell of the sea. At 9^ A. M., light breeze from S. S. E. ; at 10 A. M., tacked to S. W. March 29. Lat. 27° 57' N. ; long. 36° 20' W. Barometer, 30.6 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 70°. Winds : S. S. E., calm, S. E. First part, light airs from S. S. E. ; middle part, calm ; ends brisk, at S. E. by S. March 30. Lat. 25° N. ; long. 36° 20' W. Barometer, 30.5 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 72°. Winds: S. E. by E., E. S. E., S. E. Brisk breezes, with frequent rain squalls ; wind veering from E. S. E. to S. S. E. ; barometer falling one-tenth; saw " flying-fish" for the first time ; long swell from K W. ; water clear, and free from grass of any kind. March 31. Lat. 22° 12' K; long. 35° 50' W. Barometer, 30.4; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 72°. Winds : S. E., S. E., E. S. E. Light breezes, with dry squalls ; wind veering from E. to S. S. E. ; ship going from three to eleven knots ; no weed ; swell from N. W. April 1. Lat. 19° 21' N.; long. 34° 03' W. Barometer, 30.3 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, at surface, 73°; of water, ten feet below surface, 73°. Winds: E. to E. S. E., E. by N. tp E. by S., E. Commences strong breezes, with squalls; middle part, light breezes, but still hard squalls; latter part, moderate, and less wind in the squalls; water still clear; no weed ; no grass; at meridian, wind hauled S. E. in a squall. April 2. Lat. 15° 56' K ; long. 33° 10' W. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74°. Winds : E. S. E., E. by S., "E. S. E. First part, light baffling breezes and squally ; middle part, ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. S59 Strong breezes and cloudy weather; latter part, brisk breezes with squalls. Barometer veering from 30.3 to 30.2, ending at the latter ; ship close hauled ; sea clear. April 3. Lat. 13° 03' K; long. 32° 12' W. Barometer, 30.2; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, at surface, 75° ; of water, at ten feet below surface, 74°. Winds : E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. Light breezes veering from E. to E. S. E., throughout these 24 hours ; sea smooth and clear. April. 4. Lat. 12° K (D. E.) ; long. 31° 42' W. Barometer 30.2 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water at surface, 80° ; of water at ten feet below surface, 77°. "Winds : E. to E. K E., calm, calm; first part, light breezes from E., to E. N. E., middle and latter parts, calm. There appeared to be a suddea increase iu the surface heat of the water ; but, after several trials, the result was as recorded in the columns. Small (what sailors call Portuguese) man-of-war around the ship. April 5. Lat. 11° 40' N. (D. E.); long. 31° 42' W. Barometer, 80.2; temperature of air, 78°; of water at surface, 78° ; of water ten feet below surface, 78°. Calm throughout, with a long swell of the sea from N. N. W., and light puffs of wind from every point. April 6. Lat. 9° 24' K; long. 31° 04' W. Barometer, 30.2; temperature of air, 78°; of water 78°. Winds : N. E., E., S. E. by E ; first part, light airs from N. E. ; middle part, E. ; long swell from north. April 7. Lat. 7° 28' N. ; long. 30° 34' W. Barometer, 30.3 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water at surface, 80° ; of water ten feet below surface, 80°. Winds : E. S. E., E., E. ; light breezes and fine weather throughout these twenty -four hours. April 8. Lat. 4° 19' N.; long. 29° 30' W. Barometer, 30.3 ; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82°. Wind : E. throughout ; brisk breezes and fine weather througbout these twenty-four hours. April 9. Lat. 1° 50' N.; long. 29° 10' W. Barometer, 30.2 J; temperature of air, 82°; of water at surface, 82° ; of water 10 feet below surface, 82°. Winds: E., E., baffling ; first two parts, light breezes from east; latter part, squalls and calm; wind from E. to S., and heavy rain; barometer veering several times from 30.3 to 30.2 and back again. April 10. Lat. 0° 30' N. ; long. 29° W. Barometer, 80.2 J; temperature of air, 82°; of water at surface, 82°; of water 10 feet below surface, 82°. Winds: baffling, E., variable; at thirty minutes P. M., had a hard squall from S. S. W., with heavy raia ; at 4 P. M., calm, light breezes from east ; through the night with passing squalls ; ends, E. N. E. with squalls. April 11. Lat. 0° 40' S.; long. 29° W. Barometer, 30.2 J; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 82°. Winds : E. by N., E. by S., calm ; first part, light breezes from E. N. E. ; at 4 P. M., hard squall of wind, with heavy rain; wind light from E. through the night ; squally and calm towards morning; ends calm; sea heaving from the south. April 12. Lat. 1° 40' S.; long. 29° 21' W. Barometer 30.2 J; temperature of air, 84°; of water at surface, 83°; of water 10 feet below surface, 82°. Winds: S., calm, E. by S. ; squall from south ; middle part, calm, with heavy rains ; latter part, light breeze from E. by S. ; sea still heaving from south. April 13. Lat. 2° 36' S. ; long. 29° 47' W. Barometer, 30.2^ ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 83°. Winds: calm, calm, S. S E. ; first and middle parts, calm, with occasional puffs from every point of the compass, and torrents of rain ; barometer rose and fell one-tenth, three times during the first sixteen hours. 360 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. April 14. Lat. 5° S.; long. 31° 15' W. Barometer, 30.2; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 88°. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. E. ; first part, squall from south ; middle part, strong breeze from S. S. E. , latter part, steady and brisk from S. E., with fine weather. April 15. Lat. 8° 23' S. ; long. 32° 30' W. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 85°. Winds : S. E. J E., S. E. J E., S. E. ; brisk mainsail breeze, head S. S. W., with fine weather throughout. I would here observe that I have experienced no perceptible current, since leaving the Gulf Stream. I have taken sights, morning and evening, and these and the longitude agreed so nearly with the log, that I chose to ascribe the trifling error to the log, rather than put it down as current, when I was not certain of it. There has been opportunity of trying the current ; but with a new ship, and her rigging stretching very much, we have always been very busy on such occasions. Ship Phantom (A. J. Hallett), Boston to San Francisco, seventeen days out. Jan. 24, 1853. Lat. 20° 55' K; long. 42° 00'. No perceptible current; variation observed, 16° W. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 75°. Winds: S. E. by E., E. S. E.; gentle breezes and squally, with rain at times. Still heavy clouds lying along in the S. and W.; unfavorable trades. Jan. 25. Lat. 17° 40' N. ; long. 42° 40' W. Heavy ripples ; variation observed, 16° W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 74°. Winds: E.S. E., S. E. by E., E. S. E.; squally with rain; with lightning, during the night. Jan. 26. Lat. 14° 10' K; long. 41° 29' W. Eipples. Variation observed, 15° W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 74°. Winds: E. by S., E. by N., E by N.; squally weather with rain. Sea very blue and transparent. Doing my best to fetch Cape St. Eoque, as I have every confidence in your Wind and Current Charts. Jan. 27. Lat. 11° 20' K ; long. 39° 05' W. Heavy tide rips. Variations observed, 4° W. Baro- meter, 30.00; temperature of air, 78°. Wind: E. K E. throughout. Gentle breezes during the day. Passed several heavy ripples, apparently tide rips ; passing clouds during the 24 hours, and smooth sea. Saw plenty of flying'fish. Jan. 28. Lat. 8° 40' N. ; long. 87° 43' W. Variations observed, 3° W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 78". Wind : E. N. E. throughout. Moderate breezes throughout the day, and passing clouds. Saw lots of flying-fish. Jan. 29. Lat. 6° 12' K ; long. 35° 08' W. Eipples at times. Variations observed, 3° W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 80° ; water, 79°. Winds : N. E. by E. throughout. Moderate breezes and cloudy, with squalls of wind and rain. Jan. 80. Lat. 8° 40' K ; long. 33° 13' W. Current (if any), to the S. E. Variations observed, 3° W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 792. Winds : E., S. E., E. N. E. ; gentle breezes through- out the day, with squalls of rain, and smooth sea. Jan. 31. Lat. 0° 40' N.; long. 82° 55' W. Variations observed, 2° W. Barometer, 29.9; tempera- ture of air, 78° ; of water, 78°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., N. E. ; gentle breezes, and squally. EODTES TO RIO, ETC. 361 Feb. 1. Lat. 1° 54' S.; long. 31° 55' W. Variations observed, 2° "W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 79°. Winds : E., N. E., calm, N. E. by E.; first and latter parts, light breezes; middle, calm, with plenty of rain. Feb. 2. Lat. 4° 06' S. ; long. 31° 45' W. Variations observed, 2° W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79. Winds : E., S. E., S. E. ; light breezes, and squally, with a smooth sea. Ship A. Chesehorough (R. C. Cheseborough), New York to San Francisco, thirteen days out. Jan, 26, 1850. Lat. 22° 13' N.; long. 43° 00' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 76°; of watei-, 77°. Winds: S. E. by E., E., E. S. E. ; first part, strong gales ; middle part, with heavy squalls; latter, pleasant. I must here remark that, during the many passages I have made through the so-called N. E. trades, I have never known them to hang so far to the south at this season, in this latitude and longitude. [What do the Pilot Charts say?] Jan. 27. Lat. 20° 03' N.; long. 41° 05' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 77°. Winds : E. S. E., E. N. E., N. E. by E. ; first part, strong gales. At 4 P. M. wind changed to E. N. E.; middle part, the same. At 4 A. M. wind fresh from N. E. by E. ; latter part, the same, with pleasant weather ; close by the wind. Jan. 28. Lat. 18° 01' N. ; long. 39° 30' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 77°. Wind : E. N. E. ; heavy rain, squalls throughout. Jan. 22. Lat. 16° 36' N.; long. 38° 15' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., E. S. E., E. N. E. ; begins with moderate breezes and light rain squalls ; middle part, light and pleasant. At 2 A. M. wind variable from E. S. E. to S. At ten, wind steady at E. N. E. ; latter part, the same. Jan. 30. Lat. 14° 23' N. ; long. 36° 48' W. Current, E. S. E., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.90 ; tempera- ture of air, 76° ; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. ; first part, wind light and pleasant ; middle and latter parts, light and pleasant. At 2 P. M. wind at E. S. E. I have this day found an easterly set of 1 mile. In my previous voyages across the line, I have often experienced such a current between 5° and 8° north latitude, and 36° and 32° west longitude, but never so far north before. Jan. 31. Lat. 11° 54' N.; long. 36° 22' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 78°. Winds : E., E. S. E., E. by S. ; first part, moderate breezes, and clear; middle and latter parts, variable and inclining to the southward. Feb. 1. Lat. 9° 56' N. ; long. 34° 56' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E., E. by K, E. N. E. Pleasant breezes, and clear ; at midnight, wind more to the northward and eastward. Feb. 2. Lat. 8° 11' N. ; long. 32° 55' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. by N., E. N. E., E. N. E. Fine breezes, with light rain squalls, latter part. Feb. 3. Lat. 6° 28' N.; long. 31° 15' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. 46 362 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. "Winds : E. N. E., E. by N. E. Moderate and liglit breezes, and pleasant weather, with occasionally rain squalls. Feb. 4. Lat. 4° 35' N. (D. E.); long. 29° 50' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. N. E., do., JST. E. Begins with light winds and light rains. Middle, squally and rainy ; latter part, N. E., wind with light rain and every appearance of losing the trades. Feb. 5. Lat. 3° 08' K ; long. 28° 40' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : N. E., E., E. N. E. Winds light and variable, with heavy rain squalls during the first and middle ; latter part clear and steady. Feb. 6. Lat. no obs. ; long. 28° 30' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. S. E., calm, S. E. First part, light airs ; middle part heavy ; 2 A. M. a light breeze. Ends moderate with passing clouds. Barometer, 29.70 to 29.95. Feb. 7. Lat. 1° 40' N. ; long. 28° 20' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds: E. S. E., calm. Begins with a moderate breeze and cloudy. Middle and latter parts, calm with light rain. Feb. 8. Lat. 1° 39' N.; long. 29° 40' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 80 ; of water, 81°. Winds : variable, calm, S. E. Begins with light airs from S. E. to S., with light rain squalls. Ends with light airs and clear. Feb. 9. Lat. 1° 07' N. ; long. 31° 15' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : calm, S. S. W., S. S. W. At 8 P. M. light breeze with rain. Midnight clear. Ends moderate and clear. At noon tacked to the eastward. Feb. 10. Lat. 0° 30' K; long. 31° 14' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 83 ; of water, 82°. Winds: S. S. W., to S. S. W., S. E. Commences light and clear; 8 P.M. tacked to westward. At 1 A.M. squally with rain, wind light and variable. Ends light and steady. Feb. 11. Lat. 1° 11' S. ; long. 31° 28' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82° Winds: S. E., S. E., by E., do. Light winds and clear. Crossed the equator at 9 h. 20 m. P. M. ; long. 31° 20'; 30 days from Sandy Hook. Feb. 12. Lat. 3° 16' S. ; long. 31° 49' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. AVinds : S. E. by E., do., S. E. First and middle parts, light and pleasant ; latter moderate. Feb. 13. Lat. 5° 42' S. ; long. 33° 12' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by E., do. Moderate breezes and clear. 1 h. 30 m. P. M. made the island Fernando de Noronha, bearing per comp. S. W. 45 miles; passed within six miles of it. Ship Esther, Boston to San Francisco. Jan. 26, 1853. Lat. 19° 05' N.; long. 37° 50' W. Variation, 11° westerly. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 75°. Winds : E., E. N. E., and E. N. E. First part, squally ; latter part, strong breeze. Jan. 27. Lat. 16° 08' N.; long. 36° 22' W. Variation, 14° W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 363 air, 74 ; of water, 75°. Winds : E. N. E., N. N. E., and E. by N. Fine breezes, a squall from the S. S. W. at midnight. Jan. 28. Lat. 13° 48' K; long. 35° 15' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 75°. "Winds: E., E. by S., and E. by S. Light breezes and pleasant weather. Jan. 29. Lat. 11° 40' K ; long. 34° 25' W. Temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 77°. Winds: E., and E. by S. Light breezes, with squalls from the south. Jan. 30. Lat. 9° 56' N. ; long. 32° 35' W. Temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 78°. Wind : E. N. E. throughout. Light breezes. Jan. 31. Lat. 7° 25'; long. 31° 05' W. Temperature of air, 79 ; of water, 80°. Wind: E. N. E. throughout, fresh breezes and cloudy, with occasional rain. Feb. 1. Lat. 4° 40' N. long. 30° 05' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 79; of water, 80°. Winds : E. by S., E. N. E., and E. N. E. Moderate, with squalls ; a heavy head sea. Feb. 2. Lat. 2° 04' K; long. 30° 00' W. Current, 18 miles, N. W. Variation, 11° W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds: east, east, and K E. Pleasant breezes, all sail set. I think I have shortened my passage to the equator ten days by following Maury's Directions, or Chart. Feb. 3. Lat. 00° 15' K ; long. 30° 10' W. Current, 20 miles, W. N. W. Barometer, 29.40 ; tem- perature of air, 81°. Winds: east, K K E., and E. by N. Pleasant breezes. Feb. 4. Lat. 1° 25' S.; long. 31° 00' W. Current, 15 miles, west. Variation, 8° W. Temperature of air, 80°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. S. E., S. E., and S. E. by S. First part, light breezes; middle part, heavy squall ; latter part, fresh. Feb. 5. Lat. 3° 20' S. ; long. 32° 05' W. Current, 15 miles, west. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Wind : S. E. by S. throughout; pleasant breezes. • Feb. 6. Lat. 5° 45' S. ; long. 33° 05' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Wind : S. E. by E. ; pleasant breezes. At 6 P. M. passed the Island of Fernando de Noronha, about 6 miles to leeward of it. Ship Masconoma (A. D. Cobb), Boston to San Fi'ancisco, 21 days out. Jan. 27, 1853. Lat. 19° 18' N. ; long. 31° 11' W. Current per hour, three-quarter knot, south. Baro- meter, 29.00; temperature of air, 68°; of water, 73°. Winds: east; variable, E. by S. Strong winds, with heavy squalls in middle part. Jan. 28. " Lat. 17° 17' N.; long. 29° 22' W. Current, three-quarter knot, S. W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 70°; of water, 72°. Winds: E.by S., E. N. E., E. N. E. First part, strong winds, with frequent rain squalls ; middle and latter parts, steady breezes, with fine weather. Jan. 29. Lat. 16° 15' N.; long. 28° 13' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 73°. Winds: E. by N., east, E. by I!*^. Moderate breezes. Jan. 30. Lat. 14° 07' N.; long. 27° 22' W. Current, half knot, S. S. E. Barometer, 30.00; tempera- 364 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. ture of air, 73°; of water, 73°. Winds: E. by N., east, do. First part, light variable airs; middle, mode- rate ; latter, strong winds, with a heavy N. E. swell. Saw a number of sperm whales. Jan. 31. Lat. 11° 34' K; long. 25° 35' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 75°. "Winds: E., E. by N., E. by N.; strong wind and cloudy, with passing squalls. Feb. 1. Lat. 8° 39' K; long. 23° 45' "W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 77°. Winds : E. by N., E. by N., E. N. E.; first part, strong breezes and cloudy ; middle, light, with rain squalls ; latter, fine breezes ; pleasant weather. Feb. 2. Lat. 5° 55' N.; long. 28° 13' W. Current, J knot, S. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 78°. Winds: E. K E., E. N. E., E. N. E.; pleasant breezes. Feb. 3. Lat. 4° 29' N.; long. 22° 42' W. Current, J knot, S. S. E. Barometer, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78°. Winds : N, E., E. by S., N. E. ; light winds, and pleasant. Feb. 4. Lat. 3° 38' N.; long. 22° 15' W. Barometer, 28.00; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 80°. Winds: N. N. E., S. E., S.; first part, light winds, and cloudy; middle and latter, light, variable winds, with rain. Feb. 5. Lat. 3° 13' K; long. 22° 25' W. Barometer, 28.00 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 80°. Winds : N. by E., N. E., E. ; light and variable rain, thunder and lightning. Feb. 6. Lat. 2° 39' K; long. 22° 35' W. Barometer, 28.00; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 80°. Winds: N. N. E., S. E., N. E.; wind and weather, the same as yesterday. Feb. 7. Lat. 1° 55' K; long. 22" 47' W. Barometer, 28.00; temperature of air, 78°; of water 79°. Winds : N. N. E., E., N. N. E. ; light and variable, and calm ; abundance of rain. Feb. 8. Lat. 1° 44' K; long. 22° 47' W. Current, 1 knot, N. K E. Barometer, 28.82 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 79°. Winds: E., N. W., S. W. by S.; light airs, and calm. Having good observa- tions find a N. E. current during the last four days, but owing to unsteadiness of winds, cannot determine the amount. Feb. 9. Lat. 1° 26' K; long. 23° 10' W. Current, | knot, N. W. Barometer, 28.82; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 79°. Winds: S. S. W., S., S. by W. ; light baffling airs, and clear. Feb. 10. Lat. 0° 37' N.; long. 24° 57' W. Current, 1 knot, W. Barometer, 28.83 ; temperature of air, 78°; water, 78°. Winds: S., S. by E., S. by E.; light wind, and fine weather. Feb. 11. Lat. 0° 38' S.; long. 25° 25' W. Current, i knot, S. W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 79°. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. by E.; first and middle parts light wind, latter part calm. * Feb. 12. Lat. 1° 39' S.; long. 26° 42' W. Current, } knot, S. W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. by E., S. by E. ; light wind, and pleasant. Feb. 13. Lat. 2° 47' S. ; long. 28° 22' W, Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. by W., S. by W., S. by E. ; light winds and pleasant. I find the old route bad ; shall try the new next time. [We are determined to purchase this conclusion by your own experience.] • Feb. 14. Lat. 4° 9' S.; long. 29° 12' W. Barometer, 28.85; temperature of air, 81°; water, 81°. EOUTES TO BIO, ETC. za Winds : S., S. by E., S. S. E. ; light winds and fine weather. Barometer rises and falls about ^% since we passed 6° N. ; rising iu the morning and falling about 4 or 5 P. M. [See what Eoberts, of the Storm, p. 346, says about it in north lat.] Neiv York to Bio. — February. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. LoDgitude. Course. Total Latitude. SLANTS FXOM No. ob- True. Per cent. Average. Head. Fair. Calms. serra- tiona. N'd or E'd. S'dorW'd. From 40° 27' N. 74° 00' W. to 89 11 70 00 E.S.E. 199 5.1 209 1.8 7.8 5.9 85.5 6.2 308 37 38 65 00 E.S.E. 256 2.7 263 0.0 5.7 2.8 92.0 4.5 87 85 58 60 00 E.S.E. 268 1.2 280 7.0 9.0 6.0 84.0 1.0 100 35 53 55 00 d E. 243 7.2 260 8.0 5.0 4.0 88.0 1.0 100 35 00 53 12 E.S.E. 144 5.7 151 1.3 12.2 14.8 78.4 4.0 74 38 21 50 00 S.E. 225 0.0 225 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 8.5 28 32 54 48 18 E.S.E. 98 2.1 100 0.0 5.5 5.5 88.9 0.0 18 30 00 45 00 S.E. 240 3.8 249 0.0 5.5 11.1 83.4 0.0 18 25 38 40 00 cZ S.E. 372 0.0 372 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 20 25 00 40 00 S. 38 11.5 42 8.7 14.8 7.4 74.1 18.2 e 27 20 00 87 45 S.S.E. 324 9.3 354 4.8 1.6 8.2 90.8 3.1 62 15 00 35 85 S.S.E. 824 1.6 829 0.0 w 8.0 0.0 92.0 0.0 25 10 00 33 28 S.S.E. 824 0.0 824 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 31 5 00 31 23 <^ S.S.E. 324 0.0 324 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 5.8 e 18 Equator 31 23 d S. 800 3.7 311 0.0 m;14.7 0.0 85.3 2.7 108 1 00 S. 32 00 S.S.W.fW. 72 5.1 76 0.0 w;19.0 0.0 81.0 1.7 289 8 00 32 50 s.s.w. 130 6.5 188 0.0 w;21.6 0.0 78.4 0.0 28 3 24 33 00 s. s. w. 26 0.0 26 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 9 5 00 83 40 s.s.w. 104 8.0 107 0.0 w25.0 0.0 75.0 0.0 12 7 00 33 40 c? s. 120 0.0 110 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 11 7 48 34 00 s.s.w. 52 0.0 52 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 22 9 00 84 80 s. s. w. 78 5.2 82 0.0 w;18.0 0.0 87.0 0.0 23 Shortest distance to the equator by this route, 3,674 miles. Average distance to be sailed on account of adverse winds, 3,793. The route for this month is tie most favorable. In no part of it is the average of winds that are entirely fair, less than 74 in 100 ; and generally the northern or larboard side is the windward side. The passage to the line has been frequently made by vessels that have followed this route, in 19 and 20 days, and even in 17 days. ' " Ship Luchuno (D. Plumer), Boston to California, fourteen days out. January 29, 1853. Lat. 19° 59' K; long. 35° 22' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 76°. Winds : E. by K., east, E. by S. Brisk trade-winds, and cloudy, with occasional rain squalls, during which the wind invariably hauls two or three points to the S. E. Barometer at a stand. Jan. 30. Lat. 16° 11' K ; long 34° 18' W. Barometer, 80.00 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 75°. 366 THE WIND AKD CURRENT CHARTS. Winds: E. by S., baffling, in squalls to S.. E., throughout. Brisk breezes, and cloudy with frequent squalls from S. E., and showers of rain throughout. Jan. 31. Lat. 13° 05' N.; long. 33° 21' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 76°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., east ; first and middle parts, strong breezes, with frequent squalls ; latter part, fresh breezes and pleasant. Saw an unusual number of flying-fish. Feb. 1. Lat. 10° 06' N. ; long. 31° 50' W. Current 10 miles, east. Barometer, 29.92 ; temperature of air 76° ; water 79°. Wind east. Fine breezes and cloudy, with occasional light showers. Feb. 2. Lat. 7° 19' N. ; long. 29° 46' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 79°. Wind E. by N. ; fine trades and hazy ; strong tide rips at times, but found no current. Feb. 3. Lat. 4° 34' N. ; long 28° 04' W. Current, 24 miles, S. 42° E. Barometer, 29.86 ; tempera- ture of air, 80° ; of water 81°. Wind E. by N. Light trades, and pleasant ; sea unusually smooth ; some tide rips. Feb. 4. Lat. 2° 55' K ; long. 28° 01' W. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. by S., E. S. E. by S. Light air from east to S. S. E ; baffling, with calms, and light rain squalls. Feb. 5. Lat. 1° 31' N.; long. 28° 39' W. Current, 27 miles N., 57° E. Barometer, 29.84 ; tempera- ture of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. S. E. Light airs from S. E. to S. S. B. and pleasant ; sea very smooth. Feb. 6. Lat. 0° 06' N.; long 30° 33' W. Current, 15 miles, west. Barometer, 29.62 ; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. E., S. by E. Light airs from S. S. E., and pleasant, first and middle parts. At midnight, being, by account, up with St. Paul's, and having the water unusually smooth, suppose we passed to leeward of it, very near ; but, being rather hazy, saw nothing. Latter part, brisk breezes, and pleasant, but a little too far to the southward to suit me; but I trust the wind will be a little farther to the eastward before long. Strong tide rips through the night. Feb. 7. Lat. 1° 07' S.; long. 31° 32' W. Barometer, 29.84 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 80°. Winds : southward, east, S. by E., S. by E., south and S. S. E. Moderate breezes, and pleasant. At 1 hour 30 min. P. M. crossed the equator, just 22 days from Boston Light, on the meridian of 30° 40' W., having -sailed, by log, 3,803 miles, and courses made good, 3,782. [No other circumstance, not even the actual performance of the passage within a given time, tends so strikingly to prove the correctness of the data upon which these Charts are founded, and the accuracy of the calculations derived from them, as the near coincidence here referred to. Taking into account the detour which a ship has to make on account of head winds, the distance to be sailed is calculated. The Lucknow tries it, and her distance sailed differs only 10 miles from the computed distance.] At 8 tacked to the eastward, and at noon to S. W. Feb. 8. Lat. 2° 37' S. ; long. 32° 33' W. Barometer, 29.82 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Wind : S. S. E. Light airs from S. by E. to S. E. ; standing to the southward and westward ; weather fine, and sea smooth. Feb. 9. Lat. 4° 16' S. ; long. 33° 24' W. Current, 20 miles S., 62° W! Barometer, 29.87; tem- perature of air, 81°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. Light airs throughout, with the ROUTES TO mo, ETC. 367 exception of a brisk breeze for an hour or two after sunrise. Passed the Roccas without seeing them, but saw thousands of birds which I have noticed before in this vicinity. Barqiie Falcon (John A. Phipps), Boston to Canton, thirteen days out. Jan. 28, 1852. Lat. 26° 45' N.; long. 42° 22' W. Current, one mile per hour, N.N. W. i W. Barometer, 30.40 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 72°. Winds : E. S. E. squally, the wind flying from S. E. to E. by S. I had rather take my chance on the N. E. tack at present ; if it was winter, I should think otherwise. Jan. 29. Lat. 28° 14' N. ; long. 41° 26' "W. Current, one-quarter of a knot per hour, W. J S. Baro- meter, 30.50 ; temperature of air, 70° ; of water, 71°. Winds: E. S. E., S. E., S. E. by E. ; strong breezes and hard squalls ; wind hauling from S. S. E. to E. S. E. with a high sharp sea. I have been eighteen years master of a ship in about this same track, and never experienced the like before. Jan. 30. Lat. 29° 56' N.; long. 39° 42' W. Current, one knot per hour, N. W. Barometer, 30.45 ; temperature of air, 69°; of water, 68°. Winds: E. S. E., E. S. E., S. S. E. ; begins good breezes and the same squalls of wind. Jan. 81. Lat. 30° 10' N. ; long. 38° 32' W. Current, three-quarters of a knot per hour, N. W. by W. Barometer, 30.45; temperature of air, 68°; of water, 68°. Winds: S. S. E., south, S.by W.; during these twenty-four hours unsteady, with some squalls. Feb. 1. Lat. 30° 29' N.; long. 37° 36' W. Current, three-quarters of a knot per hour, north. Barometer, 30.45; temperature of air, 68°; of water, 69°. Winds: S. S. E., south, calm; baffling winds and very light airs ; some calms. I have been both sides of the January track, and find it all alike this time. Feb. 2. Lat. 30° 22' N. ; long. 37° 39' W. No current. Barometer, 30.40 ; temperature of air, 69°; of water, 69°. Winds: calm, calm, E. S. E.; first and middle parts calm, with a high swell; ends with light airs. I made up my mind to try your track this time ; have been on it, to the westward and eastward of it, and have made up my mind that the old and new are all alike just now. Bad luck follows me so far. Feb .3. Lat. 27° 47' N. ; long. (D. R.) 37° 53' W. Barometer, 30.40 ; temperature of air, 68° ; of water, 69°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. E. ; strong winds and hard squalls ; hard luck this. Feb. 4. Lat. 24° 53' N.; long. 38° 21' W. Barometer, 30.40; temperature of air, 71°; of water, 72°. W^inds: S. S. E., S. E., S. E. ; brisk breezes with some squalls ; all sails set. Feb. 5. Lat. 21.° 53' N.; long. 37° 27' W. Current, W. N. W., three quarters of a knot per hour. Barometer, 30.35; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 72°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E. S. E.; strong breezes and squally ; close hauled by the wind ; baffling in squalls. Feb. 6. Lat. 18° 37' N. ; long. 36° 13' W. Current none. Barometer, 30.30; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 72°. AVinds : E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. ; strong winds and flawy ; sharp on a wind. Feb. 7. Lat. 15° 1 9' N. ; long. 34° 41' W. Barometer, 30.25 ; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 74°. 368 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Wind : E. by S. ; first and middle parts, strong breezes ; latter part, more moderate. Passed through several tide rips. Feb. 8, Lat. 12° 19' N.; long. 83° 21' W. Current, W. J N., IJ knots. Barometer, 30.20 ; tempera- ture of air, 74° ; of water, 75°. Winds : E., E. J S., E. by S., ; brisk breezes and hazy. Feb. 9. Lat. 9° 30' N. ; long. 31° 37' W. Current, N., J knot. Barometer, 30.20 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Wind : good breezes and hazy. Feb. 10. Lat. 6° 59' N. ; long. 29° 16' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 76 ; of water, 77°. Winds : E., E. by N., E. by N. ; brisk breezes, all sail set by the wind. Feb. 11. Lat. 4° 24' K ; long. 27° 30' W. Current, K, | of a knot. Barometer, 30.01 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78. Wind : E. N. E. ; fine breezes. This day is the first of the N. E. trades with any northing in it. [You should have made a south course good.] Feb. 12. Lat. 1° 24' N. ; long. 26° 46' W. Current, N. W., J knot per hour. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. by N., E., E. ; fine breezes. Feb. 13. Lat. (D. E.) 00" 24' N.; long. 26° 40' W. Barometer, 80.10; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E., S. E., S. E. At 2 P. M. lost the trade-wind ; remainder of the day light airs and variable. [29 days to the line, is not so bad, after all.] Feb. 14. Lat. 01° 10' S.; long. 27° 37' W. Current, S. S. W., 1 knot. Barometer, 30.10; tempera- ture of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Wind variable from E. N. E. to S. by E.; light bafiiing winds, calm at times. [The chances are, that, further west, you would have escaped those calms, to a considerable degree at least.] Ship Astrea (Charles H. Gerrish), New York to San Francisco, 1853, 25 days out. Jan. 27. Lat, 20° 19' K; long. 31° 53' W. Current, S. 22° E., > knot per hour. Variation, 12° 45' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 73° of water, 73°. Winds : E. N. E., E., E. N. E. ; first part, fresh gales thick and squally ; middle, more moderate ; latter, strong breezes and squally. Jan. 28. Lat. 17° 40' K ; long. 31° 02' W. Barometer, 29.06 ; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 75°. Winds: E. by N., E. N. E., E. N. E. Jan. 29. Lat. 16° 27' N. ; long. 30° 31' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by S., E. by N. ; first part, moderate steady trades ; middle and latter, clear and pleasant. Jan. 30. Lat. 14° 10' N. ; long. 30° 04' W. Barometer, 29.7; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74°. Winds : E. N. E., E. S. E., E. N. E. ; first part moderate ; middle and latter, thick and squally. Jan. 31, Lat. 11° 20' N. ; long. 29° 5' W. Variation, 9° 57' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76° Winds : E. by N., E. N. E., E. N. E. ; fresh gales and squally throughout. Feb. 1. Lat, 8° 45' N.; long. 28° W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 79°. Winds: E., E. N. E., and E. N. E. ; first part, fresh gales and cloudy, squally weather; middle and latter part, sharp squall ; under double reefs. ROUTES TO KIO, ETC. 369, Feb. 2. Lat. 6° 30' K; long. 27° 4' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. "Wind : E. N. E. ; first part, strong breezes and cloudy ; middle and latter part, moderate and pleasant. Feb. 3. Lat. 4° 22' N. ; long. 26° 43' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80° ; Winds : east, E. by S., and east ; pleasant breezes and clear weatber. Feb. 4. Lat. 3° 29' K. ; long. 26° 34' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. "Winds: east, soutberly, S. E. ; all sorts of wind and weatber, with rain during the latter part. Feb. 5. Lat. 3° 9' K ; long. 26° 40' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; variation, 8° W. ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E., S. S. E., E. K E. ; light airs, and thick squally weather; middle part, rain. Feb. 6. Lat. 2° 12' N. ; long. 26° 45' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. by N., S. E., S. S. E. ; light breezes, and thick cloudy weather. Feb. 7. No observation. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E., south, and S. S. E.; light variable airs and calms, with thick, rainy weather. Feb. 8. Lat. 1° 46' K ; long. 27° 14' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : south, calm, S. S. W. ; light variable airs and calms, with rainy weather. Feb. 9. No observation. Current, S. 45° E., 12 miles. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds : south, S. S. E., and S. E.; first part, light airs and calms, and cloudy. Lowered a boat to try the current, and found it to be as mentioned above. Feb. 10. Lat. 1° N. ; long. 27° 50' W. Current, 10 miles, N. W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80. Winds: S. S. E., S. E., S. E. ; light airs and pleasant weather. Tried the current again with a boat. This satisfies me that there is a current hereabout that changes its set as often as once in 24 hours. " I have frequently noticed, when lying becalmed for two or three days at a time, within two or three days north and south of the line, and east of long. 30° W., that the ship would be set from 10 to 20 miles N. W. one day, and the next day as many miles to the S. and E." I have also noticed a strong easterly current to the E. of 24° 30' west longitude, but never noticed any westerly set there. Ends pleasant. Feb. 11. Lat. 18' K; long. 27° 52' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. ; light variable airs, and pleasant. Compare thi.s with the Lucknow, p. 365. She was from New York also, but she had 14 days to the parallel of 20° N., which she crossed 3 J degrees west of where the Astrea crossed it. From this parallel to the equator, the western ship had 8, the eastern 15 days. Now compare their tracks with the route per table for February, and see which of the two were following most closely the Sailing Directions. Feb. 12. Lat. 35' S.; long. 28° 6' W. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 83°. Winds: S. E., S. S. E., and south; light, variable airs, and pleasant. Crossed the equator at 2 A. M., in longitude 28° W. 47 S70 THE WIND AND CUHKENT CHABTS. Feb. 13. Lat. 00° 24' S.; long. 27° 57' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82°. Winds: S., S. S.E., and S.; light, variable airs, and pleasant. Current N. 45° E., 24 miles, Feb. 14. Lat. 00° 27' S.; long. 27° 41'. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 84". Winds : S. S. W., and S. E.; light, variable airs, and pleasant. Current S. 67° E., 24 miles. Feb. 15. Lat. 0° 52' S.; long. 27° 22' W. Barometer, 29.50. Current S. 45° E., 48 miles; tempera- ture of air, 82°; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., and S. E.; light breezes and pleasant. Feb. 16. Lat. 2" 16' S.; long. 28° 33' W. Current K 36° W., 36 miles; variation, 6° 45' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air and water, 81°. Winds : S. E., S. S. E., and S. E.; light breezes; first part, pleasant ; latter part, cloudy. Feb. 17. Lat. 4° 32' S.; long. 29° 21' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80°. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. E.; fresh breezes and flying clouds. Feb. 18. Lat. 6° 36' S.; long. 29° 59' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E., E. by S., S. E.; fresh breezes, and pleasant. Ship Simoom (M. Smith), New York to San Francisco, ten days out. Feb. 4, 1853. Lat. 25° 56' N.; long. 36° 57' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Commences moderate and showery; latter part, fresh breezes, and squally. At 3 A. M. a brilliant meteor in the east fell from 50° to 15°, vi-sible; a quantity of sea-weed hanging from S. E. to N. W. N. B. From the 22d ult. to the 1st inst. (that is, from the Bermudas to 350 miles S. by W. of the Azores), 11 days, we had the wind from S. S. B. to S. S. W.; and, in the forenoon, it generally inclined two or three points to the eastward ; in the afternoon it changed back. I recollect the last few years (in the Niagara, running to Liverpool), while S. and S. E. of Newfoundland in the summer, it would veer around the compass with the sun, once in 24 hours, for four or five days. Feb. 5. Lat. 23° 09' N.; long. 39° 17' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 73°. Wind: S. S. E. throughout; frequent rain squalls in the night, severe. Feb. 6. Lat. 21° 17' N.; long. 41° 17' AV. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 77°. Winds: S.S.E., S.S.W., S.; squally. Feb. 7. Lat. 19° 35' N. ; long. 44° 41' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 77°. Wind south throughout, moderate and cloudy. At 4 P. M. sharp lightning in the west. At noon, tacked ship. Feb. 8. Lat. 17° 10' N.; long. 45° 25' W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 80°.5 ; of water, 78°. Winds: S. S. E, to east, S. E., do.; moderate and variable; midnight, fresh; ends light. At 5 P. M, tacked to the southward. Feb. 9. Lat. 14° 04' N. ; long. 44° 26' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78°. Winds: E.S. E., E., do.; moderate and squally; in the evening the trade-wind commenced. I have, at no time, had so much southwesterly wind before this ; according to your Charts it ought to be N. E., but it is barely east. EOUTES TO BIO, ETC. |f| Feb. 10. Lat. 11° 40' K ; long. 43" 27' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 78°. Wind east throughout. Commences fresh breezes, cloudy, and hazy. Morning, cleared off. 8 A. M., tack to the northward. Feb. 11. Lat. 10° 38' N.; long. 42° 23' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 79° ; of .water, 78°. "Wind east throughout. Moderate and pleasant ; tacked south. Feb. 12. Lat. 8° 12' N. ; long. 40° 15' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 78°. Winds: E., E. N. E., E. N. E. First part, pleasant ; latter, squally. . Feb. 13. Laf 5° 29' K ; long. 27° 43' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., variable, E. N. E., east, variable. Commences fresh and equally. The upper strata of clouds are passing to the east by the sun ; ends light and cloudy. Feb. 14. Lat. 4° 04' N. ; long. 36° 53' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 78°. Winds: east, S. S. E., variable, east. Moderate and showers. Midnight, tacked to the east. At 5 A.M. to S. S. E. ; ends light, with passing clouds. Feb. 15. Lat. 2° 58' N. ; long. 44° 57' W. Temperature of water, 79°. Winds : S. E., E. K E., N. E. First part, light air ; ends light N. E. breezes. Feb. 16. Lat. 1° 51' N. ; long. 34° 27' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 88° ; of water, 82°. of water (ten feet below surface), 81°. Winds : N. E., calm, S. E., S. E. First part, light N. E. wind ; mid- night, calm ; latter, light S. E. ; so we passed from the N. E. to the S. E. trades last night. Feb. 17. Lat. 1° 01' N. ; long. 34° 28' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 87°. Winds : S.E. inclining south, S. E. by S., S. E. by S. to S. E. by E. Commences light and pleasant. At 8 P. M., broke ofifto S. W. westerly, tacked. At 4 A. M. inclining eastwardly, tacked to S. by W.; ends fresh and cloudy. Feb. 18. Lat. 1° 15' S. ; long. 35° 03' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 86°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. Forepart, fresh. At 8 P. M. flash of lightning E. by K, which, at midnight, passed north of us with a squall ; ends light and cloudy ; passed the equator at 9 P. M., in 34° 40', 29 days out, from N. E. of Bermudas 26, with a constant head wind. Feb. 19. Lat. 0° 11' S. ; long. 34° 07' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water (ten feet below surface), 81°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. Moderate and cloudy. At 30 min. P. M. tacked to E. N. E. Forepart of the night, sheet lightning at the N. E. and N. ; ends moderate and cloudy. At 11 A. M. tacked to S. S. W. Feb. 20. Lat. 3° 31' S. ; long. 35° 48' W. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 84°. WindrS.E. by S. throughout.' Fresh breezes and cloudy; running ten and a half to eleven and a half knots during the night ; yards very sharp up ; are 70 miles from land, and shall fall 60 to leeward of Point Tairo ; then for the race, whether the Simoom or Cape St. Eoque can beat fastest to windward; this makes the 29th day of head winds. Feb. 21. Lat. 4° 50' S.; long. 36° 15' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of^ir, 83°; of water (ton feet below surface), 80°. Wiad east throughout; fresh winds, inclining more to the north when Bearing; 372 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. tacked to the north at 7 P. M., to the S. S. E. at 3 A. M., to the north at 11 hours 45 min. A. M. ; close to the breakers, W. N. W. from Point Tairo. Current, one and a half miles per hour, "W. N. W. Feb. 22. Lat. 3° 38' S.; long. 35° 48' W. Barometer, 29.65; temperature of air, 84° ; of water (ten feet below surface), 81°. Winds : E., E. S. E., E. S. E. ; forepart, fresh ; night, light sheet lightning in the south over the land; working ahead slowly along the land; ends with light breezes. Feb. 23. Lat. 3° 05' S. ; long. 34° 36' "W. Current, five-sixth of a mile per hour, west. Barometer, 29° 75' ; temperature of air, 87°. Wind : S. E. throughout ; first, fresh and clear; working to the eastward. At midnight, a white meteor with red flashes, " not large," passed rapidly with the horizon, in the S. E. sky, 25° high, 45° in a N. E. direction ; ends hazy. Feb. 24. Lat. 2° 07' S.; long. 33° 31' W. Current, thirty-six miles W., 14° N. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 86°. Wind : S. E.; moderate and smoky, with passing clouds; towards morning, light and squally ; at 8 A. M. tacked to S. S. W. Feb. 25. Lat. 5° 11' S. ; long. 34° 39' W. Current, N. 12° W., six-tenths of a mile per hour. Barometer, 29.66; temperature of air, 85°. Winds: S. E., do., S. S. E. ; moderate and pleasant; have weathered Cape St. Eoque after four days' hard beating. Feb. 26. Lat. 6° 40' S.; long. 34° 29' W. Current (per hour), five tenths of a mile N., 11° W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., S. E. ; fresh and pleasant ; at 5 P. M. tacked to N. E. off Eio Grande del Norte ; at ten, back again, and at 11.25 to N. E. in ten fathoms water ; light airs. Feb. 27. Lat. 7° 06' S. ; long. 34° 27' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 84°. Winds : S. E ; light and variable ; working along in from ten to fifteen fathoms water ; at noon, light wind at N. E. ; the first, since by Bermuda, 35 days ; three-fourths of that time it has been straight ahead. Has ever any one had it so contrary before, in January and February ? Have made 350 miles the last nine days; At 10 P. M. lightning to the W. S. W. over the land. Bad luck you certainly had. But, notwithstanding you fell so far to leeward, and " the time" you had of it, in weathering St Eoque, compare your track with the Astrea's (p. 368). She crossed 30° N. in 26° 40' W., and had thence thirteen days to 6° S. You crossed 3° N. in 35°, fell far to leeward, yet you crossed 6° S. two days ahead of the Astrea. Eio de Janeiro, March 22, 1853. I herewith forward the abstract log of the ship Wings of the Morning, from New York to the port of Eio. On the 27th of January, the fifth day from New York, you will perceive that I carried away the main truss and wings of the main yard, together with the main topmast and all three top gallant-masts and jib-boom. For several days after, we had no sail except the fore and mizzen topsails, foresail, and spanker. From that time, to sixteen north, with two days' exception, we had the winds principally from south to southwest. Much of the time blowing fresh gales. Consequently, I was driven far to the eastward of the ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 878 ship's intended course. From the time the ship lost her spars until I crossed the equator, without one exception, stood on the tack I could make the most latitude. We carried the N. E. trade to five, and took the wind S. S. E. in 2° N. Crossed the line in twenty-eight, and passed out of sight to windward of Noronha. The trades, both north and south, were very light. Your very, very valuable Sailing Directions and Charts I consider the best guide ever given to the navigator for pointing out the way to shorten the passage between New York and Eio, when it is practicable to follow them. The abstract of the remaining passages during the voyage, will be forwarded from the different ports on my arrival. Very respectfully yours, H. H. LOVELL. Lieut. M. F. Maubv. Ship Wings of the Morning (H. H. Lovell), New York, bound to San Francisco, 1853, twenty-two days out. Feb. 14, 1853. Lat. 30° 08' K; long. 36° 48' "W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 68°. Winds: N. N. E., N. E., N. E. ■ . • Feb. 15. Lat. 27° 00' N.; long. 36° 30' W. Barometer, 28.0; temperature of air, 68°. Winds: E., S. E., S. E. by S. • Feb. 16. No observations. Barometer, 29.70. Winds : S., S. S. W., S. W. by S. Squally, with rain. Feb. 17. Lat. 25° 43' N. ; long. 33° 30' W. Barometer, 29.70. Winds: S. S. W. Ship under single reefs; squally. Feb. 18. Lat. 24° 44' N. ; no observation for longitude. Barometer, 29.8. Winds : S. S. W., S. by W., S. W. Weather unsettled ; single reefs. Feb. 19. Lat. 23° 09' N.; long. 29° 43' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds: S. S. W., S. W., S. by W. Squalls and rain throughout the day. Feb. 20. Lat. 21° 50' N. ; long. 27° 28' W. Barometer, 29.90. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Weather unsettled, rainy, and squally. Feb. 2L Lat. 20° 00' N.; long. 27° 08' W. Barometer, 29.9. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Changeable weather. Feb. 22. Lat. 18° 33' N. ; long. 27° 08' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 68°. Winds : W. S. W., calm, W. Cloudy, with rain, thunder, and lightning. Feb. 23. Lat. 17° 12' N.; long. 27° 08' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 70°. Winds: W. S. W., calm E. N. E. Feb. 24. Lat. 14° 27' N.; long. 27° 13' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 70°. Winds: E., E. N. E., E. N. E. All sail set. Feb. 25. Lat. 11° 57' N.; long. 27° 13' W. Barometer, 30.00. Winds : E., E. N. E., E. N. E. All sail set. 87i THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Feb. 26. Lat. lO" 05' N. ; long. 26° 40' W. Barometer, 30.00. AVind : N. E. ; J knot per honr, easterly current. Feb. 27. Lat. 8° 51' K; long. 26° 40' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 72°. Winds: N. by E., N. by E., N. E. A slight easterly current ; winds very light. Feb. 28. Lat. 7° 03' N".; long. 26° 40' "W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: N. N. E., N. N. E., K E. Light breezes and cloudy. March 1. Lat. 4° 30' K ; long. 26° 40' W. Current, ^ of a knot, east. Barometer, 30.00 ; tempera- ture of air, 80°. Wind : K K E. Weather cloudy. March 2. Lat. 3° 20' K ; long. 26° 31' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 80°. Winds : N., N.N.W., S. W. Weather changeable. March 3. Lat. 2° 04' K; long. 26° 30' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 80°. Winds: KW., K,S.E. Eain. March 4. Lat. 1° 06' N. ; long. 26° 31' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 80°. Winds : N., calm, S. E. Heavy looking squalls, but unattended with wind, and much rain. March 5. Lat. 00° 55' S. ; long. 28° 22' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 81°. Winds: S. S. E., S., S. S. E. Pleasant weather. March 6. Lat. 3° 20' S.; long. 30° 00' W. Current, J knot per hour, W. Barometer, 30.00; tem- perature of air, 82°. Wind : S. S. E. March 7. Lat. 5° 27' S. ; long. 31° 84' W. Current, same as yesterday. Barometer, 30.00 ; tem- perature of air, 82°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., S. E. Light airs. March 8. Lat. 7° 31' S.; long. 31° 50' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82°. Winds: S.E. E., E. Pleasant ; all sail. Golden Racer (B. M. Melcher), Boston to San Francisco, 22 days out. Feb. 21, 1853. Lat. 19° 17' N. ; long. 30° 40' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 74°. Winds: W., W. N. W., N. W. Light airs, and hazy. Feb. 22. Lat. 18° 20' N.; long. 30° 11' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 73°. Winds: variable and calm; S. E. to S. W., W., S. W. First, light and variable; middle, heavy thunder, lightning, and rain. Ends light airs, and fine weather. Feb. 23. Lat. 17° 27' N.; long. 30° 17' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 74. Wind : W. S. W., calm, S.E. First and latter parts, light airs; middle, calm. Feb. 24. Lat. 15° 15' N. ; long. 30° 45' AV. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 74°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. S. E. Light breezes, and pleasant weather. Feb. 25. Lat. 13° 25' N.; long. 31° 11' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 75°. Winds : S. E., S. E. by S., N. E. First and middle, light airs. Ends with moderate breezes. Feb. 26. Lat. 11° 29' K; long. 31° 03' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 75°. Winds : N. E. to E., S. E., S. E. by E.; E. S. E. Light breezes, with calms. BOUTES TO RIO, ETC. 375 Feb. 27. Lat 9° 13' N.; long 30° 28' W. .Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 78°; Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. Light breezes, and pleasant weather. Feb. 28. Lat. 6° 41' N. ; long. 29° 21' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 84° : of water, 78° ; Winds : E. by S., E., E. Moderate breezes, and pleasant. March 1. Lat. 4° 57' K; long. 28° 59' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 77°. Winds : E., E. to S. W., S. W. to N. First, moderate breezes ; middle, heavy rain squalls. Ends variable. March 2. Lat. 3° 35' N.; long. 29° 14' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 81°. Winds : N. to S. E. ; calm, W. Commences with fresh variable breezes ; middle calm. Ends with light airs. March 3. Lat. 2° 19' K; long. 29° 15' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 88°; of water, 82°. Winds: variable; light variable airs, with rain squalls. March 4. Lat. 0° 01' N.; long. 29° 55' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 81°. Winds: E. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. Moderate breezes, with rain squalls. March 5. Lat. 2° 37' S.; long. 31° 15' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 63°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E.by S. Moderate breezes, with light rain showers. March 6. Lat. 5° 17' S.; long. 32° 45' W. Barometer, 30.20; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. S. E^ S. E. by S. First and middle parts fresh breezes; latter moderate. Passed 8 miles west of Fernando de Noronha. Ship Sea Serpent (Rowland), New York for San Francisco, eleven days out. Feb. 23, 1853. Lat 22° 44' N. ; long. 41° 24' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 72°. Winds : S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. by S. Moderate and pleasant; brisk and squally ; latter, steady breezes, with fine weather. Feb. 24. Lat. 19° 25' N.; long. 39° 26' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 72°. Winds : S. W., N". W., N. N. W. Brisk and fine weather ; middle, some rain ; latter, moderate and fine weather. Feb. 25. Lat. 18° 7' K. ; long. 38° 57' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Winds : N. N. W., W. N. W., N. W. Light breezes, and fine weather. Feb. 26. Lat. 16° 56' N. ; long. 37° 49' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 74°. Winds : N. N. W., north, and N. N. E. Light breezes and fine weather. Feb. 27. Lat. 14° 29' N. ; long. 36° 30' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 74°. Winds : north, N. E., E. N. E. Light breezes and fine weather. At 6 P. M. took the K E. trades. Lat. 15°. N.; long. 36° 13' W. Feb. 28. Lat. 11° 33' N. ; long, 34° 45' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 75°. Wind : E. N. E. Moderate, unsteady breezes, with fine weather. March 1. Lat. 8° 15' N.; long. 32° 30' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 80°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., N. E. by E. Moderate, unsteady breezes, and squally ; ends pleasant. 376 THE WIND AND CURRKNT CUAKTS. March 2. Lat. 5° 19' K; long. 30° 57' W. Barometer, 29.75 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E. Ijy N. Moderate, unsteady breezes, and fine weather. March 3. Lat. 2° 52' N.; long. 30° 04' W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds: E. by N., east, E. by N". Commences moderate and pleasant; middle, light and squally; latter, pleasant. March 4. Lat. 0° 05' S.; long. 30° 23' W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : east, E. S. E., S. S. E. to E. by S. Moderate and unsteady ; some rain ; middle, variable and unsteady ; ends pleasant. At 11 A. M. crossed the equator, in 19 days 16 hours. March 5. Lat. 2° 67' S.; long. 31° 21' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. First, heavy clouds from S. E.; moderate breeze; middle, squally, with rain ; ends pleasant, with a moderate breeze. March 6. Lat. 6° 14' S.; long. 33° 12' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°; water (18 feet below surface), 81°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E. Moderate trade and fine weather. At 7 P. M., Fernando de Noronha bore west eight miles. Ends moderate, fine weather. New York to Rio. — Maech. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. True. Per cent. Average. Head. SLANTS FEOM Fair. Calms. observa- tions. N'd or E'd. S'dorW'd. From 40° 27' N. 74° 00' to 39 11 70 00 E.S.E. 199 9.6 218 2.2 lu 10.7 7.5 79.7 2.0 448 37 43 Qb 00 E.S.E. 256 7.0 274 1.4 7.8 7.0 83.9 2.0 353 36 03 60 00 E.S.E. 261 6.7 278 2.4 6.6 3.0 88.0 6.7 181 36 03 55 00 d E. 243 6.5 259 2.1 6.3 4.9 86.7 4.7 142 35 00 53 43 S.E. 89 6.1 94 0.9 1.8 wUA 82.9 4.2 113 31 53 50 00 S.E. 265 12.6 298 6.0 4.5 3.0 86.5 0.0 65 30 05 45 00 d E.S.E. 284 12.2 318 5.1 6.8 6.8 81.3 0.0 60 25 00 45 00 S. 305 8.8 331 0.0 wlb.b 12.4 72.1 8.6 32 20 '23 40 00 S.E. 399 10.5 441 0.0 w 22.5 15.0 62.5 0.0 40 20 00 39 35 S.E. 33 4.5 34 0.0 6.0 m;12.0 82.0 2.0 " 45 15 36 85 00 S.E. 370 3.7 484 0.0 IV 14.8 0.0 85.2 0.0 27 15 00 34 23 (^ S.E. 51 10.1 56 3.6 7.2 7.2 82.0 0.0 56 10 00 . 32 16 S.S.E. 324 1.0 327 0.0 w 5.1 0.0 94.9 0.0 60 5 00 30 10 d S.S.E. 324 9.8 355 3.9 wll.1 1.3 83.1 3.7 78 Equator 30 10 d S. 300 3.0 309 1.4 w 2.8 0.0 95.8 2.0 143 1 00 S. 30 35 s.s.w. 65 2.1 m 0.0 w 1A 0.0 92.6 4.8 299 1 25 31 00 s.w. 35 4.0 37 0.0 IV 13.4 0.0 86.6 0.0 15 3 00 31 40 S.S.W. 103 0.0 103 0.0 0.0 : 0.0 100.0 .0.0 6 3 48 32 00 s.s.w. 52 8.8 56 0.0 IV 22.2 0.0 77.8 0.0 9 5 00 32 30 s.s.w. 78 0.0 78 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 10 6 12 33 00 s. s. w. 78 0.0 78 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 15 7 00 33 20 s. s. w. 52 0.0 52 0.0 0.0 i 0.0 100.0 40.0 25 8 36 34 00 s. s. w. 104 4.5 109 0.0 w 14.0 0.0 86.0 0.0 49 9 00 34 10 s.s.w. 26 3.2 27 0.0 tv 9.8 0.0 1 90.2 0.0 82 E0UTE3 TO RIO, ETC. 377 Shortest distance to the equator by this route, 3,703 miles. Average distance to be sailed on account of adverse winds, 3,976 miles. This and the February route are the most favorable. After crossing 5° N. if you can lay up S. S. E. to the line, do so. Ship Oolden State (L. F. Doty), New York to San Francisco, nineteen days out. Feb. 27, 1853. Lat. 18° 1' N.; long. 30° 54'. W. Temperature of air, 71° ; of water, 71°. Winds : S. by W., north, N. E. Small breezes, and smooth sea ; passing clouds. Feb. 28. Lat. 15° 25' K; long. 29° 52' W. Temperature of air, 71° ; of water, 70°. Winds : N. E., N. N. E., N. E. Light breezes. March 1. Lat. 12° 9' K; long. 29° 32' W. Winds : N. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Moderate trades, and hazy; all sail. March 2. Lat. 9° 00' K; long. 28° 50' W. Temperature of air, 71°; water, 70°. Winds : N. E., N. E. by E., N. E. by E. Fine trades, and hazy. March 3. Lat. 5° 6' N.; long. 27° 52' W. Temperature of air, 71°; of water, 70°. Winds: N. E. Brisk trades, and fine weather. March 4. Lat. 2° 56' N.; long. 27° 3' W. Temperature of air, 74°; of water, — . Winds: east, east, E. S. E. Moderate and hazy. March 5. Lat. 1° 43' N.; long. 28° 1' W. Temperature of air, 76°; of water, 70°. Winds: S. E. by S. Light breezes and clear. March 6. Lat. 0° 46' S. ; long. 28° 50' W. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. Light airs, and pleasant. March 7. Lat. 2° 28' S.; long. 29° 51' W. Temperature of air, 77°; of water, 70°. Wind: S. E. Moderate breezes, and clear. March 8. Lat. 3° 36' S.; long. 30° 15' W. Temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 70°. Wind : S. E. Small breezes and clear. March 9. Lat. 5° 35' S.; long. 31° 20' W. Temperature of air, 79°; of water, 70°. Wind: S. E. Light trades, and clear weather. Ship Paragon (Samuel Duncan), New York to San Francisco, twenty days out. Feb. 28, 1853. Lat. 18° 20' K; long. 30° 18' W. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 74°. Winds: N. N. E., N. E., N. E. Fresh breezes; trades, beyond a doubt. March 1. Lat. 14° 54' N. ; long. 29° 13' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 75° ; Winds : N. E., E. N. E., N. E. by E. Fresh breezes ; passed through strong tide rips, but experienced no currents. March 2. Lat. 12° 11' N.; long. 28° 27' W. Temperature of air, 75°; of water, 77°. Winds: N". E. by E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Comes in fresh ; ends good breeze, light showers. 48 378 THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. March 3. Lat. 8° 30' N.; long. 27° 33' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 80°. Winds: N. E., E., E. N. E. Commences with good breezes and light showers of raia; ends fresh, with heavy appearances in the S. E. March 4. Lat. 5° 7' N. ; long. 26° 49' W. Var. obs. 12°. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Comes in fresh, thick and hazy weather; ends moderate and fine. March 5. Lat. 3° N. ; long. (D. E.) 26° 59' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; water, 83°. Winds: E. N. E., S. E., E. S. E. Commences moderate; black and heavy in the S. E.; middle and latter, light and unsteady, with rain. March 6. Lat. 1° 38' N. ; long. 27° 16' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air 82° ; of water, 84°. Winds : N. E., K E., S. E. First and middle parts light and baffling, with rain. March 7. Lat. 34' N. ; long. 27° 31' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 85°. Winds : S. E., E., N. E. Light and baffling, and occasionally calm. March 8. Long. 27° 50' W. Current, f of a mile per hour, S. W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 85°. Winds : E. N. E., calm, E. Commences light ; middle part calm ; latter, very light. At noon on the equator, in long. 27° 50' W. March 9. Lat. 1° 10' S. ; long. 27° 50' W. Var. obs. 10°. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 86°; of water, 85°. Winds : E. N. E., E., E. A light breeze; clouds have very little motion. March 10. Lat. 2° 52' S.; long. 29° 28' W. Var. obs. 7°. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 84°. Winds : S. by E., S. by E., S. by E. Brisk breezes and fine weather. March 11. Lat. 4° 55' S. ; long. 30° 26' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 83°. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. E. Brisk breezes ; passed under the sun. Ship Sivord-Fish (C. Collins), New York for San Francisco, fifteen days out. Feb. 27, 1853. Lat. 22° 54' K ; long. 36° 30' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water,* 71J°; of water, 70°. Winds : N., N. N. E., N. E.; light winds and clear weather. I think we now have what are called trade-winds. Feb. 28. Lat. 19° 32' N.; long. 35° 40' W. Current, \ mile per hour, to the westward. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 74° ; of water, 69°. Winds : E. N. E., E., E. to E. S. E.; light airs ; middle part, good breeze ; latter part, calm, with light pufis. Aneroid barometer, 29.56. March 1. Lat. 16° 03' N.; long. 34° 28' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 78° ; of water, 70|°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by S., E. by S. ; good breezes throughout ; latter part, wind comes in puffs ; the barometer has been, during these 24 hours, as low as 29.62 ; wind inclined southerly ; Aneroid barometer, 29.78. March 2. Lat. 12° 21' N. ; long. 33° 12' W. Current, 29 miles, W. by S. during the last two days. * Surface. ROUTES TO KIO, ETC. 879 Barometer, 29.76 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74° ; of water, 71°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by E. J E. ; fine, clear weather ; the ship has been close-hauled — log distance run 240 miles. March 3. Lat. 8° 25' N.; long. 31° 35' W. Current, J mile per hour, to S. and W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 78°; of water, 74°. Wind: E. S. E. throughout; throughout fine breezes — cannot say trades — I have been too often humbugged ; ship by the wind ; log dist. run 260 miles. March 4. Lat. 4° 37' N.; long. 29° 50' W. Current, 1 mile per hour, W.by N. Barometer, 29.66; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°; of water, 77°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E.byS.; good wind; clear weather. March 5. Lat. 2° 55' K.; long. 29° 23' W. Current, IJ miles per hour, W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 80° ; of water, 76°. Winds : calm, calm, E. to S. W. ; calms, and light airs throughout ; very heavy looking squalls, all on the horizon ; very little wind in them, but a great quantity of water. March 6. Lat. 1° 48' K ; long. 29° 06' W. Current, 2 miles per hour, W. by N. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : calm, E. S. E., calm, and E. S. E. ; light airs and calms ; very heavy showers of rain ; weather, during the last four days, very warm and close ; passed through a tide rip setting W. by IST. March 7. Lat. 0° 18' N.; long. 29° 8' W. Current, 1 mile per hour, W. S. W. Barometer, 29.76; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79° ; of water, 79°. Winds : calm, baffling, calm, and east. Throughout, calms and light airs ; very warm and sultry ; several vessels in sight. At 10 P. M. passed Island St. Paul's, distant 4 miles. March 8. Lat. 1° 06' S. ; long. 29° 6' W. No current. Barometer, 29.75 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°; of water, 79°. Winds: calm, calm, S. E. byE. Another day of light airs and calms. At 1 P. M., on the equator, log distance run to the line 4,135 miles in 22 clays. You will see by this abstract that your route was followed to the letter, and has proved satisfactory after so many hard pulls and draw- backs as I have had while running to Kio Janeiro. I should evidently have been on the line Sunday last, had the breezes held good, but my luck " calms," which, I am sorry to say, you will often see in this book. A model track. Compare it with the tracks of the Golden State and the Paragon (p. 377). They crossed the parallel of 18° W. in about 81°, the one 29, the other 27 days out. The Sword-Fish crossed this parallel near the meridian of 35° W., 16 days out, and was south of the equator 6 days afterwards, beating the former several days again. I would recommend vessels in coming out of New York and Boston, to stand off well to the eastward when the winds are fair, before attempting to make any southing. The degrees there are shortj and by standing as far as 60° or 50° before crossing the parallel of 40°, you have a better chance for running south across the Horn latitudes. This recommendation applies to all months, but only when the winds are fair for easting. 380 THE WIND AND CUEEENT CHABTS. March 9. Lat. 2° 57' S. ; long. 29° 23' W. Current, three-fourths of a mile per hour, W. by S. Baro- meter, 29.70; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 81°; of water, 79°. "Winds: calm and east, calm, S. E. by S. ; fine clear weather, light airs and calm. March 10. Lat. 5° 39' S.; long. 30° 13' W. Current, half mile per hour, W. Barometer, 29.72; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : calm and S. E., S. E. and E., S. E. by S. Very light trades ; fine weather ; had main-topsail in three hours to fix the masthead. Ship Sirocco (J. L. Sanford), New York to San Francisco, seventeen days out. March 5, 1853. Lat. 22° 09' N. ; long. 34° 00' W. Barometer, 30.60. Winds: E., E., and E. N. E. Fresh breezes and squally weather. March 6. Lat. 18° 26' N. ; long. 32° 33' W. Barometer, 30.40. Winds : E. by S., E. by N., and E. Commence with fresh breezes and pleasant weather. Latteu, squally and hazy. March 7. Lat. 14° 40' N.; long. 31° 00' W. Barometer, 30.20. Winds: E. N. E., E. by N., and E. N. E. Strong breezes and squally, with rain. Ends clear, with fine breezes. March 8. Lat. 11° 03' N.; long. 30° 00' W. Barometer, 30.20. Winds : E.N. E., E.N.E., andN.E. Pleasant breezes, with clear pleasant weather. March 9. Lat. 7° 49' N. ; long. 28° 54' W. Barometer, 30.10. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., and N. E, Light breezes, with hazy weather and light rain. March 10. Lat. 4° 26' N. ; long. 28° 00' W. Barometer, 30.20. Winds : E. N. E., E., and N. E. Pleasant breezes and hazy weather. March 11. Lat. 2° 00' N. ; long. 28° 00' W. Barometer, 30.30. Winds : E. N. E., S. W., and N. W. Fine breezes and clear. At dark, much lightning. Middle part, squally with rain ; latter part, light airs and calms. March 12. Lat. 0° 10' N.; long. 28° 05' W, Barometer, 30.30. Winds: E. N. E., variable, and N. Light breezes and occasionally calm. Twenty-five days from New York to the line. March 13. Lat. 0° 32' S. ; long. 28° 10' W. Barometer, 30.30. Winds: north, calm, and squally. Light airs and fine weather. Ends calm and squally. March 14. Lat. 0° 56' S. ; long. 28° 20' W. Barometer, 30.20 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : calm, S. W., and ca,lm. Light variable airs and calm. I find very little change in the barometer ; weather clear and squally. . March 15. Lat. 0° 54' S.; long. 28° 10' W. Barometer, 30.20. Current, west, 12 miles. Tempera- ture of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Light airs, and calm from the S. W. March 16. Lat. 1° 10' S. ; long. 28° 20' W. Barometer, 30.10. Current, ^Y. S. W., 12 miles. Tem- perature of air, 79°; of water, 81°. Calna and squally; rain all around the compass. March 17. Lat. 2° 20' S.; long. 28° 45' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°, Very light airs from the N. E. and N. W. ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 381 Marcii 18. Lat. 3° 44' S. ; long. 29° 15' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 81°. Winds : calm, E. S. E., and S. E. First part, calm ; middle and latter parts, squally. March 19. Lat. 5° 59' S.; long. 30° 30' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. E., S. E., and S. S. E. Light breezes and clear weather; middle part, squally. Ship Ndv York (David C. Baxter), New York to San Francisco, fifteen days out. March 7, 1853. Lat. 20° 38' K; long. 40° 29' W. Barometer, 29.09; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. by K, E. by N., E. by N. ; strong trades and squally, heading up S. E. and off S. March 8. Lat. 18° 29' N. ; long. 39° W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74°. Winds : E. by N., E. to E. by K, E. by N. ^ N. ; strong trades, squally. March 9. Lat. 16° 44' K; long. 37° W. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 74°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E. N, E. ; strong trades, with some hard squalls. March 10. Lat. 14° 19' N. ; long. 34° 56' W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E.; fine breezes without squalls ; smooth sea. March 11. Lat. 11° 36' N. ; long. 33° 25' W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 78°. Winds : E., E. by N., E. \ K ; first part, moderate ; middle, squally ; latter, brisk. March 12. Lat 9° 41' N.; long. 31° 30' AY. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. by N., E. by N., E. by N. I N. ; same as yesterday. March 13. Lat. 7° 17' N. ; long. 29° 12' W. Barometer, 29.06 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E. K E. ; moderate trades. March 14. Lat. 4° 50' N.; long. 28° 30' W. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 81°. Winds : E. N E., E., N. by E. ; commences moderate ; middle part, light ; ends nearly calm. March 15. Lat. 2° 30' N.; long. 28° 30' W. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds : N. by E., N. by E., N. E. ; first part, very light airs ; middle, increasing ; ends with a good breeze. March 16. Lat. 0° 58' N.; long. 28° 25' W. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds: N.KE., N. E., N.N.E.; commences a moderate N. E. wind; from 6 to 10 P. M., baffling from E. to W., and raining in torrents ; middle part, light air from E. N. E. ; ends with light breeze. March 17. Lat. 0° 22' S. ; long. 28° 35' W. Barometer, 29.06 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 83°. Winds : N. N. E., N. N. E., K ; first and middle parts, a light air ; ends with gentle breezes ; no rain. March 18. Lat. 1° 48' S. ; long. 28° 45' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : N., E. N. E., S. E. by S. ; light breezes, at times nearly calm ; some rain. March 19. Lat. 3° 57' S. ; long. 29° 45' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. ; commences a light breeze ; latter part, squalls of wind and rain. March 20. Lat. 5° 37' S.; long. 30° 40' W. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 382 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. 82°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. ; squally ; wind veering from S. S. E. and S., to S. E. by E. Ship St. Lawrence (Robertson), New York to San Francisco, twenty-eight days out. March 8, 1853. Lat. 19° 04' K: long. 27° 50' W. Winds : N. E., N. E., E. N. E. ; first part, fresh trades; middle, squally; latter, more steady. She goes the old route. The New York (p. 381), is going along the new route at the same time ; the former crossing the parallel of 19° N. the sixteenth day ; the latter, the twenty-eighth ; and thence to the line, the passage is the same. March 9. Lat. 16° 00' N. ; long. 28° 15' W. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., N. E.; fresh trades throughout. March 10. Lat. 13° 21' N. ; long. 28° 35' W. Wind : N. E. ; fresh trades, with passing squalls. March 11. Lat. 10° 40' N. ; long. 28° 15' W. Wind: N. E.; passing squalls. March 12. Lat. 7° 28' N. ; long. 28° 18' W. Wind: E. N. E., and fine. March 13. Lat. 4° 35' N. ; long. 28° 00' W. Winds : N. E., N. E., E. N. E. ; fine breezes. March 14. Lat. 2° 35' N. ; long. 27° 52' W. Wind : N. N. E. throughout, and fine. March 15. Lat. 1° 20' N.; long. 27° 55' W. Winds : N. N. B., north, N. W. to S. W. ; light winds, with squalls ; baffling. March 16. Lat. 00° 03' N.; long. 28° 00' W. Winds: N. N. E., N. N- E., north; squally, baffling, and rainy. March 17. Lat. 00° 42' S.; long. 28° 05' W. Winds : N. E., N. E., E. N. E. ; light and pleasant. March 18. Lat. 1° 49' S.; long. 28° 12' W. Winds: east, E. S. E., S. E.; light winds, have the S. E. trades. March 19. Lat. 3° 10' S. ; long. 29° 00' W. Winds: S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E.; light winds and pleasant.' March 20. Lat. 5° 20' S.; long. 29° 00' W. Wind: S. S. E.; light winds, with rain squalls. March 21. Lat. 7° 47' S.; long. 29° 40' W. Wind: S. E.; throughout with squalls of rain. Ship Stag-Hound (C. P. W. Behm), New York to San Francisco, sixteen days out. March 13, 1853. Lat. 17° 15' N.; long. 34° 2' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 72°. Winds: E. S. E., S. E. by E., E. S. E. Light trades and fine weather. March 14. Lat. 14° 30' N.; long. 33° 23' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 73°. Wind: E. S. E. Light trades, and fine. • March 15. Lat. 10° 48' N.; long. 31° 58' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 76° Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. Light trades and fine weather. March 16. Lat. 7° 10' N.; long. 30° 47' W. Barometer, 29.26; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 78°. Winds: E. by S., E. S. E., east. Light trades. Ends with squally appearances in N. E. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 388 March 17. Lat. 3° 41' N. ; long. 29° 45' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds : K. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Liglit trades and cloudy, with light showers during the night. March 18. Lat. 0° 10' K; long. 29° 27' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., E. S. E. Ends with fine breeze from southward and eastward, and clearing up. Perhaps we shall have no doldrums. March 19. Lat. 2° 24' S.; long. 30° 41' W. Current, west, IJ knots per hour. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds: east, variable, S. E. Light airs, with occasional showers. March 20. Lat. 4° 59' S. ; long. 32° 08' W. Current, S. 80 W., 1 knot. Barometer, 29.95; tempera- ture of air, 78°; of water, 82°. Winds: S.E. Thunder squalls. March 21. Lat. 7° 17' S. ; long. 33° 15' W. Current, N. by W., J knot. Barometer, 29.95 ; tempera- ture of air, 78° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. Light breeze and squally, at times almost calm, but little rain. SJiip Hamplon, New York to San Francisco, twenty-three days out. March 14. Lat. 19° 46' K ; long. 33° 47' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 76°. Winds: E., E., E. Steady breezes and fine weather. March 15. Lat. 17° 37' K; long. 32° 12' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Winds: E.,E., and E. by N. Steady breezes and fine weather. March 16. Lat. 15° 25' JST.; long. 31° 06' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Winds : E. by N., E., and E. by N". Steady breezes and fine weather. March 17. Lat. 12° 44' K ; long. 29° 56' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 76°. Wind : E. by N. throughout. Steady breezes and fine weather. March 18. Lat. 10° 09' K; long. 29° 20' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 77°. Winds: E.N. E., E. by N., E.N.E. Pleasant weather ; strong upper current from S. E. March 19. Lat. 7° 36' N.; long. 29° 05' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by N., and N. E, Steady trades. March 20. Lat. 4° 36' N.; long. 29° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 78°. Wind : N. E. throughout ; fine steady breezes from the N. E. March. 21. Lat. 1° 39' N. ; long. 29° 15' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 83°. Wind : N. E. throughout. Steady winds. March 22. Lat. 0° 09' S.; long. 29° 20' AV. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds : E., S. E., S. E. Light breezes and pleasant. Here, again, is an illustration of going farther east than is necessary. Compare the Hampton's track with that of the Stag-Hound (p. 382), about 2° to the west of her, upon the parallel of 20° N. No com- ment is required. Never, from the United States, care to cross the parallel of 20° N., east of 35°. If you are 384 THE WIND AND CURUENT CHARTS. forced there by adverse winds, it is another thing. But attention to these tracks— and they are taken at random — will show that, in the winter and spring especially, vessels not only have quite as quick a run, 20° to the line, when they cross that parallel west of 35°, as they do when they cross it to the east of that meridian ; but what is more, they have often a week or ten days less to that crossing from the United States. As an example, see Eoscoe's track (p. 385 ; she had 27 days from New York to the parallel of 20° east of 35°. March. 23. Lat. 00° 23' S. ; long. 29° 43' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 83°. Winds: N. E., E. S. E., and E. ; moderate breezes, inclining to the south. March 24. Lat. 1° 12' S.; long. 29° 46' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 85°; of water, 83°. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. E., and N. E. ; light and fine weather. March 25. Lat. 2° 34' S.; long. 29° 53' W. Barometer, 30.20 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 83°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. S. E., and S. S. E.; light baffling winds, and hazy swell from the southward. March 26. Lat. 4° 39' S. ; long. 30° 30' W. Barometer, 30.02 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 83°. Wind : S. S. E. throughout ; light breezes and clear weather. March 27. Lat. 6° 25' S.; long. 31° 37' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 87°; of water, 83°. Wind : S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. ; light steady breezes and cloudy. March 28. Lat. 8° 14' S. ; long. 32° 15' W. Barometer, 30.15 ; temperature of air, 88° ; of water, 83°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. ; cloudy with light showers. English barque Emir, Gloucester (Eng.) to Calcutta, sailed February 26, 1849. March 21, 1849. Lat. 6° 4' N. ; long. 22° 1' W. Winds : E., E. S. E., E. Moderate winds and fine weather. All possible sail set. March 22. Lat. 4° 29' N. ; long. 22° 1' W. Wind : E. Steady winds and fine weather. March 23. Lat. 3° 17' N. ; long. 20° 54' W. Winds : E., E. N. E., E. Light winds and cloudy. March 24. Lat. 2° 9' N. ; long. 20° 12' W. Variable winds ; light airs, and at times calm. March 25. Lat. 1° 58' N. ; long. 20° 39. W. Variable winds ; first part, light airs; latter part, squally,' with heavy rain. March 26. Lat. 1° 21' N.; long. 20° 34' W. Winds: S. to S. E., and S. W.; light, foul airs, and calm at times. March 27. Lat. 1° 33' N. ; long. 20° 10' W. Variable winds. Calms and light variable airs. March 28. Lat. 1° 11' K; long. 20° 38' W. Wind: variable, and S. E. ; first part, light; latter, moderate breeze. March 29. Lat. 1° 34' N. ; long. 20° 51' W. Winds : calm, calm, S. E. March 30. Lat. 38' S. ; long. 21° 11' W. Wind : S. E. Got the S. E. trades moderate and fine. March 31. Lat. 1° 47' S. ; long. 21° 11' W. Wind : S. E. ; light trade- wind and fine weather. I have quoted this very well kept English log, to illustrate the difficulties of crossing the doldrums far to the eastward. ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 386 When vessels do fall to leeward of St. Roque, as, by attempting to shave the new route too close, they now and then do, it is very seldom that they are a week in making 3^° of latitude, as the Emir was, in getting through these doldrums from 2° N. to 1° 47' S. Ship Roscoe (Thomas Smith), New York to San Francisco, twenty-seven days out. March 24, 1853. Lat. 21° 31' N. ; long. 32° 08' W. Current E. by S., one knot per hour. Variable, 16° W. Barometer, 30.11 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 73°. Winds : W. S. W., K W., N. ; first part, light airs ; middle and latter parts, good breezes. March 25. Lat. 19° 17' K; long. 32° W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 73°. Winds : N., N., N. N. E. ; pleasant breezes throughout. March 26. Lat. 16° 27' N. ; long. 31° 24' W. Barometer, 30.06 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 74°. Winds : N". N". E., E. by N., E. by N. ; fresh breezes throughout ; squally during the middle part. March 27. Lat. 13° 10' N.; long. 30° 41' W. Barometer, 30.5; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 74°. Winds : E. by N"., E. by N., E. N. E. ; fresh breezes ; middle part, squally ; latter part, blowing strong trade ; saw a tide rip this day. March 28. Lat. 9° 54' N. ; long. 30° 00' W. Barometer, 30.5 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 77°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., northward ; first part, fresh breezes ; middle, same ; latter part, pleasant. March 29. Lat. 6° 46' N. ; long. 29° 00' W. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Winds : northward, E. N. E., E. N. E. ; throughout the day, fresh breezes and pleasant. March 30. Lat. 3° 40' N. ; long. 28° 20' W. Barometer, 29.94 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N". E., E. N. E. ; fresh breezes and squally ; looks very much like rain, we have had none as yet ; air very close. March 31. Lat. 1° 00' N.; long. 28° 00' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 85°; of water, 82°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., baffling, east ; first part, fresh breezes ; middle, squally ; at 8 h. 30 m. A. M., had a heavy squall of wind and rain from the S. S. E. ; latter part, light baffling airs from E. to N. E. ; saw a great many porpoises this day. April 1. Lat. 0° 44' S. ; long. 28° 00' W. Current, half knot per hour, westerly. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. to E. S. E., E., E. S. E. ; first part, light breezes. At 10 A. M. a heavy squall, accompanied with rain from the south ; latter part, light airs. We crossed the equator about midnight, in about 27° 38' W. My intention was to have crossed it in 30° 00' W., in the fore part of my voyage, had I not had to run so far to the eastward on the 28th and 29th, on account of winds. [I do not understand why the Eoscoe had to run so far to the east there. She had the wind north of west, the 28th, to make a course, good to the line, of about S. by E., not more.] When the wind let me come on the other tack, I could make little easting every day without taking off much of my latitude. We crossed the equator without any calm, and did not go less than four and a half to five miles per hour all the way through. 49 386 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. April 2. Lat. 3° 04' S. ; long. 29° 10' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. ; fresh breezes for tbe twenty -four hours. April 3. Lat. 5° 41' S.; long. 31° 30' W. Seventeen miles current in twenty-four hours, setting S. W. ^ S. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81°, "Winds : S. E. by S., S. S. E., S. S. E. ; first part, fresh breezes ; middle and latter parts, baffling and fresh breezes at noon, barometer falling. I should think there was going to be a gale of wind ; vessel leads off from S. S. W. to W.; almost calm, and then gusts of wind. Ship Surprise (Charles A. Eanlett), New York to San Francisco, twelve days out. March 25, 1853. Lat. 21° 49' K; long. 41° 59' W. Barometer, 30.50; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds : calm, S. E., E. S. E. Middle and latter parts, light airs. March 26. Lat. 18° 58' K; long. 41° 48' W. Current, four-tenths of a knot per hour, westerly. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., S. E. First part, a light breeze, some squalls; not very strong during the day. March 27. Lat. 15° 34' N.; long. 40° 27' W. Westerly current, one knot per hour. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 77°. Winds: E. S. E., east, east. First part, good fresh breeze; stronger during the middle and latter parts; trades, I think. The barometer keeps up rather high for these latitudes. March 28. Lat. 12° 35' jST. ; long. 38° 48' W. Current, S. W., one knot per hour. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°. Winds: east, E. by N., east. Fresh breezes and cloudy. I am afraid I shall be too far to the westward when I cross the line, but am determined to trust to Providence and Lieut. Maury's Charts. March 29. Lat. 10° 00' K; long. 36° 22' W. No current. Barometer, 29.08; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°. Winds : east, E. by N., east. Good fresh breezes throughout. March 30. Lat. 7° 23' N. ; long. 33° 59' W. Slight easterly current. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds: E. by N. throughout. Cloudy and dusky weather. The ship lags along S. E. by S., and I am obliged to take all advantages ; am fearful that I shall be jammed close by, if not to leeward of Cape St. Eoque. Latter part, good fresh trades E. by N. March 31. Lat. 4° 44' N.; long. 31° 32' W. Barometer, 29.88; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., E. by N., E. by N. Clear weather and fresh breezes ; am getting to the eastward finely. April 1. Lat. 1° 57' N. ; long. 29° 46' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81°. Winds : east, E. N. E., E. N. E. Moderate breezes and fine weather. Set larboard studding sails, having now no fear of Cape St. Eoque ; light squalls during the night. April 2. Lat. 0° 39' S. ; long. 30° 32' W. Current, one knot per hour, westerly. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E., S. S. E., S. E. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E., S. S. E., S. E. The wind changed in a squall at noon, but continu- 887 ing with as much force. Passage from Sandy Hook to the line, 19 days, 18 hours. The barometer rises and falls regularly as the tides. I should be glad if all would observe the barometer as closely. This phenomenon shows the import- ance of accurate barometers; I mean barometers which we may make accurate by knowing their errors. This barometer has its errors — all have. What, therefore, can we learn about this highly interesting phe- nomenon from such an instrument, except that it occurs? April 3. Lat. 3° 51' S. ; long. 32° 50' W. Current, two and a half miles per hour, westward. Baro- meter, 29.88 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 83°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., S. S. E. to S. E. At 9 A. M. the Island of Fernando de Noronha bore S. by E., distance 25 miles ; working the ship to the east- ward. April 4. Lat. 5° 34' S. ; long. 33° 48' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 83°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. ; light winds and variable. Tacked several times to gain a little more easting. April 5. Lat. 7° 43' S. ; long. 33° 54' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 83°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by S. ; variable winds, and squally. Tacked several times to keep to the eastward. Barque Rosario (Caleb Sprague), New York to Valparaiso, twenty days out. March 26, 1853. Lat. 20° 35' N.; long. 27° 10' W.; variation, 18° 20' W. Barometer, 30.12 ; tem- perature of air, 73° ; of water, 72°. Winds : N. N. E., N. by E., and N". E. by N. ; light airs and pleasant weather ; a swell from the N. W. March 27. Lat. 17° 57' N. ; long. 27° 10' W. Barometer, 30.14 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 72°. Winds : N. E. by N., N. E., and E. N". E. ; light airs throughout. March 28. Lat. 14° 49' K ; long. 27° 10' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 71° ; of water, 72°. Winds : E. N. E., N. E., and E. "N. E. ; first part, light airs ; middle and latter part, fresh breezes, and passing rain squalls. March 29. Lat. 11° 25' N.; long. 26° 41' W. Current, W., 12 miles. Barometer, 30.08; tempera- ture of air, 74°; of water, 75°. Winds: E. N. E., N. E., and N. E. ; first part, moderate breeze. At 2 P. M. passed through a strong tide rip ; temperature of the air at the same time was 72° ; of water, 74° ; middle part, moderate ; from 9 A. M. until noon, strong tide rips, but no change in the water. March 30. Lat. 8° 23' N.; long. 36° 14' W. Current, N. 15° W., 18 miles; variation, 15° W. Barometer, 30.02 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 77°. Winds : N. E., E. N. E., and E. N. E. ; moderate breezes ; occasional tide rips. March 31. Lat. 5° 50' N.; long. 26° 01' W. Current, N. 30° W., 18 miles. Barometer, 30.01; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 79°. Winds : E. N. E., and N. E. ; light breezes, and strong tide rips. 38S THE WIND AND CUKBENT CHARTS. April 1. Lat. 3° 22' K; long. 25° 49' W. Current, W., 12 miles; variation, 13° W. Barometer, 30.01; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds: E. N. E., and N. E.; light airs throughout. I remark here, that it was my intention, when I sailed from New York, to have followed the track projected on Lieut. Maury's Chart, and to cross the equator further to the westward, but the winds have been mostly from the south, which has forced me to go further to the eastward than I intended. [From 27° 12' N., this ship had N. E. winds to the equator, by her abstract.] April 2. Lat. 2° 01' K; long. 26° 24'. Current, N. 51° "W., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.96; tempera- ture of air, 79° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. N. E., S. E., and S. E. by E. ; first part, light air ; middle part, squally, with rain, with sharp lightning ; latter part, moderate. Passed through quantities of phosphoric substance ; strong tide rips. April 3. Lat. 11' S. ; long. 27° 16' W. Current, K 25° W., 15 miles. Variation, 10° W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E., S. E., and S. E. by S. First part, moderate breeze and light rain squall all night ; water very phosphorescent ; latter part, pleasant. April 4. Lat. 1° 32' S.; long. 25° 31' W. Current, W., 18 miles. Variation, 8° W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. by E., S. by E., and S. S. E. Light airs and squalls throughout. At 6 P. M., a water-spout crossed the bows a quarter of a mile distant. No change in the barometer. April 5. Lat. 3° 30' S. ; long. 29° 53' W. Current, W., 22 miles. Barometer, 30.01 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., and S. E. by S. First part, light breezes and squally. At 2 P. M., showed our flag to an American sloop-of-war bound south. I find that we can sail faster than she. Latter part, fresh breeze. April 6. Lat. 6° 23' S. ; long. 31° V W. Current, S. 45° W., 14 miles. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E^ and S. E. by S. Moderate trades and fine weather. KOUTES TO RIO, ETC. 389 Route to Rio, efc.— April. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. True. Per cent. Average. Jlead. ' SLANTS FKOM Fair. Calros. observa- tions. ♦ N. &E. s. & w. From Sandy Hook to ■ 39° 10' N. 70° 00' E.S.E. 200 10.7 221 3.6 wll.l 5.3 80.0 4.0 523 39 10 65 00 E. 233 9.8 256 3.7 w 9.3 6.2 80.8 4.5 320 87 33 60 00 E.S.E. 254 6.2 274 2.0 w 6.6 4.0 87.4 3.2 151 35 54 55 00 E.S.E. 260 5.4 276 0.7 8.0 8.8 82.5 4.9 136 35 54 50 00 E. 243 6.1 258 0.0 m;12.2 7.2 81.6 8.1 125 35 54 45 00 E. 243 5.8 257 0.0 m;12.3 3.7 84.0 5.8 81 35 00 42 21 E.S.E. 141 7.7 152 1.5 6.2 10 10.8 81.5 0.0 65 30 00 40 00 E.S.E. 312 17.4 366 6.3 6.2 w;32.5 55.0 1.0 95 25 00 37 40 S.S.E. 325 13.8 369 3.0 17.0 wl9.0 61.0 3.0 97 20 00 35 26 S.S.E. 325 2.6 333 0.0 5.4 10 7.2 87.4 5.1 56 15 00 33 16 S.S.E. 325 2.0 331 2.0 0.0 0.0 98.0 0.0 49 10 00 31 09 S.S.E. 325 0.0 325 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 4.4 43 5 00 29 04 S.S.E. 325 0.6 327 0.0 1.7 0.0 98.3 0.0 59 Equator 29 04 s. 300 2.1 306 0.0 ta 5.9 1.3 92.8 6.8 152 3811 4051 1 00 S. 29 29 S.S.W. 65 4.4 68 0.0 wn.7 0.9 81.4 5.5 344 1 31 30 00 s.w. 44 3.3 45 0.0 wl6.7 0.0 88.3 0.0 12 2 31 31 00 s.w. 85 2.4 87 0.0 w 8.4 0.0 91.6 0.0 12 3 00 31 12 s.s.w. 31 2.4 32 0.0 w;12.0 0.0 88.0 15.0 17 5 00 32 02 s.s.w. 130 4.0 135 0.0 «;20.0 0.0 80.0 12.5 15 7 19 33 00 s.s.w. 150 2.7 154 0.0 «;13.3 0.0 86.7 0.0 15 9 00 33 42 s.s.w. 109 3.2 112 0.0 m;10.8 0.0 89.2 0.0 55 Observe that, between the meridians of 55° and 60°, the calnns of the Horse Latitudes most prevail between the parallels of 21° and 27° N.; and between the parallels of 28° and 82°, between the meridians 40° and 45°. Ship Seaman's Bride, New York to San Francisco, sixteen days out. April 5, 1853. Lat. 20° 52' N. ; long. 36° 54' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 73°. Winds: S. E. by E., E. S. E., E. byN. First and middle parts, a light air; latter, a moderate breeze, with fine weather. April 6. Lat. 17° 32' N.; long. 35° 28' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 75°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N, E., N. E. by E. First part, a moderate breeze; middle and latter parts, fresh breezes. April 7. Lat. 13° 40' K; long. 33° 55' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 75°. Winds: E. K E., N. E. by E., E. First and middle parts, a fresh breeze, and clear; latter, a fresh breeze, and cloudy. 890 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. April 8. Lat. 10° 2' N. ; long. 32° 10' AV. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 77]° ; of water, 15 feet below surface, 76°. "Winds : E., E., E. by N. A fresh breeze and cloudy. April 9. Lat. 6° 43' N. ; long. 30° 27' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Winds : E., E. by K, E. N. E. A fresh breeze and cloudy. April 10. Lat. 3° 34' N. ; long. 28° 59' W. Barometer, 29.60,; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. "Winds : E. by N., E. by N., E. by N. A moderate breeze and cloudy. Lightning in the south during the night. Some tide rips. April 11. Lat. 14' K; long. 28° 56' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82°. "Winds: E., E., E. S. E. First part, moderate, with fresh squalls of wind and rain ; middle and latter parts, moderate and clear. April 12. Lat. 2° 42' S. ; long. 29° 50' W. Current, E. S. E., 18 miles. Barometer, 29.65 ; tempera- ture of air, 84° ; of water, 82° ; of water below surface, 81°. "Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. First part, a light breeze, with frequent and fresh squalls of wind and rain. At 3 P. M. crossed the equator, in about 29° 5' W. Middle, a light breeze, and clear ; latter, fresh trades, and pleasant. April 13. Lat. 6° 3' S. ; long. 30° 44' W. Current, E. S. E., 15 miles. Barometer, 29.65; tempera- ture of air, 84°; of water, 83°. "Winds: S. E.,-S. E., S. E. by S. A moderate breeze, and pleasant. Ship Laniao (Geo. H. Bradbury), New York to San Francisco, sixteen days out. April 6, 1853. Lat. 20° 5' N. ; long. 39° "W. Barometer, 80.30 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 73°. "Winds: N. by E., N. E., N. E. Fresh breezes and squally, first part; ends fresh breezes and fine weather. April 7. Lat. 16° 40' N.; long. 37° 5' W. Barometer, 30.20; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 74°. "Winds : E. N. E., E. K E., E. N. E. Strong breezes and flawy. Cloudy at times. April 8. Lat. 13° 50' N.; long. 35° 55' W. Barometer, 30.20. Winds: E. by N. to N. E. by E., E. by K to N. E. by E., E. by K to N. E. by E. First part, moderate ; latter, fresh and fine. Overcast at times. April 9. Lat. 11° 5' K; long. 38° 50' W. Barometer, 30.10. Winds : E. N. E. to N. E. by E., E. ' N. E. to N. E. by E., E. N. E. to N. E. by E. Fresh and fine. Wind unsteady, both in force and direction. April 10. Lat. 8° 20' N.; long. 31° 50' W. Barometer, 30.5; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: E. by N. to N. E. by E., E. by N. to K E. by E., E. by N. to N". E. by E. Fresh and fine. Tide rips. April 11. Lat. 5° 25' K; long. 80° 20' W. Barometer, 29.98; temperature of air, 81°. Winds: E. to E. N. E., E. to E. N. E., E. to E. N. E. Fresh and cloudy. Swell from the S. S. E. Upper strata of clouds from S. E. Tide rips. April 12. Lat. 2° 5' K; long. 29° 40' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 82°. Winds: E. to N. N. E., E. to N. ISr. E., E. to N. K E. Commences fresh and fine ; middle, squally ; ends calm, with squally appearances. Swell from south. April 13. Lat. 1° N. ; long. 29° 40' W. Barometer, 29.85. Winds : S. S. E. to N. by E., S. S. E. to ROUTES TO KIO, ETC. 391 N. by E., S. S. E. to N. by E. Calms, squalls, wind flying from south to north (by east). Much thunder, lightning, and rain. Swell from southwest. April 14. Lat. 0° 18' N.; long. 29° 30' W. Barometer, 29.95. Winds: N. E. to N., E., and calm ; E. by S. to S. E. by E. First part, squally, with rain ; middle, light airs, and calms ; at midnight, a puff from S. E., and veered to E. N. E., and cleared. Latter part, light and fine. April 15. Lat. 0° 55' S.; long. 80° 10' W. Current, W., 8 miles. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 84°. Winds : E. S. E. to S. E., E. S. E. to S. E., E. S. E. to S. E. Light airs, and calm S. E. swell ; indications of S. E. trades. April 16. Lat. 2° 05' S.; long. 31° 20' W. Current, W., 36 miles. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 84°. Winds: S. E., calm, calm, and S. E. by S.; squalls, calms, clear, rainy, &c. Fresh breezes from 8 P. M. to midnight; then calm until 10 A. M. After which fresh breezes. April 17. Lat. 4° 20' S.; long. 32° 20' W. Current, W. N. W., 24 miles. Barometer, 30.05 ; tem- perature of air, 83°; of water, 83°. Winds: S. E., S. E., S. E. Moderate and fine; swell from south. Passed about 20 miles to windward of Fernando de Noronha. April 18. Lat. 6° 00' S. ; long. 32° 35' W. Current, K W., 24 miles. Barometer, 30.10 ; tempera- ture of air, 83°; of water, 83°. Winds: S. to S. E., S. to S. E., S. to S. E. First part, moderate and fine; middle, calm and squalls; latter, do. S. E. swell. One squall from N. E. Barh Parthian (Smith), Kichmond, Virginia, to San Francisco, 15 days out. April 7, 1853. Lat. 18° 55' N.; long. 34° 25' W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 73°. Winds : N. E., N. E., E. N. E. Fresh trades. April 8. Lat. 15° 55' N. ; long. 33° 12' W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 73°. Winds : N. E., E. K E., E. K E. Fresh trades. April 9. Lat. 12° 52' K ; long. 32° 3' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 73°. Winds: E. K E., E., E. N. E. Fresh trades. April 10. Lat. 9° 35' N.; long. 30° 58' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 75°. Winds : E. N. E., E., E. N. E. Fresh trades. April 11. Lat. 6° 09' N. ; long. 29° 50' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78°. Wind : E. Squally, and extremely sultry. April 12. Lat. 2° 45' K ; long. 29° 1' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Wind : E. N. E. Latter part, squally. April 13. Lat. 1° 20' N. ; long. 28° 57' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Winds: N". E., E. S. E., S. S. E. Throughout light winds, with much rain. During the night, thunder and lightning. April 14. Lat. 0° 37' N. ; long. 29° 32' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds: E., S. S. E., E. S. E. First part, variable with rain. Eest of the day fine weather. At 8 A. M. St. Paul's, E. N. E., 15 miles distant. 392 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. April 15. Lat. 0° 38' S. ; long. 29° 58' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E. At 8 P. M. crossed the equator, in 29° 40' W. Fine weather. April 16. Lat. 2° 19' S. ; long. 30° 40' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. E. April 17. Lat. 3° 58' S. ; long. 31° 48' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Current, W. N. W., f knot per hour. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by S. At noon, Fernando de Noronha, W. N. W., 35 miles distant. April 18. Lat. 5° 30' S. ; long. 32° 50' W. Current, W. N. W., 2 J knots per hour. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. E. by E., S. S. E., calm. Strong lee current. Ship Climax (Fred. Howes), New York to San Francisco, eleven days out. April 8, 1853. Lat. 18° 22' N.; long. 37° 35' W. Barometer, 28.00. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., E. N. E.; moderate trades with fine weather. April 9. Lat. 15° 29' N. ; long. 35° 52' W. Barometer, 28.00. Winds : E. N. E., E., E.; commences strong breezes ; middle, squally ; latter, light. April 10. Lat. 12° 48' N. ; long. 33° 43' W. Barometer, 28.00. Winds: E., E. N. E., E. K E. ; pleasant trades and fine weather. April 11. Lat. 9° 40' K; long. 31° 35' W. Barometer, 27{». Winds: E., E., E. to K E.; fine trade winds; all kinds of cross-running seas. April 12. Lat. 6° 16' N. ; long. 29° 30' W. Barometer, 27 ^% Winds : E., E. N. E., E. ; commences fresh trades and fine weather ; middle and latter parts, the same. April 13. Lat. 3° 00' K; long. 28° 20' W. Barometer, 27,72. Winds: E., E. K E., K E.; first part, fine weather and fresh trades ; middle, squally appearances all around ; heavy clouds to the south ; barometer low ; indications of a change of wind. April 14. Lat. 2° 40' N. ; long. 28° 40' W. Barometer, 27/3. Winds : calm, calm, N. E. light; first and middle parts, rainy, with thunder and lightning ; latter part, light airs and fine weather. This is the first time the ship has made less than six knots the hour since sailing. I hope we shall not be long getting through the doldrums. April 15. Lat. 1° 37' N. ; long. 28° 50' W. Barometer, 27,9j. Winds : N. E., S. E., S. E. ; light airs and clear ; very warm. April 16. Lat. 0° 59' K; long. 29° 10' W. Barometer, 27 j». Winds: S. E., S. E., S.S.E.; light airs and fine weather; St. Paul's in sight, bearing W. S. W., distant about fifteen miles. April 17. Lat. 0° 06' S. ; long. 29° 20' W. Barometer, . Winds : E. N. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. ; fine weather, with passing clouds and baffling flaws from E. N. E. to S. E. We have at last crossed the equator, in nineteen days and seventeen hours, from Boston light-house. Distance to the line, 3,600 miles. April 18. Lat. 0° 37' S.; long. 29° 35' W. Ten miles westerly current. Winds : S. E., calm, S. E.; light airs and calm during the day. EOUTKS TO KIO, ETC. 398 April 19. Lat. 1° 22' S. ; long. 29° 50' W. Winds : calm, E. N. E., calm ; fine weather with baffling airs. When shall I get out of the doldrums ? Current, W. N. W., eighteen miles. April 20. Lat. 8° 02' S. ; long. 30° 00' W. Winds : S. E., E. N. E., calm ; first part, light airs; middle, fresh breezes ; latter, calm, with heavy southerly swell. April 21. Lat. 3° 52' S. ; long. 80° 10' W. Winds : calm, E. S. E., E. S. E. ; commences calm ; middle and latter parts, light airs ; fine weather. April 22. Lat. 5° 27' S. ; long. 80° 35' W. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. ; first part, light airs; middle, squally with torrents of rain : ends with a steady breeze. Ship Competitor (Moses Hows), Boston to San Francisco, twelve days out. April 8, 1853. Lat. 20° 15' N.; long. 82° 14' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 74°.5. Winds : N., N., N. Light breezes and pleasant weather. April 9. Lat. 18° 16' N. ; long. 32° 07' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 73i°. Wind : N. throughout. Light airs and hot weather. April 10. Lat. 16° 13' K. ; long. 31° 47' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 74i°. Winds : N. N. E., N. E., and E. by S. Light airs and warm weather. April 11. Lat. 13° 24' N.; long. 31° 40' W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 73°. Wind: E.S.E. throughout. April 12. Lat. 10° 00' N.; long. 30° 00' W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 77°. Winds: E. by S., E., and E. by N. Light winds and cloudy ; under studding-sails. April 13. Lat. 6° 31' N.; long. 28° 20' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 79°. Wind : E. throughout. Light winds and cloudy. April 14. Lat. 4° 09' N. ; long. 28° 20' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 91° ; of water, 81°. Winds: E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Light winds and cloudy weather. April 15. Lat. 3° 03' K; long. 28° 12' W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 91° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., and S. E. Light and baffling airs, with squally appearance. April 16. Lat. 2° 17' N.; long. 28° 11' W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 98°; of water, 81°. Winds: calm, E., and calm. Baffling airs from the eastward, and cloudy weather. April 17. Lat. 1° 35' K; long. 28° 10' W. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 88° ; of water, 83°. Winds: calm, calm, and E. S. E. Calms, and light squalls from the eastward. April 18. Lat. 1° 20' N. ; long. 28° 44' W. Barometer, 29.90. Current, S. 30° W., 16 miles. Tem- perature of air, 88° ; of water, 81°. Winds: S. by W., S. S. W., and S. S. W. Light airs. April 19. Lat. 0° 57' N. ; long. 28° 50' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 81°. Winds: calm throughout. April 20. Lat. 0° 10' N.; long. 28° 45' W. Barometer, 29.93; temperature of air, 85°; of water, 80.° Winds: calm, calm, and E. S. E. Light airs and culm, aiul cloudy weather. 50 894 THE WIND AND CURBENT CHART3, I have quoted from the Competitor's abstract, merely to illustrate the track of the Climax (p. 892), and to impress navigators with the fact that nothing is to be gained by crossing 20° N. to the east of 35° W. ; but, on the contrary, there is generally a loss. These two vessels crossed that parallel within a day of each other ; the Climax, which crossed to -the west of that meridian, gaining on her competitor two days to that parallel, and making another gain of another two days thence to the line. April 21. Lat. 0° 35' S. ; long. 29° 04' W. Barometer, 29.90. Current, S. 24°, W. 10 miles. Tem- perature of air, 88° ; of water, 80°. Winds : calm throughout. Crossed the line at 3 o'clock P. M. ; during the last week I have not taken in royals, and have made but 218 miles. April 22. Lat. 1° 48' S. ; long. 29° 82' W. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 81°. Winds: calm, calm, S. S. E.; first and middle part, calm ; latter part, light breezes and cloudy. April 28. Lat. 4° 47' S.; long. 30° 30' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 86°; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., and S. E. First part, light breezes and passing clouds ; middle and latter part, fresh breezes. April 24. Lat. 7° 48' S. ; long. 32° 34' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 90° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E. throughout, fresh breezes and fine weather. Bark Tremont (Joseph Taylor), Boston to Cape Town, eighteen days out. April 16, 1853. Lat. 19° 50' N. ; long. 35° 22' W. Current, | knot per hour, S. S. W. Barometer, 80.00; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 72°. Winds: E. by N., E. by N., E. by N. Moderate breezes, and clear. April 17. Lat. 17° 81' N. ; long. 33° 12' W. Current, | knot per hour, S. S. W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 72°. Winds: E. by N., E. by N., E. by N. Fair weather, and moderate. April 18. Lat. 15° 03' K; long. 81° 44' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, W. Barometer, 29.16; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 74°. Winds: E. K E., E. by N., E. by N. ; fair and moderate; some tide rips. April 19. Lat. 12° 15' K; long. 30° 22' W. Current, f knot per hour, W. Barometer, 29.15; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74°. Winds : E. by N., E. by N., E. by N.; squally, with some rain and tide rips. April 20. Lat. 9° 35' N".; long. 28° 50' W. Barometer, 29.18; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 76°. Winds : E. N. E., E. K E., E.N. E. ; squally, with some rain and tide rips. April 21. Lat. 6° 45' N.; long. 27° 40' W. Barometer, 29.18 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 78°. Winds : E. N. E., N. E., N. E. Squally, with some rain and tide rips. April 22. Lat. 4° 03' N.; long. 27° 15' W. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 79°. Winds: N. E., E.N. E., E. K E. Many tide rips. First part, almost cloudless sky. EOUTKS TO KIO, ETC. S95 April 23. Lat. 2° 00' N.; long. 26° 45' W. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 79°. Winds : K E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Moderate, and sky overcast ; a little rain. April 24. No observations. Barometer, 29.15; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 79°. Winds: N., B. N. E., E. N. E. Light airs ; thunder, and some rain. April 25. Lat. 1° 21' S.; long. 26° 20' W. Barometer, 29.18; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Winds : E., E. S. E., S. E. Fine weather, and clear sky. April 26. Lat. 3° 25' S. ; long. 27° 46' W. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 81°, Winds : E. S. E., S. E., S. E. by S. Fair and moderate. April 27. Lat. 5° 22' S.; long. 28° 41' W. Barometer, 29.15; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., S. E. Fair and moderate. Barh Golden Era (E. P. Sleeper), New York to Panama, twenty-five days out. April 19, 1852. Lat. 20° 06' N. ; long. 38° 22' W. Winds : S., and variable, S. E., S., and variable. Very light variable airs, and calms. A heavy sea from the N. W. April 20. Lat. 19° 49' N. ; long. 38° 07' W. Temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds : calm, N. N. W., N. N. W. Very light airs and calms. April 21. Lat. 19° 08' K ; long. 37° 38' W. Temperature of air, 77°. Winds : K N. W., N. N, E., E. N. E., variable. Light airs and calms. April 22. Lat. 17° 58' N. ; long. 36° 51' W. Temperature of air, 75°. Winds : E. N. E., E^ vari- able, E. S. E., variable. Light breezes ; middle part, light squalls and rain. April 23. Lat. 16° 8' N. ; long. 35° 37' W. Temperature of air, 76°; of water, 78°. Winds: E., variable ; E. by N. E., variable. Moderate breezes, light squalls, and rain. April 24. Lat. 13° 40' K ; long. 33° 56' W. Barometer, 29.08 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds: E., E. by N., E. N. E. ; fresh breezes throughout. April 25. Lat. 11° 16' N. ; long. 32° 20' W. Temperature of air, 77°; of water, 77°. Winds: E. N. E., E. by E. N. B., N. E.; good breezes. April 26. Lat. 8° 58' N. ; long. 30° 39' W. Temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 79°. Wind : B. K E. ; first part, good breezes ; middle and latter part, moderate breezes. April 27. Lat. 6° 42' N. ; long. 29° 07' W. Temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : B. N. E.; moderate breezes. April 28. Lat. 4° 23' N. ; long. 27° 55' W. Temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. N. E., N. E. by E., N. E. by E. ; moderate breezes. April 29. Lat. 3° 04' N. ; long. 27° 14' W. Temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds : N. E. by B., N. B. by E., N. E. by N. ; light breezes. April 30. Lat. (D. R.) 1° 48' N. ; long. (D. E.) 27° 15' W. Temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82°. Winds: N., N., variable, N. W. to E.; first part, very light breezes; middle and latter, showers of rain. 896 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. May 1. Lat. 0° 34' N.; long. 26° 40' W. Current, E., 24 miles, during tlie last two days; temperature of air, 84° ; water, 83°. Winds : N., N., N. E. ; very light breezes, and pleasant. May 2. Lat. 0° 09' S. ; long. 26° 18' W. Current, 30 miles, E. S. E., during tlie day. Winds: N. N. E., calm, S. E. ; very light airs, and pleasant. May 3. Lat. 0° 37' S. ; long. 26° 55' W. Current, 30 miles E. ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. S. E., variable S., variable S. by W., variable ; first part, very light airs ; middle and latter, light breezes. /Ship White Squall (Samuel Kennedy), New York to San Francisco, fourteen days out. April 23, 1852. Lat. 21° 29' N. ; long. 33° 7' W. Current, S., 12 knots per day. Barometer (Aneroid*), 30.55; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 73°. Moderate trades all day; first part, N. E. ; middle part, E. N. E. ; latter part, E. April 24. Lat. 17° 32' K; long. 31° 47' W. Current, S. E., 7 knots per day. Barometer, 30.55; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 76°. Fresh trades all day. Winds : E. S. E., E., E. by N. April 25. Lat. 13° 30' N. ; long. 30° 27' W. Current S. S. E., 23 knots per day. Barometer, 30.45; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 77°. Winds: E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Fresh trades all day. April 26. Lat. 9° 50' N. ; long. 29° 23' W. Barometer, 30.40; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 78°. Moderate trades all day; E. N. E. throughout. April 27. Lat. 6° 58' N. ; long. 28° 36' W. Barometer, 30.45 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., N. E., N. E. Light trades all day ; tide rips. April 28. Lat. 3° 53' K ; long. 28° 22' W. Current, S. S. W., 27 knots per day. Barometer, 30.40; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. N. E., N". E., N". N". E. Light trades all day ; tide rips. April 29. Lat. 2° 22' K; long. 28° 20' W. Current, E. S. E., 13 knots per day. Barometer, 30.40 ; temperature of air, 86°; of water, 82°. Winds : N. N. E., N., N". Light breeze all day. April 30. Lat. 48' K ; long. 27° 10' W. Current east, 32 knots per day. Barometer, 30.35 ; temperature of air, 87°; of water, 84°. Winds: IST., S. S. W., N. Light breeze all day; middle part, rain. May 1. Lat. 39' S.; long. 26° 47' W. Current, E. S. E., 33 knots per day. Barometer, 30.35; temperature of air, 89°; of water, 87°. Winds: K, E. K E., N. E. Light airs; tide rips. May 2. Lat. 1° 22' S.; long. 26° 37' AV. Current, S. E., 27 knots per day. Barometer, 30.30; temperature of air, 91°; of water, 85°. Winds: N., N. E., S. Light airs; tide rips. May 3. Lat. 1° 50' S.; long. 27° 36' W. Current, E. by S., 29 knots per day. Barometer, 30.45; temperature of air, 88°; of water, 86°. Wind: S. S. W. throughout. First part, nearly calm; ends light breezes; rain squalls. May 4. Lat. 4° 52' S.; long. 29° 24' W. Current, S. S. W., 11 knots per day. Barometer, 30.40; temperature of air, 91°; of water, 89°. Winds: S. S. W. and S. E., S. S. E., S. E. Rainy until 1 P. M.; wind hauls to S. E., and clears. * four tenllis to be dcdiictctl from tlic Aneroid, for eacli day up to the 2]i)t of May, for want of adjustment. ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 897 Route to JiWf etc. — MaY. Latitude. Longitude. Course. DISTANCES. True. Per cent. Average. WINDS; PER CENT. Head. SLANTS FBOH N. &E. S. &W. Fair. Calms. Total No. observa- tions. From port 39° 11' N. 39 11 87 34 35 55 35 55 85 00 38 06 80 00 27 00 25 00 20 00 15 00 10 00 5 50 Equator 00 S. 27 00 51 00 24 00 00 8 13 to 70° 00' 65 00 60 00 55 00 50 00 47 17 45 00 41 23 40 00 40 00 37 46 35 36 33 29 31 24 31 24 31 49 32 00 32 39 38 00 83 28 84 00 84 15 83 30 34 00 .E. .E. E.S.E. E. E.S.E. E.S.E. E. E.S.E. S.E. S.E. S.S.E. S. s.s, s.s, S. S. E. S. S. E. S.S.E. s.s.w. s. s. w. s.s.w. s. s. w. s. s. w. s. s. w. s. s. w. s.s.w. 199 288 254 259 243 144 194 263 194 120 325 325 325 325 300 3708 65 29 101 55 75 84 39 44 79 11.5 9.1 10.2 9.9 5.5 9.1 14.7 6.5 9.4 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.5 0.6 2.1 0.0 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 14.2 8.2 32.0 218 464 277 285 267 152 211 301 206 181 326 327 325 325 302 3917 66 29 104 55 75 84 45 45 104 2.5 6.4 2.8 1.8 0.7 0.9 3.3 3.3 2.6 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 13.0 10.8 12.8 6.6 9.1 15.2 0.0 0.0 13.9 m;10.4 5.1 1.8 4.4 0.0 4.8 5.2 w w 9.9 0.0 w;16.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 rv 48.9 0.0 w;52.2 8.8 11.2 8.8 u;15.2 12.4 w 16.9 w 11.5 IV 19.1 0.0 5.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 m;11.8 0.0 I 78.4 2.1 69.6 2.8 81.8 1.6 73.9 3.6 17.9 2.7 82.2 1.7 85.2 1.6 68.7 5.6 87.0 2.5 86.4 0.0 98.2 0.0 95.6 0.0 100.0 0.0 95.2 0.0 98.1 3.4 89.7 0.0 100.0 6.2 83.3 0.0 100.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 48.7 0.0 88.2 0.0 34.8 0.0 599 315 181 163 145 112 61 151 89 60 54 23 54 42 115 264 15 12 21 6 9 41 23 23 la this month, and near this route, the calms of the Horse Latitudes are most prevalent between the meridians of 40° and 45°, and the parallels of 32° and 33° N. Between the meridians 25° and 30°, the equatorial calms are most prevalent from 5° north to the line, the greatest prevalence of calms being between 3° and 4° north. Between the meridians of 80° and 35°, the equatorial calms prevail most between 8° and 5° IST. Here they extend also a little to the south of the line. In the main, the equatorial calms prevail as you go to the east. When you cross the line to the west of 29°, draw a line from the point of crossing to St. Augustine, and aim to keep to the eastward of it, and for this purpose take advantage of all slants.* This direction applies to every month. You should aim generally to make easting, when easting becomes necessary after crossing the line, before crossing 7° south. If you can cross 7° S. to the east of 84°, there will probably be no necessity of steering the east course, as by the table. Observe that calms are seldom or never ibund along this route in this month, south of 1° S. Vide p. 329. 398 THE WINB iuND CURRENT CHARTS. The equatorial calms in April, between 25° and 30° "W., prevail from 5° S. to 3° N., being most prevalent between 1° S. and 1° K Between 30° and 35° W., tbey prevail from 3° K. to 3° S., being most prevalent between 2° N. and the line. Observe, also, how the winds in this month hang from the southward, in latitude 35° to 30° N"., and between the meridians of 40° and 45° W. Schooner Tennessee (A. B. Lamkin), from Eichmond to Pernambuco, twenty-one days out. April 30, 1853. Lat. 19° 57' N.; long. 35° 36' W. Wind: E. throughout; fresh breeze, with occa- sional showers of rain. Mayl. Lat. 16° 29' K; long. 34° 28' W. Winds: B., E., E. by S. ; brisk breezes, with showers of rain. May 2. Lat. 13° N. ; long. 32° 41' W. Wind : E. throughout ; fresh breezes, with passing squalls. May 3. Lat. 09° 30' N.; long. 31° 44' W. Wind: E. throughout; pleasant breezes, and fine weather. May 4. Lat. 06° 06' K; long. 31° 12' W. Winds: E., E. K E., and E.; light winds, and cloudy weather. May 5. No observation. Winds: variable from B. N. E.; light breezes, and showery weather. May 6. Wind and weather the same. No observation. May 7. Lat. 3° N.; long. 31° 17' W. Winds: variable and heavy showers of rain. May 8. Lat. 1° 30' N.; long. 31° 41' W. Winds: calm, calm, S. E. by E.; light baffling winds and calms. May 9. Lat. 00° 36' S.; long. 32° 14' W. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., and S. E. by S. ; light winds, with fine, pleasant weather. May 10. Lat. 3° 58' S. ; long. 32° 02' W. Wind: S. B. by S. throughout; light winds with fine weather. May 11. Lat 5° 46' S.; long. 32° 22' W. Winds: S. B. by S. and S. E.; light air with clear weather. Ship Victory (0. G. Lane), New York to San Francisco, nineteen days out. May 10, 1853. Lat. 20° 40' N, ; long. 33° 23' W. Winds : E., E. S. E., and S. E. ; variable breezes and squally. May 11. Lat. 17° 51'- N. ; long. 32° 25' W. Winds : S. E. by S., E. by S., and E. by S. ; fresh breeze and cloudy. May 12. Lat. 14° 24' N. ; long. 31° 19' W. Winds: E., E., and B. by N.; fresh breezes and cloudy weather. ^ May 13. Lat. 10° 06' N. ; long. 30° 15' W. Wind : E. by N. throughout ; fresh breezes and passing clouds. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 899 May 14. Lat. 7" 49' N. ; long. 29° 21' W. Winds : E. by K, E., and E. by N.; gentle breezes. May 15. Lat. 4° 38' N.; long. 28° 19' W. Winds: E. by N., E. N. E., and E. N. E.; fine breezes and cloudy weather. May 16. Lat. 3° 30' N. ; long. 28° 25' W. Wind : E. N. E., variable, and calm ; variable breezes and light showers of rain. May 17. Lat. 1° 44' N. ; long. 29° 37' W. Winds : S., S. E. by S., and S. E. ; moderate breezes and squally weather. May 18. Lat. 00° 49' S.; long. 30° 18' W. Wind: S. E. throughout ; fine breezes and pleasant weather. At 4 A. M. passed the equator, twenty-six and a half days ; distance sailed 3,890 miles. May 19. Lat. 8° 18' S.; long. 31° 04' W. Winds: S. E. throughout; fine breezes and pleasant weather. May 20. Lat. 6° 07' S.; long. 31° 50' W. Winds: S. E. throughout; fresh breezes and pleasant weather. Ship Uncle Toby (E. C. Soule), Boston to San Francisco, twenty-one days out. May 10, 1858. Lat. 20° 49' N.; long. 81° 57' W. Winds : E. N. E., E., and E. S. E. ; moderate breezes and clear weather. May 11. Lat. 17° 15' N.; long. 30° 01' W. Winds: E. S. E., E. S. E., and E.; strong breezes and clear. May 12. Lat. 13° 18' N. ; long. 31° 44' W. Winds : E., E., and E. N. E. •,. strong breezes throughout. May 13. Lat. 9° 27' N.; long. 30° 41' W. Winds: E. N. E., E. K E., and E.; strong breezes throughout. May 14. Lat. 6° 08' N. ; long. 29° 39' W. Winds: E., E., and E. S. E.; moderate breezes and cloudy weather. May 15. Lat. 3° 04' N.; long. 29° 28' W. Winds: E., N. E., and E. N. E.; fresh breezes and squally. May 16. Lat. 1° 53' N.; long. 30° 25' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E., and S. S. E.; light variable breezes, and squally. May 17. Lat. 00° 50' S.; long. 31° 44' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E., and S. S.E.; fresh breezes throughout. May 18. Lat. 8° 44' S. ; long, no observation. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., and E. S. E. Fresh breezes throughout. At 10 A. M. made Fernando de Noronha. May 19. Lat. 6° 53' S. ; long. 33° 10' W. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., and S. E. Light breezes and pleasant ; passed close to leeward of Fernando de Noronha. Flying Cloud (J. P. Creesy), New York to San Francisco, eleven days out. May 10, 1853. Lat. 20° 50' N. ; long. 38° 47' W. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E. by E., E. S. E. First part, moderate; middle, rain; latter, squally. 400 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. May 11. Lat. 16" 47' K ; long. 37° 48' W. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E. by E., S. E. by E. First part, light; middle, squally ; latter, fresh and squally. May 12. Lat. 12° 11' N.; long. 36° 26' W. Wind : E. by S. throughout. Fresh and squally. May 13. Lat. 8° 00' K. ; long. 34° 46' W. Wind : E. by S. Fresh and squally. May 14. Lat. 3° 37' N. ; long. 34° 08' W. Wind : E. S. E. Fresh and squally. May 15. Lat. 1° 00' N. ; long. 34° 03' W. Wind : S.E. by E. Light and squally. Civil time, 15'. At 7 P. M. crossed the equator, in long. 34° 20' W. Seventeen days from Sandy Hook, or 408 hours, averaging nine knots ; when determined in short lines, from noon to noon of each day, 3,672 miles. [Distance, as calculated in the tables, 3,708.] May 16. Lat. 0° 27' S. ; long. 34° 07' W. Winds : baffling throughout. May 17. Lat. 3° 11' S. ; long. 34° 42' W. Wind : S. E. Light breezes and fine weather. May 18. Lat. 4° 46' S. ; long. 34° 57' W. Winds: baffling throughout. Beating to the eastward, with light winds and fine weather. Current, W. by N., 46 miles. May 19. Lat. 2° 31' S. ; long. 33° 41' W. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. E. by E. Light breezes and fine weather. At 1 hour 15 min., tacked S. by W. I W. At 4 hours 20 min., tacked N. E. by E. Stood on this tack 21 hours ; lost 135 miles in latitude, and gained 76 miles easting, after having been currented at 82° W., 55 miles. May 20. Lat. 5° 47' S. ; long. 34° 19' W. Wind : S. E. by E. Light winds and fine weather. Currented west, 20^ miles. I would here remark, the current sets much stronger to the westward and northward and westward, when close in with the land and shoals about Cape St. Eoque, than it does in the offing, say 40 or 50 miles. Should recommend all ships to work to the eastward on the northern limit of the S. E. trades, say between 1° N. lat. and 2° S. lat., when they are so unfortunate as to cross the equator too far west. This recommendation should be very cautiously adopted. Captain Creesy falls to leeward, crosses the line in 34°, stands boldly on, tacks when he must, and in 22 days out is clear of St. Eoque; and yet, notwithstanding this extraordinarily good passage, all navigators are cautioned against following so good an example as he himself set, after having the misfortune to be forced to cross the line so far to leeward as 34°. It is true, no vessel should willingly cross so far to leeward, but cases are not unfrequent of vessels, after crossing in 34°, and even in 37°, having no difficulty in clearing St. Eoque. They do this by following the Sailing Directions, which advise them in such cases to stand on and trust to chance for a change of wind, and to luck for favorable slants. I think that Captain Creesy would have done very unwisely had he, on the 15th, when he found him- self to leeward, and on " the northern limits of the southeast trades," attempted, instead of standing on south, as he did, to beat to windward there in the doldrums. If there be any one point upon which I feel myself clear, touching the best course of procedure in such cases, it is in the caution which I have so often given and here repeat, viz: that navigators should not attempt to beat to windward in the doldrums. If ROUTES TO BIO, KTC. 4j01 a vessel find herself to leeward in tbem, and the wind will allow her to lay a course well to windward, as it did the Eagle, let her lay it, but do not attempt to beat in a part of the ocean where you know you are not to have wind enough for beating. May 21. Lat. 7° 52' S.; long. 34° 30' W. Wind: S. K by E. First part, light breezes and fine weather ; middle and latter, faint airs and calms. Current, N. 49° "W., 11 miles. I find the strength of the current about here depends much, if not altogether, upon the direction and velocity of the wind ; in crossing with the wind, and vice verad. Barque Southerner (E. Hooper), New York to San Francisco, nineteen days out. May 11, 1852. Lat. 14° 24' N. ; long. 39° 05' W. Strong easterly wind with a head sea. May 12. Lat. 11° 53' N. ; long. 37° 21' W. Strong easterly winds, and clear. May 13. Lat. 9° 19' N. ; long. 35° 53' W. Fine easterly breezes, and clear. May 14. Lat. 6° 49' N. ; long. 33° 58' W. Fresh breezes, at E. by N., and clear. May 15. Lat. 5° 11' N.; long. 31° 47' W. Wind: E.KE. Fine breezes, and clear. May 16. Lat. 4° 10' N. ; long. 31° 15' W. First part, wind all round the compass with rain ; middle part, wind S. E. and squally ; latter part, east, with rain squalls. May 17. Lat. 2° 28' N. ; long. 29° 40' W. First part, squally, with rain ; middle and latter parts, fresh breezes from E. to E. S. E., and clear weather. May 18. Lat. 0° 25' N.; long. 29° 30' W. Fine breezes with rain squalls. At 6 A. M. made St. Paul's Island. At 8 A. M. it bore N. E. true, distant about 12 miles. Found (by observation) that Blunt places the island too far east. English books agree with my chronometer. May 19. Lat. (D. E.) 00° 15' S. ; long. (D. E.) 29° 55' W.; first part, light breezes from E. S. E. ; middle and latter parts, wind all around the compass, accompanied with heavy showers. May 20. Lat. (D. E.) 1° 00' S. ; long. (D. E.) 30° 29' W. ; light airs, and rain squalls from all points of the compass. May 21. Lat. (D. E.) 1° 10' S.; long. (D. E.) 31° 05' W.; light airs, calms, with rain from all points, but principally N. TV". May 22. Lat. (D. E.) 1° 23' S.; long. (D E.) 30° 86' W. ; light baffling airs from S. E. to S., with continual rain squalls. May 23. Lat. 2° 38' S.; long. 30° 59' W.; first part, light, baffling airs, and rain squalls; at mid- night, took the trades at S. E. by E. Ends with fresh trades, and clear. May 24. Lat. 4° 05' S. ; long. 32° 56' W. ; fine fresh breezes from S. E. by E., and clear, with a heavy sea from S. May 25. Lat. 6° 44' S. ; long. 33° 09' W. ; strong gales and a high, irregular sea. Wind : S. E. May 26. Lat. 7° 10' S.; long. 33° 18' W.; strong. S. S. E. gales. At 5, made a tack off shore, and at 4 A. M. on again. Current, N. W., 1 mile per hour. 1 402 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Barque Ottawa (S. G. Brooks), New York to Eio Grande, Brazil, twenty days out. May 26, 1853. Lat. 20° 50' N.; long. 43° 30' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 79°. Winds : E. S. E., E. by S., E. ; first part, moderate breezes ; middle and latter, light. May 27. Lat. 18° 55' N. ; long. 42° 18' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: E., E. N. E., E. ; fresh breezes, and squally throughout. May 28. Lat. 16° 42' N, ; long. 41° 15' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 79°. Winds : E. by S., B., E. by N. to E. by S. ; fresh squalls throughout ; tumbling sea. May 29. Lat. 14° 40' K; long. 40° 02' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 79°. Winds: E. by S., E. by S., E. by N. to E. by S. ; fresh breezes and squally. May 30. Lat. 12° 44' N. ; long. 38° 31' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 78°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., E. N. E. ; fresh breezes with squalls. May 31. Lat. 11° 03' K; long. 36° 39' W. Barometer, 29.89; temperature of air, 80°. Winds: E. by K, E. N. E., N. E. by E. ; light breezes, and flawy. June 1. Lat. 9° 18' K; long. 34° 44' W. Barometer, 29.82 ; temperature of air, 82°. Winds: K E. by E., E. N. E., E. by N. ; moderate breezes ; clouds rising from the southward. June 2. Lat. 7° 34' N.; long. 33° 08' W. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 81°. Winds: E. by N., E. by N., W. S. W. ; first and middle parts, moderate breezes ; latter, light. June 3. Lat. 6° 00' K ; long. 32° 37' W. Barometer, 29.89 ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : calm, S. E., E. to E. N. E. ; first part, calm ; middle, light breezes ; latter, fresh. June 4. Lat. 4° 33' N.; long. 32° 07' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82°. Winds : E. to E. N. E., E. to E. S. E. and S. E. Moderate breezes and squally. June 5. Lat. 2° 33' N. ; long. 33° 20' W. Current, W. S. W., f of a knot per hour. Barometer, 29.89 ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. to S. S. E., S. S. E., S. E. Throughout, light breezes ; looks like trades. June 6. Lat. 00° 50' K ; long. 84° 13' W. Current, W. by S., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.87 ; temperature of air, 84°. Winds : S. E. by E., E. S. E., S. E. by E. Light breezes and fine weather ; quite smooth. June 7. Lat. 1° 05' N. ; long. 33° 38' W. Current, W. by S., 1 j% knots per hour. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds: E. S. E., S. E., and S. E. by S. to S. by E. Moderate, and fine weather. June 8. Lat. 1° 43' K ; long. 31° 56' W. Current, W. by K, 1| knots per hour. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. by E., S., S. by E. First and middle parts, light breezes. Latter, fresh. June 9. Lat. 1° 24' N.; long. 32° 21' W. Barometer, 29.89 ; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. S. E. J E., S. E. by S., S. E. Throughout, moderate breezes. You dorit catch me here again. June 10. Lat. 00° 24' S.; long. 33° 06' W. Current, 1,\ knots per hour, W. Barometer, 29.89; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E,, S. E, Throughout, moderate breezes, and squally. Strong currents. ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 403 June 11. Lat. 2° 40' S.; long. 32° 30' W. Not much current. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 83°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by E., E. Moderate breezes. June 12. Lat. 4° 54' S. ; long. 32° 04' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 84°. Winds: east, E. N. E., E. by S. Throughout, moderate breezes ; stronger in the night. June. 13. Lat. 7° 07' S.; long. 32° 40' W. Barometer, 29.89 ; temperature of air, 82°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. by S. First part, light breezes ; middle and latter, fresh and squally. Route to Rio efc.— June. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. True. Per cent. Average. Head. SLANT! moM Fair. Calms. observa- tions. % N'd. S'd. From New York to 39° 11' N. 70° 00' E.S.E. 199 10.1 219 2.6 7.8 w;11.4 78.2 3.1 349 37 34 65 00 E.S.E. 254 13.4 287 5.3 w;10.7 4.0 80.0 1.3 300 35 55 60 00 E.S.E. 259 5.9 272 2.0 2.8 10 6.2 89.0 1.2 245 35 00 57 17 E.S.E. 144 8.8 157 2.2 6.3 w 10.9 80.6 0.9 233 34 13 55 00 E.S.B. 123 2.0 125 0.0 wlO.O 0.0 90.0 20.0 20 32 30 50 00 E.S.E. 271 6.1 287 0.0 10.0 10.0 80.0 0.0 30 30 45 45 00 E.S.E. 276 5.8 292 1.1 2.1 w;17.0 79.7 19.7 94 30 00 42 54 E.S.E. 118 19.3 140 6.7 17.4 16.0 59.9 9.7 149 27 28 40 00 S.E. 215 15.0 247 3.3 w 22.9 6.6 67.2 4.2 67 25 00 37 15 S.E. 209 16.2 242 6.0 w;13.0 9.0 72.0 4.8 100 20 00 35 00 S.S.E. 325 2.6 333 0.0 w 9.0 0.0 91.0 1.8 56 15 00 32 50 S.S.E. 325 0.3 326 0.0 0.7 0.9 99.1 0.8 116 10 00 30 43 S.S.E. 325 2.0 331 0.0 w 7.5 1.5 91.0 0.0 66 5 00 28 37 S.S.E. 325 17.6 381 5.3 13.2 13.8 67.7 16.0 152 Equator 30 41 S.S.W. 325 8.8 353 2.8 w 16.1 2.8 78.3 0.0 106 3693 3992 1 00 S. 31 06 S.S.W. 65 3.0 67 0.0 lu 12.0 0.0 88.0 0.0 171 3 00 31 06 S.S.W. 330 5.8 138 0.0 28.5 0.0 71.5 0.0 21 5 00 32 46 S.S.W. 130 10.0 143 0.0 50.0 0.0 50.0 0.0 12 5 34 33 00 S.S.W. 37 10.0 41 0.0 50.9 0.0 50.0 0.0 12 7 00 33 36 S.S.W. 93 7.7 100 0.0 33.4 0.0 66.6 0.0 21 7 58 34 00 S.S.W. 63 6.6 67 0.0 27.0 0.0 73.0 0.0 37 9 00 34 26 S.S.W. 67 6.4 71 0.0 24.0 2.0 74.0 0.0 50 If the wind should, as it probably will, head you off, after crossing the line to the west of 30°, so as to force you to leeward of 33° before crossing 5° 30' S., stand E. for a few leagues, or until the wind hauls so as to let you lay up. Aim to cross the equator near 29° ; and do not, if it can be avoided, go to the east of 28° 30' after crossing 10° N. The farther you go east there, the more prevalent are the calms. Endeavor to cross 30° N. in about 40° W., so you may get to 25° N. by a south course. It is difficult to get to the S. E. between those two parallels. Southwest winds are not uncommon here. Between 10° and the equator, calms are 404 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. much more frequent E. of 30° than to the W. of 30°, and they become more prevalent as you go east. Between 25° and 30° W., from 3° to 5° N., are the calm latitudes in this month. See the Charts, Pilot and Track. Vessels should aim never to get to leeward of the track here laid down after crossing the line. The winds hang obstinately to the southward in June. Therefore, take advantage of all slants for making east- ing in south latitude, until you get to 9° S. Don't consider yourself too far eastward, if in this month you cross this parallel in 31° W. No calms obtain in June, south of the line, and between 29° W. and the coast. Among 1,000 observations examined in this part of the ocean, for this month, not one calm is recorded. Between 65° and 70° W., 30° and 33° N., is a great place for calms ; also from 25° to 28° N., between 60° and 65°. On the average, you will carry the N. E. trades to 8° or 9° N. Equatorial calms are most prevalent between 6° and 10° K, and 25° and 30° W. But between 30° and 35° W., the calms are most prevalent between 5° and 7° N. Between 30° and 85° W., you sometimes get the S. W. monsoons, and you are liable to them from 9° to 1° K Ship Audubon (C. Whiting), Boston to Canton, seventeen days out. May 26, 1852. Lat. 21° 01' N.; long. 38° 34' W. Winds: light, S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E; weather pleasant. May 27. Lat. 18° 38' N. ; long. 37° 46' W. Wind : fresh, E. by S. ; weather pleasant. May 28. Lat. 15° 39' K; long. 36° 26' W. Winds: fresh and flawy, E. by S., E.; weather pleasant. May 29. Lat. 12° 51' N.; long. 35° 15' W. Winds: fresh with squalls, E., E. by N.; weather variable. May 30. Lat. 10° 00' N.; long. 33° 43' W. Winds: fresh and flawy, E. N. E., E. by N.; weather cloudy. May 31. Lat. 7° 36' N.; long. 32° 23' W. Wind: fresh, with squalls, E. by N. E.; weather hazy. June 1. Lat. 6° 03' N. ; long. 32° 25' W. Winds : fresh, squally, E., E. S. E., S. E. ; weather cloudy, with rain. June 2. Lat. 4° 49' N.; long. 32° 00' W. Winds: S. E., E., moderate, S. S. E. to E. Light and baffling ; cloudy weather. June 3. Lat. 4° 31' K; long. 31° 27' W. AVinds: light and baffling; N. E. to E., N. E., E. K E. to N. ; weather pleasant. June 4. Lat. 3° 49' N.; bug. 31° 07' W. Winds: light; K, N. E., N. E.; weather clear and pleasant. June 5. Lat. 3° 28' N. ; long. 31° 12' W. Winds : light and baffling; W. S. W., S. S. E., S. ; weather pleasant, passing squalls. ROUTES TO KIO, ETC. 405 Juue 6. Lat. I'' 46' N.; long. 81° 52' W. Winds: moderate; S. S. E., S. S. E., S. E.; weather pleasant. June 7. Lat. 0° 02' S.; long. 31° 53' W. Winds: moderate; S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E.; weather pleasant. June 8. Lat. 2° 14' S.; long. 32° 12' W. Winds: moderate; E. S. E. to S. E., by E.; weather pleasant. June 9. Lat. 8° 25' S. ; long. 82° 20' W. Winds : moderate ; S. E., E, by S^ E. S. E. ; weather fine ; made Fernando de Noronha. June 10. Lat. 3° 16' S.; long. 31° 30' W. Winds: moderate; S. E., S. E. by S., S. E.; weather pleasant. June 11. Lat. 5° 20' S.; long. 31° 27' W. Winds : fresh; S. E., S. S. E., S. E.; weather pleasant. ShijJ Milton (Freeman), Boston to Madras, twenty-three days out. June 7, 1851. Lat. 20° 31' N.; long. 35° 50' W. Fresh winds with occasional squalls; E. S. E., S. E. June 8. Lat. 18° 55' N.; long. 34° 40' W. Fresh winds and clear weather; E. to E. S. E. June 9. Lat. 16° 53' N. ; long. 33° 31' W. Fresh breezes and passing clouds ; E. by N. June 10. Lat. 14° 48' N. ; long. 31° 33' W. Fresh breezes and hazy weather ; E. by N. June 11. Lat. 12° 48' K ; long. 83° 12' W. Fine breezes and pleasant ; E., E. by N. June 12. Lat. 11° 05' K ; long. 28° 23' W. Fine wind and pleasant; E. by N. June 13. Lat. 9° 16' K ; long. 27° 01' W. Fine breezes and squally ; E., E. by N. June 14. Lat. 7° 47' N.; long. 25° 48' W. Moderate breezes with occasional squalls; E., E. N. E., N. E. June 15. Lat. 6° 45' N.; long. 25° 10' W. Light aire and pleasant; N. E., E. June 16. Lat. 5° 57' N.; long. 25° 18' W. Light baffling airs; calms, thunder and lightning; N. E., baffling. June 17. Lat. 5° 17' N. ; long. 26° 02' W. Light airs first part ; latter, heavy squalls with rain. South, variable. June 18. Lat. 4° 47' N.; long. 25° 11' W. Calms and squalls, first and middle part; latter part, fine weather; calm, S. by E. June 19. Lat. 3° 18' N.; long. 26° 02' W. Gentle breezes and pleasant; S. by E. June 20. Lat. 1° 36' N". ; long. 27° 21' W. Fine weather; S. S. E. June 21. Lat. 0° 24' S. ; long. 28° 26' W. Fine weather ; S. E. June 22. Lat. 2° 52' S.; long. 28° 44' W. Fine weather; moderate breezes; S. E. by E., S. E. by S., S. E. June 23. Lat. 5° 17' S. ; long. 28° 54' W. Fine weather; S. E. 406 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. Ship Messenger (Frank Smith), New York to California, eleven days out. June 13, 1852. Lat. 19° 37' K; long. 38° 46' W. Winds: east throughout. First part, fine winds and weather ; middle and latter parts, light and squally. June 14. Lat. 16° 18' N.; long. 38° 44' W. Moderate breeze, E. S. E., S. E. by E., E. S. E. Occa- sional squalls. June 15. Lat. 13° 30' N.; long. 36° 44' W. First part, light breezes and squally; latter, moderate and fair, E., E. to E. by N., E. N. E. June 16. Lat. 11° 00' N.; long. 34° 39' W. First part, fine breezes ; middle and latter, light, at E. by N. throughout. June 17. Lat. 9° 00' N. ; long. 31° 49' W. Light winds and fair weather, E. by N. to E. N. E. June 18. Lat. 7° 18' N. ; long. 30° 24' "W". First part, moderate breezes ; latter, baffling airs and calms ; E. N. E. ; northerly, bafiling. June 19. Lat. 7° 08' N.; long. 29° 50' W. First part, calm and cloudy; latter part, light breeze from southward. June 20. Lat. 6° 28' K; long. 29° 10' W. First part, light airs, S. by "W., and clear; middle and latter part, calm with heavy rain. June 21. Lat. 5° 51' N. ; long. 25° 43' W. First part, calm with showers ; middle and latter, light breeze, S. by W., S. S. W. June 22. Lat. 4° 27' N. ; long. 27° 53' W. Moderate breezes and clear ; S. by W., S., S. by E. June 23. Lat. 3° 26' K ; long. 29° 20' W. Very light airs and calms; S. by E., calm S. June 24. Lat. 2° 25' N. ; long. 31° 05' W. Light airs ; S. by B., calm, S. S. E. June 25. Lat. 0° 30° K; long. 31° 54' W. Light breezes ; S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. to S. E. by E. June 26. Lat. 2° 12' S. ; long. 31° 56' W. Moderate breezes and squally, S. E. by E., E. S. E. June 27. Lat. 5° 04' S.; long. 32° 40' W. Light winds in first and middle part, S. E. by E.; latter part, fine breezes, S. E. by E. Ship Eliza Mallory (John E. Williams), New York to San Francisco, sixteen days out. June 4, 1852. Lat. 21° 24' N. ; long. 35° 14' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 78°. Winds : E., E. N. E,, E. N. E. Light and baffling. June 5. Lat. 18° 33' N.; long. 34° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: E. N. E., E., E. First part, light breezes ; middle and latter, strong. Came through a tide rip. June, 6. Lat. 15° 47' K; long. 32° 39' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: E. N. E., E., E. by S. First part, strong breezes ; middle and latter, squally. June 7. Lat. 12° 50' N.; long. 31° 16' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: E. S. E., E., E. N. E. Strong breezes. June 8. Lat. 10° 27' N. ; long. 30° 08' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: east. Strong breezes and rain squalls. Came through tide rips. Current setting to the eastward. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 407 Jane 9. Lat. 7° 54' N.; long. 29° 8' W. Current, eastwardly. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 82°. Winds : E. by N. Strong breezes. June 10. Lat. 7° 8' N.; long. 28° 40' W. Current, to the eastward. Barometer, 29.9; tempera- ture of air, 82°. Winds: E.N. E., and calm. First part, strong, with rain squalls; middle and latter, calm and rainy. June 11. No observation. Current, to the eastward. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 78°. Winds: S. S. W., and baffling. First part, squalls from S. W. ; middle and latter, rain squalls from all quarters. June 12. Lat. 6° 40' N.; long. 27° 23' W. Easterly current. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 78°. Winds : S. W. Wind baffling from west to S. W., with rain squalls. Heavy sea from S, W. June 13. Lat. 6° N.; long. 27° 22' W. Easterly current. Barometer, 29.95; tfemperature of air, 82°. Winds : S. W. ; calm, S. E. First part, rain squalls ; middle, calm ; latter, light. June 14. Lat. 5° 18' N.; long. 27° 21' W. Barometer, 29.90. Temperature of air, 80°. Wind: S. E. First part, light ; middle and latter, light and squally. June 15. Lat. 3° 45' N. ; long. 28° 30' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82°. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. E., S. by E. First part, light and rainy ; middle, squally ; latter, strong. June 16. Lat. 2" N. ; long. 30° 30' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 80°. Winds : S. by E., S. E. by S., S. S. E. First part, strong; middle and latter, moderate. June 17. Lat. 1° 40' N.; long. 31° 37' W. Westerly current. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 81°. Wind : S. S. E. Light winds. At 8 A. M. came through a tide rip. June 18. Lat. 2° N.; long. 30° 54' W. Westerly current. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 80°. Winds : baffling, S. S. E., S. S. E. Strong current going to the westward. Tacked to the eastward. June 19. Lat. 15' S.; long. 31° 13' W. Westerly current. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 80°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. by E. ; light. Tacked ship ; came through tide rips. Ship N. B. Palmer (C. P. Low), New York to San Francisco, thirteen days out. June 4, 1852. Lat. 22° 3' N. ; long. 32° 29' W. Barometer, 30.30. Winds : north, N. E., and E. S. E. Moderate breeze, and pleasant. June 5. Lat. 18° 14' N.; long. 31° 24' W. Barometer, B0.30. Wind: E. S. E. June 6. Lat. 14° 21' N.; long. 29° 48' W. Barometer, 30.30. Wind:E. S. E. Pleasant trades. June 7. Lat. 11° 16' N.; long. 28° 28' W. Barometer, 30.20. Wind : E. by S. Pleasant trades. June 8. Lat. 8° 44' N.; long. 26° 54' W. Barometer, 30.20. Wind: E. by S. Pleasant trades. At 2 A. M. came up with and passed the clipper ship Gazelle, which sailed 6 days before us. June 9. Lat. 7° 32' N.; long. 26° 30' W. Barometer, 30.20. Winds: E. by S. Light airs and calms. Gazelle twelve miles astern. June 10. Lat. 7° 20' N. ; long. 25° 52' W. Barometer, 30.30. Winds : E., S., N. Light airs and calms. June 11. Lat. 6° 30' N.; long. 24° 55' W. Barometer, 30.30. Winds: S., S. S. W., S. S. E. ' Light airs and calms. 408 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. June 12. Lat. 5° 49' N.; long. 25° 14' W. Barometer, 30.1. Winds: S. S. E. Light airs and calms. June 13. Lat. 3° 45' N.; long. 26° 40' W. Barometer, 30.1. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. E. by S. Moderate breezes from S. to S. E. by S. Gazelle out of sight astern. June 14. Lat. 1° 16' N.; long. 28° 10' W. Barometer, 30.20. Wind : S. S. E. Moderate breezes. June 15. Lat. 1° 28' S. ; long. 29° 32' W. Barometer, 30.30. Wind: S. E. by S. Moderate breezes, and cloudy. June 16. Lat. 4° 24' S. ; long. 30° 38' W. Barometer, 30.30. Wind : E. S. E. Ship Ojieida (Wiliiam A. Creesy), New York to China, nineteen days out. June 6, 1852. Lat. 15° 53' K; long. 31° 25' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 75°; ofv water, 75°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., E. by S. Fresh breezes and hazy weather ; sun obscured. June 7. Lat. 12° 49' K ; long. 30° 37' W. Barometer, 80 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 75°. Winds : E., E., E. Moderate breezes and squally, with showers of rain ; heavy dew. June 8. Lat. 10° 31' N.; long. 29° 20' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 75°. Winds: E., E., E., gentle. Night-showers; latter pleasant. S. E. sea. June 9. Lat. 8° 3' K; long. 27° 50' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 79°. Winds : E., E. by N., E. by N. Overcast ; heavy clouds hanging at the S. E. and S. Ends rainy. June 10. Lat. 7° 16' N. ; long. 27° 40' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E., calm, calm. Heavy rains ; frequent airs from all points, but generally calm. Saw a ship, apparently a clipper, bound same way. June 11. Lat. 6° 68' K ; long. 37° 30' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds : calm, S., S. E., light airs from S. to S. E., and S. W., and calm, with heavy rains. Ends pleasant. Signalized ship Tartar, from New York, May 12, for Canton. June 12. Lat. 6° 18' N. ; long. 27° 5' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 81°. Winds ; calm N. N. W., calm N. N. W., calm, calm, most of the time. Cats-paws from all points ; frequent rains. June 13. Lat. 5° 34' N. ; long. 26° 41' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : calm, calm, S. E. ; first and second calm, baffling, and rainy ; latter, light airs from S. E. June 14. Lat. 4° 44' N.; long. 26° 50' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. E., calm, S. E. ; first and second, pleasant ; latter, hanging squalls and rains. June 15. Lat. 3° 10' N. ; long. 27° 49' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 81°. Winds: S. S. E., S. S. E., S. S.E.; first part, rainy and squally ; night and morning, steady trades. June 16. Lat. 57' N.; long. 29° 28' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 80°'; of water, 80°. Winds : S. S. B., S. E., S.S. E.; pleasant, with gentle breezes. Made Saint Paul's Eocks E. by S., four or five mUes. June 17. Lat. 1° S.; long. 30° 11' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 77°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. Pleasant, with gentle breezes at times, approximating to a calm. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 409 June 18. Lat. 2° 46' S.; long. 30° 25' W. Current, E. N. E., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. ; first and second, very light ; latter, brisk breezes, squally appearances. June 19. Lat. 4° 26' S.; long. 30° 45' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 79 ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. B. by S., S. S, E., S. E. Squally, with showers of rain. Stood E. twenty miles. June 20. Lat. 7° S. ; long. 32° 11' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 79°, Winds : S. S. E., E. by S., S. S. E. Brisk breezes, and fine. Flying fish. June 21. Lat. 9° 2' S. ; long. 33° 55' W. Current, half knot per hour. Barometer, 80 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 79°. Winds: S. S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Brisk breezes, and cloudy throughout. Boute No. 1 to Rio, etc.— -July. (For fast Yessels.) ] OISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. itude. Longitude. Course. Total No. Lat True. Per cent. Average. Head. SLANTS FROM Fair. Calms. observa- tions. N'd or E'd. S'd or W'd. From Sandy Hook to 39° 11' N. 70° 00 E.S.E. 199 11.4 222 2.2 11.8 10.8 75.2 4.0 310 37 33 65 00 E.S.E. 256 5.4 269 0.2 8.2 6.5 85.1 10.7 411 35 64 60 00 E.S.E. 259 7.7 278 2.6 4.7 6.9 85.8 7.5 234 35 00 57 21 E.S.E. 141 5.3 148 0.4 4.7 w 7.9 87.9 3.4 256 34 12 55 00 E.S.E. 126 19.2 150 6.2 W18.5 10.8 64.5 12.2 65 32 28 50 00 E.S.E. 272 20.6 297 7.2 9.6 «;22.8 60.2 0.0 84 30 00 50 00 S. 148 14.4 173 1.7 wl9.9 17.4 61.0 1.7 116 25 00 50 00 S. 300 10.6 352 5.3 m;10.5 0.0 84.2 5.0 19 20 24 45 00 S.E. 390 3.5 402 0.0 w O.O 17.4 82.6 0.0 23 20 00 44 34 S.E. 34 5.1 36 0.0 m;18.0 0.0 82.0 0.0 28 15 40. 40 00 S.E. 368 5.8 389 0.0 w28.7 0.0 71.3 0.0 28 15 00 39 10 S.E. 57 11.5 57 0.0 w 1.4 0.0 98.6 0.0 72 10 48 35 00 S.E. 356 5.9 377 0.0 w;25.0 0.0 75.0 7.2 64 10 00 34 40 S.S.E. 52 6.4 55 1.0 w 8.2 1.0 89.8 5.8 98 8 06 30 00 E.S.E. 299 11.7 334 1.0 w;18.6 15.5 61.9 13.4 97 6 03 25 00 E.S.E. 322 14.2 367 2.4 15.6 IV 18.0 64.01 44.6J 10.7 167 5 00 25 26 s.s.w. 68 29.8 88 8.4 m;35.4 12.6 Eqi lator 27 30 s.s,w. 325 3972 7.4 348 1.3 m;21.9 0.0 76.8 0.0 78 4322 3 86 S. 29 00 s.s.w. 234 6.9 348 2.0 w;21.0 2.0 75.0 0.0 401 4 36 30 00 S.W. 85 0.0 85 0.0 w 39.8 0.0 69.2 0.0 35 5 00 30 10 s.s.w. 26 2.9 27 0.0 14.2 0.0 85.8 0.0 21 5 50 31 00 s.w. 70 0.0 70 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 33 7 00 31 30 s.s.w. 76 5.0 80 0.0 24.9 0.0 75.1 0.0 12 7 30 32 00 s.w. 42 0.6 42 0.0 3.4 0.0 96.6 0.0 29 8 29 33 00 S.W. 84 2.9 86 0.0 14.4 0.0 85.6 0.0 21 9 00 33 51 S.W. 44 1.9 45 0.0 9.6 0.0 90.4 0.0 42 10 14 34 00 S.S.W. 80 7.2 86 0.0 26.0 0.0 74.0 5.0 39 11 00 34 19 s.s.w. 50 4.2 52 0.0 23.4 0.0 76.6 0.0 39 52 410 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. The difficulties for this month consist in calms and haffling winds, in certain regions, which it is necessary to avoid. I have, therefore, given two tracks for this month, viz : one for bold navigators and fast-sailing vessels, that can lay up within six points of the wind ; and the other for dull sailers, that cannot do well close-hauled. Both tracks avoid the calms of the horse latitudes. There is not much dift'erence between them as they are here given, in point of average sailing distance. The difference consists in better working breezes by route No. 1, than the other, and I now confine myself to this route, viz: No. 1. In taking this route, if you keep much to the east of the track, say between the parallels of 35° and 30° N., you will get into the calms of the horse latitudes. See, by the Trade-Wind Charts, where these calms most prevail along this route, and at this season. After reaching the meridian of 50° W., south is given as the course which a vessel will make on the \ average thence to the parallel of 25°, But it should be recollected that the tracks given in these Directions, and which every navigator who intends to be guided by them is recommended to project on his chart, are in no case the track which the vessel herself is expected actually to make. Suppose a large number of vessels at different times should take this route as their guide, the mean of all their tracks would be represented by the route which I recommend ; though perhaps it would not represent the track of a single vessel taken separately. Some would be on one side, some on another ; some would cross it in one place and some in another. It is difficult to get navigators to comprehend this. Many of them think that, to go the routes recommended by me, they must actually run on the lines which I have drawn to serve merely as guides for them, and for the purpose of my own convenience in illustration. Vessels that attempt to follow these routes, will sometimes find themselves hundreds of miles on one side or the other of the track, as projected ; and when they find themselves so driven off from the track as laid down in the books, they should not attempt to get back upon the line itself as though it were a channel way, but taking the direction in which it lies as a guide, and consulting the charts with which they are supplied, they should shape their course, and be governed accordingly. Every track that I have drawn, shows that head winds may be expected along it ; and when these head winds are encountered, the vessel so encountering must expect to be turned aside ; and whether she should beat or not, or stand off altogether upon this or that track, the master must decide ; and he should be governed in his decision by the Sailing Directions and the Charts themselves. With this general explanation for all the routes, navigators who try this July route, will perceive that I do not recommend that they should, after reaching the meridian of 50° W., actually stretch away due south for 500 miles until they reach the parallel of 25° N., where the wind will allow them to lay up to the southward and eastward. Suppose that a vessel on this route should, on reaching the meridian of 50°, near lat. 32° 28', have the wind to come out from S. E. — as she will find it to do, on the average, 12 times in 100 — she should ■ not, in this case, stand to the northward and eastward, because she would then run up into a part of the BOUTES TO RIO, ETC. 411 ocean where the calms and light airs of the horse latitudes are most vexatious. If she cannot lie south, she should stand down to the southward and westward until the wind hauls, or until she can reach the parallel of 31°, and then go about, taking care not to recross the parallel of 32° and to the west of 45.° After crossing 80° N., strive not to fall to the westward of the projected track. Consider yourself in the best possible position if you can cross the parallel of 25° N. between 40° and 45°, or the parallel of 20° between 85° and 40°. From either of these positions, you will have no difficulty in reaching the meridian of 30° or 31° between the parallels of 9° and 12° N., where you will lose the N. E. trades; you will then take the equatorial calms, and they may hang on you obstinately, if you go much farther to the east; but you will seldom or never carry them with you below 6° N. Cross 6° N. by the shortest possible course. Losing these calms, you will generally get the S. E. trades ; for to the west of 30°, the S. W. monsoons seldom blow — though they do sometimes; to the east of 30° they blow quite constantly in July. To the east of 30°, the equatorial calms prevail from 15° N. to 8° N., and you will be liable to the S. "W. monsoons from 11° to 2° N. Hence, you will observe that it is important you should, if the winds will allow you, cross the equatorial doldrums about 30° W., and not go further east than 27° if you can pos- sibly avoid it. After crossing the line and getting the"*. E. trades, if you should find yourself unable to clear the land, stand on boldly to the southward, unless the wind should slant so as to allow you to lay well up to the eastward on the other tack, until you cross 5° S. to the west of 33°. Between this parallel and 9° S. you can make either a south or an east course good on the average twice out of three, and in some regions three times in four; or even, when you get near the land, four times in five. It is better to take the chances of these slants, than it is to attempt to make your easting in the doldrums north of the line. If a vessel strike these calms to the east of 27° west, she may consider herself lucky if she gets clear of them in less than a week or ten days. Don't fear to pass west of Fernando de Noronha. July is an unfavorable month for quick passages, let a vessel take what route she will. 412 THB WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Borite No. 2, to Bio, efc.^JuLY. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. Direct. Per cent. True. Head. SLANTS FKOM Fair. Calms. observa- tions. ! N'd or E'd. S'dorW'd. From Sandy Hook to 39° 11' N. 70° 00' E.S.E. 199 11.4 222 2.2 11.8 10.8 75.2 4.0 310 37 33 65 00 E.S.E. 256 5.4 269 0.2 8.2 6.5 85.1 10.7 411 37 33 60 00 E. 238 9.0 259 3.4 IV 8.6 5.2 82.8 7.5 234 37 33 55 00 E. 238 9.0 259 4.8 3.5 w 6.3 85.0 3.4 256 37 33 50 00 E. 238 6.7 254 1.1 4.9 w 9.0 84.1 5.8 262 37 33 45 00 B. 238 8.2 257 2.9 1.2 w;10.2 85.7 2.8 243 35 54 40 00 E.S.E. 259 5.9 274 1.6 2.0 w;ll.l 85.3 3.3 244 35 00 38 54 S.E. 77 14.9 88 8.6 9.0 wl9.5 67.9 5.5 829 31 41 35 00 S.E. 274 9.6 300 1.0 w 16.0 10.0 73.0 3.8 100 30 00 34 09 S.S.E. 115 6.2 122 0.0 w;17.6 11.0 71.4 8.3 46 25 00 31 49 S.S.E. 325 8.5 352 8.0 7.0 8.0 82.0 3.0 98 21 00 30 00 S.S.E. 260 0.3 261 0.0 1.5 0.0 98.5 0.0 180 20 00 29 84 S.S.E. .65 0.3 65 0.0 0.0 2.1 97.9 1.4 142 15 00 27 24 S.S.E. 325 0.5 327 0.0 2.5 0.0 97.5 1.8 163 10 00 25 17 S.S.E. 325 4.3 389 0.6 w 8.2 5.2 86.0 9.2 158 Thence S. or S.S.E. to intersection of track No. 1. » This route is intended for dull sailers and timid navigators. Do not cross 35° N., to the west of 45° ; nor 33° N., to the west of 40°. After crossing 80° N. in about 33°, you have, as the track shows, all the chances nearly, of fair winds, in your favor, until you get between 13° and 8° N. ; between which parallels, if you be between the meridians of 25° and 30°, you may expect to lose the N. E. trades, and then to contend with southerly winds, light airs, and calms (if between these two meridians), till you get between 5° and 2° N., where the S. E. trades will be found. The getting from the N. E. into the S. E. trades is the difficult part of the passage, and the farther you go east, the more difficult this is. In July, you can carry the N. E. trades two or three degrees farther down, by keeping between the meridians of 30° and 85°, than you are liable to do between the meridians of 25° and 80°. In like manner, you will get the S. E. trades farther to the north between the two former, than you will between the two latter meridians. And in this fact is the great secret of the advantage to be gained by keeping to the west. Ship Albany (L. B. Gorham), from New York to San Francisco, twenty-one days out. June 24, 1852. Lat. 20° 04' N. ; long. 40° 29' W. Winds: E. by N., E. by N., E. by N. Fine breezes and weather. June 25. Lat. 19° 14' N. ; long. 39° 30' W. Winds : E., and E. by N. Moderate breezes and pass- ing clouds. June 26. No observation. Wind : E. by N. Fresh breezes, with fresh squalls of rain. June 27. Lat. 15° 48' N. ; long. 36° 45' W. Wind : E. by N. Fresh breezes and squally. June 28. Lat. 14° 38' N.; long. 35° 00' W. Wind : E. N.E. Moderate breezes with fresh squalls. ROUTES TO RIO, KTC. 413 Jane 29. Lat. 12° 53' K ; long. 33° 25' W. Wind: E. by N. Squally with rain. June 30. Lat. 11° 27' N.; long. 31° 36' W. "Wind : E.N.E. Moderate breezes and pleasant. July 1. Lat. 9° 57' N. ; long. 27° 32' W. Wind : E. K E. Fine breezes and clear weather. July 2. Lat. 9° 07' N. ; long. 29° 13' W. Winds : N. E. to S. E. Light, variable winds, and calm with rain. [This ship is now entering the doldrums, and the region of southwardly monsoons. That tack is the best, which, under these circumstances, would enable her to make most southing. She was baffled in this region until the 19th, seventeen days; for it was not until the 19th that she cleared the rains which mark this region.] July 3. Lat. 8° 59' N. ; long. 28° 16' W. Winds: variable, S., and S. by W. Light air and squally, with rain. July 4. Lat. 8° 38' N. ; long. 27° 00' W. Wind : S. S. W. Light breezes and fine weather. July 5. Lat. 7° 40' N. ; long. 26° 00' W. Winds : S. W., calm, and S. W. ; light airs and calm. July 6. Lat. 6° 53' N.; long. 29° 39' W. Winds: S. W. by S., S. S. W., and S.; moderate and' passing clouds. July 7. Lat. 6° 07' N. ; long. 26° 10' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by S. ; light and hazy. July 8. Lat. 5° 07' K; long. 26° 12' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. S. E., S. E. by S.; moderate and clear. July »5!Jj.at. 4° 04' N. ; long. 26° 57' W. Wind: S. E. by S. ; moderate and clear. July 10. Lat. 8° 24' K ; long. 28° 25' W. Wind : S. E. by S. ; gentle breezes and fine weather. July 11. Lat. 3° 42' N. ; long. 28° 00' W. Wind : S. S. W. ; moderate and cloudy. July 12. Lat. 4° 04' N.; long. 27° 00' W. Wind : S. by W. to S.; moderate and cloudy. July 13. Lat. 3° 21' N. ; long. 27° 28' W. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. E. by S. ; moderate and pleasant weather. July 14. Lat. 2° 01' N. ; long. 28° 40' W. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. by E. ; gentle breezes and pleasant. July 15. Lat. 1° 38' N. ; long. 29° 45' W. Winds : S. E., S. E., and S. by E. ; gentle and light airs, and fine weather. July 16. Lat. 2° 04' N. ; long. 29° 30' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. by E., and S. ; light breeze and clear. July 17. Lat. 2° 24' N. ; long. 29° 25' W. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. E. by S. ; light winds and clear. July 18. Lat. 2° 42' N.; long. 29° 20' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by E.; light breeze and squally with rain ; latter part, fine breezes and clear. July 19. Lat. 1° 03' N. ; long. 30° 26' W. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., S. E. by E. ; moderate breezes and clear. July 20. Lat. 0° 57' S.; long. 31° 05' W. Winds: S. E., and E. S. E.; moderate and clear. July 21. Lat. 2° 55' S. ; long. 31° 03' W. Wind : E. S. E.; moderate and pleasant. July 22. Lat. 4° 57' S. ; long. 31° 24' W. Winds : S. E. by E., E. S. E. ; moderate and rain. il^ THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. July 23. Lat. 7° 08' S. ; long. 31° 43' W. Winds: S. E. to E. S. E. ; moderate and pleasant; latter part, fresh breezes and squally. Ship Helena (F. H. Cave), New York to Port Philip, fifteen days out. June 25, 1852. Lat. 21° 18' N. ; long. 33° 18' W. Strong trades with passing clouds ; E. by S., E, June 26. Lat. 17° 14' N.; long. 32° 37' W. Strong trades with passing clouds, east. June 27. Lat. 13° 25' N.; long. 31° 65' W. Moderate winds, smoky weather, east. June 28. Lat. 10° 12' N.; long. 31° 28' W. Moderate breezes, east. June 29. Sun obscure; lost the trades; middle part, baffling winds and calms, with storms of rain; ends thick and rainy. June 30. Lat. 7° 13' K; long. 30° 29' AV. Begins squally with rain, wind baffling; at midnight, heavy rains ; 9 A. M. weather more clear with passing clouds, W. S. "W". ^ July 1. Lat. 6° 24' N. ; long. 29° 39' W. Baffling winds with rain, W. S. W., S. W., S. S. W. July 2. Lat. 5° 31' N. ; long. 29° 00' W. Baffling winds, with heavy rains, S. S. W. July 3. Lat. 3° 41' K ; long. 29° 40° W. First part, baffling winds. Ends with fine breezes ; S. S. W., S., S. S. E. July 4. Lat. 0° 36' N. ; long. 31° 32' W. Strong trades : S. E. by S., S. E. Compare the track of the Helena and Sabine (p. 414), with the track of the Albany (p. JB^. They all came along about the same time. The two former did not go east of 29°, and were detained by the baffling winds of the doldrums, only two or three days each, against the Albany's two or three weeks. July 5. Lat. 1° 45' S. ; long. 32° 15' W. Moderate trades : S. E. to E., E. S. E., S. E. July 6. Lat. 2° 28' S. ; long. 31° 36' W. Moderate winds : S. E., S. S. E., S. E. July 7. Lat. 3° 47' S.; long. 32° 22' W. Fresh breezes, with squalls and rain; made the Island of Fernando de Noronha. Winds: S. E., S. S. E., E. S. E. July 8. Lat. 6° 45' S.; long. 32° 32' W. Strong breezes : E. S. E., S. E. by E. Ship Sabine (H. Libbey), Boston to Calcutta, 20 days out. June 25, 1852. Lat. 21° 54' N. ; long. 35° 00' W. Moderate breezes and cloudy weather. E. ^ S. throughout. June. 26. Lat. 18° 26' N. ; long. 34° 20' W. Strong trades with squalls, east. June 27. Lat. 15° 13' N.; long. 33° 24' W. Strong trades with squalls, east. June 28. Lat. 12° 13' N.; long. 32° 04' W. Strong trades with squalls, E. N. E. June 29. Lat. 10° 06' K ; long. 30° 57' W. Heavy squalls from eastward, between them moderate breezes, cloudy. E. N. E., E. by N. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 415 June 30. Lat. 8° 52' N. ; long. 30° 25' W. First part pleasant ; very light breeze ; middle part, very light, with squalls from S. E. Latter part, squalls from northward to eastward, and S. S. E. July 1. Lat. 7° 54' N.; long. 29° 48' W. First part, moderate breeze, N. E. by E. with heavy rain. Middle part, squally from S. E. Latter part, moderate from southward, with squalls. July 2. Lat. 6° 43' N.; long. 28° 30' "W. First and middle parts, light breezes, with frequent rain squalls, W. S. W. ; latter part, cloudy, S. W. by S. July 3. Lat. 6° 11' N. ; long. 28° 45' W. Squally, with rain. South throughout. July 4. Lat. 5° 09' N. ; long. 39° 15' W. Moderate breeze and pleasant. South, S. E. by S., S. by E. July 5. Lat. 4° 28' N. ; long. 29° 00' "W. Moderate breeze and pleasant; S. S. E., and S. by E. July 6. Lat. 2° 14' K ; long. 30° 15' W. Strong breezes ; S. E. by S., S. E. I S. July 7. Lat. 0° 01' S. ; long. 31° 15' W. Fresh trades, S. E., E. S. E., E. by S. July 8. Lat. 2° 30' S.; long. 31° 06' W. Fresh breezes and pleasant, E. by S. July 9. Lat. 5° 06' S. ; long. 32° 05' W. Fresh breezes and pleasant, E. S. E. Ship Prohus (David Branscum), New York to Panama, thirty-eight days out. July 2, 1853. Lat. 19° 44' N. ; long. 30° 05' W. Winds : E. K E., E. N. E., and east. Fresh breezes and cloudy weather. July 3. Lat. 17° 22' N. ; long. 29° 25' W. Winds : east, E. N. E., and east. Fine breezes and clear weather. July 4. Lat. 15° 12' N. ; long. 29° 03' W. Winds: east, east, E. N. E. Pleasant breezes and clear weather. July 5. Lat. 12° 52' N. ; long. 28° 45' W. Winds : E. K E., N. E., and N. E. Pleasant breezes and cloudy weather. July 6. Lat. 11° 54' N. ; long. 28° 29' W. Winds : K N. E., E. N. E., and east. Moderate breeze. July 7. Lat. 10° 30' N. ; long. 28° 11' W. Wind : east. Moderate breezes and cloudy. July 8. Lat. 9° 01' N. ; long. 27° 42' W. Winds : E. N. E., N. E., and east. Light breezes and clear weather. July 9. Lat. 8° 08' N. ; long. 28° 18' W. Wind : S. S. E. Baffling winds and cloudy, with thunder, lightning, and rain. July 10. No observation. Winds : S. S. E., S. by E., and south. Light breezes and cloudy weather; showers. July 11. Lat. 7° 18' N. ; long. 27° 50' W. Winds : variable. Weather squally. July 12. No observation. Winds : S. W., S. W., S. W. Moderate breezes and thick weather. July 13. Lat. 5° 17' N.; long. 27° 22' W. Winds: south, south, and S.by W. Pleasant breezes and cloudy weather, with rain. July 14. Lat. 5° 06' N. ; long. 25° 48' W. Wind : S. by W. throughout. Fresh breezes from the southward, and clear. 416 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. July 15. No observation. Wind: S. by "VV. throughout. Moderate breezes, with thick rainy weather. July 16. Lat. 3° 58' K ; long. 26° 44' AY. Winds : S. W., south, and south. Moderate breezes and rainy weather. July 17. Lat. 2° 43' N. ; long. 28° 37' W. Winds : south, S. by W., and S. by E. Pleasant breeze and clear. July 18. Lat. 0° 32' N.; long. 30° 00' W. AVinds: S.S.E., S.E. by S., and S.E. Fresh breezes and clear weather. July 19. Lat. 1° 35' S. ; long. 31° 08' W. Wind : S. E. Moderate breezes and pleasant. July 20. Lat. 3° 43' S. ; long. 31° 10' AV. AVinds : S. E. by E., and E. S. E. Moderate breezes and squally ; cloudy weather, July 21. Lat. 5° 47' S.; long. 32° 21' W. Winds: S.E. by E., S.E., and S.E. by S. Pleasant breezes and cloudy, with light rain squalls. \ Barque Reindeer (Wm. AVeard), Baltimore to San Francisco, seventeen days out. July 7, 1853. Lat. 20° 57' N. ; long. 45° 03' AV. Winds : E., E. by N., E. by N. Moderate breezes and squally weather. July 8. Lat. 19° 06' N. ; long. 43° 41' AV". Winds : E. by N., throughout ; fresh breezes and showers of rain. July 9. Lat. 16° 52' K ; long. 42° 04' AV. AVinds : E. by N., E. N. E., and E. by N. Strong breezes with cloudy weather. July 10. Lat. 14° 41' N.; long. 40° 27' W. Winds : E. by N. throughout, strong breezes and cloudy with rain. July 11. Lat. 12° 45' N.; long. 38° 38' W. Winds: E. by N., E. K E., E. N. E. Strong trades with fresh squalls. July 12. Lat. 10° 56' N. long. 36° 36' W. Winds: E.N. E., N. E. by E., and E.N-.E. Brisk breezes and hazy weather. July 13. Lat. 9° 30' N.; long. 34° 24' W. Winds : E. N. E., N. E. by E., E. by N. Brisk breezes with squally hazy weather. July 14. Lat. 8° 58' N. ; long. 33° 03' W. Winds : variable from the southward. Variable breezes and squally weather. July 15. Lat. 7° 19' N. ; long. 81° 05' W. Winds : S. S. W. throughout, fresh breezes and heavy squalls. July 16. Lat. 5° 44' N. ; long. 28° 29' W. Winds: S. W., S. S. W., and S. by W. Brisk breezes and passing squalls. July 17. Lat. 5° 24' N.; long. 26° 10' AV. Winds: S. by W., S., and S. Moderate breezes and squally. EOUTES TO BIO, ETC. 4lY ' July 18. Lat. 4° 00' N. ; long. 27° 34' W. Wiuds : S., S. by E., and S. S. E. Moderate breezes and passing squalls. July 19. Lat. 1° 35' N. ; long. 28° 52' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., and S. E. by S. Moderate breezes with passing squalls of rain and wind. July 20. Lat. 1° 34' S.; long. 30° 22' W. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., and S. E. Brisk breezes and fine weather. July 21. Lat. 4° 30' S. ; long. 31° 26' W. Winds : S. E., S. E. by E., and S. E. by E. Brisk breezes, with squalls of wind and rain. July 22. Lat. 7° 12' S. ; long. 32° 17' W. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E., and S. E. by S. Strong breezes, with heavy squalls of wind and rain. Ship Bohert Burton (John W. Dicks), New York to Columbia River, thirty days out. July 19, 1852. Lat. 21° 20' N.; long. 37° 48' W. Winds : E. S. E., by S., E. by S. Fresh winds and squally. July 20. Lat. 18° 49' N.; long. 36° 53' W. Winds: E. by S. Squally throughout. July 21. No observations. Winds : E. by S. Squally. July 22. Lat. 14° 08' N.; long. 35° 14' W. Winds: E. by S., E. by S., E. N. E. First part, squally ; latter part, pleasant. July 23. Lat. 12° 25' N. ; long. 33° 00' W. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., N. W. First part, moderate with rain ; latter, light wind from N. W. July 24. Lat. 11° 28' N.; long. 31° 43' W. Winds: N. W., N. W., S. W. Showery all day. July 25. Lat. 10° 47' N.; long. 30° 31' W. Wind: S. W. Eainy and squally all through this day. July 26. Lat. 10° 06' N.; long. 30° 20' W. Winds: S. W., S. W., N. Eainy, squally, and variable weather through this day. July 27. Lat. 8° 48' S.; long. 29° 25' W. Current, 1.7 knots per hour. Winds: first part, north; middle and latter, all around the compass. Rainy, squally, and variable weather. July 28. Lat. 8° 02' N.; long. 28° 50' W. Winds: N., S. S. W., S. W. First part, light airs; wind hauled to S. S. W. in a heavy squall. July 29. No observations. Winds: S. S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. by S. Rainy, cloudy, disagreeable weather. July 30. Lat. 7° 41' N.; long. 24° 55' W. Wind: S. W. by S. Cloudy, rainy weather. July 31. Lat. 6° 58' N.; long. 23° 19' W. Winds: S. W. by S., S. S. W., S. S. W. Clouds moving with great rapidity, N. E. by E.; the upper clouds moving slowly S. by W. Aug. 1. Lat. 5° 59' N. ; long. 21° 50' W. Wind: S. W. Feel I am steering too far east, but have had the neuralgia for the past twenty days, so as to be hardly able to move, and the ship is so crank, we do not get along very well by the wind. Aug. 2. Lat. 4° 31' N.; long. 20° 05' W. Wind : S. S. W. Shall tack if no change occurs. 53 418 THE WIND AND CUEEENT CHARTS. Aug. 8. Lat. 4° 58' K; long. 20° 28' "W. Wind : S. S. "W. Tacked— lay up W. half S. Saw many Carey Chickens. Beautiful weather. Aug. 4. Lat. 4° 01' K; long. 22° 26' "W. Winds: S. S. W., S.-S. W., S. Fine weather, and the wind hauling more favorable. Aug. 5. Lat. 2° 13' N. ; long. 24° 27' W. Wind : S. S. E. Have now the S. E. trades, I hope. Aug. 6. Lat. 0° 19' S.; long. 26° 47' W. Wind: S. S. E. Crossed the equator at 8 hours 15 min. A. M., in long. 26° 25' W. Aug. 7. Lat. 3° 02' S. ; long. 28° 33' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E., S. B. Very beautiful weather, and fine breeze. Aug. 8. Lat. 5° 46' S. ; long. 30° 19' W. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. B. Fine weather and winds. Aug. 9. Lat. 7° 40' S.; long. 32° 15' W. Winds: S. E., S. E., S. S. E. Squally; heavy banks of cumulus in the south ; the wind inclined that way. ■• Aug. 10. Lat. 7° 58' S. ; long. 33° 12' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. W., S. E. by S. Squally. Route to Rio, etc. — August. DISTANCES WINDS ; PEE CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. Direct. Per cent. True. Head. SLANT! FROM Fair. Calms. observa- tious. N'd or E'd. S'd orW'd. From Sandy Hook to 39° 11' K 70° 00' E.S.E. 199 12.3 228 3.0 13.2 11.4 72.4 5.4 866 37 33 65 00 E.S.E. 256 9.8 281 3.2 5.0 wlO.Z 81.5 3.5 221 35 54 60 00 E.S.E. 259 8.0 280 2.2 5.4 w 9.7 82.7 4.1 185 35 00 57 20 E.S.E. 141 10.9 156| 4.6 3.9 w 7.8 88.7 7.2 154 33 04 55 00 S.E. 165 8.5 178! 1.9 u;11.4 3.8 82.9 3.6 58 31 19 50 00 E.S.E. 275 9.6 302; 2.6 10.4 w 13.0 74.0 0.0 76 30 00 46 17 E.S.E. 207 15.2 288, 4.6 9.2 w;25.3 60.9 6.5 43 29 32 45 00 E.S.E. 72 39.2 lOO: 8.0 w;48.0 28.0 16.0 7.4 25 25 00 42 54 S.S.B. 294 6.4 3121 1.5 wl^.l 0.0 79.4 2.9 68 22 21 40 09 S.E. 225 7.7 242 1 0.0 m;16.8 7.2 77.0 6.7 42 20 00 38 57 S.S.E. 153 4.8 160' 2.0 w 8.0 0.0 90.0 0.0 49 15 00 36 47 S.S.E. 325 7.0 8471 3.7 w 5.5 0.0 90.8 0.0 54 10 50 35 00 S.S.E. 271 8.5 2941 2.8 w 8.6 4.7 83.9 7.1 105 10 00 34 38 S.S.B. 54 11.5 60 ! 8.4 w;ll.l 6.6 78.9 9.0 90 8 06 30 00 E.S.E. 297 8.0 320| 0.0 8.8 w 15.8 75.4 8.1 57 5 00 26 53 S.E. 263 4.6 275 0.0 4.4 w 15.9 79.7 7.4 114 Equator 28 57 S.S.W. 825 10.1 358 1.3 4126 lu 35.1 0.0 63.6 1.2 78 8781 1 00 S. 29 22 S.S.W. 65 1.4 66 0.2 4.5 0.8 95.0 0.0 402 2 32 30 00 s.s.w. 99 5.7 105; 0.0 28.5 0.0 71.5 0.0 21 3 00 30 12 S.S.W. 30 13.3 34 0.0 66.6 0.0 83.4 0.0 9 5 00 31 00 s.s.w. 130 6.7 139 0.0 33.8 0.0 66.7 0.0 18 7 00 31 50 s.s.w. 130 0.0 130' 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 18 Thence ad III ). ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 419 The only precaution to give with regard to this route — for in August the passage is liable to be tedious by any route — is not to cross the meridian of 50° W. to the north of 31°, or to the south of 29° N. After reaching the meridian of 35° between the parallels of 11° and 10° N., stand straight as the winds will allow for the equator in about 29° or 80°, not caring if you fall upon the line as far as 33° "W. After getting the S. E. trades in this month, there is no difficulty in making stretches to the E.; for the S. E. trades, frequently, at this season of the year, blow from S. S. E. ; and if navigators will bear this fact in mind, they should not be discouraged if the wind should force them to cross the equator as far west as 35° ; some have even crossed in 41°, and made good passages by taking advantage of slants south of the line to make easting with. But, of course, no navigator would willingly cross so far to the westward as longitude 40°. Actual trial has shown the best crossings to be in 34° for 10° N". ; in 29° for 5° N. ; and in 31° for the line: the average passage to this last crossing from the United States being 25 J days, and 3 days thence to the fair way off St. Eoque. Vessels from ports south of the Capes of Virginia, that intend to try this route, should run up to 34°, and continue between the parallels of 34° and 35°, until they fall in with the route as projected, which they will do somewhere between the meridians of 55° and 60°. This they are recommended to do on account of the calms of the horse latitudes, with which, by keeping south of 34°, in this season and part of the ocean, they are liable to be bothered. In August, if between the meridians of 30° and 35°, expect to lose the N. E. trades from 14° to 10° N. ; to have the equatorial calms from 13° to 9° N. ; and the S. "W. monsoons occasionally only from 12° to 6°N. Between the meridians of 25° and 30° W., the N. E. trades are sometimes lost in 17° K, generally in 12°, though they are occasionally carried to 9° ; seldom below. The calms prevail from 15° to 8° N"., and the S. "W. monsoons with considerable regularity from 14° N. to the equator. That is, you are liable to get them somewhere between 14° N. and the equator, as you are liable to encounter the calms and to lose the N. E. trades between the parallels above stated. Ship Seaman (W. B. Daniels), New York to San Francisco, fifteen days out. Aug. 18, 1852. Lat. 26° 03' N. ; long. 39° 29' W. Winds : calm, S. E., S. First part, calm ; middle part, light and baffling airs ; thick banks of fog and very dark ; latter part, fresh and pleasant. Aug. 19. Lat. 22° 09' K; long. 38° 57' W. Barometer, 30.20; temperature of air, 81°. Wind:E.; fresh trades, with passing squalls. Aug. 20. Lat. 18° 24' K ; long. 38° 02' W. Current, K W., I knot per hour. Barometer, 30.10. Wind : E. by N. ; fresh trades, and squally. Aug. 21. Lat. 15° 12' K; long. 36° 50' W. Current, K N. W., f of a knot per hour. Wind : E, by N. ; brisk trade-winds, and squally gloomy weather. Aug. 22. Lat. 11° 52' N. ; long. 35° 25' W. Temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Wind : E. by N. ; fresh trades, and squally. 420 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Aug. 23. Lat. 11° 07' N.; long. 36° 06' W. Barometer, 30.00. Winds : E., calm, calm ; first part, light winds ; middle and latter part, calm. Observed tide rips. Aug. 24. Lat. 9° 20' N. ; long. 34° 20' W. Winds: calm, S. S. E., S. W. by S.; first part, calm ; middle, moderate and rainy ; latter, fresh and squally. A large swell from S. E. Aug. 25. Lat. 7° 50' N. ; long. 31° W. Current, K, f knot per hour. Barometer, 30.00 ; tempera- ture of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. W. ; fresh breezes, with passing squalls. Aug. 26. Lat. 6° 46' K ; long. 28° 28' W. Current, K, | knot per hour ; temperature of air, 81°. Wind : S. S. W. ; first and middle parts, moderate ; latter, fresh. Aug. 27. Lat. 5° 46' K ; long. 27° 28' W. Current, N., i knot per hour. Wind : S. by W. ; fresh breezes and squally. Aug. 28. Lat. 4° 46' N. ; long. 28° 54' W. Temperature of air, 82°. Wind : S. ' W. ; moderate breezes and pleasant weather. ' Aug. 29. Lat. 3° 31' N.; long 30° 26' W. Temperature of air, 81*. Wind: S. by E.; light winds and pleasant. Aug. 30. Lat. 1° 53' N. ; long. 30° 52' W. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. E. by S. ; moderate breezes and pleasant. Aug. 31. Lat. 0° 15' N. ; long. 31° 45' W. Current, W. N. W., J knot per hour. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Wind : S. E. by S. ; moderate breezes and pleasant. Sept. 1. Lat. 2° 08' S. ; long. 32° 30' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of water, 79°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E. ; moderate breezes and pleasant. Sept. 2. Lat. 3° 45' S.; long. 32° 15' W. Temperature of water, 78°. Wind: S. E.; first and middle parts, light and pleasant ; ends- with strong breezes. At noon, saw Fernando de Noronha, bearing W. S. W. ten miles distant. Sept. 3. Lat. 7° S.; long. 33° 06' W. Barometer, 30.10. Wind : S. E. by E. ; fresh trade-winds and pleasant weather. Ship Eagle (John S. Farron), New York to San Francisco, fifteen days out. July 25. Lat. 19° 5' N. ; long. 46° 30' W. Winds: E. by S., E. S. E., E. S. E. Fair weather. July 26. Lat. 15° 20' N.; long. 44° 55' W. Wind: E. by S., east, and east. Fresh breezes and squally, with rain. July 27. Lat. 12° 48' N.; long. 44° 30' W. Winds : E. by S., E. by E., E. S. E. Pleasant weather. July 28. Lat. 10° 58' N. ; long. 44° 10' W. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., and east. Pleasant weather. July 29. Lat. 8° 57' N. ; long. 43° 47' W. Wind : E. by S. Occasional squalls with. rain. July 30. Lat. 7° 49' N. ; long. 43° 39' W. Winds : E. by S., E., and S. S. E. Calms, squalls, and rain. July 31. Lat. 7° 12' K; long. 42° 10' W. Wind from S. to K. W. Baffling, with squalls. ROUTKS TO UIO, ETC. 421 Aug. 1. Lat. 7" 44' N.; long. 39° 16' W. Winds: S. W., W., and S. W. Squally, witli hard rain. Aug. 2. Lat. 7° 66' N.; long. 36° 41' W. Winds: S., S. S. E., and S. E. by S. Squally, rainy weather. Aug. 3. Lat. 7° 42' N. ; long. 35° 53' W. Wind : S. by E., and calm ; constant rain. Aug. 4. Lat. 7° 50' K ; long. 35° 01' W. Variable winds, and squally, with rain. Aug. 5. Lat. 7° 40' N. ; long. 35° 21'. W. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., and S. W., squally, with rain. Aug. 6. Lat. 7° 29' N. ; long. 33° 47' W. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., and S. E. Moderate breezes and squally. Aug. 7. Lat. 7° 3' N.; long. 33° 16' W. Winds: calm, S. W. by S., S. W. by S. Squally, with rain. Aug. 8. Lat. 6° 56' K; long. 29° 52' W. Winds: S. S. W., calm, and S. by E. Squally, with rain. Aug. 9. Lat. 6° 34' N. ; long. 26° 48' W. Winds : S., S. S. W., and S. S. W. Squally, with rain. Aug. 10. Lat. 5° 45' N. ; long. 22° 53' W. AVinds : S. by W., S. S. W., and S. by W. Squally with rain. [The Eagle had bad luck certainly, inasmuch as she found the N. E. trades with southing in them. She met the doldrums just south of the parallel of 9° N. and near the meridian of 44° W. Here, Captain Farron availed himself of the monsoons to go east ; and at the end of 9 days finds himself to leeward on the other side of his route. On August 8, being in 29° 50', he finds the monsoon S. by E., right in his teeth. He stands on, and the next day is so far to the east that his course now is S. S. W. ; at that point, he gets the wind ; and thus he is forced to go as far as 22° W. before he can cross the parallel of 5° N. I do not think that the facts exhibited on the Charts would justify any one in pronouncing an opinion against the propriety of the course pursued to get to the eastward. Compare the Eagle's track with that of the Candace (p. 422). The C. crossed the parallel of 20° N. nearly 500 miles east of where the Eagle crossed it ; yet, notwithstanding the Eagle's misfortunes, she beat the Candace a week to Cape St. Eoque.] Aug. 11. Lat. 4° 7' N. ; long. 24° 41' W. Winds: S., S. by E., and S. S. E. Pleasant. Aug. 12. Lat. 2° N. ; long. 26° 36' W. Winds : S., S. by E., and S. S. E. Fair weather. Aug. 13. Lat. 24' S. ; long. 28° 29' W. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., and S. by E. Fair weather. Aug. 14. Lat. 2° 24' S.; long. 30° 4' W. Winds: S. S. E. and S. by E. Fair weather. Aug. 15. Lat. 4° 59' S. ; long. 32° 30' W. Winds : S. S. E. and S. by E. Fair weather. Aug. 16. Lat. 6° 1' S.; long. 34° 16' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. by E,, and S. Strong gales and heavy squalls, rain. Barque Panchita (Peterson), New York to Buenos Ayres, twenty days out. Aug. 5, 1850. Lat. 21° 12' K ; long. 40° 46' W. Fresh and cloudy. Wind : E. N. E. Aug. 6. Lat. 19° 25' N. ; long. 39° 48' W. Fresh and cloudy. Winds : E., E. by N. 422 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Aug. 7. Lat. 17° 41' N. ; long. 38° 37' W. Variable, with squalls. Wind : E. Aug. 8. Lat. 15° 32' K; long. 37° 10' W. Fresh and cloudy. Wind: eastward. Aug. 9. Lat. 13° 21' N.; long. 35° 43' W. Moderate and clear. Wind : E. Aug. 10. Lat. 10° 42' K: long. 34° 28' W. Moderate breezes; variable, rain squalls. Wind: N. E. Aug. 11. Lat. 9° 56' K ; long. 33° 18' W. Moderate and cloudy. Winds : E. S. E., S., S. W. by S. Aug. 12. Lat. 8° 34' N.; long, (no obs.). Strong breezes and heavy rain squalls. Wind: S. W. by S. Aug. 13. Lat. 8° 2' N.; long. 29° 45' W. Moderate breezes and hazy. Winds : S. W., S. Aug. 14. Lat. 7° 48' N.; long. 28° 27' W. Light airs and foggy. Wind: S. by W. Aug. 15. Lat. 7° 42' N. ; long. 28° 00' W. Light breeze, S. by W. Aug. 16. Lat. 7° 28' N; long. 28° 30' W. Strong breeze, S. E., S., S. W. Aug. 17. Lat. 6° 43' N.; long. 26° 42' W. Fresh breeze and cloudy, W. S. W., S. W.,'S. by W. Aug. 18. Lat. 6° 10' N. ; long. 25° 04' W. Moderate and clear, S. S, W. Aug. 19. Lat. 5° 00' N. ; long. 23° 20' W. Light breeze and hazy, S. S. W., S. W. Aug. 20. Lat. 4° 21' N. ; long. 24° 12' W. Moderate and pleasant, S. W. by S. Aug. 21. Lat. 3° 31' N. ; long. 25° 55' W. Moderate and pleasant, S. W. by S. Aug. 22. Lat. 2° 03' N. ; long. ( ?) W. Moderate and pleasant, S. S. E. Aug. 23. Lat. 0° 15' K; long. 28° 47' W. Fresh breeze, S. S. E. Aug. 24. Lat. 1° 23' S.; long. 29° 30' W. Strong breezes and cloudy, S. S. E. Aug. 25. Lat. 3° 35' S. ; long. 30° 34' W. Moderate, S. E. Aug. 26. Lat. 6° 23' S. ; long. 31° 35'. Moderate, S. E. Barque Gandace (Joseph Arquit), New York to Shanghai, 23 days out. Aug. 9, 1849. Lat. 19° 30' N. ; long. 39° 23' W. Winds : E., E. by S., E. by S. Fresh breeze and pleasant ; a heavy sea. Aug. 10. Lat. 16° 57' N. ; long. 37° 48' W. Wind : E. Brisk breeze and pleasant. Aug. 11. Lat. 14° 20' K ; long. 36° 17' W. Winds: E., E., and E. S. E. Brisk winds, and clear weather. Aug. 12. Lat. 12° 48' N.; long. 35° 48' W. Winds; E., E. N. E., and E. N. E. Moderate breezes and passing squalls. Aug. 13. Lat. 11° 25' N. ; long. 35° 53' W. Wind : E. K E. Moderate breezes and clear. Aug. 14. Lat. 10° 41' K; long. 32° 59' W. Winds : E. N. E., E. S. E., and S. W. Baffling winds and weather. Aug. 15. Lat. 9° 31' N. ; long. 81° 17' W. Winds : S. W., S. W. by W., W. S. W. Baffling winds. Aug. 16. Lat. 8° 00' N. ; long. 29° 45' W. Winds: S. W, to N. W. Brisk baffling winds, and rain squalls. i^^ EOXn'ES TO RIO, ETC. 423 Aug. 17. Lat. 7° 32' K; long. 27° 00' W. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. "W., and S. W. Strong winds ; much rain. Aug. 18. Lat. 6° 42' K; long. 24° 50' W. Wind : S. S. W. Strong winds and pleasant weather. Aug. 19. Lat. 6° 40' N.; long. 28° 02' W. Wind: S. S. W., S., and S. S. W. Light winds and clear pleasant weather. Aug. 20. Lat. 6° 16' N. ; long. 23° 08' W. Winds : S. S. W., and S. S. W. ; light winds, and clear. Aug. 21. Lat. 5° 52' N. ; long. 23° 29' W. Winds : S. S. W., S., and S. S. W. ; variable winds and weather. Aug. 22. Lat. 5° 26' N. ; long. 21° 44' W. Wind : S. S. W. ; strong wind, passing squalls. Aug. 23. Lat. 4° 50' K ; long. 22° 29' W. Wind: S.; light winds and calms. Aug. 24. Lat. 3° 51' K ; long. 21° 50' W. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., S. W. ; moderate breezes and squally. Aug. 25. Lat. 2° 56' N. ; long. 20° 23' W. Wind : S. W. ; brisk winds, and cloudy. Aug. 26. Lat. 1° 38' N. ; long. 22° 27' W. Winds: S., S., and S. S. E. ; light winds. Aug. 27. Lat. 0° 16' S. ; long. 24° 08' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by S., and S. E. by S.; moderate trades and pleasant. Aug. 28. Lat. 2° 24' S.; long. 25° 23' W. Wind: S. S. E. ; light winds and pleasant. Aug. 29. Lat. 5° 05' S.; long. 27° 01' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by S., and S. E. by S. ; moderate trades and pleasant. Ship Louis Philippe (R. Benthal), Baltimore to Valparaiso, twenty-two days out. Aug. 10, 1849. Lat. 18° 22' N. ; long. 35° 15' W. Winds: E. by N., E. by S., and S. E.; cloudy and hazy. Aug. 11. Lat. 15° 55' N.; long. 36° 48' W. Wind : E. ; damp, cloudy weather. Aug. 12. Lat. 13° 05' N. ; long. 35° 10' W. Winds : E., and E. by N. ; cloudy and damp. Aug. 13. Lat. 11° 17' N.; long. 34° 10' W. Winds: E. by K, and E. N. E.; cloudy. Aug. 14. Lat. 10° 51' N. ; long. 33° 24' W. Wind : variable ; cloudy, with light showers. Aug. 15. Lat. 10° 07' N.; long. 32° 33' W. Winds : S. W. and W. K W.; cloudy, with light rain. Aug. 16. Lat. 1° 13' N.; long. 31° 26' W. Wind : N. W. ; cloudy and rain/. Aug. 17. Lat. 7° 55' N.; long. 30° 01' W. Wind: S. W.; rainy weather. Aug. 18. Lat. 7° 52' N.; long. 26° 46' W. Wind: S. S. W.; squally and rainy. Aug. 19. Lat. 7° 19' N.; long. 24° 52' W. Wind: southerly; clear and pleasant. Aug. 20. Lat. 7° 05' N.; long. 24° 30' W. Wind: southerly; cloudy; a large sea. Aug. 21. Lat, 6° 09' K; long. 23° 33' W. Winds: S. W., W. S. W., and S. S. W.; cloudy with squalls. • Aug. 22. Lat. 5° 45' N.; long 21° 30' W. Winds: S. S. W., S. S. W., and S.; weather pleasant. Aug. 23. Lat. 5° 23' N.; long. 20° 55' W. Wind: S. S. W.; clear weather. 424 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Aug. 24. Lat. 3° 57' N. ; long. 19° 23' W. Winds: S. W., S. W., and S. S. W. ; cloudy, with light rain. Aug. 25. Lat. 3° 04' K; long. 18° 24' W. Winds: S. W., S. W., and S. S. W. ; cloudy weather. Aug. 26. Lat. 1° 51' N. ; long. 20° 46' W. Winds : S. S. W., S. by W., and S. by E. ; pleasant. Aug 27. Lat. 0' 14' N. ; long. 22° 59' W. Winds : S., S. by E., and S. E. by S. ; pleasant. Aug. 28. Lat. 1° 26' S. ; long. 24° 27' W. Wind : S. E. by S. ; pleasant weather. Aug. 29. Lat. 3° 41' S. ; long. 26° 27' W. Wind: S. E. by S.; clear weather. Aug. 30. Lat. 6° 22' S.; long. 28° 28' W. Wind: S. E.; weather pleasant. Sliip Sea Witch (Gr. W. Eraser), New York to San Francisco, sixteen days out. Aug. 17, 1851. Lat. 21° 37' N. ; long. 42° 39' W. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., and E. S. E.; fresh single reef gale, heavy sea. Aug. 18. Lat. 18° 42' N. ; long. 40° 26' W. Wind : E. by N.; fresh breeze and pleasant. Aug. 19. Lat. 15° 49' N. ; long. 39° 14' W. Winds : E. by S., E. S. E., and E. by S. ; fresh breezes with cloudy weather. Aug. 20. Lat. 13° 06' N. ; long. 36° 44' W. Winds : E., E. by S., and E. N. E. ; fresh breezes and squally. Aug. 21. Lat. 11° 26' JST. ; long. 35° 31' W. Winds : E. N. E., calm, southerly ; moderate and light breezes and pleasant. Aug. 22. Lat. 10° 38' K; long. 84° 11' W. Winds: southerly, S. S. W., and S. S. W.; variable breezes and squally. Aug. 23. Lat. 10° 09' N. ; long. 34° 17' W. Winds : calm, calm, and K E. ; calms and light airs. Aug. 24. Lat. 8° 24' N.; long. 33° 10' W. Winds: N. K E., N. E., and N.; light breezes and squally. Aug. 25. Lat. 7° 08' N.; long. 31° 35' W. Winds: K W., S. W., and S. W. by S.; light breezes and squally. Aug. 26. Lat. 5° 58' N.; long. 29° 26' W. Winds: S. W., S. S. W., and S. W. by S.; light airs and squally. Aug. 27. Lat. 5? 09' N. ; long. 29° 26' W. Winds : S. S. W., S., S. ; moderate breezes and cloudy. Aug. 28. Lat. 3° 50' N. ; long. 24° 44' W. Wind : S. S. W. ; moderate breezes and pleasant. [This is another case of falling to leeward on the other side. When the navigator gets as far east in the doldrums as he wants to go, he finds the monsoons so changed that they are directly in his teeth. As an illustration, see the track of the Panchita (p. 421), Aug. 19. I should advise navigators on such occasions, when they have got as far to the east as 30° west, to beat down on that parallel ; for there is reason to believe that, by remaining stationary, these doldrums will leave you quite as soon as you can get clear of them by running along with them to the east.] ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 425 Aug. 29. Lat. 2° 13' N. ; long. 25'> 19' W. Winds: S. S. ^Y., S. by W., and S. ; moderate breezes and pleasant ; at 9, tacked sliip. Aug. 30. Lat. 0° 20' S. ; long. 27° 11' W. Wind : S. S. E., moderate trades and pleasant. Aug. 31. Lat. 3° 40' S. ; long. 26° 11' W. Wind : S. S. E. ; weather pleasant. Sept. 1. Lat. 6° 46' S.; long. 32° 08' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by S., and S. by E.; moderate breezes with passing showers of rain. Eoute to Rio, etc. — September. DISTANCES. WINDS; PER CENT. Longitude. Course. Total No. Latitude. Direct. Per cent. SLANTS FROM Fair. Calms. observa- tioDS. Average. 1 Head. N'd or E'd. S'd or W'd. 40° 27' N. 70° 00' E. . 186 13.0 210 2.5 wl7.0 m;14.0 66.5 3.4 200 38 52 65 00 E.S.E. 249 9.9 274 2.2 «;12.4 7.5 77.9 5.1 184 37 14 60 00 E. S. B. 256 7.4 275 0.7 w;12.6 7.7 79.0 3.3 447 35 35 55 00 E. S. E. 260 7.4 279 1.6 8.8 7.2 82.4 4.0 123 35 00 54 18 S.E. 48 25.3 60 9.4 13.7 wlQ.Q 60.3 3.5 139 33 31 50 00 E.S.E. 232 15.0 267 3.0 3.0 wA2.0 52.0 0.0 34 31 47 45 00 E.S.E. 272 15.4 313 6.0 4.0 w22.0 68.0 5.7 50 30 00 42 55 S.E. 151 15.0 174 2.9 11.5 W21.7 63.9 4.2 69 27 27 40 00 S.E. 217 17.9 255 2.8 11.2 w 25.2 60.8 2.7 36 25 00 37 16 S.E. 208 16.8 243 3.4 17.9 16.8 61.9 1.1 89 20 00 37 16 S. 300 4.2 313 4.2 w 10.5 0.0 85.3 2.6 38 15 00 35- 06 S.S.E. 325 0.0 325 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 23 10 00 32 58 S.S.E. 325 7.8 349 1.6 m;11.3 9.8 77.1 6.1 61 8 47 30 00 E.S.E. 191 16.8 223 2.8 3.6 w 30.8 60.8 4.0 73 5 00 27 11 S.E. 321 18.4 380 5.8 9.6 «;23.0 61.6 7.1 104 Equator* 29 15 s. s. w. 325 14.1 370 6.2 w;34.3 1.4 58.1 0.0 70 3866 4310 1 58 S. 30 00 s.s.w. 118 17.4 138 4.4 wl3.S 5.7 58.6 0.0 . 297 3 00 31 02 s.w. 88 9.6 96 0.0 lu 48.2 0.0 51.8 0.0 27 5 00 31 52 s. s. w. 130 12.5 145 0.0 w62.5 0.0 37.5 0.0 24 5 19 32 00 s. s. w. 21 3.4 22 0.0 wl6.7 0.0 83.3 0.0 12 7 00 32 42 s. s. w. 108 7.2 115 0.0 w 35.7 0.0 64.3 0.0 14 7 43 33 00 s.s.w. 47 1.3 48 0.0 w 6.0 0.0 94.0 0.0 17 9 00 33 32 s.s.w. 83 8.0 91 0.0 W36.6 0.0 63.4 ■0.0 30 It may be said that the N. E. trade-winds prevail in September and October along this route only to the east of longitude 50°, and then only between the parallels of 15° and 25° N. They sometimes blow in other parts of the ocean, but it cannot be said that they prevail. Endeavor to cross the meridian of 50°, in September and October, before you do the parallel of 30° N., and do not consider yourself hopelessly to leeward, if you he forced to cross the parallel of 20° N., as far * The best routes for October and November do not differ materially from those for September and December. Sec Pilot Charts. 54 426 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. west as longitude 45°, or the parallel of 10 K, as far as 36° or 37° W.; for in September and October, as the Pilot Charts show, you may frequently meet, between 10° K and the equator, the S. E. trade-winds. The S. E. trades may be calculated on with certainty between 7° N. and 13° N., between 35° and 40° "W. Occasionally, the S. W. monsoons are found between the same parallels : they will enable you to make easting. The S. E. trades, when taken in the northern hemisphere in this month, are frequently at S. S. E.; and, therefore, it is not difficult for vessels that find themselves as far west as longitude 37°, in latitude 10° N., to get to the eastward of 34° before crossing the line. The best crossings are shown by trial to be long. 33° for 10° N. ; long. 28° for 5° N., and 31° for the equator. This is the worst month in the year, the average to the line running as high as 37 days. From May to October inclusive is the worst time for quick passages. The average for these six months is six days greater than it is for the other six. December gives an average of nine days less, or twelve days less than September. It is the best month * for small averat^es. Between long. 30° and 35°, the equatorial calms are found from 4° to 12° N"., and between long. 25° and 30°, they, and the S. W. monsoons, are found from 12° to the equator; and as a general rule they are found more and more vexatious as you go east. Captain Sinclair, when in command of the U. S. frigate Congress, on her way to South America, with that close observation of all the phenomena about him which gives a particular value to his remarks, observed the difficulties of crossing this belt far to the eastward. He crossed it in January, 1818, and inferred that there was a belt of monsoons between the two trades. He was mistaken as to the time of the year. He crossed this belt in January ; and though, in January, the winds are sometimes from the S. W., yet, at that time of the year, they have nothing of the character of monsoons about them. I quote a passage from his Journal : — " We made a great run from their latitude (the Cape de Verdes), to about 7° 30', when the N. E. trade began gradually to leave us, which it did effectually before we reached the latitude of 6° 30' N., having run from 19° 30', a distance of near nine hundred miles, between the 31st December and the 5th January ; and from this time to the 17th there was little else than a continual calm, except when occasion- ally disturbed by a thunder-squall and violent rains. Though, considering we were at one time as far east as long. 19° W., we had very little rain and very few squalls of wind ; those we had were principally from S. S. W. to W. S. W. ; indeed, there appears to be, between the N. E. and S. E. trade-winds, which we found to be from 6° 30' N. to the equator, a light monsoon from the S. W." Had this remark been made in the summer instead of the winter, it would have been perfectly correct. If, after getting within these latitudes, i. e. those in which the calms are mentioned as prevailing, and the wind should come out at S. E., prefer the port tack ; for, before you make the land, you are almost sure to have the wind out from the S. S. E., when you can make your easting within the regions of the perpetual S. E. trades. After getting the S. E. trades, and finding himself a little pinched for easting to clear the land, the skilful navigator will see that, by standing on with the wind at S. E., all the chances are in his favor. If K0UTE3 TO RIO, ETC. 427 the wind haul to S. S. E., he can go about and make easting. If it veer to E. S. E., or farther, he can lay up and clear the land ; for whether you go this or that side of Fernando de Noronha, in this or any other month, is a matter of no sort of consequence, excepting only so far as the difference of longitude is concerned . If you can weather it, do so, but do not waste time simply that you may pass to the eastward of it. Good passages are sometimes made in September, but, as a general rule, the most tedious seasons of the year are the summer and fall months, for passages. After losing the N. E. trades, the navigator may consider himself fortunate, in this month, if he is not baffled about for more than a week before he gets the S. E. trades. Schooner David C. Foster (N. H. Canput), New York to Para, twenty days out. Aug. 30, 1850. Lat. 19° 33' N. ; long. 43° 40' W. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., and E. Fresh breeze and clear weather. Aug. 31. Lat. 16° 13' N. ; long. 43° 38' W. Wind : east. Fresh breeze and clear. Sept. 1. Lat. 13° 13' N. ; long. 43° 20' W. Winds : E., N. N. E. Trade-winds, and heavy tide rips. Sept. 2. Lat. 10° 27' N. ; long. 43° 6' W. Winds : K E., B. K E., N. E. Fine weather. Sept. 3. Lat. 8° 36' N. ; long. 43° 7' W. Wind: variable, from K E. to S. Baffling and squally. Sept. 4. Lat. 8° 24' N. ; long. 42° W. Wind : southerly. Variable breezes, and heavy tide rips. Sept. 5. Lat. 7° 52' N. ; long. 41° W. Light southerly winds, and squally. Sept. 6. Lat. 6° 37' N. ; long. 40° W. Winds : southerly, light, and squally. Sept. 7. Lat. 5° 15' N. ; long. 39° 30' W. Winds : light, S. E. trades. Sept. 8. Lat. 3° N. ; long. 41° 22' W. Winds : S., S. E., S. E. by E. Pleasant weather. Sept. 9. Lat. 1° 19' K ; long. 43° W. Winds : S. E., E., S. E. by E. Squally, and heavy rain. Sept. 10. Lat. 00° 38' S. ; long. 46° 43' W. Winds : S. E. by E. Fresh breeze, and clear weather. Sept. 11. Lat. 00° 40' S.; long. 45° 00' W. Winds : S. E. by E. Fresh breeze, and clear weather. Sept. 12. Arrived at Para, Brazil. Steamer Chesapeake (C. H. Baldwin), New York to Eio Janeiro, twenty-one days out. August 31, 1849. Lat. 19° 36' N.; long. 39° 22' W. Winds: W. N. W., S. S. W., and S. E. Moderate breeze, and rain squalls. Sept. 1. Lat. 17° 44' N.; long. 38° 28' W. Winds: E., E. by N., and E. Moderate and strong breeze, and pleasant. Sept. 2. Lat. 15° 46' N.; long. 37° 30' W. Winds : E. and E. by N. Squally, with fresh breeze. Sept. 3. Lat. 13° 42' N.; long. 36° 25' W. Winds : E. by N., E. N. E., and E. Fresh breeze, and squally. Sept. 4. Lat. 12° 46' N. ; long. 36° 48' W. Winds : variable from the southward. Squally, with light rain. 428 THE WIND AND CURREISTT CHARTS. Sept. 5. Lat. 11° 30' IST. ; long. 34° 40' W. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., and S. W. Squally, with rain. Sept. 6. Lat. 9° 42' N. ; long. 32° 20' W. Winds: N. W., W., and S. W. Squally, witli rain. Sept. 7. Lat. 8° 00' K; long. 30° 50' W. Winds: S. W., S.S.W., and S. W. Light breeze and squally, with rain. Sept. 8. Lat. 7° 04' N. ; long. 29° 34' W. Winds : S. W., variable, S. W., rain squalls and calms. Sept. 9. Lat. 6° 37' N. ; long. 27° 30' W. Winds : S. S. W., S. by W., and S, Squally, with heavy rain. Sept. 10. Lat. 5° 27' K; long. 26° 46' W. Wind: S. Light breeze, and pleasant. Sept. 11. Lat. 4° 10' N. ; long. 26° 36' W. Wind : S. S. W. Moderate and pleasant. Sept. 12. Lat. 3° 00' N. ; long. 26° 10' W. Wind : S. by W. Light and pleasant. Sept. 13. Lat. 1° 30' K; long. 26° 30' W. Wind: S. Pleasant weather. Sept. 14. Lat. 0° 26' N.; long. 27° 00' W. Winds: S.S.E., S.E. by S., and S. E. by S. Light breeze, and pleasant. Sept. 15. Lat. 0° 11' N. ; long. 27° 37' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. by E. Moderate and pleasant. Sept. 16. Lat. 1° 22' S. ; long. 28° 06' W. Winds : S. by E., S., and S. S. E. Light airs. Sept. 17. Lat. 2° 38' S. ; long. 29° 10' W. Winds: S. E., S. E. by S., and S. S. E. Pleasant weather. Sept. 18. Lat. 3° 46' S. ; long. 30° 34' W. Winds: S. S. E., S., and S. S. E. Moderate breeze, and pleasant. Sept. 19. Lat. 5° 34' S. ; long. 32° 16' W. Wind : S. S. E. Fresh breeze, and pleasant. Barque Antelope (R. D. White), Baltimore to San Francisco, twenty days out. Sept. 4, 1853. Lat. 19° 53' N.; long. 42° 15' W. Winds : E., E. S. E., and E. S. E. Squally, with rain. Sept. 5. Lat. 18° 00' N.; long. 41° 54' W. Winds: E., and E. S. E. Squally, with rain. Sept. 6. Lat. 15° 23' N. ; long. 41° 88' W. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E., and E. S. E. Occasional rain squalls. Sept. 7. Lat. 13° 44' N. ; long. 39° 45' W. Winds : E. N. E., K E. by E., and N. E. by E. Light winds and occasional rain squalls. Sept. 8. Lat. 12° 47' K; long. 37° 50' W. Winds: N.E. by E., N. E., and E.N. E. Strong variable winds and rain. Sept. 9. Lat. 11° 37' K; long. 36° 34' W. Winds: calm, squally, and south. Much rain. Sept. 10. Lat. 11° 85' N. ; long. 35° 28' W. Winds : calm, S. E., and N. E. Squally, with rain. Sept. 11. Lat. 9° 27' K; long. 34° 18' W. Winds: N. E., E. N. E., and E. Occasional light squalls of rain. Sept. 12. Lat. 8° 18' N". ; long. 33° 24' W. Winds : E., E., W. N. W. Squally, with much rain. ROUTES TO BIO, ETC. 429 Sept. 13. Lat. 6° 50' N. ; long. 80° 57' W. Winds : W., W. S. W., and W. S. W. SquaUy, and much rain. Sept. 14. Lat. 6° 28' N. ; long. 29° 02' W. Winds : S., S. S. W., S. by W. Mucli rain, with variable winds. Sept. 15. Lat. 6° 25' K; long. 26° 30' W. Wind: S. Pleasant. Sept. 16 Lat. 5° 53' N. ; long. 26° 49' W. Winds : S., S., and S. S. E. Moderate breezes and pleasant. Sept. 17. Lat. 5° 88' K; long. 26° 40' W. Winds: S. by E., S^ and S. Light breezes and pleasant. Sept. 18. Lat. 5° 08' K ; long. 26° 34' W. Winds: S. by E., S. by W., and S. Light breezes. Sept. 19. Lat. 4° 37' N. ; long. 27° 00' W. Winds : S. by W., S., and S. Light breezes and pleasant. Sept. 20. Lat. 4° 25' N.; long. 25° 20' W. Winds : S. by W., S. by E., and S. S. W. Fresh breezes, and flying clouds. Sept. 21. Lat. 2° 81' N. ; long. 26° 47' W. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., and S. by E. Fresh breezes. Sept. 22. Lat. 00° 02' S. ; long. 28° 26' W. Wind : S. S. E. Strong breezes, and pleasant. Sept. 23. Lat. 2° 54' S. ; long. 29° 11' W. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., and E. by S. Good breezes and clear weather. Sept. 24. Lat. 4° 26' S.; long. 29° 32' W. Wind: E. by S. Steady breezes. Sept. 25. Lat 6° 05' S.; long. 30° 05' W. Winds: E. by S., E. S. E., and E. Moderate breezes. Ship Monsoon (L. Winsor), Boston to San Francisco, twenty days out. Sept. 18, 1852. Lat. 19° 58' N. ; long. 41° 44' W. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., and N. E. Light breezes and squally. Sept. 19. Lat. 17° 20' N. ; long. 40° 19' W. Winds : E., E. S. E., E. S. E. Fresh breezes and passing squalls. Sept. 20. Lat. 14° 57' K; long. 38° 58' W. Winds: E., E.S.E., and E.S.E. Fresh trades, and thick cloudy weather, Sept. 21. Lat. 12° 18' K ; long. 37° 08' W. Wind : E. Fresh trades and cloudy. Sept. 22. Lat. 11° 09' N. ; long. 30° 21' W. Winds : E. S. E, S. S. W., and W. N. W. Fresh breezes and fresh squalls, with heavy tide rips; latter part, light breezes. Sept. 23. Lat. 10° 12' N. ; long. 34° 24' W. Winds : variable and calm. Frequent squalls and heavy tide rips. Sept. 24. Lat. 9° 12' N. ; long. 34° 12' W. Light variable breezes and frequent squalls. Sept. 25. Lat. 9° 17' N. ; long. 33° 30' W. Winds : E. N. E., variable, and calm. Light breezes and pleasant ; much lightning during the night. 430' THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Sept. 26. Lat. 8° 21' N. ; long. 31° 55' W. Winds : W. K W., W. N. W., and W. Ligbt breezes and pleasant weather. Sept. 27. Lat. 6° 33' N. ; long. 29° 30' W. Winds : W., W., and S. W. Fresh breezes and squally. Sept. 28. Lat. 6° 39' N. ; long. 26° 39' W. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., and S. Fresh gales, and heavy squalls with rain. Sept. 29. No observation. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., and S. W. Calms aad squalls. Sept. 30. Lat. 5° 55' N. ; long. 25° 13' W. Calm, with constant rain. Oct. 1. Lat. 4° 25' N. ; long. 27° 10' W. Wind : S. Squally and variable; pleasant weather. Oct. 2. Lat. 2° 33' N. ; long. 29° 30' W. Wind : S. Firm breezes and pleasant weather. Oct. 3. Lat. 00° 01' S. ; long. 32° 25' W. Wind : S. S. E. Light breezes and fine weather. Cur- rent, 28' S. W. - ' Oct. 4. Lat. 2° 55' S. ; long. 34° 37' W. Wind : S. S. E. Fine breezes and pleasant weather. Cur- rent, 30'S.W. Oct. 5. Lat. 4° 55' S. ; long. 35° 23' W. Wind : S. E. Fine breezes and pleasant weather. Current, 12 miles, S. W. Oct. 6. Lat. 5° 11' S. ; long. 34° 30' W. Wind : S. E. Fine breezes and pleasant weather. Ship Thomas W. Sears (Joseph Osgood), New York to California, thirty days out. Sept. 18, 1852. Lat. 19° 41' N.; long. 35° 42' W. Current, 1.1 knot per hour, N. 53° W. Baro- meter, 30.00; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds: S.S.E.,S.E. by E.,E. First part, light airs ; middle part, moderate breezes ; latter, fine trades. Sept. 19. Lat. 16° 53' N.; long. 34° 54' W. Current, west, 0.4 knot per hour. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds: E. by N., E., E. S. E. Strong trades and pleasant. A cross sea on. Sep. 20. Lat. 14° 21' N.; long. 33° 54' W. Current, N. 63° W., 0.4 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Wind: E. Fine trades and pleasant weather. Sept. 21. Lat. 12° 24' N.; long. 32° 21' W. Barometer, 29.83 ; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds : E., E. by N., E. Fine trades and hazy weather. Saw strong tide rips. Sept. 22. Lat. 11° 49' N.; long. 31° 38' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 83°. Winds : E. by E., W., N. W. First part, moderate winds ; middle and latter, light airs and calms. Saw several tide rips. Sept. 23. Lat. 10° 35' N.; long. 30° 36' W. Current, N. W., 0.5 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81°. Winds: N., N. E., N. First part, moderate breezes; middle and latter, bafiiing. Sept. 24. Lat. 9° 29' N. ; long. 29° 51' W. Current, W. N. W., 0.6 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 82. Winds : N. W., N., N. W. Very light winds throughout. ' KOUTES TO RIO, ETC. 481 Sept. 25. Lat. 8° 20' N.; long. 28° 84' "W. Barometer, 29.83 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81°. Wind : N. W. ; moderate breezes, and pleasant. A S. E. swell on. Sept. 26. Lat. 6° 17' N. ; long. 26° 46' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. "Winds: N. W., W., S.W.; first part, strong breeze and squally. Latter part, fresh gale, with an ugly sea. Sept. 27. Lat. 5° 54' K ; long. 24° 54' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds: S. S. W., S. by W., S. by W. ; weather moderating, made sail, some head sea. Sept. 28. Lat. 5° 32' K ; long. 23° 11' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. W., S. by W. ^ W., S. by W.; light airs, and cloudy. Sept. 29. Lat. 4° 47' K ; long. 23° 40' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S., S. by W., S. ; moderate and cloudy. Sept. 30. Lat. 3° 41' N. ; long. 25° 30' W. Barometer, 29.84 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S., S., S. by E. ; fine breezes and pleasant weather. Oct. 1. Lat. 1° 52' N.; long. 27° 14' W. Current, W. K W., 15 miles per 24 hours; variation 10° 30' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°; Wind: S. S. E. ; fine trades and pleasant. Oct. 2. Lat. 0° 24' N. ; long. 28° 44' W. Current, W. N. W., 0.5 knot per hour. Barometer, 20.95 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 79°. Winds: S. S. E., S. by E., S. S.E.; moderate and pleasant. Oct. 3. Lat. 1° 35' S.; long. 30° 33' W. Current, N. 54° W., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 77°. Winds: S. S. E., S. S. E., S.E. by S. ; fine trades and pleasant. The water looks green. Oct. 4. Lat. 3° 35' S.; long. 31° 27' W. Current, N., 10 miles during the day. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 78°. Wind : S. E. by S. ; pleasant trades. Oct. 5. Lat 5° 28' S.; long. 32° 29' W. Current, W., thirteen miles during the day. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 79°. Wind: S. E. by S. ; moderate trades and fine weather. Oct. 6. Lat. 7° 34' S. ; long. 33° 40' W. Current, S. 56° W., three-fourths of a knot per hour. Barometer, 29.94; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°. Wind: S. E. by S.; moderate trades and fine weather. Ship John Wade (J. H. Little), New York to San Francisco, thirteen days out. Sep. 26, 1853. Lat. 21° 28' K; long. 34° 58' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., and S. E. by E. Light baffling winds and fine weather. Sept. 27. Lat. 17° 44' N.; long. 35° 10' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 82°; of water 82°. Wind : E. Fresh breezes and clear. Sept. 28. Lat. 15° 00' N. ; long. 34° 50' W. Barometer, 21.40 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds: E., and E. S. E. First part, fresh breezes ; middle part, strong gale. At 8 A. M. hove to under close-reefed main-topsail. At 8, barometer, 29.60.; at 10, 29.7; at 12 M., 29.3. Sept. 29. Lat. 14° 32' N. ; long. 34° 31' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 43a, THE WIND AND CUERENT CHABT3. 80°. Winds: W., S. S. W., S. S. "W. Heavy gale, with violent squalls of wind and rain; middle part, sharp lightning; latter part, moderate. Made sail. I think I was near the track of a hurricane. Sept. 80. Lat. 13° 39' N.; long. 32° 53' W. Current, E. by N., thirty miles. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., W. S. W. First part, squally ; latter part, a light breeze. Oct. 1. Lat. 13° 16' N.; long. 32° 00' W. Current, E. N. E., thirty-five miles. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°. Winds: W., S. W., S. W., and calm. Oct. 2. Lat. 12° 57' N. ; long. 32° 10' W. Current, ten miles, S. W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 79°. Wind : calm throughout. Ship without steerage way. Oct. 3. Lat. 11° 51' N.; long. 32° 18' W. Current, N. J W., forty miles. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : N. N. E., N. E., E. by S. Surprised at finding so much current, there being no sign of any. Oct. 4. Lat. 9° 20' N.; long. 31° 40' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 80; of water, 80°. Winds : E. by S., E. S. E., and S. E. Squally and bafiiing ; strong tide rips. Oct. 5. Lat. 8° 58' N.; long. 31° 18' W. Current, for yesterday and to-day, sixty miles east. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E., calm, calm. Light breezes and showery. Oct. 6. Lat. 8° 01' N. ; long. 30° 41' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : calm, E. S. E., and E. BaSling air ; latter part, hard rain. Oct. 7. Lat. 7° 23' K; long. 30° 10' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds : calm, S. S. W., N. E. Light bafiiing airs, calms, and rain. Oct. 8. Lat. 6° 42' N.; long. 29° 17' W. Current, for two days, thirty miles E. by N. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : calm, S. W., and calm. Light baffling airs, and rain ; S. W., and E. winds striving for the ascendency. Oct. 9. Lat. 5° 32' N. ; long. 28° 30' W. Current, E. i N., 25 miles. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : calm, W. S. W., N. First part, calm ; latter part, baffling airs, and showery. Oct. 10. Lat. 3° 57' K; long." 26° 52' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., S. by W. Light baffling airs and cloudy. Oct. 11. Lat. 3° 10' K; long. 26° 24' W. Current, W. by K, 20 miles. Barometer, 29.90; tempera- ture of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. by W., S. by W., S. Moderate breezes and cloudy. Tacked ship three times ; have been as far east as 25° 50' W., lat. 3° 22' N. Oct. 12. Lat. 1° 27' K; long. 28° 04' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. E., S. by E., S. by E. ; light breezes, and cloudy, six days without any observation, and only two days pleasant since we left New York. Oct. 13. Lat. 00° 33' S.; long. 29° 40' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 81°; water, 81°. BOUTKS TO RIO, ETC. 433 Winds : S. S. E., S. by E., S. by E.; light breezes and showery, crossed the equator in 29° 12' W. at 7 P. M. 32 days out. Oct. 14. Lat. 3° 09' S. ; long. 31° 12' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. S. E. ; light breezes, and fine weather. Oct. 15. Lat. 5° 37' S. ; long. 32° 30' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79°. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. ; light breezes and fine weather; saw several meteors last night. Oct. 16. Lat. 8° 18' S. ; long. 32° 22' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., S. E. ; moderate breezes and fine weather. I have not had any current for four days past. From Capt. George Scott to Lieut. Maury. San Francisco, April 29, 1853. Inclosed is the abstract log of ship Adelaide Melcalf, under my command, on her last passage from New York, via Callao, to this place. I owe an apology for not forwarding it before now, as I have been in port since the 18th ult. I understood, on my arrival here, that you had an agent to receive such communications, and endea- vored to find him, but did not succeed ; and, latterly, thought I would not send it until I had looked at the ship's bottom, «o see if that had not something to do with my very long passage. I find upon heaving her out, that portions of the keel and shoe are gone, also, several planks cut nearly through, and the bottom quite ragged, caused by striking on the reef in East Eiver, near Governor's Island, while coming out, and I am satisfied that this has been the cause of my long passage ; although I think you will notice some peculiarities in the winds, as I found them in the northern tropic of the Atlantic and Pacific. I have all faith in your Charts and books, and value them highly, and endeavored to follow out your instructions. If I did not do so, hope I shall be convinced of my error at some future time. I shall continue to keep the abstract, on my future passages; and although poorly, still, I hope they will be of some slight service. Ship Adelaide Metcalf (George Scott), New York to San Francisco, twenty-four days out. Oct. 8, 1852. Lat. 15° 21' N. ; long. 40° 22' W. Current, AV. N. W., half knot per hour. Tem: perature of air, 83° ; surface, 81° ; of water, at ten feet six inches depth, 81°. Winds : E., E. by K, E. S. E. First and middle, moderate ; latter, light at llh. 30m. Squall from W. S. W. Noticed many and strong tide rips, with intervals of very smooth water. It seems rather problematical when, where, and how I am to make my easting, but so long as I can make a south, or S. W. course on this tack, I shall keep on. Barometer, 30.06. Oct. 9. Lat. 13° 27' N.; long. 40° 35' W. Current, W. N. W., three-quarter knots per hour. Baro- meter, 30.06 ; temperature of air, 80J° ; surface of water, 81° ; water, at ten feet six inches depth, 81°. Winds : S. E., E. by S., E. S. E. First and middle, good breezes ; latter part, light. Noticed tide rips and smooth places yesterday. 55 484 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Oct. 10. Lat. 11° 57' N.; long. 39° 34' W. Current, W. N. W., one knot per hour. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of water, 81 J° ; of air, 82° ; water, at ten feet six inches depth, 81°. "Winds : E., E. N. E., E.N. E. From 2 to 12 P.M. two smart squalls from S., N. N. E., with rain; middle and latter part, good breezes, with squalls of rain ; ends with a thick haze on the horizon at the N. E., and strong tide rips, as yesterday. Oct. 11. Lat. 9° 51 K ; long. 37° 52' W. Current, W. by K, half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.93 ; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°; water, at ten feet six inches depth, 82°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Good breezes and cloudy weather ; squalls and showers ; very powerful tide rips. Oct. 12. Lat. 9° 05' N.; long. 37° 22' W. Current, S. E. by E., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 83° ; of water, at ten feet six inches depth, 83°. Winds : E., E., variable. Light baffling winds and squalls, with hea^^y showers of rain. Some tide rips ; the wind has been around the compass several times. Oct. 13. Lat. 8° 54' N. ; long. 36° 20' W. Current, S. E. by E., half knot per hour. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 82° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82°. Winds : calm, E. N. E., calm. Middle part, lightning in the N. W. ; at 10 P. M. had a violent squall from the N. E. attended with heavy rain. Oct. 14. Lat. 7° 48' N. ; long. 35° 41' W. Current, S. E. by E., one-quarter knot per hour. Barometer 30.00 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82°. Winds : calm, S. S. W. S. S. W. First part, calm ; midde and latter part, light airs. Oct. 15. Lat. 7° 40' N. ; long. 35° 22' W. Current, E. S. E., three-quarters knot per hour. Baro- meter, 30.04 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 83° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82J°. Winds : calm, calm, calm. First and middle parts, dead calm; latter part, light airs from south for four hours. Oct. 16. Lat. 6° 50' N. ; long. 34° 43' W. Current, one knot per hour. Barometer, 29.98 ; tempera- ture of air, 31° ; of water, 82^°; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82 J°. Winds : S. W., S. W., S. S. W. Light airs, and clear pleasant weather. I confidently expected the S. E. trades here, and, in fact, 6° north of this, but there seems to be nothing for us but head winds and calms. Oct. 17. Lat. 5° 40' N. ; long. 33° 50' W. Barometer, 29.97 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 82°. of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., S. W. Constant and heavy rain with calms ; light winds and heavy squalls, and very bad sea. Oct. 18. Lat. 6° 05' N. ; long. 32° 14' W. Current, N. N. E., one knot per hour. Barometer, 30.00. temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82°. Winds: S., S. by E., calm. Stood E. by S. 12 hours, when, finding we were losing the wind, tacked to the S. W. Oct. 19. Lat. 5° 36' N.; long. 32° 13' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 82' °; of water, 82° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82°. Winds : calm, calm, E. First and middle part, calm ; latter, light wind and clear weather. Oct. 20. Lat. 5° 15' K ; long. 32° 53' W. Current, W., three-quarters knot per hour. Barometer, ROUTKB TO BIO, ETC. 435 30.04; temperature of air, 82^°; of Avater, 88°; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82 J°. Winds: calm, calm, S. by E. Noticed many and strong tide rips. Oct. 21. Lat. 4" 29' N. ; long. 33° 41' W. Barometer, 30.03 ; temperature of air, 82 J°; of water, 81° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 82i. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Moderate breezes. Stood S. W. 20 hours, and then tacked east ; think we have got the trades. Oct. 22. Lat. 4° 14' N. ; long. 33° 49' W. Current, N. W., one knot per hour. Barometer, 30.03 ; temperature of air, 81^°; of water, 81 J°; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 81°. Winds: S., S. S. E., calm. Light baffling winds and calms, and currents as per log. If I can get across the line anywhere, I shall do it as quick as possible, and take the chances at the southward of making easting, or beat by St. Koque near the land. Oct. 23, Lat. 3° 58' K ; long. 32° 85' W. Barometer, 29.98 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth,. 81°. Winds: calm, S. by E., S. S. E. Middle and latter part, fresh breezes with thunder, lightning, and rain. Stood E. by S., and E. S. E, all day, excepting in two short but heavy squalls from east, when we stood south ; no observations. Oct. 24. Lat. 4° 36' K; long. 31° 32' W. Barometer, 30.03 ; temperature of air, 81^° ; of water, 81i° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 81°. Winds : S., S., S. Stood E. S. E. all day, excepting in two or three short squalls. Find, by observations to-day, that we have had a very strong current the last two days. Oct. 25. Lat. 3° 48' K.; long. 31° 56' W. Current, N. N. W., one knot per hour. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 82^° ; of water, 81 ° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 81°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., S. by E. Light winds and cloudy weather, with heavy swells from S. S. E. Oct. 26. Lat. 2° 47' N.; long. 32° 23' W. Current, K N. W., one and a quarter knots per hour. Barometer, 32.02; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 81°. Winds: S. S. E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Light winds and clear weather. Oct. 27. Lat. 2° 16' N. ; long. 33° 00' W. Current, N. W., one knot per hour. Barometer, 30.02 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80° ; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79^°. Winds: S. by E., S. S. E., S. Light winds and clear weather ; water colder than it has been since entering the tropics ; tacked three times. Oct. 28. Lat. 1" 44' N.; long. 33° 33' W. Current, W. N. W., one knot per hour. Barometer, 29.97; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 79°; of water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°, Winds: S. ^ E., S. S. E., S. E. by E. Light winds and pleasant weather ; stood E. S, E. J E. 8 hours. Oct. 29. Lat. 0° 03' N. ; long. 34° 58' W. Current, K W, by W., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds : S. E., S. S. E., S. E. by S.; moderate breeze and cloudy. I am now on the line, after a passage of 46 days, and so far west that I shall fall to leeward of St. Eoque, no doubt ; and the question arises in my own mind, could I have done better by taking some other course? I have all faith in Maury's Book and Charts ; I think I have followed them as far as possible. But if I have made no mistake in the route, mine is a hard case. 436 THE WIND AXD CUKBENT CHARTS. I have not had a whole sail breeze eight consecutive hours since leaving New York. No trade either N. E. or S. E., until this day ; for the wind has been so light and baffling, for three days back, that it could hardly deserve the name of trade-winds, and I have not, nor do now dare to stand east, for fear of the strong current, and that I shall lose the wind again. Oct. 30. Lat. 1° 40' S.; long. 36° 00' W. Current, N. W., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.98; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 78° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 78°. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. ; moderate and cloudy, middle squally. Heavy dew. Oct. 31. Lat. 3° 33' S.; long. 36° 40' W, Barometer, 29.98; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds : S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. ; moderate and cloudy ; middle squally. Heavy dews. Nov. 1. Lat. 4° 43' S.; long. 36° 54' W. Current, W. N. W., J knot per hour. Barometer, 29.97 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds: S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. ; moderate and clear. At 3 A. M. tacked to the N. E., in 9 fathoms of water. At 7 A. M. tacked south at 12 M. Point de Mel bore S. J W. 12 miles. Nov. 2. Lat. 4° 47' S. ; long. 36° 24' W. Current, W. N. W., J knot per hour. Barometer, 29.97 ; temperature of air, 82|° ; of water, 79° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds : E., E., E. All this day making short tacks from the land, and into 7 fathoms on St. Eoque Banks. Nov. 3. Lat. 4° 45' S. ; long. 36° 02' W. Current, W. N. W., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.96; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 79° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds : E., E., E. All this day making short tacks from the land, and into 7 fathoms on St. Eoque Banks. Nov. 4. Lat 4° 43' S. ; long. 35° 33' W. Current, W. N. W., J knot per hour. Barometer, 29.96 ; temperature of air, 81" ; of water, 79° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 78 J°. Winds : E., E., E. All this day making short tacks from the land, and into 7 fathoms on St. Roque Banks. Nov. 5. Lat. 4° 47' S.; long. 35" 08' W. Current, N. W., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.96; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 79 J°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79i°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. Light winds, clear ; making short tacks off the land, in 7 fathoms of water, on St. Roque Banks. Noy. 6. Lat. 5° 44' S. ; long. 35° 05' W. Current, N. W. by N., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 79°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds: E. S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. I am now south of St. Roque, and in the five days I have been beating, I have not had one hour's stout wind, but less current than north of the line. I have been on the bank every tack, and in one instance into 4 fathoms, off Point Calcanhar : I think the soundings in the vicinity of the banks are correct in many places. Nov. 7. Lat. 6° 20' S.; long. 34° 50' W. Current, N. N. W., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.99 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 79: water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds: S. E., E. S. E., S. E. by E. Light winds and clear. Tacked twice near the land. Nov. 8. Lat. 6° 40' S. ; long. 34° 37' W. Current, N. N. W., I knot per hour. Barometer, 30,01 ; ROUTKS TO RIO, ETC. 487 temperature of air, 81° ; water, 79° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 79°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by E. Light winds and clear ; tacked several times as the wind varied a point or two. Nov. 9. Lat. 7° 50' S. ; long. 34° 42' W. Current, N., J knot per hour. Barometer, 80.03 ; tempera- ture of air, 81° ; of water, 79|° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 791°. "Winds : S. E. by E., E. S. E., E. S. E. At 10 P. M. had a squall from N. E. for half an hour, attended with heavy rain. Remainder of the day clear, with light wind. This tack is not quoted as an illustration of the route ; for the vessel, as it appears from the captain's letter, had sustained injuries to her bottom by striking aground, which injured her sailing. This abstract, however, may be studied with profit by those who are making an October passage, for it gives much information touching the winds, &c., during that month. Annie Buchman (Barber), New York to Canton, nineteen days out. Oct. 18, 1852. Lat. 16° 39' N. ; long. 30° 50' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. S. E. to S. W., calm, and east. Good breeze ; night wind baffling to S. E. and S. W., quite light ; 4 A. M., calm ; ends light airs from the east. Oct. 19. Lat. 15° 02' N. ; long. 30° 29' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E., E. by S., E. S. E. Light winds and fair weather all day. Several current ripples, but have had no current. Oct. 20. Lat. 13° 28' N. ; long. 30° 05' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 81°. Winds : E. by S., E. S. E., PI S. E. Light winds and overcast : light showers passing over us from westward without the wind's hauling. Latter part, moderate and pleasant. Oct. 21. Lat. 10° 46' N.; long. 29° 46' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 82°. Wind : E. S. E. Moderate breeze and passing squalls all day. Oct. 22. Lat. 8° 24' K; long. 29° 15' W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by S., E. S. E. to S. Moderate and pleasant; right good breeze; latter part, unsteady, baffling, with light showers. Oct. 23. Lat. 7° 30' N. ; long. 29° 43' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. S. E. Light winds and calm ; night, same ; latter part, moderate breeze. • Oct. 24. Lat. 6° 43' N.; long. 29° 33' W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. by E., S. S. W., calm ; strong breezes. 8 P. M. tacked to S. E. Night rainy, with squalls; latter part, calm ; and a bad bubble of southerly sea. Oct. 25. Lat. 6° 18' N.; long. 29° 5' W. Current, 20 miles, S. E. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 82°. Winds: calm, all round calm; calm and hazy; night, light squalls all around; latter part, calm. The ship has not gone more than 20 miles through the water all day. Oct. 26. Lat. 5° 82' N. ; long. 28° 50' W. Current, 18 miles, S. by W. Barometer, 29.9 ; tempera- 438 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. tare of air, 83° ; of water, 82°. Winds : calm, S. "W., S. "W. Calm in the beginning ; during the night and latter part, very faint airs from S. W. Oct. 27. Lat. 4° 55' N. ; long. 28° 29' "W. Current, 15 miles, S. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., S. S. W. Very light airs all day ; hardly steerage way ; during the night, heavy showers ; wind baffling from west to south. Oct. 28. Lat. 4° 43' N. ; long. 27° 39' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., S. Light winds and squally, with plenty of rain; at times, nearly calm ; a heavy southerly swell. ■ Oct. 29. Lat. 3° 38' N".; long. 28° 40' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82°. Winds: S., S. by E., S. by E. First six hours squally; during the night and latter part, moderate and pleasant. Stood to eastward first three hours, then S. W. by W. Oct. 30. Lat. 2° 20' N.; long. 30° 6' W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 82°. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. S. E., calm, S. by E. Unsteady breeaes, with showers, from S. E. to S., every few minutes ; calm for three hours. Oct. 31. Lat. 1° 10' K; long. 31° 2' W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 82°. Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. E. by S. Moderate and fair weather. Stood 5 J hours to the eastward ; tacked to the southward and westward at midnight. Nov. 1. Lat. 55' S. ; long. 32° W. No current. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. E. to S. S. E. Moderate breezes and pleasant. Crossed the equator about midnight, 35^ days from New York, in long. 31° 30'. Stood to the eastward the last two hours. My last three passages have been 27, 28, 27 days ; in all of which, I went as far east as 26°, and crossed east of 29°. This time there was no choice ; go ahead or beat. [And you did right.] Nov. 2. Lat. 3° 14' S.; long. 31° 38' W. No current. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. S. E. to S. E., E. by S., E. Moderate trades and pleasant. Stood to the eastward 2 hours ; tacked to the southward at 2 P. M. During the night and latter part, good breezes. Nov. 3. Lat. 6° 19' S.; long. 31° 42' W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 80°. Wind : E. to E. S. E. all day. Good breeze and fine weather. Steering south most of the time, wind free. No current since crossing the equator. Nov. 4. Lat. 9° 34' S.; long. 31° 31' W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., E. Good breezes and fine weather. This is the first time I ever made a south course from the equator to this latitude. We might have made easting, the wind being free on a south course. No current. Longitude O and £ comes within 9 miles of chronometer. Robert Wing (L. Crowell), New York to Buenos Ayres, fifteen days out. Oct. 18, 1852. Lat. 20° 21' N. ; long. 44° 31' W. Temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 83°. Winds : E. by S., E. S. E., S. E. Very fresh breezes, attended with squalls of wind and rain, with high sea from 439 S. E.; wanting to make more easting; wind hung very obstinate to E. S. E. ; am afraid the wind may- hang on too long to cross the equator where I intended; I never knew the trades to work so far to the southward and eastward at this or any other season. Oct. 19. Lat. 18° 40' N. ; long. 43° 30' "W. Temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 83°. Winds : E. S. E^ E., E. Fresh breezes, with hard squalls of rain ; very bad appearances ; bad sea running from S. E. Oct. 20. Lat. 17° 40' N.; long. 43° 08' W. Temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 82°. Winds: K by N., E. by S., E. S. E. Fresh breezes, with hard squalls of wind and rain. Latter part, pleasant, Oct. 21. Lat. 16° 51' N.; long. 42° 07' W. Temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 82°. Winds: S. S. E., S., S. by W. Light winds and pleasant ; wind varying from E. S. E. to S. and S. W. ; have had no N. E. trade-winds hanging obstinately at S. and E. Oct. 22. Lat. 17° 15' N. ; long. 40° 36' W. Temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. by W., S., S. S. E. Moderate breezes and pleasant ; wind varying from S. by W. to S. E. ; very dull pros- pects, not finding any trades; wind hanging obstinately at southward and eastward. Oct. 23. Lat. 16° 08' N. ; long. 40° 09' W. Temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. by N., E. by N., east. Moderate breezes and pleasant ; all sail set. Oct. 24. Lat. 14° 17' N.; long. 39° 00' W. Temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82J°. Winds: E., E., E. by S. Moderate breezes and pleasant ; all sail set. Oct. 25. Lat. 12° 22' N. ; long. 38° 55' W. Temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., S. E. First part, fresh breezes, E. S. E., with squalls ; middle and latter part, moderate, winds baffling from S. W. to E. ; tacked to make easting when opportunity offers; appearances of strong current ; heavy tide rips. Oct. 26. Lat. 12° 12' N. ; long. 38° 55' W. Temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : calm, calm, S. E. First and middle parts, calm; latter part, light airs from S. E. to N. ; 11 to 12, heavy rain. Oct. 27. Lat. 11° 31' N.; long. 38° 30' W. Temperature of air, 83°; of water, 83°. Winds: east, E. S. E., E. by S. Light baffling airs from E. N. E. to S. E.; pleasant weather; very heavy tide rips, more so than I have ever seen in the Atlantic, equal to the rippling on George's Bank, yet I have not experienced any current about here. Oct. 28. Lat. 10° 05' N.; long. 37° 45' W. Temperature of air, 86° ; of water, 84°. Winds : E. S. B, E. by S., S. E. Fresh breezes and pleasant ; middle and latter, baffling airs from E. N. E. to S. E. ; heavy tide rips. Barque steering north. Air, E.N. E. Current, 15 miles during last 24 hours. Oct. 29. Lat. 8° 11' N. ; long. 36° 29' W. Temperature of air, 86° ; of water, 84°. Winds: E. by N., E. by N., E. by S. Fine breezes and pleasant, with occasional light squalls of rain ; 25 miles easterly current. Oct. 30. Lat. 7° 17' N.; long. 35° 58' W. Temperature of air, 85°; of water, 84°. Winds: B, E. S. E., S. E. First and middle part, light variable winds ; latter part, fresh breezes, heavy appearances. Oct. 31. Lat. 5° 31' N.; long. 36° 12' W. Temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 84°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., S. E. First part, fresh breezes ; middle and latter, baffling from E. to S.; had rain squalls. 440 ' THE WIND AND CUEBENT CHARTS. Nov. 1. Lat. 5° 07' N.; long. 35° 09' W. Temperature of air, 84°; of water, 84°. Winds: E., E, by S., E. ; light variable winds, from E. to S. E. with squalls ; tacked several times, to take advantage of starts of wind, having had very bad chances to make easting when T wished, not getting any N. E. trade. Nov. 2. Lat. 3° 12' N. ; long. 34° 85' W. Temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. S. E., E. N. E., S. E. ; light breezes and pleasant, from E. S. E. to S. E. ; tacked three times, to make slants to the east. I have had 120 miles easterly current between lat. 11° 30' and 3° N. in five days. Here, I should recommend a vessel to make her easting, in case the S. E. trades reach as far north as this parallel, as they have with me. I shall stand on for Cape St. Koque, rather than tack back to the N. and E. Nov. 3. Lat. 2° 07' N. ; long. 35° 08' W. Temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., S. E. ; light winds and squalls ; find it very HifScult to make easting, unless making too much north- ing, having had no chance for a slant. The most unfavorable chance I ever saw. Nov. 4. Lat. 00° 12' S.; long. 35° 45' W. Temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Wind: S. E.; fresh breezes and clear. I have availed myself of every opportunity to make easting, since I first entered the region of the N. E. trade- winds, but have found none — a very singular occurrence ; have very unwill- ingly crossed the equator in 35° 45'. Shall stand on for the land, unless I am favored with a slant ; shall evidently fetch to leeward of Cape St. Roque ; this I expected when I found the N. E. trades to fail me. If I fall to leeward of Cape St. Roque, it will not be the fault of Lieut. Maury, unless he can govern the elements ; this we do not look for him to do ; although the great improvements for navigators that he has been so attentive to, are indeed wonderful. No current. Nov. 5. Lat. 2° 35' S.; long. 35° 51' W. Temperature of air, 80°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. E., S. E. by E., E. by S. ; fresh breezes and pleasant ; standing on for the land. Nov. 6. Lat. 4° 48' S. ; long. 36° 08' W. Temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 78°. Winds : E. S. E., E. by S., E. by S. ; fresh breezes, and clear. At 11 A. M., the water discolored ; at 11 hours 30 min. saw the land 60 miles to the leeward of Cape St. Roque ; meridian, on the reef; saw breakers J mile distant to S. W. ; tacked off the land ; the land here is low and sandy ; but there is no danger with a good lookout ; you can always tell by the water, as it becomes white as you near the Bank. A barque in sight, standing in. Nov. 7. Lat. 4° 09' S. ; long. 35° 07' W. Temperature of air, 82°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E. by S., S. E., S. S. E. Fine breezes and pleasant; middle and latter part moderate. At 6 A. M. tacked to the southward. This is the first chance I have had to make a start to the eastward, for fifteen days. Nov. 8. Lat. 5° 11' S. ; long. 35° 15' W. Temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 81i°. Winds : S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. First part, moderate breezes ; middle and latter part, fine breezes and clear. At 5 P. M. tacked to the E. N. E. two hours ; tacked to the southward, stood five hours ; stood E. N. E. four hours ; tacked to, eight hours. At 11 hours 30 min. A. M., water discolored ; stood in to ten fathoms ; saw the land, Point Calcanhar, bearing W. by N. 6 miles; found no difficulty in making to windward. Current, half mile, W. N. W. Nov. 9. Lat. 5° 52' S.; long. 35° 05' W. Temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 80°. Wind: S. E. Fresh ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 441 breezes and pleasant ; high sea from S. E. ; standing off and on in shore ; working along the coast ; find the sounding quite regular, from 7 to 12 fathoms ; reef showing very plain ; little or no current about here. Nov. 10. Lat. 6° 35' S.; long. 35° 05' W. Temperature of air, 84°; of water, 80°. Winds: S., S. S. E., S. E. by S. Fresh breezes and pleasant ; working all along the coast. This has been a very unfavorable chance for any vessel to work up the coast ; notwithstanding, I have made as much headway as I could have expected to, on the coast of North America ; and I would also say that one need not fear Cape St. Eoque, unless it is much different from what I found it. I shall always aim to cross the equator west of 31°, being sure that there is but little current about this cape. Nov. 11. Lat. 6° 41' S.; long. 34° 00'. Temperature of air, 85° ; of water, 80°. Winds: S. S.E., S. E., S. S. E. Fresh breezes and fine weather. Working up the coast ; wind obstinate at S. S. E., and S.E. Nov. 12. Lat. 7° 56' S.; long. 34° 27' W. Temperature of air, 83°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. E., S. E., S.E. by S. Light breezes and fine weather. Saw several catamarans. Land in sight, off Pernam- buco. This is the sixth day since I first made the land sixty miles to leeward of Cape St. Roque ; have worked nearly dead to windward. Up to this time she had had the winds from the westward, principally from the northward and west- ward. She did not take sufficient advantage of them, and therefore crossed the equator farther to the westward than it is desirable to do. Nevertheless, her abstract proves that, by crossing as far west as 36°, one is not hopelessly to leeward. It is very easy, after one sees how the winds have been, to say what the course should have been. But I hope navigators will not regard my critiques upon their tracks, ever, in an offensive light. We must profit each by the experience of others ; and, though Captain Crowell did keep to the west of the track prescribed, it does not, therefore, follow that he is to blame. Whether the navigator be to blame or not, is no concern of mine. It is my aim to give sailing directions, and to lay them down so clearly that all who will, may understand them. And I know no better way of doing this than by making examples teach by the experience which others are kind enough to spread before me. Though Captain Crowell did "stick her away south" sooner than in my judgment it was advisable, yet he had no cause to regret it. He gained upon the old route some ten or fifteen days, and in a week afterwards he was running off with topmast studding-sails set, with Cape St. Eoque a long way off under his lee. Ship Capitol (Gorham), Richmond, to San Francisco, 16 days out. Nov. 4, 1852. Lat. 19° 36' K; long. 34° 53' W. Squally, E., S. E. Nov. 5. Lat. 17° 16' N.; long. 33° 55' W. Moderate breezes, E. by S. Nov. 6. Lat. 14° 54' N.; long. 33° 08' W. Moderate breezes, E. Nov. 7. Lat. 12° 34' N. ; long. 32° 20' W. Fresh breezes, E. by S. 5ft 442 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Nov. 8. Lat. 10° 06' N. ; long. 31° 10' W. Squally, E., E. N. E., N. E, Nov. 9. Lat. 8° 04' K; long. 30° 38' W. Squally, with rain, E., S. E., E. Nov. 10. Lat. 7° 35' N. ; long. 29° 58' W. Squally, with rain, E., S. E., E. by S. Nov. 11. Lat. 6° 39' N. ; long. 29° 30' W. Squally, with rain, S. E., E. S. E., E. N.E. Nov. 12. Lat. 5° 29' N. ; long. 29° 04' W. Squally, with rain, N. E., E., S. E. Nov. 13. Lat. 4° 51' N. ; long. 28° 52' "W. Light and baffling, S. S. E., N. E., S. E. Nov. 14. Lat. 3° 45' N. ; long. 28° 50' W. Squally, S. E., E., N. E. Nov. 15. Lat. 2° 47' N. ; long. 29° 35' W. Squally, S. E., E. N. E., E. N. E. Nov. 16. Lat. 2° 31' N. ; long. 30° 00' W. Calm, and rain squalls, baffling airs. Nov. 17. Lat. 1° 01' N. ; long. 30° 15' W. Moderate breezes, S. S. W., S. E. by E., E. Nov. 18. Lat. 1° 18' S. ; long. 31° 16' W. Moderate breezes, S. E. Nov. 19. Lat. 3° 49' S. ; long. 32° 16' W. Moderate breezes, S. E. Nov. 20. Lat. 6° 37' S.; long. 33° 19' W. Moderate breezes, S. E. Ship George Baynes, Boston to San Francisco, twenty-two days out. Nov. 4. Lat. 22° 00' N.; long. 27° 18' W. Winds : E. N. E., E., E. by S. First part, squally ; latter part, moderate breezes. Nov. 5. Lat. 18° 15' K; long. 26° 50' W. Wind: E. Fine weather. Nov. 6. Lat. 15° 58' N. ; long. 26° 40' W. Wind : E. Pleasant breezes. Nov. 7. Lat. 13° 06' N. ; long. 26° 40' W. Wind : E. Pleasant breezes. Nov. 8. Lat. 10° 15' N.; long. 26° 34' W. Winds: E.,E.N.E.,E.N. E. During the night, sharp lightning to S. E. ; at noon, wind hauled to S. E. in a squall. Nov. 9. Lat. 8° 30' N. ; long. 26° 20' W. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., E. S. E. Begins with moderate breezes ; middle part, squally. Ends light breezes. Nov. 10. Lat. 7° 34' N. ; long. 26° 44' W. Winds : S. S. E., calm, E. First part, light airs; middle, calm ; latter part, light airs. Nov. 11. Lat. 6° 32' N. ; long. 26° 36' W. Winds : E., E. N. E. Light airs and calms ; considerable lightning in S. and N. E. Nov. 12. Lat. 5° 26' N.; long. 26° 48' W. Winds: E., E. S. E., calm. Begins calm with rain; at 8 P. M. wind hauled in, squall to S. E. Ends calm. ^ Nov. 13. Lat. 4° 55' N. ; long. 27° 04' W. Winds : E. S. E., S. S. E., calm. Light airs. Nov. 14. Lat. 3° 27' N. ; long. 27° 18' W. Winds : E. S. E., S. E. First part, squally; middle, light breezes; latter, moderate breezes. Nov. 15. Lat. 2° 07' N. ; long. 28° 00' W. Winds : S. E. by S. Moderate breezes and squally. Nov. 16. Lat. 1° 15' S. ; long. 28° 42' W. Winds : S., S. S. E. Light breezes. Nov. 17. Lat. 0° 02' S.; long. 29° 00' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. Moderate breezes and fine weather. ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. ^^ Nov. 18. Lat. 2° 06' S. ; long. 29° 24' W. Winds : S. E., E. S. B., S. B. by E. Steady breezes. Nov. 19. Lat. 4° 44' S.; long. 30° 55' W. Winds: S. E. by E., S. E. Steady breezes. Nov. 20. Lat. 7° 40' S. ; long. 31° 50' W. Winds: S. B., E. S. E. Steady breezes. Brig Georgiana (Chase), New York to Mozambique, eighteen days out. Nov. 13, 1851. Lat. 20° 04' N. ; long. 31° 13' W. Winds: S. W., S. S. W. Fresh breezes and fine weather. Nov. 14. Lat. 19° 54' N. ; long. 29° 24' W. Wind : S. S. W. Light breezes with fine clear weather. Nov. 15. Lat. 18° 36' N. ; long. 29° 53' W. Winds : S., S. S. W, Light airs and cloudy. Nov. 16. Lat. 17° 52' N.; long. 30° 25' W. Winds: calm, S. S. W., calm. Cloudy weather. Nov. 17. Lat. 15° 55' N. ; long. 30° 14' W. Winds : S. S. W., S., S. E. First part, light; latter, fresh breezes. Nov. 18. Lat. 13° 49' N.; long. 29° 56' W. Winds : S. E., E. S. E., E. S. E. Pleasant gales and fair. Nov. 19. Lat. 10° 65' N.; long. 29° 00' W. Winds: E., E. by N. Fresh trades. Nov. 20. Lat. 8° 26' N.; long. 28° 04' W. Winds : E. N. E., N. E. by E. Pleasant gales. Nov. 21. Lat. 5° 39' N. ; long. 27° 06' W. Wind: E. N. E. First part, fresh breezes and pleasant; latter part, light and squally. Nov. 22. Lat. 4° 55' N. ; long. 27° 35' W. Winds : S., W. S. W., S. W. Light and baffling airs ; clear weather. Nov. 23. Lat. 4° 01' N. ; long. 27° 20' W. Winds : S., S. S. W., W. S. W. Light baffling airs with heavy rain squalls. Nov. 24. Lat. 2° 33' N. ; long. 28° 41' W. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E. Strong breezes; very heavy squalls. Nov. 25. Lat. 0° 10' N.; long. 29° 40' W. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. by S. Fresh breezes and fine weather. Nov. 26. Lat. 1° 35' S. ; long. 30° 35' W. Wind : S. E. Fine breezes and pleasant. Nov. 27. Lat. 4° 06' S. ; long. 30° 40' W. Wind : E. S. E. Weather pleasant. Nov. 28. Lat. 6° 59' S. ; long. 30° 30' W. Wind : E. S. E. Fresh breezes with squalls. Flying Fish (E. E. Nickels), Boston to San Francisco, nine days out. Nov. 15, 1851. Lat. 21° 27' N. ; long. 37° 29' W. Winds : N. W. to S. W. ; pleasant weather ; all sail. Nov. 16. Lat. 19° 00' N. ; long. 34° 36' W. Winds : S. W. ; changeable weather. Nov. 17. Lat. 17° 24' N. ; long. 33° 38' W. Winds : S. W. to S. S. E. ; changeable weather ; all sail. Nov. 18. Lat. 16° 21' N. ; long. 34° 38' W. Winds : S. to S. E., light ; weather unsettled, rainy; all sail. 444 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Nov. 19. Lat. 13° 14' N. ; long. 35° 10' W. Winds: S. E. by E., moderate; pleasant, trade-like weather. Nov. 20. Lat. 9° 50' N.; long. 34° 00' W. Wind: S. E. to E., brisk; pleasant weather ; all sail ; two weeks out; average, 213 miles per day. Nov. 21. Lat. 6° 34' N. ; long. 31° 55' W. Winds : E. by S. to E. by N. ; changeable weather ; some rain ; all sail. Nov. 22. Lat. 5° 02' N.; long. 30° 45' W. Winds : E. by S., S. to S. W., moderate; changeable weather ; tacked twice ; all sail. Nov. 23. Lat. 4° 58' N. ; long. 30° 07' W. Wind : southerly ; light or calm ; very pleasant ; all sail. Nov. 24. Lat. 2° 31' N. ; long. 30° 48' W. Wind : S. E., brisk ; changeable weather ; all sail. Nov. 25. Lat. 0° 24' S.; long. 32° 04' W. Wind: S. E.; pleasant; all sail; nineteen days to the line, averaging 196 miles. Saw two American ships bound home. Nov. 26. Lat. 2° 40' S. ; long. 32° 30' W. Moderate winds ; weather changeable and showery ; all sail. Nov. 27. Lat. 5° 04' S.; long. 32° 50' W. Wind: E. S. E. ; pleasant weather; all sail; passed Fernando de Noronha Islands ; 190 miles average. Nov. 28. Lat. 7° 14' S. ; long. 32° 44' W. Wind: S. E., baffling, moderate ; unsettled weather ; all sail. Saw a ship bound to the northward. Ship F. W. Brune (D. C. Landis), New York to California, eighteen days out. Nov. 18, 1852. Lat. 19° 44' N.; long. 35° 50' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds : N. to N. N. E., N. E. to S. E., E. S. E. to E. ; pleasant ; light squalls with rain, and smooth sea ; middle part, light easterly breeze ; latter part, light easterly breeze, and smooth sea. Have not seen the Sargosso this twenty-four hours. The barometer has been fluctuating for some days past, being down to 30.00 in the evening, and up to 30.05 in the morning, similar to the tide of the ocean. I have observed this before in the South Atlantic beyond the trade-winds, but never so much difference — not being more than y^g. Nov. 19. Lat. 18° 22' N. ; long. 34° 49' W. Variation, 1 2° 45'. Barometer, 80.25 ; temperature of air, 79° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E., E., E. by S. Moderate breezes and pleasant weather. Has the appearance of a strong current by the tide rips, but did not observe any by the observations. Sea smooth. Nov. 20. Lat. 16° 20' N.; long. 34° 11' W. Current, W. S. W., i knot per hour. Barometer, 80.25 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. S. E., and E. to E. S. E. First and middle parts, moderate breeze and pleasant ; latter, fresh breezes and head sea ; strong tide rips similar to those in the neighborhood of George's Shoals. Nov. 21. Lat 14° 34' N. ; long. 32° 53' W. No current. Barometer, 30.5 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 81°. Wind : E. Pleasant weather ; large swell from S. E. Did not observe any current. Nov. 22. Lat. 12° 40' N.; long. 31° 15' W. Current, west, | of a knot per hour. Barometer, 30: 44» temperature of air, 80°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. to E. N. E. First and middle parts, fresh breezes; calm and pleasant weather ; heavy head sea ; latter part, moderate and hazy. Nov. 23. Lat. (D. E.) 11° 12' N. ; long. 30° W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 80°. "Winds: E., E., E. S. E. Moderate breezes and unpleasant weather; not so much swell; latter part, heavy dark appearance to the southward, and I think the trade-wind is done ; which is certainly farther north than T ever lost them before at this season of the year, though I have been 5° farther east. Nov. 24. Lat. 10° 5' N.; long. 28° 50' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 78° of water, 81°. Winds: E. to S. S. E., E. by N., E. First part, cloudy gloomy weather; light baffling breezes; middle, moderate and unsteady ; latter, light and pleasant ; some swell. Nov. 25. Lat. 8° 20' N.; long. 27° 12' W. Current, N. W., i knot per hour. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 81°. Winds: E. to E. N. E. Fine breezes and pleasant. Still looks as though we were in the middle of the trades; but T do not think they will remain with us much longer.^ Nov. 26. Lat. (D. E.) 6° 45' N. ; long. (D. E.) 26° 12' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : E., E., and S. First part, moderate and pleasant ; ends squally and baffling ; a heavy turbulent swell. Nov. 27. Lat. 6° 9' N. ; long. 26° 13' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds: S. to E., S. to E., E. S. E. Squally weather, with baflaing winds; heavy swell from the ■ south. Nov. 28. Lat. 5° 13' N.; long. 26° 30' W. Current, N. W., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 81°. Winds: E. S. E. to S. S. E. Squally, with light baffling breezes ; heavy swell from the south. Nov. 29. Lat. (D. E.)4° 23' N. ; long. (D. E.) 26° W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 81°; of water, 81°. Winds : S. S. E. to E. S. E. Light winds and squally ; swell from S. E. Nov. 30. Lat. (D. E.) 3° 38' N. ; long. (D. E.) 26° 30' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. S. E. to E., S. S. E. to E., S. S. E. to E. S. E. Light baffling winds; squally and showery ; heavy head swell. Dec. 1. Lat. 2° 45' N. ; long. 27° 25' W. Current, 1 knot, W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. S. E. to S. E., calm, S. by E. First part, light baffling airs; middle and latter, squally ; heavy head swell. Dec. 2. No observations. No current. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 82°. Winds : S., S., E. N. E. to E. S. E. Moderate breezes and squally weather. Still heavy swell from S. E. Dec. 3. Lat. 1° 27' N. ; long. 27° 55' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds: calms, and squalls, S. by E. First and middle parts, cloudy, squally weather; latter part, more settled ; a heavy head sea. Dec. 4. Lat. 00° 44' N. ; long. 28° 13' W. Current, 1 knot, W. N. W. Barometer, 29.95 ; tempera- ture of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S., S. and S. by E. Moderate winds, and squally ; the wind some- 44C . THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. times S. S. W.; pleasant weather; has the appearance of the trade-winds; God knows it is nearly time we had them; must have had a strong current to the westward, these three days past; heavy swell. Dec. 5. Lat. 00° 56' S.; long. 29° 20' W. Current, ^ knot, W.N. W. Barometer, 29.95; tempera- ture of air, 83° ; of water, 79°. "Winds : S. by E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Light breezes, and pleasant ; large head swell. Dec. 6. Lat. 2° 48' S. ; long. 30° 35' W. Current, J knot, per hour, W. Barometer, 29.95 ; tempera- ture of air, 83° ; of water, 79°. Wind : S. S. E. Light winds, and pleasant weather ; close by the wind ; heavy head swell. Dec. 7. Lat. 3° 30' S. ; long. 31° 40' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, "W. N. W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. by E., S. by E., S. S. E. Moderate and pleasant ; some swell; the wind hanging far south. Latter part, squally appearances. Birds around. Dec. 8. Lat. 5° 37' S. ; long. 31° 33' W. Current, none. Barometer, 29.92 ; temperature of air, 82°; of water, 79°. Wind : S. E. by S. Moderate and pleasant ; smooth sea. Dec. 9. Lat. 8° 00' S.; long. 32° 41' W. Current, f knot per hour, west. Barometer, 29.95 ; tempera- ture of air, 83° ; of water, 79°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. E. by E. Fine breezes and smooth sea. Dec. 10. Lat. 10° 47' S. ; long. 33° 01' W. No current. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E. by E., E. by S. Fine breezes and a smooth sea. Dec. 11. Lat. 13° 56' S.; long. 33° 20' W. Current, J knot per hour, south. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. E. by E., S. E. by E., E. Fine breezes. The barometer fluctuating /g^j, which I never observed before in the heart of the trades. Smooth sea. Danube, New York to San Francisco, twelve days out. Nov. 25, 1852. Lat., at noon, 24° 29' N; long. 42° 16' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 71° ; of water, 73°. Moderate breeze all round the compass, and very dark, no one hour from one point. Evidently a very strong current setting S. W. No part of the 24 hours has ship's head been to south of S. S. E. Sharp lightning at S. E. Observations of yesterday and to-day, good. Ship, when heading E. N. E. and S. S. E., carrying strong starboard helm. Strong ripplings like tide rips. Large quantities of dead-looking brown gulf- weed ; no fish ; no birds. Heavy swell from N. W. ; frequent rain squalls from W. S. W. to S. E. Current, 1 mile per hour, S. W. Nov. 26. Lat. 24° 29' N.; long. 40° 29' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 76°. Winds : S. S. E., S. by E., S. Fresh breeze ; close atmosphere ; no lightning ; trade-clouds ; 19' W. S. W. current. Observations good. Nov. 27. Lat. 24° 49' N.; long. 37° 27' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 75°; of water, 75°. Wind: S. by E. throughout the day. Fresh breeze; gulf- weed; flying fish; lead colored clouds. This vessel was quite far enough to the eastward for her latitude ; and had the wind been fair, she could not have wished a better than a south course. She should have beat across this belt, and should ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 447 have gone in search of a wind, instead of dallying along in this calm place waiting for a wind to come to her. Nov. 28. Lat. 25° 25' K; long. 35° 27' W. Barometer, 80.05; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 74°. Winds : S. by E., S. by E., S. E. Hard, long, heavy squalls ; double reefs. Much gulf-weed. Nov. 29. Lat. 23° 49' K : long. 36° 40' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 75°. Winds : S. E., S. S. E., S. E. Much lightning at S. E. ; heavy, hard-looking weather. During the 24 hours, the wind has varied from S. to S. E. Alternate calms and hard squalls ; gulf-weed in abundance. Flying fish, but no birds. Nov. 30. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 75°. Winds: all around the compass ; very dark ; heaviest kind of thunder and lightning, and hard, steady rain, with frequent and sudden heavy squalls from S. E. to S. S. E., S., S. W., back to S. E., calm ; then very heavy from N. W. ; then N. ; then E. N. E. ; then N. E., with steady rain, heavy thunder, sharp chain lightning. This noon it blows a gale from N. E. ; am now in hopes the weather will change ; close reefs ; have now had the winds from the south for thirteen days. Dec. 1. Lat. 21° 34' N. ; long. 36° 04' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 75°. Winds : N. E. to E., S. S. E., S. S. E. Dec. 2. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Winds : S. S. E., S., S. Extremely dark and squally ; barely see the lines to write in front of a four-paned window. The squalls have not been so heavy this 24 hours as previously, although the rain continues unabated ; no gulf- weed, no birds, and no observations; every appearance of a strong westerly current; almost impossible to keep dead reckoning, as the squalls run in all manner of ways. Dec. 3. Lat. 21° 57' N. ; long. 34° 00' W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 76°. Winds : S., variable, S. AV., S. S. E.; Dark, inky-looking weather; the current has set to the westward, I should judge, full 1' per hour. Dec. 4. Lat. 21° 29' N. ; long. 33° 57' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°^ Winds : S., S. S. E., S. E., S. E., S. S. W., S. W. Variable. Dec. 5. Lat. 20° 49' N. ; long. 35° 05' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 76°; variable winds from S. to E. Dec. 6. Lat. 20° 24' N. ; long. 35° 06' W. Current, J knot per hour, W. by N. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Winds: E., S. E.,E.; very light airs, sometimes dead calm. Dec. 7. Lat. 20° 20' N. ; long. 35° 06' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76° ; calm. Dec. 8. Lat. 17° 50' N. ; long. 34° 06' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 75° ; of water, 76°. Winds : E. S. E., E., E. S. E. ; trades at last ; fine breeze. Dec. 9. Lat. 16° 00' N. ; long. 38° 10' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds: E. S. E., S., S. W., E. S. E. ; gone again ; clear trade looking westward. 448 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Dec. 10. Lat. 12* 18' K. ; long. 32° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 76°; of water, 76°. Winds : E., E. S. E., E. S. E.; fresh breeze. Dec. 11. Lat. 7° 47' K ; long. 32° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Wind : E. S. E. throughout ; steady, fresh gale, Dec. 12. Lat. 5° 47' N.; long. 30° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Winds : E., E., E. N. E. ; steady, fresh gale. Dec. 13. Lat. 4° 00' N. ; long. 29° 00' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 78°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. ; first part, fresh breeze ; latter part, moderate. Dec. 14. Lat. 2° 6' K; long. 29° 43' W, Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78°, Winds : S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. ; first and middle parts, very moderate ; last part, fine. Dec. 15. Lat. 1° 10' N. ; long. 30° 27' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 77°. Winds: S. S. E. throughout; will stand on if possible; wind inclines far to the S. but varies to S. E. at times ; much rain. # Dec. 16. Lat. 0° 57' N. ; long. 31° 00' W. Current, 1\ knots per hour, W. K W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 77°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. Dec. 17. Lat. 0° 10' N. ; long. 32° 00' W. Current, 1 J knots per hour, W. N. W. J W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Wind : S. S. E. throughout. Very moderate ; tacked to the eastward. Dec. 18. Lat. 0° 8' N.; long. 30° 00' W. Current, li knots per hour, W. by N. Barometer, 80.00; temperature of air, 77°; of water, 76°. Winds: S. S. E., S. E. J E., S. E. | E. Moderate; fine weather ; large sharks, flying fish, albicore, nautilus. Dec. 19. Lat. 0° 43' N. ; long. 29° 50' W. Current, 38' W. N. W. \ W. Barometer, 30.00 ; tem- perature of air, 77° ; of water, 76°. Wind : very moderate from S. E. to S. S. E. Dec. 20. Lat. 0° 50' N. ; long. 29° 08' W. Current, 1\ knots per hour, W. f N. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 76°. Winds : S. S. E. to S., S. to S. S. E., S. E. Tacked to the south- ward ; very moderate weather. Dec. 21, Lat. 1° 06' S,; long. 29° 57' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Wind : S. E. by S. throughout. Fine breeze. Dec. 22. Lat. 3° 28' S. ; long. 30° 41' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°. Wind : S. E. by S. throughout. A fine, steady breeze. Dec. 23. Lat. 6° 02' S. ; long. 31° 26' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 76°, Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by S., S. E. by E. Fine, steady breeze. Boarded by U. S. frigate Earitan. These tracks on the route to Rio, or Cape Horn, or Cape of Good Hope, are given, not so much for any light they themselves throw as to the passage, but because they serve, many of them at least, to illustrate the computed route of the tables; because they demonstrate the correctness of these routes, and ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. m because they serve, or ought to serve, to give navigators confidence in the Charts and the Sailing Directions based upon them. In reviewing these tracks, one thing will not fail to arrest the attention of the navigator, and that is, the success with which the line may be crossed as far west as 32°. Seldom, indeed, has it occurred that any vessel, after crossing the line upon that meridian, has experienced any difficulty in clearing St. Roque. A new edition of the Pihi Charts of the North Atlantic is just out. The wind-roses of these Charts, south of 30° N., are now nearly all pretty well filled up. Vessels bound from Europe to ports beyond the equator, will be guided with fidelity by these Charts along the best routes, which for the most part is plain sailing. As a rule, it will be out of their way to come west of 25°, before they reach the doldrums. In them, they should beat across rather than steer E. S. E. or W. S. W., for any length of time along them. They should also beat when necessary, and when not, stand due south, across the calm belt of the horse latitudes. # In these Sailing Directions, dull captains, and dull ships, are ignored. In crossing the calm belts and shaving ticklish points, such ships must crab it along as best they may, for I do not pretend to give any directions that are suited to them. TIDE RIPS. The appearance thus designated, is a ripple in the water, such as is seen in a tide way, or at the meet- ing of two currents. All the information that I have upon the subject, tends to show that, in these rips, there is no current, or, at least, none which can affect the ship. These tide rips are met, most generally, about the region of the equatorial doldrums. They are occasionally seen in other parts of the ocean. But those to which I now refer particularly, are those which almost every vessel encounters near the equator, and which are so often mentioned in the preceding abstracts. What produces this singular appearance so constantly in this part of the ocean ? Vessels sail through these rips and feel no current. How would it be with a boat ? for it appears to me that the motion in the water, which produces the appearance, is a horizontal, not a vertical, motion. If the former, the question comes up, can the trade-winds produce it ? On one side of this calm belt, near She borders of which these tide rips are seen, the S. E. trade- winds are perpetually blowing; on the other, the N. E. Each of these systems of winds operating upon the ruffled surface of the ocean day after day, through a course of two or three thousand miles, has the tendency to drive before it a gentle surface current, and to pile the water up, one on one side, the other on the other, in this calm belt, into which these two systems of winds are blowing. "We know that the wind, as is often seen, when long unbroken sheets of water are open to its sweeping force, is capable of piling the water up at one end of a long canal or pond. 57 450 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. After tlie water is so piled up, suppose the wind should suddenly go down, what would take place ? Should we not expect to see the piled up water, and not that below it, running back as a thin surface current ? These two trade-winda blow at right angles with each other (N. E. and S. E.), and may not the tide rips be caused by the accumulation of water, which the S. E. trades are driving before them, meeting with what the N. E. trades are driving before them ? Some are, perhaps, so caused ; others, it may be, are produced by the water which the two trade-winds have piled up or accumulated in this calm belt, breaking loose, as it were, now here, now there, and escaping as a rippling shallow current, running, as it were, on the top of the sea. The vast amount of rain ■water which falls within this belt would assist both to pile up and make lighter. This view, I am aware, has some plausibility, but it wants confirmation, and the subject is quite interesting enough to commend itself to the attention of navigators. In what direction do these tid®rips appear to run ? and though the ship may not feel any current in them, -will a boat? and do chips or other light substances thrown overboard show any signs of a current? Co-operators will remember that these rips have been the subject of special inquiry for abstract logs for years, and now that light is breaking in upon us with regard to them, it is hoped that attention will not sleep, nor inquiry cease. PLATES XI. AND XII. The tracks with the arrows (Plates XI. and XII.), are the tracks which I have recommended, and the dotted tracks are some of the tracks which have actually been performed. They contain, also, the lanes for the steamers between Europe and America. Now, suppose we had the tracks of a hundred ships, hence to Eio, all made in the month of January of different years ; that in every instance, and with every change of wind, each one of the ships making these tracks had been managed without a mistake ; that they had in every instance steered the best course possible ; that when necessary to go about, each one had gone about exactly at the right moment ; and that, whenever the wind came out ahead, they had all, without exception, invariably gone off on the right track ; and that the tracks of these hundred vessels — no two of them having, let it be supposed, sailed in company — were projected on a chart before us. What should we have ? We should probably have a hundred separate tracks, for it can scarcely be supposed that any two of them would coincide all the way. And the navigator, with that chart before him, would have displayed before him, as clear as he has the sun at mid-day in a cloudless sky, the best route to Eio in the month of January. Now, suppose that, with these 100 tracks before us, we should wish to draw a line or describe a route, which should represent the mean average track of the entire 100 ships. We should then point to this track and say, this is the route pursued by these 100 vessels, and this, therefore, is the route for all vessels to take in the month of January ; and when we should come to look at the January route thus recommended, we should find, probably, that not one of these 100 vessels had actually sailed, even for one ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 4OT. mile, or for one foot, upon it ; ttat they had crossed this mean path, now in this place, now in that ; at one time from this side, and again from that. Under such circumstances, no right-minded mariner would hesitate for a moment about taking this route. But he would not attempt to describe, with the keel of his ship, the line that he had drawn on the chart merely to designate the parts of the ocean through which she was to pass. Now, this has been actually done with regard to the routes here recommended ; they are the mean or average tracks, in some parts of the way, of 700 such vessels in a month ; in other parts, only for 20, or whatever be the number of observations that could be procured. It is true that, in the case of the Charts, I have not actually had 100 such unerring vessels to give me the mean or best average route for each month, but I have had what perhaps was better. I have had the direction of the wind in each district of the ocean given for 100 times and upwards for each month in different years ; and when the navigator is told the direction whence the wind comes, he can tell as well what course he could have steered as though he had himself been there, and actually steered it. I have, therefore, summed up all the winds and calms for each month in every district on the Pilot Chart, and calculated the chances of head winds, and of fair winds, for every point of the compass, through every such district. With these, I then proceed to determine, by mathematical discussion, the mean or "average route, which, taking both calms, head winds, and increase of distance into account, should give, on the average, the shortest passage, in time, to the equator. Of course, then, when a vessel comes to try the new route thus computed, and to project on the Chart the track she actually makes through the water from day to day, it is not to be expected that the track so performed will, when laid down, exactly overlay the one already projected on the Chart as her guide. There will be a general conformity between the two, but nothing like the actual coinciding of two lines. These remarks are called forth by the fact, that some navigators appear to think that there is some sort of virtue in the black mark on the Chart, which represents any one of these routes — as the April route, for instance ; if driven from the April route by head winds, one of these navigators, had he been in the Memnon, at a (Plate XI.), would have stood north to get her keel on the black mark for April ; and again at h, he would have stood to the southward and westward to get upon the April track again. Now, the Memnon at a, or at 6, was in just as good a position as she would have been had she been "right upon the track." Her very clever master, therefore, did right; he conformed to the Sailing Directions, and was pursuing the route recommended, as closely and as well as though his track had fallen all the -fray, from h down to the equator, upon the line with the arrows, which is projected on the Chart to represent the April route. The tracks of the vessels projected on Plates XI. and XII., have not been selected on account of their short passages ; many other vessels have made passages shorter than these. I have taken them only for the purpose of illustration and demonstration. In the conformity between the April route of the Chart, and the actual track of the Memnon, in crossing the calms of Cancer, the Charts show a sharp elbow thence to the equator. The Memnon, without 453} THE WIND AND CURBKNT CHARTS. intending to make this elbow, was forced by the winds to make it ; and the Sailing Directions indicated that there probably would be an elbow here. The Memnon (Capt. Joseph E. Gordon), crossed the line in 19 days ; she had no difficulty in clearing Cape St. Roque, and made a fine passage. It was the same case with the Surprise (Captain P. Dumaresq) ; with the Seaman (Captain Joseph Myrick), and with the Dragon (Captain Andrew), and with a host of others whom I am now (1855) able to quote were it desired. The ships mentioned had to the equator 22, 20, and 24 days respectively. And it is remarkable how the tracks of these vessels, and all others that have followed these Sailing Directions, have conformed in their windingS and irregularities to the tracks of the Charts. See the place at which all four of these vessels crossed the parallel of 5° N., to the place where they crossed the line; it is very nearly a direct south course, as represented by the tracks with the arrows, generally for winter and spring ; and, as before remarked, the lines which represent the tracks for these months do not represent the tracks which it is possible for one ship in 100 actually to make, but they represent the mean or average track, which 100 ships, sailed by navigators that never were wrong, would make. Let us now turn to Plate XII., which is an illustration of the summer and fall routes : — This is the season of the year in which short passages are the most difficult by any route, old or new. Track x is the track of a ship that had the Charts on board. The captain of that ship, judging from the track that he had made, evidently undertook to do what now and then an opinionated navigator is found to do, viz : set up his " own experience" against the experience of the thousand of navigators who had gone before him, all of which is spread out upon the Charts before him. The track of the brig Acasta is given as an illustration of an attempt often made to " split the difference" between the old and new route. She sailed from Sag Harbor, September 20, 1850 ; went as far as 22° W., and crossed the line in long. 26°— November 14—55 days. She got the doldrums in about 11 N., and they stuck by her for 15 days, and until she reached 2° N. The fragment of the track w, illustrates the case of a vessel that attempted the new route, and abandoned it when she fell in with the equatorial doldrums in 11 K— September 25, 1850. She was going on very well, but here she met the southerly monsoons which the Charts warned her of at this season of the year. The wind came out S. S. W., and she went on fanning to the eastward and to leeward. From this place, it took her 16 days to reach the line. Such cases as these are common— the errors are generally committed by standing too much'towards the old track. Sometimes, though rarely, vessels make mistakes by going on the other extreme. I find an example of this sort in the case of the U. S. ship Vincennes, Commander Hudson, on a voyage from New York to Eio, in 1849. Navigators often follow the new route bravely, until they get into the equatorial calms; here their ROUTES TO RIO, ETC. 453 heart seems to fail them, and they bolt at the very time when they should stick more closely to their guide. The region which these calms usually include is in the shape of a wedge ; it shifts about, but Plates XI. and XII. show its mean place at the four seasons. In each season, it is sometimes above and sometimes below the place assigned it on the Chart. But I have drawn it there to show navigators how they mistake, when being as far west even as 31° or 32°, they fall into these calms, and think of making longitude by fanning along to the eastward or an E. IS. E. or perhaps a N. E. course. The further they go on such occasions, the broader grows the belt, and the greater becomes the difficulty of getting across it. I have projected on Plate XII., by a dotted line, the track of a ship, and marked it y, as an illustration of bad management under such circumstances, though it is by no means an extreme case. This ship had 40 days to the line, took the new route, and followed it bravely until she reached the equatorial calms, in longitude 29°. She was then far enough to the eastward, and should not have been afraid to cross the line as far west as 32°. But instead of proceeding to make the best of her way across this belt where it was narrow, and where two or three days at most would have sufficed for crossing it, she proceeded to flap along to the eastward as far as 21°; and thus, in consequence of the monsoons, found herself to leeward. When at A, that ship should, instead of making about an E. by S. course, have stood on the other tack, making the best of her way south, and not caring to get east of 30°. She might have been content to keep herself between 29°, or 30° and 31° or 32°, while she crossed these calms. I have not yet found a single case in which there has been, after crossing the line as far as 32°, the least difficulty in clearing St. Roque. Navigators should not hesitate, if they are pinched, to go inside of Fernando de Noronha. But in doing that, they should take care not to run foul of the Rocas, lat. 3° 51 S. ; long. 33° 49' W. These shoals were carefully surveyed by Lt. S. P. Lee, U. S. brig Dolphin. I have the track of one vessel that dashed on, crossed the line in 41° on the 19th day out, and on the 32d day was south of the parallel of Rio. This, though, was in the winter and spring, when vessels can afford to keep to the westward, and it was going further west than I should advise. But suppose a vessel to cross in 32° or 33°, and to get the S. E. trades at S. E. By standing on S. S. "W., she keeps herself in a position in which any change of wind is favorable. If it haul to the eastward, she can lay up and clear the land ; if it haul to the southward, she can go about and make easting, and get along rapidly by stretches upon long and short legs. The current so much dreaded off St. Roque is a good deal of a bugbear. Navigators have been frightened at this current ever since some transports were cast ashore by it, some time in the last century. But it should be borne in mind that it was quite as much of an undertaking for the clumsy transport-built ships of England in the last century, to contend against a current of one knot, as it is now for one of our first-rate clipper-built ships to contend with one of 4 or 5 knots. The log-book of the Celia, quoted in the 3d edition of this wdrk, is an example. It would have been impossible for that ship to beat against a one-knot current. In the days of this wreck, the passage from England to India averaged nine months. Warren Hastings, when he went out, was 10 months on the way. 46i THE WIND AND CURKENT CHABTS. The passage is now often made by our ships in less than 3 months. Therefore, the ships of those days might be well cautioned against currents as dangerous, which the ships of the present day would scarcely regard. Now, my investigations show that there is rarely oif Cape St. Eoque, and in the fair way from the equator south, either a sweeping or a horsing current. Indeed, many accurate and close observers pass there without reporting any current at all ; and though navigators should always be on the lookout for a current there, and should always make allowance for one that is to set them on the land, yet when they do encounter a current there, they may be assured that, as a general rule, it is neither difficult to overcome, nor dangerous on account of its set. For the guidance of navigators who follow the new route, and are pinched in clearing St. Roque,'-as they no doubt will occasionally be, I repeat the following suggestions : — From the line, in longitude 33°, Cape St. Roque bears S. S. W. From this crossing-place, in a smart ship, that will fetch where she looks, a S. E. wind all the way from the line would just prevent the vessel from clearing. But the chances are more than a hundred to one that the wind will not hang steadily at S. E. all the way from the line to St. Eoque. If it haul to E. S E. you can lay up and clear. If it haul to S. S. E. you can put about, and make easting. But suppose the wind holds steadily at S. E. or at any other point which will prevent you from clearing the cape ; draw a line from your place on the Chart to the cape, and avoid falling to the west of that line, by taking advantage of slants, or by beating, accordingly as you may have the wind, and making long and short stretches. I quote the case of the Stag Hound as an example. Captain Richardson to Lieutenant M. F. Maury. " San Francisco, June 12, 1851. " Herewith I send you abstract of ship Stag Hound's passage from New York to San Francisco, stopping at Valparaiso. Our passage from New York to Valparaiso was sixty -six days ; from Valparaiso to San Francisco was forty-two days — nearly all the way light trades : S. E. and N. E. " Six days out from New York, broke off main topmast, and that in its fall took all three topgallant masts. Soon after took a W. S. W. and west gale — run the ship dead before the sea and wind ; in conse- quence of this, crossed the equator in about longitude 28° 30' W. in twenty-one days from New York. Losing topmast, we had no main topsail in the ship for nine days, and no topgallant sails for twelve days ; had we not met with this accident, I think we should have been down to the line in sixteen days. "In latitude 4° N. the N. E. trades left us, then baffling down to latitude 2° N. Then took the wind at S. S. E. and S. E. until near the coast of Brazil, when the wind hauled, so we did not have to make a tack; presume' had we crossed in longitude 30° "W., we should have fetched along the coast." This letter of Captain Eichardson is quoted as an illustration of what I have endeavored to impress upon navigators, with regard to their course, after crossing the line well to the westward, and when it MISTAKES IN THE KOUTE TO KIO, ETC. i56 appears to be toucli and go, as to clearing St. Roque, viz : stand boldly on, and take advantage of slants and short legs to make long ones. I received the abstract of another vessel about the same time that crossed in 31°, and I notice in the remarks, after crossing the line — "back-strapped" — "no chance of weathering Cape St. Roque" — "shall evidently fall to leeward," " bad luck," &c. Yet this desponding navigator stood boldly on, took advan- tage of a slant, stood off for eight hours, went past St. Roque like a shot, and the thirty-second day out from New York crossed the parallel of Rio. Mistakes in the route to Rio are, I am happy to say, becoming much less frequent. The Charts are evidently much better understood now than they were formerly. Since the last edition of these Sailing Directions went to press, no such mistake as that of the Vincennes has come to my knowledge. With a view of contrasting the passages of the new route. Lieutenant Minor has, at my request, taken the logs of all the vessels that have come to hand between the publication of the fourth edition, and the going to press with the seventh edition of this work, and from them tabulated the passages to the equator, and thence to clearing Cape St. Roque. The old route is nearly broken up. It is now rarely attempted. But occasionally vessels evidently aim to " split the difference" between the old route and the new, by steering a sort of middle course between them. This I have called the Middle Route. Many of the vessels which take this middle route, evidently set out with the intention of trying the new route, but they get a little pinched ; or the winds are too favorable ; or the dread of that bugbear off Cape St. Roque — a westwardly current — seizes them ; or, through fear of falling to leeward, of getting back- strapped, &C.J they go too far east and get delayed in the doldrums. 464 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. New Route Crossings. — January. MAMS 07 VESSEL. SAILED FROM. Diadem Black Squall (barque) Great Britain . . . Miantonorai (barque) . A. Cheseborough . . Amelia Battler Eagle* ...... Tornado Celestial Esther May .... Lucknow Golden Rover ... Phantom (barque) . . Susquehanna . . . Phantom (barque) . . Alert Hudson Trask . . . Flying Cloud . . . Game Cock .... Culloma Huguenot Maria Witfliward . . . . Herald of the Morning Archer Z. D Seaman's Bride . . . Pontiac M. Howes Tsar Boston, N. York, 1st Baltimore, 8th N.York, 9th " 8th " 12th 8th " 8th " 7th " 11th 8th 6th 15th 80th 6th Philad., 12th Baltim'e, 31st N. York, 17th C. Henry, 1st N.York, 22d 1st 8th 6th 21st Baltim'e, 13th Boston, 21st N. York, 13th 15th 24th 20th 14th 12th LONOITCDB OF CEOSSINO PABALLELS OF — 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5° N Boston, Long. W, 37°00' !40 00 '36 00 45 00 47 50 39 00 37 45 33 25 46 00 45 30 36 30 42 00 37 00 37 00 41 40 44 00 38 00 49 00 48 00 39 00 44 00 34 00 53 00 53 00 32 00 43 00 45 00 39 00 46 00 44 00 44 00 Long. W 28°00' 39 00 37 00 44 00 44 00 36 00 41 00 34 30 38 45 38 30 39 45 40 00 35 15 41 30 39 00 44 50 40 00 46 00 47 00 37 00 41 00 35 00 44 00 43 00 31 00 43 00 41 00 39 00 38 00 39 00- 32 00 Long. W. 29°00' 38 00 36 00 44 00 41 00 34 30 39 30 32 58 36 30 38 00 38 00 36 30 30 45 42 00 36 40 39 00 42 00 46 00 45 00 36 00 39 00 34 00 44 00 39 00 31 00 41 00 38 00 38 00 34 00 38 00 38 00 Long. W 28°00' 36 00 35 00 41 00 37 30 33 30 38 00 31 50 33 60 35 30 36 00 34 00 30 45 41 50 33 36 34 20 40 00 43 00 43 00 35 00 36 00 34 00 41 37 00 00 31 00 39 00 36 00 34 00 33 00 36 00 34 00 Long. W. 27°00' 36 00 33 00 40 00 35 00 31 30 36 00 30 30 31 30 32 00 32 40 31 45 30 30 38 30 31 30 34 30 38 00 40 00 39 00 33 00 33 00 32 00 40 00 32 00 30 00 37 00 33 00 31 00 31 00 32 00 31 00 Long. W. 27°00' 30 00 29 00 38 00 30 15 28 30 33 00 29 80 30 00 29 00 30 20 28 15 29 00 34 00 29 00 31 20 32 00 37 00 88 00 31 00 30 00 30 00 35 00 29 00 29 00 35 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 29 00 28 00 CKOaSED EQUATOR. Long. W, 29°00' 27 16 30 00 30 23 31 20 30 40 31 50 29 00 80 06 27 52 30 20 80 40 29 55 82 40 28 00 29 45 82 06 35 04 81 15 30 50 28 17 30 14 30 50 29 34 30 00 30 59 30 11 28 44 29 40 29 00 27 30 Days. 38 24 27 39 29 29 25 24 22 23 28 22 38 25 30 81 34 26 17 22 38 27 33 87 •23 20 28 27 46 27 80 PASSED ST. KOQUE. Days. 42 27 30 43 82 31 27 27 24 26 31 25 35 27 34 34 38 28 20 25 42 29 86 40 26 23 31 30 49 30 83 Means 41 49 40 13 37 56 35 55 33 41 80 47 30 06 28.8 31.4 Means of the best six 41 40 89 30 37 30 36 00 38 40 81 00 30 38 21 24 * She attempted to split the difference. MISTAKES IJf THE ROUTE TO KIO, ETC. 467^ New Route Crossings — Continued. February. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FROM. LONQITUDE OF CKOSSINQ PAEALLELS OF — 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5° N. CROSSED EQUATOE. Long. W. Days. PASSED ST. BOQCE. Days. rque) Kate Hays . . . . Isabel! ta Ily ne (barque) Wallace (barque) Francis Eastern State Sacramento (brig Maria . . Ariel ' . . Tornado . New York Sea Serpent Archer . . Stag Ilound Swordfish . Ilonqua Gov. Morton Paragon . Sirocco Herculean . Hampton . ^Morgan Dix (ba Golden Hover Kobt. Harding Marion . . . Petrel . . . Hugh Birckhead Sartelle . . Ariel . . . C. L. Bevan . Catherine . Empress* . Jas. H. Shepherd Eliza Thornton St. Lawrence . Hampton . . Eoscoe . . . "Wm. Price Dodge . . . Mary MacEae "Weybosset Polynesian Cynthia . . Daniel "Webster Vernon . . Gleaner . . N Long. W 3d 49°00' 5th;55 30 Boston, 6th|44 N. York, 12th 'o3 York, Boston, a Philad. 13th 39 21stj42 21st'47 24th38 23d 47 20th 45 12th 20th 24th 12th 50 45 34 39 22d 8th 8th 16th 9th 18th 26th 8th'37 23d;36 4th 48 24th'37 44 44 44 39 44 37 43 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 30 30 45 35 00 10 10 30 45 00 40 00 00 45 30 40 Baltim'e, 26th'45 50 C.Henry, 25th'41 00 N. York, 9th'42 00 Philad., 9th'48 00 N. York, 27th'51- 00 " 23d!25 00 " 7th'34 00 N.Bedrd, 13th 50 00 N.York, 9th 31 00 19th38 « 27th48 Philad., 20th 42 Boston, 12th46 Wil.,N.C.28th50 00 N. York, 23d 38 00 Philad., 2d:50 N. Orleans, 1st 44 N. York, 12th41 llth42 24th'38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 Long. W, 42°00' 53 00 43 00 39 00 36 00 40 00 41 00 34 00 40 00 43 10 43 49 46 45 34 30 37 00 43 00 39 45 34 35 35 15 37 45 36 45 38 35 51 15 35 00 37 20 34 45 41 45 40 00 36 00 35 00 44 00 20 00 33 00 46 00 30 00 37 00 34 00 37 00 39 00 42 00 36 00 41 00 37 00 39 00 39 00 38 00 Long. W 38°00' 51 00 39 00 39 00 33 00 39 00 38 00 32 00 38 00 40 00 39 45 44 45 34 00 36 00 39 50 33 45 31 00 33 10 35 30 34 00 36 45 30 45 32 50 30 50 32 00 40 45 37 00 31 00 34 00 39 00 21 00 33 00 42 00 28 00 34 00 32 00 34 00 38 00 40 00 34 00 34 00 38 00 38 00 37 00 |37 00 iLong. W 34°00' 49 00 35 00 38 00 30 00 36 00 34 00 30 00 35 00 35 30 36 45 40 30 33 30 34 10 35 27 32 05 29 20 31 10 33 20 31 00 34 45 31 00 30 40 29 45 30 15 35 30 34 00 30 00 33 00 32 00 24 00 32 00 41 00 28 00 31 00 31 00 Bl 00 35 00 38 00 32 00 34 00 36 00 36 00 34 00 33 00 Long. W 30°00' 45 00 31 00 34 00 30 00 31 00 31 00 29 00 32 00 31 45 33 45 35 30 31 45 32 80 32 30 31 00 28 00 28 45 31 30 29 20 32 20 30 45 29 00 29 45 30 30 31 40 31 00 29 00 33 00 29 00 20 00 30 00 39 00 28 00 30 00 30 00 28 00 [33 00 34 00 |29 00 '32 00 32 00 32 00 32 00 30 00 Long. W 29°00' 38 00 29 00 30 00 29 00 26 00 29 00 28 00 30 00 28 45 30 45 30 30 30 15 30 15 30 15 29 50 26 50 28 20 29 00 |29 00 30 00 ;29 00 j28 40 129 50 i29 00 30 30 30 00 29 00 131 00 26 00 19 00 30 00 32 00 28 00 29 00 29 00 27 00 31 00 30 00 27 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 29 00 '28 00 28°40' 33 20 29 25 29 00 29 30 27 00 29 00 27 20 28 48 28 30 30 20 29 00 29 30 29 08 29 10 30 50 27 50 28 05 28 00 29 30 31 10 29 55 28 30 30 40 29 30 29 37 29 00 30 00 28 59 26 00 19 19 29 55 29 20 28 00 29 20 28 00 26 20 31 30 28 03 26 00 31 37 30 02 28 00 29 54 27 15 29 22 38 38 24 30 21 32 28 24 20 27 22 23 27 25 28 25 27 82 24 25 27 31 26 23 28 28 28 32 46 82 29 34 31 33 31 26 34 32 28 33 28 81 82 83 25 43 43 27 33 24 35 31 28 22 30 24 26 30 28 31 32 31 36 28 27 n 34 29 26 35 30 30 37 48 39 34 88 84 85 35 29 41 36 32 86 34 35 36 Means Means ©f the best six 43 20 36 30 36 10 33 45 '31 18 i29 26 i44 16 40 58 88 37 36 14 34 00 31 12 29 17 80 08 28.4 22.0 32.1 24.'i * Dili route; not incluilcil in the mean erossings. 58 458 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. New Route Crossings — Contiuued. March. 1 PASSED LONGITCDE OF CROSSING PARALLELS OF CROSSED EQUATOR, j ST. HAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FKOM. nOQUE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. ■ 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Stag Hound .... N.York, 1st 40°00' 82°00' 32°00' 27°00' 27°00' 28°00' 28°00' 26 29 Michael Angelo . . . " 6th 48 00 38 00 83 00 30 00 28 00 25 00 23 80 26 82 Sarah Boyd .... Philad., 9th 42 30 37 00 34 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 28 00 32 38 Sea Serpent .... N. York, 10th 47 00 41 00 39 00 85 00 32 00 31 00 29 80 18 23 Parana 16th 36 00 31 00 80 00 29 00 28 00 28 00 28 15 24 26 Gov. Morton .... 12th 43 00 88 00 35 00 83 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 26 31 Candace (barque) . . " 25th 45 00 43 00 42 00 41 00 38 00 32 00 80 10 30 32 Kedar (barque) . . . Boston, 27th 39 00 32 00 30 00 29 00 29 00 29 00 29 30 40 44 Golden Era (barque) . N. York, 25th 40 00 38 00 38 20 34 45 31 30 28 30 26 20 88 41 Surprise 13th 49 00 43 10 41 50 40 00 36 22 32 00 80 00 20 22 Empress of the Seas . 13th 48 00 42 00 40 00 38 00 35 80 31 30 30 10 24 28 Seaman's Bride . . . " 19th 44 00 37 20 86 40 84 80 32 10 !29 45 29 05 23 25 Lantao " 21st 43 00 40 00 39 00 36 30 82 45 30 00 29 45 24 27 K. C. Winthrop . . . Boston, 27th 40 02 35 00 33 30 81 30 30 43 !29 07 27 80 26 31 Ilorsburgh . . . . 25th 46 30 40 40 38 30 36 00 33 30 29 45 29 20 24 27 Competitor " 27th 36 08 33 00 32 00 31 40 80 00 28 20 28 45 24 27 Climax . . 28th 43 00 41 00 38 40 36 10 32 00 29 00 29 20 20 25 Parthian . Eichm'd, 23d {43 80 37 00 85 00 33 00 31 10 29 30 29 40 22 26 Storm King Boston, 14th 40 00 37 00 87 00 i36 00 34 00 130 00 30 00 23 26 Santiago . N. York, 15th 46 00 36 00 36 00 84 00 31 00 i28 00 28 05 27 29 Eosario* . " 6th 85 00 27 00 27 00 27 00 27 00 126 00 27 16 28 81 B. Howard " 13th 46 00 41 00 40 00 88 00 33 00 29 00 27 54 . 28 31 Mary Annah " 21st 47 00 37 00 34 00 32 00 30 00 29 00 26 56 81 34 L. P. Foster Boston, 29th 139 00 37 00 85 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 30 06 26 29 Yarmouth N. York, 27thi43 00 41 00 40 00 38 00 36 00 32 00 31 56 86 40 Matanzas . Boston, lsti45 00 40 00 36 00 '84 00 82 00 30 00 80 04 31 35 Vandalia* . Baltim'e, 9th [31 00 i30 00 29 00 29 00 27 00 25 00 24 86 45 48 E. B. Forbes N. York, 11th !30 00 29 00 29 00 29 00 29 00 28 00 28 12 28 31 Chanticleer Baltim'e, 1st 44 00 89 00 39 00 34 00 31 00 27 00 26 80 29 32 Eelief, U. S. S. . . . N. York, 24th 88 00 86 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 |27 00 26 30 29 32 Means 41 55 37 08 85 26 33 26 31 20 28 58 28 22 27.9 31 Means of the best six 44 20 39 20 37 50 35 40 32 50 30 29 29 36 . 21 24.5 * Old route. MISTAKES IN THE KOUTE TO KIO, ETC. io9 New Route Crossings — Continued. Apbil. PASSED LONGITUDE OF CROSSING PAEAILELS OF — CROSSED K5UAT0B. ST. NAME OF VESSEI,. SAILED FEOM. BOQUE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 6°N. Long. W. Days. Days. iLong. W. Lonp;. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W.| Empire N.York, 2d40°00' 34°00' 35°00' i35°00' 32°00' 29°00' 28°40' 26 30 Tlios. B. Wales . . Boston, 7 th 42 00 39 00 34 00 33 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 26 30 White Squall . . N. York, 10th 38 00 34 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 28 00 27 00 21 24 Nestorian .... 24th 36 00 34 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 29 32 81 35 Iluma (barque)* " 25th 59 00 54 00 51 00 46 00 43 00 39 00 37 10 40 48 Hazard (barque) Boston, 27th 39 30 '38 00 37 00 134 00 :31 00 28 00 28 30 25 27 Korth American N. York, 3d 54 00 42 00 36 00 34 00 35 00 30 00 27 00 26 30 Southerner (barque) 22d41 20 40 30 41 00 39 30 36 30 32 00 29 40 27 32 Swan (barque) . . Richm'd, 12th 38 10 36 30 34 45 33 00 30 45 29 00 30 45 25 27 Mayflower . . N.York, 19th 34 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 29 00 28 31 31 00 30 32 Gem of the Sea . 19th 40 00 33 00 33 00 '32 00 32 00 31 00 32 28 29 31 Channing . . . 17th 37 00 36 00 34 00 I33 00 30 00 28 00 29 50 32 35 Oxnard . . 16th 37 00 33 00 33 00 132 00 31 00 29 00 29 30 32 35 Amazon . . 7th 37 00 35 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 28 00 29 06 32 35 Levanter* . . " 24th 44 00 43 00 43 00 42 00 39 00 36 00 35 28 26 45 Linwood . . Baltim'e, 15th 52 00 34 00 32 00 32 00 29 00 28 00 29 51 33 36 Hornet . . . N. York, 28th 43 00 40 00 40 00 38 00 36 00 31 00 31 45 18 21 American . . " 5th 38 00 37 00 34 00 32 00 30 00 29 00 l30 34 40 43 Pilot . . . Salem, 25th31 00 31 00 31 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 30 35 27 30 Atalanta . . N. York, 28th 46 00 44 00 42 00 39 00 35 00 31 00 31 30 35 38 Corrinne . . " 29th 52 00 51 00 47 00 44 00 42 00 37 00 30 22 47 51 E. C. Sronton 28th 45 00 43 00 39 00 37 00 33 29 29 00 29 15 38 42 W. S. Lewis . Boston, 19th 34 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 29 00 31 30 27 30 Sophroniaf " 16th SO 00 28 00 28 00 29 00 28 00 28 00 30 27 84 37 Bay State . . N. York, 13th 40 00 38 00 36 00 33 00 30 00 29 00 30 06 31 34 Mazatlan . . 6th 37 00 36 00 34 00 32 00 30 00 28 00 29 40 33 36 Cleopatraf Boston, 23d 30 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 31 33 24 27 Celestial Empire iN. York, 28th 42 00 39 00 36 00 33 00 30 00 29 00 32 03 27 30 Sarah Boyd . " 29th 38 00 38 00 37 00 35 00 32 00 28 00 30 00 41 44 Surprise . , " 6th 40 00 35 00 33 00 31 00 30 00 30 00 29 30 19 21 Means 43 19 38 17 35 04 33 40 31 19 29 20 30 12 29.7 33.4 Means of the best six 38 07 35 15' 34 07 32 30 30 47 29 00 29 50 22 24.6 * B.tck-strapped. f Old route. 460 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. New Route Crossings — Continued. May. PASSED LONQITUDE OF CEOSSINQ PAKALLELS OF — CROSSED EQUATOE. ST. NAME OF VESSEL. 8.\ILED PBOM. RO()UE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N 10° N. 5°N. Long. W Days. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W.l Staffordshire . . . . Boston, 3d'52°00' 50°00' 45°00' 42°00' 37°00' 32°00' 29°40' 25 28 Robert Wing (brig) . 6th'41 00 39 00 35 00 33 00 31 00 28 00 '29 55 31 34 Equator " 9th:43 00 39 00 38 00 38 00 36 00 33 00 '31 02 43 46 F. Copeland (brig) . . llth'43 30 39 00 36 00 34 00 32 00 29 00 32 00 37 40 Carioca Philad., 13th 43 00 39 00 37 00 35 00 32 00 27 00 32 00 35 40 Sea Breeze . . . . jBoston, 15th 44 00 40 00 40 00 39 00 37 00 32 00 130 00 35 38 Isabelita Ilyne (barque N. York, 21st '40 00 36 00 35 00 32 00 30 00 29 00 i30 34 25 28 Albany " 24th 39 00 37 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 ,27 30 42 45 Flying Cloud . . , " 14th 42 50 37 30 35 20 34 00 32 30 31 80 33 41 29 31 KB. Palmer . . . 2d 40 45 33 10 32 00 30 15 27 30 25 30 28 50 24 26 Eliza Mallory . . . 18th 41 00 37 20 34 45 32 20 30 00 27 30 31 00 32 36 Ottawa (barque) . . 6th 45 20 45 00 43 00 40 20 35 00 32 15 133 00 35 37 Audubou Boston, 8th 42 30 39 50 38 00 36 00 33 43 32 00 31 53 24 28 Mary Maukin (sch'r)* . G. Town, 13th 33 00 32 10 32 30 31 00 29 15 28 15 30 15 32 36 Judge Shaw . . . . Boston, 20th 36 00 36 00 35 00 34 00 32 00 30 00 |31 41 33 36 Union* 15th 33 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 26 00 24 00 126 21 34 36 St. Andrew* . . . . Philad., 1st 38 00 36 00 31 00 28 00 25 00 21 00 '24 10 45 47 Oceanus Boston, 2di42 00 39 00 37 00 35 00 32 00 28 00 29 04 52 55 AVhite Squall . . . Philad.,- lOtb 41 00 41 00 ,40 00 39 00 35 00 29 00 31 37 27 29 Golden Statef . . . 'N. York, 26th 49 00 43 00 '43 00 43 00 39 00 36 00 36 38 24 31 Probus* 25th 34 00 32 00 '30 00 29 00 28 00 26 00 30 00 54 57 Union " 19th '38 00 36 00 34 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 24 37 44 47 Greenwich . . . . Boston, 9 th '43 00 42 00 40 00 40 00 36 00 27 00 30 35 36 39 White Swallow . . . 28th 38 00 35 00 34 00 33 00 30 00 28 00 32 27 49 54 Pelican State . . . Philad., 16th 40 00 39 00 37 00 32 00 30 00 28 00 29 28 39 42 Rubicon* N.Tork, 15th 30 00 28 00 28 00 26 00 24 00 17 00 20 48 42 45 Harrisburg* . . . . 10th 33 00 31 00 29 00 29 00 28 00 127 00 29 35 43 46 Belle of the West . . Boston, 21st 45 00 46 00 47 00 44 00 41 00 37 00 35 45 34 37 Anglo Saxon . . . N. York, 15th'33 00 31 00 31 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 30 10 29 33 F. P. Sage* . . . . 27th 36 00 33 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 28 00 31 36 52 55 Ino . . . llth43 00 42 00 40 00 37 00 33 00 30 00 30 35 29 31 Marion . . Philad., 11th 32 00 31 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 29 00 31 38 34 37 Texas . . N.York, 11th 32 00 31 00 30 00 30 00 30 00 29 00 31 45 84 37 Nimrodf . Ist'oO 00 48 00 49 00 48 00 48 00 43 00 30 56 43 47 West Wind Boston, 15th 42 00 43 00 41 00 38 00 34 00 28 00 30 18 25 28 Cyane . . 11. Roads, 18th 38 00 37 00 36 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 32 00 26 29 Sandusky . N. York, 21st 38 00 37 00 1 36 00 33 00 30 00 29 00 32 13 43 46 Avondalc . Baltimore, 3d 38 00 36 00 ;35 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 28 52 33 35 Reindeer . N. York, 19th 40 00 40 00 39 00 36 00 32 00 30 00 29 58 80 33 Rockland* " 22d 29 00 28 00 28 00 27 00 27 00 28 00 30 15 35 88 Nestorian* 28th 33 00 30 00 29 00 29 00 26 00 19 00 25 40 53 56 Hersilia Boston, 1st 53 00 [45 00 1 43 00 36 00 32 00 29 00 29 09 51 54 Means 40 51 39 10 37 18 35 15 32 46 29 56 30 53 34.2 37.6 Means of the best six 44 10 40 50 39 00 36 50 33 40 30 30 31 19 24.5 28.1 * Not include d in tW mc m crossings, bccaus e they dii 1 not folio V tlic new route. t 1 ack-strnp pcd. MISTAKES IN THE BOUTE TO BIO, ETC. 461 New Route Crossings — Continued. June. PASSED LONQITEDE 01 CEOgSIHO PARALLELS OF— CROSSED EQUATOB. ST. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FKOM. KOQCX. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Ilodr. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W.lLong. W. Long. W. Union N. York, 2d 43°00' 40 00 42°00' 40 00 40°00' 40 00 39°00' 37°00' 38 00 36 00 27°00' 32 00 30°20' 33 00 24 22 26 Flying Cloud . . . 3d 24 Eussell (brig) . . . Salem, 6th:35 00 33 00 32 00 29 00 |27 00 23 00 28 00 32 35 Cohota Boston, 17th'48 00 K York, 18th'35 30 43 00 35 00 40 00 35 00 37 00 31 00 32 00 31 00 25 00 27 00 26 00 31 41 32 84 84 Valparaiso . . . . 37 Witch of the Wave . Boston, 23d 51 00 50 00 49 00 47 00 44 00 38 00 33 25 27 82 Defiance K York, 26th 44 00 46 00 45 00 43 00 39 00 27 00 31 00 36 88 Miantonomi (barque) . " 28th '45 00 43 00 41 00 40 00 36 00 26 00 32 13 86 40 Helena* " 10th 34 40 lst;43 SO 33 30 41 42 33 20 39 30 32 15 38 00 31 20 33 20. 29 10 27 00 31 50 31 54 25 24 29 Messenger . . . . 26 Tarolinta " llth'39 00 " 21st'49 00 Richm'd, 24th 43 00 36 00 34 00 34 00 38 00 31 00 34 00 28 00 25 00 30 00 31 49 29 25 32 29 36 42 36 • 40 Hero 44 00 '41 00 41 00 39 00 44 Greyhound . . . . 35 00 31 00 89 Chilo Boston, 25th44 00 N.York, 16th 40 00 43 00 ;40 00 36 00 :36 00 36 00 32 00 32 00 '30 00 27 00 26 00 33 00 30 45 29 32 32 Joseph Maxwell . . 34 Reindeer Baltim'e, 21st 48 00 N. York, 2d 47 00 46 00 :45 00 43 00 40 00 40 00 :35 00 36 00 30 00 26 00 27 00 30 00 31 05 29 48 31 Albany 51 Flying Dutchman . . 22d51 00 46 00 41 00 38 00 33 00 29 00 31 34 . 27 30 Young America . . llth'58 00 46 00 |44 00 41 00 38 00 36 00 32 02 35 37 Ilorsburgh* . . . . " lst'35 00 32 00 31 00 31 00 30 00 24 00 28 00 47 50 Wild Ranger Boston, 22d49 00 46 00 44 00 42 00 38 00 30 00 32 24 28 31 Kate Ilays Philad., 3d;34 00 34 00 34 00 33 00 30 00 31 00 30 56 43 46 Winfield Scott N. York, 12th 46 00 42 00 40 00 38 00 34 00 26 00 31 04 38 41 Windward 1 " lst34 00 32 00 31 00 31 00 30 00 31 00 31 17 44 50 Messenger Philad., 4th!38 00 37 00 36 00 32 00 28 00 26 00 28 00 30 83 Kanawha . Savan., 25th'50 00 Portland, 26th 43 00 C. H., 8th 43 00 48 00 46 00 |44 00 37 00 30 00 27 00 30 00 30 40 31 45 34 00 55 38 28 59 Arethusa . 41 00 |37 00 33 00 31 00 41 Grey Eagle . 43 00 j42 00 ,39 00 34 00 31 Inez* Boston, 3d35 00 17th45 00 N. York, 12th 43 00 33 00 131 00 29 00 38 00 36 00 34 00 39 00 137 00 :36 00 1 i 26 00 30 00 32 00 21 00 26 00 28 00 24 34 30 56 30 40 48 39 36 50 Sunbeam 41 Minnetonka . 40 Means 43 33 40 16 39 12 '37 35 33 12 28 16 31 08 33.9 37.4 Means of the best six 43 50 42 20 40 20 |38 40 35 50 30 20 32 00 24.8 27.8 * Old route; not included in the mean crossings. 46S THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. New Route Crossings — Continued. July. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FROM. LONGITUDE OF CEOSSING PARALLELS OF — 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. CROSSED EQUATOR. PASSED ST. ROQUE. Long. W. Days. Days. Mermaid (barque) Telegraph ... Horatio ... Hazard (barque) "Wild Pigeon John Gilpin . . Eobert Wing (brig) Georgiana (brig) Parana . Capitol , Aura Wizard Arab* . Wisconsin* . . Eelief, U. S. S. . North Wind . . Pride of the Sea Wild Duck . . Manlius . . . John Bertram Queen of Clippers Whistler . Weybosset* Boston* Audubon* Kremlin Agnes Leeds N. York, Means Eichm'd, N. York, Boston, N. York, Boston, N. York, Boston, N. York, Boston, N. York Long. W, 2d!52°00' 13th'50 00 15th 39 00 16th'36 05 llth'48 80 28th 35 50 29th'49 20 26th 46 00 2d 44 00 18th 44 00 11th 37 00 24th'46 00 7th'45 00 7th'42 00 2 6th '47 00 29th'48 00 7th 47 00 5th'48 00 17th'48 00 lst'49 00 1st 52 00 16th'49 00 lst'44 00 4th'42 00 3d39 00 8th '47 00 23d 42 00 Long. W. 52°00' 48 00 36 10 34 30 38 00 '34 10 !45 80 i40 00 144 45 [37 80 35 00 43 00 [41 00 39 00 43 00 47 00 44 00 46 00 43 00 50 00 51 00 47 00 41 00 39 00 38 00 45 00 40 00 45 03 42 18 Long. W. 50°00' 46 00 34 30 34 80 36 20 33 30 44 20 30 30 44 16 35 00 32 00 41 00 38 00 37 00 42 44 00 00 40 00 44 00 39 00 48 00 50 00 46 00 38 00 36 00 37 00 43 00 38 00 39 58 Long. W. 46°00' 43 00 33 30 34 00 35 80 32 50 39 30 30 00 89 45 38 08 31 00 38 00 34 00 38 00 39 00 42 00 37 00 42 00 85 00 45 00 47 00 43 00 84 00 82 00 34 00 41 00 34 00 Long. W. 43°00' 89 00 32 10 88 20 32 50 31 15 37 50 28 45 38 10 31 00 29 00 88 00 29 00 28 00 36 00 35 00 34 00 36 00 32 00 42 00 43 00 35 00 29 00 29 00 32 00 31 00 31 00 37 15 Long. W. 30°00' 26 80 29 48 31 30 30 30 29 40 35 00 27 30 35 25 29 00 27 00 30 00 19 00 22 00 24 00 29 00 30 00 28 00 29 00 !32 00 '31 00 27 00 27 00 21 00 26 00 30 00 28 00 84°00' 29 00 80 55 34 00 33 30 31 00 35 40 29 50 84 45 80 15 30 50 30 15 26 08 27 50 28 06 29 58 33 26 81 01 81 45 81 46 38 48 82 07 81 80 28 80 28 31 80 00 32 15 34 03 28 18 81 06 83 83 33 82 83 25 33 31 38 30 40 24 33 35 40 33 26 31 39 31 83 82 41 36 83 34 80 38 37 85 36 36 87 27 87 84 42 33 48 26 86 37 43 35 30 33 42 34 85 35 44 89 85 87 33 36 Means of the best six 44 00 41 30 39 00 36 40 83 40 29 50 81 29 27.7 80.7 * Too far to the eastward. MISTAKES IN THE ROUTE TO RIO, ETC. 463 New Route Crossings — Continued. August. 1 PASSED LONGITUDE OF CROSSING PARALLELS OF — CEOSSED EQUATOE. 1 ST. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FROM. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Long. AV. Long. W. Long. AV. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Eaven* N. York, 1st 34°00' 34°00' 84°00' 41 00 34°00' 28 00 33°00' 85 00 26°00' 26 00 31°00' 27 00 33 28 35 Sea Witch .... 2d 47 00 45 00 30 Typhoon " 8d 47 00 46 00 45 00 42 00 85 00 26 00 29 00 28 30 Seaman " 3d 40 00 39 00 38 00 36 00 35 00 27 00 31 51 29 31 Winged Arrow . . . Boston, 5th 47 00 46 00 45 00 43 00 39 00 30 00 81 00 28 30 Eavenf 6th 44 00 41 00 89 00 37 00 33 00 25 30 28 00 25 27 Cohotaf " 11th 44 00 41 00 39 00 36 00 29 00 28 00 24 00 29 32 Sovereign of the Seas N. York, 14th 34 00 34 40 34 50 33 45 83 00 27 10 86 00 25 28 Sea Witch . . . . 23d 41 00 37 00 36 00 34 00 30 00 25 00 27 00 29 31 Oliver J. Hays . . . 29th !43 30 [41 00 89 00 35 00 84 00 80 00 28 00 51 54 Seaman ' " 3d 40 00 89 00 38 00 36 00 35 00 27 00 31 51 29 31 Edwin* iBoston, 26th'47 00 44 00 42 00 i35 00 28 00 23 00 24 00 54 57 Gertrude N. York, 3d'36 00 35 00 38 00 31 00 28 00 24 00 81 33 32 35 Antelope Baltim'e, 15th ;52 00 45 00 42 00 41 00 35 00 27 00 26 47 38 41 Manchester* . . . . N. York, 19th 42 00 35 00 30 00 27 00 25 00 19 00 18 34 55 58 John Wade . . . . Boston, 25th 43 00 40 00 89 00 37 00 33 00 80 00 82 46 31 ■ 33 Onward N. York, 28th 43 00 41 00 88 00 37 00 34 00 30 00 30 50 45 47 Witch of the Wave . Boston, 16th 33 00 33 00 32 00 31 00 30 00 27 00 33 34 29 32 Raven N. York, 14th 47 00 38 00 47 00 36 00 46 00 38 00 44 00 33 00 38 00 29 00 30 00 28 00 29 46 29 24 26 44 28 Nazarene 13th 47 Samuel Train . . . " 5th 52 00 48 00 40 00 88 00 34 00 27 00 29 56 49 52 Emily* Philad., 27th 37 00 34 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 25 00 30 04 52 54 Thos. W. Sears . . . N. York, 20th 43 00 39 00 36 00 [34 00 31 00 23 00 28 44 42 45 ^lonsoon Boston, 29th 53 00 47 00 42 00 89 00 34 00 25 00 32 25 34 37 Raritan, U.S.F.* . . Norfolk, 24th 19 00 22 00 24 00 27 00 24 00 |21 00 24 50 55 58 Comet N. York, 5th 46 00 51 00 43 00 43 00 41 00 39 00 41 00 39 00 36 00 35 00 28 00 24 00 80 00 26 37 28 32 30 Trade Wind . . . . IPhilad., 7th 34 Mandarin N. York, 11th 47 00 49 00 46 00 45 00 44 00 i48 00 44 00 |43 00 39 00 28 00 32 30 29 58 28 25 31 Hurricane 9th 41 00 32 00 27 Maine Law . . . . 10th 49 00 44 00 42 00 140 00 85 00 ,27 00 29 45 34 36 Sheffieldf 17th 45 00 41 00 41 00 39 00 136 00 |36 00 34 34 55 61 Sea Witch . . . . 10th 49 00 45 00 41 00 137 00 34 00 24 00 22 42 30 32 Agnes " 9th 48 00 45 00 42 00 140 00 36 00 29 00 28 00 25 28 Auckland Boston, 16th 39 00 40 00 89 00 38 00 35 00 27 00 30 42 33 36 Helena N. York, 15th 38 00 i36 00 88 00 m 00 30 00 26 00 31 05 34 36 Oriental* Boston, 13th 39 00 38 00 37 00 '86 00 35 00 20 00 20 25 55 58 Sylvina Chenango* . . . . i " 2d 49 00 44 00 43 00 41 00 83 00 28 00 81 21 46 49 iBaltiin'e, 22d 47 00 44 00 42 00 38 00 35 00 26 00 25 39 58 61 Means 44 25 41 21 39 25 37 02 33 54 27 28 29 46 82.9 35.7 Means of the best six 44 50 43 00 41 30 i40 00 36 40 i 28 40 30 48 25.4 28.3 * Not included in the mean crossings, because they went the old route, or undertook to "split the difference." f B.ick-.strapped; not included in the mean crossings. 464 THE WIND AND CUKREKT CHARTS. Neil) Route Crossings — Continued. September. NAME O; VESSEL. SAILED FROM. lOKOITUDE OF CROSSING PARALLELS OF- 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. CROSSED EQUATOE, Long. W. Days. PASSED ST. ROQCE. Days. Senator . . Eealm ... John Wade . Annie Buckman Revere . . Eolus (barque) Anstiss . . A. F. Jenness* Ann Maria* . Morning Light Magnolia . . Lady Arbella Tonia* . . . Unknown . . Franconia . . Winged Arrow Skylark . . K. B. Palmer Medford* . . Swan . . . J. W. Paine . AVild Pigeon . Siri* . . . Magellan . . Parthenon Arthur* . . Lady Franklin* Pemamaquon Kate and Alice N. York, Boston, Richm'd, Philad., N. York, Philad., Boston, N. York, 0. Canso, Boston, 11 <( N". York, Boston, Baltim'e, N. York, II i( Boston, (I N. York, Long. W, 12th'39°00' 23d'42 12th'40 26th'40 15th'40 28th'37 28th57 27th 40 11th 30 26th 31 21st'4o 30th|41 lst40 20th35 19thk2 llthoO 20th38 28th40 19th35 7th '42 Boston, N. York, 28th'39 6th !42 14th51 10th48 13th38 25th41 2d'34 25th!39 14th'37 I 00 25 00 00 30 00 45 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 6o 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ILong. W. 36°30' 32 80 37 30 33 00 37 45 34 45 47 50 39 20 29 00 30 00 44 00 38 00 39 00 36 00 36 00 49 00 38 00 38 00 30 00 40 00 38 00 |42 00 [42 00 i36 00 l37 00 139 00 32 00 88 00 35 00 Long. W. 34°30' 32 00 35 00 31 20 35 00 32 15 40 20 38 30 28 00 30 00 1 42 00 '88 00 37 00 35 00 34 00 47 00 38 00 37 00 29 00 38 00 36 00 41 00 41 00 34 00 36 00 37 00 30 00 37 00 34 00 Long. W. 33°45' 31 20 34 51 30 29 33 30 31 00 37 45 37 30 27 00 30 00 89 00 36 00 34 00 34 00 33 00 46 00 37 00 35 00 28 00 36 00 33 00 38 00 39 00 32 00 34 00 35 00 29 00 35 00 34 00 Long. W, 30°30' 81 00 32 00 29 30 31 30 28 45 34 00 36 00 24 00 29 00 37 00 33 00 26 00 32 00 32 00 44 00 36 00 33 00 26 00 32 00 82 00 34 00 38 00 30 00 31 00 33 00 28 00 38 00 31 00 Long. W. 26°30' 28 10 28 00 28 30 27 50 27 15 26 00 27 30 22 00 29 00 32 00 30 00 22 00 27 00 29 00 40 00 31 00 27 00 21 00 28 00 27 00 29 00 27 00 27 00 27 00 27 00 24 00 29 00 28 00 29°00' 30 45 29 00 81 30 32 30 30 20 29 00 30 30 26 50 38 01 29 20 28 04 26 10 31 29 80 21 30 40 32 53 28 83 25 54 29 00 30 55 27 10 28 00 27 55 29 38 29 30 24 12 31 47 28 00 43 32 86 35 38 45 77 44 38 41 44 40 25 47 87 29 31 44 85 36 85 47 39 38 52 43 44 86 41 45 34 38 39 40 48 80 46 40 43 47 42 27 50 39 31 34 46 38 89 37 50 41 41 55 46 48 39 Means 41 00 38 00 35 46 34 45 32 31 28 49 30 02 37.3 39.9 Means of the best six 39 10 S7 50 36 20 35 00 32 40 28 10 30 34 31 34 * Forced to the eastward; not included in tlie mean crossings. Tlie Ann Maria, Medford, and Lady Franklin took the old route. The A. F. Jenness, Tonia, and Arthur attempted to split the difference. The Jenness is evidently a very dull sailer. MISTAKES m THE ROUTE TO BIO, ETC. im New Route Crossings — Continued. October. FAB8K0 LONQITUDE OF CUOSSINO PARALLELS OF — CROSSED EQUATOR. ST. NAME OF VESSEL SAILED FROM. ROQUE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5° N. Long. W. Days. Days. Long. Wj Long. W. LnnR. W. LonR. W.Long. W. Long. W.I Comet N. York, 2d 4o°00' '41°00' 37°00' 35°00' 32°00' 29°00' ,31°00' 25 27 Russell 3d 41 00 36 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 26 00 .28 12 36 39 Miantonomi* . . 3d 46 00 46 00 45 00 41 00 41 00 37 00 34 00 47 51 Somerset . . . Boston, 4th51 00 44 00 38 00 35 00 31 00 29 00 30 25 43 46 Wild Pigeon . . N. York, 14th 40 00 36 00 32 00 31 00 32 00 28 00 28 00 27 29 Golden Gate . . 14th 40 00 136 00 32 00 32 00 32 00 27 00 [28 00 27 29 Miguelon (barque)* Salem, 15th 48 00 ,45 00 49 00 34 00 33 00 [30 00 32 00 40 43 Helena .... N. York, 30th 50 00 44 00 40 00 40 00 40 00 37 00 32 10 39 45 Sam'l Lawrence . Boston, 20th 39 00 38 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 27 00 ;29 38 30 32 Golden City . . N.York, 24th 41 00 38 00 37 00 36 00 35 00 31 00 ^3 27 31 00 54 00 28 31 Ringleader . . Boston, 21st'44 00 39 00 37 00 36 00 34 00 28 31 Le Cocq* . . . 2d'35 00 35 00 34 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 ,30 19 44 47 Edwin* . . . 11th 32 00 28 00 '27 00 26 00 i24 00 22 00 i25 00 41 44 W. G. Lewis . . 9th!36 00 35 00 :35 00 35 00 ;34 00 31 00 |31 23 37 41 Angeliqne . . N. York, 18th 43 00 35 00 34 00 32 00 ;29 00 28 00 130 38 37 40 Dragon . . . Boston, 29th40 00 33 00 29 00 30 00 29 00 ;29 00 :30 47 28 30 Coquimbo* . . 28th41 00 38 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 28 34 42 45 Lucy Elizabeth* " 12th'26 00 24 00 25 00 26 00 24 00 22 00 25 00 38 41 Sam'l Russell . N. York, 6th 33 00 32 00 32 00 32 00 [32 00 31 00 31 27 30 32 Bald Eagle . . " 3d!45 00 47 00 45 00 42 00 38 00 31 00 30 41 32 34 Roscoef . . . 2d|46 00 48 00 48 00 48 00 45 00 33 00 34 15 53 56 Iconium . . . 29th'43 00 39 00 35 00 34 00 32 00 30 00 30 30 42 45 Westward-Ho* . Boston, 17th30 00 28 00 29 00 29 00 28 00 28 00 29 30 29 32 Eureka .... N. York, 5th '34 00 34 00 33 00 31 00 31 00 28 00 29 30 26 28 Piscataqua . . Boston, 28th'48 00 37 00 ;35 00 [34 00 32 00 29 00 31 15 43 46 Malay .... N. York, 14th' 40 00 37 00 [37 00 ,34 00 31 00 29 00 31 12 35 38 Squantumf . . Boston, 2cl 51 00 43 00 41 00 40 00 37 00 35 00 32 50 44 48 Means 41 44 37 00 34 50 33 41 32 06 29 25 30 40 32.7 35.5 Means of the best six 40 40 l37 20 34 40 33 30 32 40 29 00 30 39 26.8 29.2 * Forced to the eastward; not included in the mean crossings, though neither of them, although they crossed so far west, had any difficulty with Cape St. Eoque. f Fell to leeward. 59 i»6 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Nevj Route Cms. 'ings — Continued. November LONGITUDE OF CEOSSING PARALLELS OF — CROSSED EfJUATOE. PASSED ST. KAMK or VESSEL. SAILED F£OM. ROQUE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W.i Long. W. Long. W. Celestial N. York, 2d;45°00' 37°00' 32°00' 32°00' 130°00' 28°00' 31°00' 24 26 Newton . . . Boston, 7th 42 00 42 00 41 00 40 00 38 00 35 00 82 30 34 38 Flying-Fish . . 7th 49 00 42 00 36 00 35 00 34 00 30 00 32 00 19 21 K. C. Winthrop . 8th 42 30 42 00 41 00 30 00 37 00 34 00 32 30 32 35 Sword fish . . . N. York, 12th 44 00 39 00 37 00 36 00 35 00 31 00 32 00 23 25 Horatio . . . 18th 44 00 33 00 '31 00 30 00 29 00 29 00 30 30 25 27 Esther May . . Boston, 19th 35 00 32 00 33 00 33 00 32 00 31 00 31 00 27 31 Lucia Field (barque ) '. 20th 37 00 34 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 31 00 31 34 Geo. Brown . . Philad., 24th 41 00 35 00 32 00 30 00 28 00 28 00 29 00 29 84 Esther May . . Boston, 19 th 38 00 33 00 32 00 33 00 32 00 30 00 31 45 27 29 Uriel .... N. York, 27th 45 00 39 00 36 00 33 00 31 00 29.00 30 00 26 30 Tuscany . . . 28th 43 00 36 20 34 30 33 20 32 20 30 20 32 00 42 45 Contest . . . " 16th 48 00 37 46 36 00 35 30 83 00 29 56 31 00 27 29 Living Age . . 24th 42 50 40 00 35 00 32 00 28 40 26 00 28 80 29 32 Alboni .... 21st 46 00 39 30 37 50 35 30 82 45 82 00 82 20 26 28 Thos. Church . 20th 48 00 37 00 34 00 32 00 29 00 26 00 29 40 29 32 Walter .... 29th 49 30 45 20 39 40 86 40 34 00 30 30 31 00 33 35 Danube . . . 13th 50 00 36 00 35 06 32 40 82 00 29 30 29 20 37 40 Trade-Wind . . . 13th 49 00 30 00 30 20 31.00 80 20 30 00 34 00 22 26 Tingqua .... 24th 43 00 40 00 39 25 37 45 83 50 81 20 32 00 20 23 Gray Feather 8th 38 30 34 40 35 40 35 00 32 SO 29 00 32 00 32 84 Kentucky . . . Boston, 24th 46 30 39 25 36 34 34 50 33 00 30 20 B2 45 24 27 Cygnet .... ■ " 3d 39 30 36' 00 31 25 30 00 28 00 26 00 30 00 ■ 38 41 Telegraph . . . 15th 49 00 40 00 34 40 34 30 31 45 30 00 32 00 27 29 Sophronia .... Salem, 6th 40 30 41 12 41 10 39 00 36 40 82 20 30 20 32 35 Cyclone .... Boston, 2d 49' 00 47 00 46 00 41 00 38 00 84 00 34 55 30 33 Eagle N.York, 4th 51 00 39 00 38 00 35 00 35 00 32 00 82 07 31 . 33 Eobert Wing . . 14th 47 00 42 00 38 00 36 00 33 00 80 00 32 05 30 32 Humboldt .... 24th 37 00 32 00 33 00 34 00 33 00 30 00 30 10 •37 39 Eichard Alsop . . 9th 42 00 31 00 32 00 32 00 30 0(3 27 00 80 53 31 33 Westward-Ho . . " 15th 40 00 38 00 37 00 34 00 33 00 32 00 81 47' 24 27 Dashing Wave . . Philad., 27tho3 00 48 00 42 00 40 00 39 00 34 00 33 15 28 83 Grayhound . . . C.Henry, 27th 144 00 32 00 32 00 32 00 32 00 30 00 30 05 38 36 California .... Boston 3d|'46 00 38 00 35 00 33 00 80 00 29 00 31 30 35 39 North Carolina* N. York, 25th 141 00 29 00 29 00 29 00 29 00 28 00 29 03 37 40 Parana 6th|44 00 40 00 38 00 35 00 34 00 30 00 31 54 30 32 Suwarrow* . . . 25th !39 00 i 35-00 34 00 32 00 28 00 28 00 29 20 46 49 Means '44 13 1 39 22 35 50 34 07 32 36 30 07 81 11 29.3 32.4 Means of the best six 45 40 36 50 34 17 33 27 32 01 29 53 30 55 22.2 24.7 * Forced to the eastward ; not included in the mean crossings. MISTAKES IN THE HOUTE TO RIO, ETC. 467 New Route Crossings — Continued. December. PASSED lONGITUDi OF CE03SISG PAnALLELS OF — CROSSED EQUATOB. ST. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FROM. BOQDE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Southerner (barque)t . N. York, 1st 40°00' 41°00' 40°00' 38°00' 35°00' 32°00' 30°00' 88 42 Hazard 4th 45 00 41 00 39 00 38 00 |35 00 32 00 32 00 21 24 Samuel Eussell . . . 5th 53 00 46 00 43 00 41 00 i36 00 32 00 i30 00 19 20 Element . . . . . 5th 44 00 42 00 39 00 36 00 33 00 31 00 31 00 22 24 Grafton (barque) . . 8th 35 00 31 00 33 00 32 00 32 00 30 00 29 00 29 81 Lantao 8th 44 00 41 00 41 00 41 00 37 00 31 00 29 00 30 32 St. Lawrence, U.S.frig'te " 12th 42 00 39 00 36 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 31 00 31 34 Seaman's Bride . . . " 12th 41 00 40 00 40 00 36 00 34 00 30 00 31 00 28 32 Portsmouth (U. S. ship) Boston, 16th 36 00 39 00 38 00 38 00 36 00 33 00 31 00 26 80 Hurricane . . . '. N. York, 17th 45 00 42 00 41 00 40 00 38 00 34 00 34 00 27 30 Benjamin Howard . . Boston, 25tb 41 00 35 00 33 00 32 00 29 00 26 00 ^7 00 25 28 Pontiac 25th 43 00 38 00 36 00 35 00 32 00 30 00 30 00 23 27 Winged Eacer . . . N. York, 12th 39 00 'SQ 00 34 30 32 00 30 00 28 15 31 00 22 24 Golden Gate .... 6th 46 14 40 30 37 00 35 10 33 30 31 20 33 56 20 23 John Holland . . . 1st 45 30 42 10 38 40 36 50 33 40 29 14 31 00 39 43 Storm (barque) . . . 21st 44 00 41 00 39 00 37 30 34 45 33 30 35 30 18 25 Golden West . . . Boston, loth 41 00 39 20 38 30 38 20 36 00 34 00 31 20 28 30 Dancing Feather (sch'r) 12th 53 00 47 30 43 00 38 51 34 30 30 00 30 42 83 35 John Bertram . . . 12th 49 30 45 20 M 00 38 13 36 45 31 00 29 80 27 29 Flying Childers . . . 18th 49 30 47 30 43 30 41 00 36 40 32 30 30 40 23 25 Aldebaran .... 25th 39 20 36 20 36 10 32 50 29 15 26 10 28 00 37 40 Seargo '. N. York, 14th 36 00 33 00 n 00 29 00 28 00 26 00 29 31 83 38 Eagle Wing .' . . , Boston, 21st 39 00 37 00 ^S'OO 37 00 34 00 30 00 29 80 25 27 Ottawa N. York, 19th 45 00 38 00 43 00 35 00 39 00 37 00 33 00 30 00 30 00 29 21 26 26 29 Grayhound .... Richmond, 7th 33 00 32 00 29 00 31 12 28 Roman N. York, 20th 43 00 44 00 38 00 34 00 37 00 35 00 33 00 31 00' 31 00 30 00 30 08 32 15 21 20 23 David Brown . . . 13th 30 00- 31 00 23 2d 50 00 33 00 32 00 32 00 31 00 30 00 32 00 24 28 Indus ...... Baltim'e, 13th 52 00 39 00 35 00 34 00 29 00 28 00 30 55 22 26 Ludwig* ....'. N.York, 31st 39 00 33 00 32 00 31 00 30 00 26 00 25 19 35 38 Gray Eagle .... Pbilad., 11th 48 00 43 00 39 00 37 00 34 00 31 00 32 45 22 25 J. Maxwell* .... C. Henry, 2d 41 00 34 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 j27 00 28 33 33 86 Retriever* .... St. Johns, 8th 31 00 28 00 25 00 23 00 23 00 22 00 20 02 50 54 Virginia* N. York, 8th 39 00 37 00 34 00 39 00 31 00 39 00 28 00 [27 00 38 00 34 00 27 20 33 45 87 22 40 Telegraph Boston, 2d 45 00 |42 00 26 Means 44 21 39 34 38 11 35 31 33 22 i30 29 i 30 51 25.6 28.6 Means of the best six 45 50 40 00 37 30 36 10 33 40 31 30 1 82 13 19.8 23 * Forced to the eastward, not included in tlic mean crossings. ■f- Fell to leeward. 468 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Old and Middle Route Crossings. PASSED LONGITUDE OF CROSSING PARALLELS OF — CROSSED KQUATOR. 1 ST. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FROM. ROaCE. i 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 6°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Boston^ . . . Boston, Jan. lst'32°00' 28°00' |27°00' 26°00' 25°00' 23°00' 24°50' 271 31 Star of the Union (1 " 28th'a5 40 33 00 29 00 29 50 29 45 29 20 29 50 34 25 r 36 Wisconsin^ . . K. York, " 20th'30 00 '30 80 ;81 00 31 00 28 00 27 00 28 11 28 Vandalia^f . . u " 20th'31 00 29 30 27 00 26 30 26 30 26 00 28 00 37 J 41 Pontiac . . . Boston, " 20th'46 00 38 00 34 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 29 40 46 49 Tsar .... 11 " 12th44 00 ;32 00 i38 00 34 00 31 00 28 00 27 80 30 83 Windward . . Baltimore , " 13th 53 00 1 43 00 39 00 37 00 32 00 29 00 29 34 37 40 St. Lawrence^ . N. York, Feb. 8th 31 30 29 30 28 00 28 30 28 15 28 00 28 00 36 41 Bark EmilyT" . Philad., " 20tli 33 00 31 30 30 40 29 40 28 40 28 30 28 40 30 34 M. Ilawesf . . N. York, " 22d 40 00 '32 00 30 00 27 00 26 80 26 00 26 18 35 41 St. Lawrence^f . (1 " 9th 31 00 30 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 34 38 Roscoef . . . (1 " 27th 48 00 ,34 00 32 00 31 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 83 35 Wm. Prlcef . . PhiUd., " 20th 42 00 37 00 34 00 31 00 28 00 27 00 26 20 81 85 "Wejbosset . . N. York, " 23d 38 00 !36 00 134 00 32 00 29 00 27 00 26 00 32 36 Gleaner . . . a " 24th 38 00 '37 00 '37 00 33 00 30 00 28 00 27 15 32 36 Rose Standish^f . 11 March 1st 33 00 129 00 28 00 27 00 26 30 26 00 27 00 27 J 80 Ariell .... 11 " 10th 33 00 '31 00 30 30 29 30 28 00 26 80 26 26 30^ 84 Harriet lloxiel" . 11 " 24th 30 00 |26 00 j28 00 28 30 29 00 29 30 30 20 27 5 30 Golden Eraf 11 " 25th 40 00 :38 00 38 00 34 00 31 00 28 00 26 20 88 41 Rosario . . . K " 6th 35 00 i27 00 27 00 27 00 27 00 26 00 27 16 28 81 Vandal iaT" . . Baltimore , " 9th 31 00 130 00 29 00 29 00 27 00 25 00 24 36 45 48 Relief, U. S. S. . N. York, " 24th 38 00 36 00 33 00 {31 00 29 00 27 00 26 30 29 82 Mary Annahf . 11 " 21st 47 00 37 00 34 00 132 00 30 00 29 00 26 56 31 84 QueenoftheEast^ 11 April 8th 31 00 27 00 27 00 26 00 25 00 23 00 23 00 311 36 Thamesf . . . Portland, " 24th 50 00 42 00 38 00 33 00 30 00 25 00 26 08 41 44 Rome^ .... N. York, " 26th 32 00 i30 00 30 00 29 00 26 00 25 00 26 00 43 " 36 46 Arthur Pickering Salem, " 30th 38 00 l36 00 36 00 33 00 29 00 26 30 27 50 89 Mayflower . . N. Yoik, 2d 34 00 '30 00 |30 00 30 00 29 00 28 31 31 00 80 32 Amazon . . . u " 7th 37 00 35 00 !32 00 31 00 29 00 28 00 29 06 32 85 Linwoodf . . . Baltimore ), " 15th 52 00 34 00 132 00 32 00 29 00 28 00 29 51 33 86 SophroniaT^ . . Boston, " 16th30 00 28 00 28 00 29 00 28 00 28 00 30 27 34 87 . Cleopatra^f . . 11 " 23d:30 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 28 00 31 33 24 27 Nestorianf . . N. York, " 24th 36 00 {34 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 29 32 31 35 Milton . . . . Boston, May 15th'37 00 36 30 |35 00 32 00 27 80 26 00 28 15 37 40 Albanyt . . . N. York, " 24th39 00 37 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 27 30 42 45 N. B. Palmer . 1 " " 2d'40 00 '33 00 32 00 30 00 27 00 25 00 28 50 24 26 Probus . . . . 11 " 25tb,34 00 ,32 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 26 00 30 00 54 57 Unionf . . . i< " 19th 38 00 36 00 34 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 24 37 44 47 Rubicon^ . . II " 15th'30 00 28 00 28 00 26 00 24 00 17 00 20 48 42 45 Harrisburg^ . . 11 " 10th33 00 31 00 i29 00 29 00 28 00 27 00 29 85 43 46 F. P. Sage . . II " 27th'36 00 33 00 '32 00 31 00 29 00 S28 00 31 86 52 55 Rockland^ . . II " 22d29 00 |28 00 128 00 27 00 27 00 28 00 30 15 85 38 Nestorian*!" . . 11 " 28th 33 00 30 00 |29 00 29 00 26 00 19 00 25 40 58 56 Lamartine , . 11 June lOth'34 00 32 00 i31 30 31 00 29 00 26 00 28 49 38 T 37 Z. D.t . . . . 11 " loth 39 00 37 00 |35 00 34 00 33 00 24 30 28 50 ■85 1 37 Sarah 11. Snowf Boston, " 23d39 00 36 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 23 00 27 00 88 " 42 Talbot . . . . N. York, " 27th 35 30 34 00 30 00 28 30 25 00 19 00 25 00 41 J 43 Thetis . . . . 11 " 29th'34 00 32 00 i30 00 27 00 25 00 24 30 130 48 48 ; 46 Herof . . . . 11 " 21st'49 00 44 00 41 00 38 00 34 00 25 00 i29 25 42 ' 44 Messengerf . . Philad., " 4th 38 00 37 00 i36 00 32 00 28 00 l26 00 j28 00 30 : 33 Inezf . . . . Boston, 3d 35 00 i33 00 |31 00 129 00 26 00 21 00 i24 34 48 : 50 llorsburghf . . N. York, new rnutp, h 1st 35 00 32 00 31 00 31 00 130 00 ,24 00 ;28 00 it !it)an'1cinpfl it. 47 \ Olrlr 50 I Stnrfprt on tlip oiite. MISTAKES IN THE ROUTE TO BIO, ETC. 469 Old and Middle Route Orossingi ! — Continued. lONOITCDE OF CROSSING PARALLELS OF— CaOSSED EQCATOB. PASSED ST. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILKD FKOM. BOQtIE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. Platot .... Boston, July 1st 40°00' 36°00' :34°00' 29°30' 26°00' 20°00' 27°00' 85 ~1 37 Wessacumconf . " 7th'41 00 39 00 i35 00 30 00 25 00 23 00 29 00 50 1 54 Eaglet .... N". York, " llth!49 00 47 30 46 30 44 30 44 00 23 00 28 00 38 ( 35 Cohanseyt . • " 20th 46 00 43 00 40 00 37 00 34 00 24 30 28 56 85 38 Arabf .... Boston, " 7th 45 00 41 00 38 00 34 00 29 00 19 00 26 08 33 36 Wisconsinf . . N. York, " 7th 42 00 39 00 '37 00 33 00 28 00 22 00 27 60 35 37 Weybossettf Boston, " 1st 44 00 41 00 38 00 34 00 29 00 27 00 31 30 41 44 Bostonf . . . N. York, " 4th 42 00 39 00 36 00 32 00 29 00 21 00 28 30 36 89 Edwinf . . . Boston, Aug. 26th 47 00 44 00 42 00 35 00 28 00 23 00 24 00 54 57 iNfanchestert . . N. York, " 19th 42 00 35 00 30 00 27 00 25 00 19 00 18 34 55 58 Emilyf . . . Philad., " 27th 37 00 34 00 32 00 31 00 29 00 25 00 30 04 52 54 Karitan, U. S. F.l Norfolk, " 24th 19 00 22 00 24 00 27 00 24 00 21 00 24 50 55 58 Orientalf . . . Boston, " 13th 39 00 38 00 37 00 36 00 35 00 20 00 20 25 55 58 Chenangof . . Baltimore, " 22d47 00 44 00 :42 00 38 00 35 00 26 00 25 39 58 61 John Wade . . Boston, Sept. 5th 45 00 42 00 41 00 39 00 32 00 24 00 29 00 34 37 U. S. S. Relief . N.York, " 27th'42 15 38 30 37 15 31 42 27 00 25 20 28 00 53 57' Anu Maria^^ . . " llth'SO 00 29 00 28 00 27 00 24 00 22 00 26 50 44 46 Toniat .... C. Canso, " 1st 40 00 39 00 37 00 34 00 26 00 22 00 26 10 40 42 Medfordt . . . Boston, " 19th35 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 26 00 21 00 25 54 44 46 Sirif .... N.York, " 14th 51 00 42 00 41 00 39 00 38 00 27 00 28 00 47 50 Arthurf . . . " " 25th41 00 39 00 37 00 35 00 33 00 27 00 29 80 52 55 Lady Franklin . 2d34 00 32 00 30 00 29 00 28 00 24 00 24 12 43 46 Lewis .... Salem, Oct. lOth'37 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 26 00 25 00 28 00 34 37 Sartelle . . . N. York, " 23d 39 00 28 00 l29 00 28 00 27 00 24 00 26 55 43 46 Le Cocq . . . Boston, " 2d'35 00 35 00 i34 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 30 00 44 47 Edwinl . . . « llth32 00 28 00 27 00 26 00 24 00 22 00 25 00 41 44 Coquimbo . . " 28th!38 00 35 00 33 00 32 00 30 00 27 00 28 34 42 45 Lucy Elizabeth^" " 12th 26 00 24 00 25 00 26 00 24 00 22 00 25 00 38 41 Loo Choo . . . " Nov. 2d 35 30 35 00 35 00 33 00 30 00 27 00 30 00 84-) 37 Juniata^" . . . Baltimore, " 23d'30 00 27 00 '27 30 27 30 27 30 27 30 28 00 28 I 80 Europe .... N. York, " 25th:37 00 30 00 128 00 26 00 25 30 25 30 26 22 32 j 85 Cygnet . . . Boston, " 3d'39 00 36 00 31 00 30 00 28 00 26 00 30 00 88 41 North Carolinaf N. York, " 25thi41 00 39 00 29 00 29 00 29 00 28 00 29 03 37 40 Suwarrow . . " 25th 39 00 35 00 34 00 32 00 28 00 28 00 29 20 46 49 John Stuart^. . " Dec. 9th[29 20 33 20 34 50 34 00 31 00 29 30 31 40 35 88 Aldebaran"!" . . Boston, " 25th'39 00 36 00 36 00 32 00 29 00 26 00 28 00 87 40 Seargo .... N. York, " 14th!36 00 33 00 31 00 29 00 28 00 26 00 29 31 33 88 Ludwig . . . " " 31st'39 00 33 00 32 00 31 00 30 00 26 00 25 19 85 38 Retrieverl" . . St. .Tohns, " 8th'31 00 28 00 25 00 23 00 28 00 22 00 20 02 50 54 J. Maxwell . . C. Henry, " 2d 41 00 34 00 l30 00 29 00 28 00 27 00 28 33 33 36 f Started on the new route, but abandoned it. f Old route. 470 THE WIND AND CUBKENT CHAETS. Now and then, I hear of a mariner who " does not believe in the new route." I hope all who are skeptical will examine the foregoing tables attentively. The crossings by the new route, afford an example for every day in the year, and of all the 365 vessels there recorded, but four, have fallen to leeward of Cape St. Eoque, and in consequence thereof, their passage from the U. States to the fair way of St. Koque, was prolonged only three days on the average, and their mean place of crossing the equator was in long. 36°. Notwithstanding this, the average passage of the four, from the U. States to the parallel of St. Eoque, was one week less than the average to the same parallel by the old route. The table of crossings by the old and middle routes, gives the passages of ninety odd vessels. The masters of these evidently did not have faith enough in the Charts, to justify them in their opinion in sticking to the Sailing Directions ; some disregarded them altogether; some attempted to " split the differ- ence," and take a middle course between the old and the new routes ; but the table shows how dearly they paid for their doubts— their passages on the average are only eight days— 25 per cent.— longer than the average from the U. States by the new route ; the difference being as 31 to 39. Now, if we take the mean of the best six passages, for each month by the new route, we shall have the elements for a mean monthly average, derived from 72 vessels, which gives 24 days to the line ; the mean crossing place being on the meridian of 30° 50', or about 80' west of the average of the whole 365. The shortest monthly runs being from November to April inclusive, and varying, for these months, from 20 to 22 days. The longest are from June to October inclusive ; they vary from 25 to 31 days. Long. 32° 13' is the most westerly crossing of these monthly means — being the mean place of crossing of the best six in December. Lieut. Kennedy, commanding the U. S. storeship Supply, on her recent voyage to Eio, mentions a striking instance of the advantage of sticking to the Charts, and conforming to the Sailing Directions. He crossed in the month of February, 34 days out, in long. 33° W. He was pinched, and made the land 7 miles to leeward of Cape St. Eoque. He stood boldly on ; took advantage of a slant, as recommended, and got by without any difficulty. The barque Polka, however, which was in company, stood off to the north- ward and eastward in order to get an offing, and pass to windward of the Island of Fernando de Noronha. This brig, though a better sailer than the Supply, did not arrive until several days after the Supply.* * Extracts from Log of the United States storeship Supply, Lieutenant C. H. Kennedy, commanding. January C, 1850 (lat. 39° N. ; long. C3° W.) ; at 10 A. M., a whirlwind passed between our fore and mainmasts, doing no damage. At the same time, two others were observed, one on the port-beam, the other on the starboard quarter. Their formation was very sudden, giving no warning whatever of their approach ; nor was the force or direction of the wind, which, at the time, was blowing fresh, in the least affected; the diameter of the one which passed between our masts was about ten feet, with a rotary velocity of about one hundred miles per hour, and a progressive velocity of about sixty or seventy miles per hour. The one on the port-beam was much larger, carrying with it large quantities of water, and moving with a higher velocity. February 6, 1850 (lat. 1° 40' N. ; long. 32° W.) ; at 8 hours 30 min., a large and heavy whirlwind passed across our bow, about two hundred yards distant, with a very high velocity, and carrying with it large quantities of water. The ship did not sail well during the first part of the passage, having been stored out of trim, and griping to such a degree that all the sails on her mizzenmast were useless. I could not make any change in her trim by shifting weight from one extreme (a bad way at best), as every crack and crevice was crammed with stores, haggngp, &c MISTAKES IN THE ROUTE TO KID, ETC. 471 The chief point of information as to the new route, appears now to be in the practical answer to this question : "Which is the best way of crossing the " equatorial calms ?" The region most liable to these calms is, as I have before explained, wedge-shaped, with the point of the wedge directed towards South America. The winds in these calm regions are often from the southward and westward ; indeed, as you ap- proach the coast of Africa in summer and fall, these southwardly winds assume the character of a regular monsoon. The place of these calms varies, too. It is sometimes at the equator ; sometimes in 5°, 10°, or even in 15° north, according to the season of the year. And the answer to the question, "How to cross them?" is this. Unless you are fearful of falling to leeward, or you are already too far to leeward, and want to make easting in the southwardly winds of the doldrums, do your best to make southing, for by that course you will clear them soonest. By that course you run directly across them ; by an east or west course, you run along with them. It appears, however, by these tables, that the average passages to the equator, by the new route, have been greatly reduced. Moreover, by comparing the new route crossings with the " middle route," as the tracks made by tlaose navigators who attempt to " split the difference" between the old route and the new are called, we shall see how much they lose : they lose on the average, during a portion of the year, a week or more, and several days at any season. It will not escape the notice of men who study these tables as carefully as they ought to be studied. The first part of the passage was rough, and the southwesterly winds drove me far out of my track. I was at one time apprehensive of being forced in sight of the Cape de Verde Islands. When the trade-winds north of the equator began to fail me, the weather became squally, and the wind light ; though, in general, the squalls were of rain only. On the 6th of February, however, we had some wind in them, and a violent whirlwind passed ahead of the ship about two hundred yards. It would have passed over the ship, had it not been met and driven ahead of a squall. I was forced across the line in long. 32° 50' on the 7th of February. To avoid being back-strapped, I stood to the east for twelve hours between the 8th and 9th, and twenty-one and a half hours between the lOth and 11th; but I am now inclined to believe that I might have fetched past St. Koque by standing on. On the 11th, stood in for the land, and made it on the 12th at 2 P. M. At 3 hours 30 min., tacked ship in a half twelve; shells and gray sand mixed with coral, which was the general character of the soundings every time we got bottom. Stood off shore; 4 hours 45 min., tacked and laid up along the land, which was again made on the 13th ; stood in to ten fathoms, and tacked at 2 hours 30 min. P. .M. Cape Branco bearing, per compass, S. by W. J W., distant about thirty miles, and the land abeam, distant about eight miles. At 9 P. M., tacked again and laid well up along the land, which we did not again see till we made Cape Frio. The wind fanned us on both tacks, and when we " went about" the last time, wc made a S. by E. compass course. Thus we cleared the land in two off shore tacks, each of 5 hours 30 min., the current sweeping along or onshore. The distance run per log is six thousand five hundred and sixty-three miles. No vessel that sailed in January has yet arrived. We spoke the Green Point between 1° and 2° N., and 30° 54'' W., bound to Rio; she had sailed two days before us (January 1) from New York. We also saw the barque Polka standing in for the land on the afternoon of the 10th of February. We were on the opposite tack, having gone about to avoid the bight to the westward of St. Roque. I have endeavored to obtain accurate information of the passages made in December, but the Register is so loosely kept that I can learn nothing more than the number of days of the voyage, not even the time of sailing or arrival, or the meridian on which they crossed tlio cquntoi-. 472 THE WIND AND CURRKNT CHARTS. that from May to November, inclusive, vessels that go the new route cross the parallel of 5° N. farther to the eastward, on the average, than they do the equator. The cause of this is obvious : it is owing to the monsoons of the doldrums. Hence, we deduce a rule which will apply to all months, and it is this : When you cross the parallel of 10° N. in 30°, or 31°, or 32° W., and can make a south course good, don't care to go any farther east. Of course, if you meet these southwest monsoons, as in the summer and fall you will sometimes do, even as far west as 32°, you will in that case be compelled to obey the winds, and make easting; but when you are east of 30°, always prefer the tack that will give you most southing, because it will put you across the doldrums soonest; and if it bring you across no farther west than 31°, or even 32°, you may consider yourself in a good position, and clear of a region of light airs and baffling winds. The average passage for the year by the "middle" route is 39 days; by the old, it is 41; by the new, 31. It is hoped that this exhibit will serve to convince the skeptical that these Charts are what- they purport to be: i. e. the result of the experience of all the navigators, whose logs I could lay hand on for comparison, and that they are not based on any theory of any body. Some vessels are put down on the middle route, which did not intend to take it. They were forced farther to the eastward, before crossing the horse latitudes, than they intended to go. They did the best they could ; and might have been classed under the new route ; for when winds are ahead, the " new route" expects the navigator to do the best he can, for head winds will now and then drive him broad off the track. If the few passages that come under this category had been so classed, the contrast in favor of the new roate would have been still more striking than it is. There is a remarkable conformity between the average track by the crossing tables and the computed route, or what may, in some sort, be called the theoretical route; inasmuch as it was predicated on the Pilot Charts, and is the deduction entirely of figures and calculation. Thus, the average crossings of the six vessels that made the best passages in February, were in reality — Latitudes: 30°, 25°, 20°, 15°, 10°, 5°, in longitude 44° 16'; 40° 53'; 38° 37'; 36° 14'; 34°; 31° 12'; 30° 8' W, By table: 45° 40'; 37° 45'; 35° 35'; 33° 28'; 31° 23'; 31° 23' W. It appears from this, that the best average route which, according to the Pilot Charts, a vessel should take to reach the equator in February, deviates from the mean of the six best tracks that have been actually made, nowhere more than seventy-five miles. Thus, we find that the routes of the tables have stood every test. The time it would take to make the passage by them was computed beforehand, entered in the tables, and recommended to navigators for adoption. Ships try the route, and find the time correct. The distance to be sailed through the water, taking into the account the detour which a vessel under canvas must make on account of head winds, was calculated. Trial proves the tables surprisingly correct here, too, for navigators have kept their run by the log, summed it up at the equator, turned to the MISTAKES IN THE ROUTE TO BIO, ETC. 478 computed distance to be sailed by the new route for that month, in the tables, and found the two agreeing, in some cases, within ten miles of each other, and seldom differing in any over a hundred. In a voyage of four thousand or five thousand miles, a steamer could not run closer to the actual distance than this. But of all the tests to which these calculated routes were to be subjected, perhaps the severest one was that which related to the track which the vessel should make through the water — the path she was to follow over the ocean, in order to make these quick runs. The winds had been tabulated, the currents had been considered, and, taking into account these fickle and very subtile elements, with such arguments as might be legitimately drawn from the doctrine of chances, the actual course which a vessel under all these influences would make from day to day on her destination \yas, like the path of a comet through the skies, made the subject of calculation, determined and announced. . Now, when we come to compare the mean track, for any month, of the vessels that have best fulfilled the requirements of the new route with the track of the tables, we find the two tracks identical. These tracks are quite as close together, as would be the tracks of the individual vessels of a fleet attempting a voyage of such a length in company. Practical illustrations of this are frequently afforded, especially by smart ships, ably commanded and well navigated. The morning mail brings a striking case of this in the abstract log of the clipper ship Sword Fish (H. N. Osgood), just returned from aVoyage of circumnavigation, which she has accomplished, including 35 days in port, in ten months and ten days. In this time she logged 39,977 miles, and averaged 153 miles per day. She sailed from New York, bound to California, April 3, 1854, and the following remarks are entered in her abstract log, for the 22d of that month. " Fine weather ; at meridian I am on the equator, after a passage of 18 days and 15 hours from Sandy Hook ; and believed to have followed Maury's track for this month, and am satisfied of its correctness. Distance logged to line, 4,002 miles." Maury's computed distance for April, 4,051 miles, and for this part of the voyage she averaged 8.95 knots the hour. Thus, these Charts are bringing out the fact that there are, upon the broad ocean, great highways or turnpikes, if you please, almost as clearly marked out by the winds and the currents, as are the common highways of the earth by marks upon the land. I have frequently recommended vessels that happen, as now and then they will, in attempting the new route, to find themselves too far to the westward as they approach the doldrums, not to tack and stand back to. the northward, but rather to stand on and take advantage of all the chances that will be offered, espe- cially in summer and autumn, on two occasions ; the first is when they enter the belt of southwardly monsoons in the doldrum region ; the other is when they get the S. E. trades ; for in each of these two regions the wind is often so well to the southward as to admit of an east course. That it is so in the latter, has been illustrated in the course of this work by numerous examples ; and at last I am enabled to quote an actual experiment made in illustration of the former by the barque Edna (J. L. Groton), from Pensacola to Eio last August. Her master, however, has returned a yery imperfect abstract log, and which he thinks can be of no possible use. He promises to do better next time, it is true, but he should have recollected 60 474 THE WIND AND CUEBENT CHABT3. his promise, and done his best from the beginning. His case is not an uncommon one, and, therefore, I take this occasion to say to all such, do your best every voyage, keep the log according to the form for every day you are at sea, send it to me if you please, and allow me to be the judge as to its value ; perhaps I may find very precious gems in it, as in this instance, where the navigator himself little dreams there is anything of special value. The Edna appears to be a dull sailer. Coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, she fell to the westward of the August track, crossing 18° N. in long. 40° 41', instead of long. 30° as per the new route. She had the wind at east, and stood on boldly to the southward for the monsoons, resolved to take her chance of making easting in that belt. She reached the parallel of 8° N. in 41° W., and thought her chances better, for the wind was still at east. But if the worst should come to the worst, she could but go about, tack, stand to the northward, and beat. She, therefore, stood on, and accordingly the next day, in lat. 7° 00', long. 40°, she got the monsoons from south, and ran east with them along that parallel for a week, when she found herself in long. 25°. Now, she had overshot the mark, for these monsoons being, for most of the time, at S. S. W., again placed her to leeward, but on the opposite side of her proper track. She had now to put about, beat, and go back to the meridian of 29° before she got far enough south to clear these monsoons. Her mistake was in not edging more to the south when she was standing to the eastward in the monsoon belt. In reviewing the Eio routes, which include the routes of all vessels bound from the North into or through the South Atlantic Ocean, and comparing them, as they are recorded in this work, with the routes as they formerly were, we find the gain, on the average, by the new route over the old, to be for January, 2.7 days. May, 8.5 days. September, 5.6 days. February, 7.9 June, 7.6 October, 6.4 March, 15.1 July, 15.0 November, 13.3 April, 7.6 August, 9.2 December, 13.0 The passage to the line by the old route the year round was forty-one days. By the new route, notwithstanding the bad running in September, it is thirty-one days. A saving of twenty-five per cent, in time, for all the men and the commerce that pass that way, is certainly an achievement, which those who have co-operated, and worked together to bring about, may well contemplate with pleasure and satisfaction. And who are they ? Sailor-men, all ; the navigator, who has assisted in the collection of materials at sea, and the brother officer, who has so faithfully and patiently helped to discuss them here. ' FROM EUROPE TO THE LINK. 4.75 r FROM EUROPE TO THE LINE. Since the publication of the sixth edition of the work, and the impulse which the Brussels Conference has given to the objects of it, I have received abstract logs enough to justify a preliminary discussion of the route from England and Europe in the Atlantic generally, to the line. The results of this investigation surprised me, and I am encouraged by them to think that that route, as beaten as it is, and notwithstanding it has been the great highway to India and the South Seas ever since the passages around the Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Magellan were discovered, may be even now materially altered for the better. I think that this system of research will enable us to lay out tracks and project routes by which the passage from Europe to the line may be shortened several days, perhaps a week or more. Now this part of the route is common to all vessels bound from Europe into the other hemisphere, whether their destination be South America, Australia, or California, India, Cliina, or the South Sea ports, the road for all is the same, as far, at least, as the equator ; and even beyond, for this road is common also as far as the parallel of Cape St. Roque, indeed I might say as fur as the polar edge of the S. E. trades. Now, considering the number of vessels that travel this common part of this grand highway, the merchandise they carry, the business they do, it will be at once perceived that if we can shorten the voyage along it, even by the saving of a single day, we shall effect an achievement of some consequence to the business of the world. If an engineer of some highway on the land, over which as much merchandise, property, and life are con- tinually passing, should, by the display of any skill, device or artifice whatever, discover some short cut, which required no outlay to open or put in order, that would save the time and expense of even one hour's transportation; and if, further, he should secure the right to the discovery, with license to rig up a toll-gate, that all who use this new way should be reasonably taxed, people would willingly pay, and his revenue would be princely. But happily there are no toll-gates upon the high seas, and so far from taxing those whom we invite along this road, we offer them guides, charts, and sailing directions, without price. Notwithstanding all the light which abstract logs and pilot charts and philosophical disquisitions have of late years thrown upon the subject of the winds in the North Atlantic, I find by this preliminary exami- nation that the route from Europe to the line is at this day substantially that along which the early navi- gators and the Buccaneers groped their way to the South Seas. The following tables exhibit this route. They have been arranged by Lieuts. Minor and Muse from log-books taken at random. 476 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Crossings from Europe to the Parallel of St. Boque. DATS FROM LONGITUDE or CROSSING PARALLELS OF — CROSSED EQUATOR. PASSED ST. NAME OF VESSEL. SAILED FROM. EUROPE BOQUE. TO 30° N. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5°N. Long. W. Days. Days. January. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lotus .... Gibraltar, 23d 5 19°00' 20°00' 21°00' 21°00' 20°00' 19°00' 18°00' 28 33 S. Brewer . . Lisbon, 28th, 4 17 00 20 00 22 00 25 00 24 00 l23 00 23 00 19 22 Sachem . . . Gibraltar, lst| 7 15 00 18 00 21 00 22 00 22 00 23 00 26 00 28 32 Duane . . . Liverp'l, 27th' 12 18 00 19 00 20 00 22 00 24 00 23 00 23 00 34 38 Northumberland England, 1st 17 17 00 21 00 23 00 24 00 22 00 19 00 22 00 61 65 Eestitutiou . . Gibraltar, 4th 6 16 00 22 00 21 00 20 00 20 00 19 00 21 00 30 35 Nueva Granadia Cadiz, 28th 6 16 00 20 00 24 00 25 00 26 00 26 00 27 00 28 32 Coronation . . Liverpool, 1st 54 57 Means . . . 8.1 17.0 20.0 21.7 22.7 22.7 22.0 22.8 40.2 44.8 February. Carroll . . . Cadiz, 3d 7 17 00 19 00 24 00 25 00 l25 00 l23 00 25 00 25 28 Roman . . . London, 22d 10 19 00 21 00 24 00 26 00 27 00 126 00 25 00 22 25 Minerva . . . Lisbon, 28th 4 19 00 18 00 18 00 19 00 19 00 18 00 22 00 23 27 Pilgrim . . . England, 10th 11 24 00 24 00 26 00 26 00 23 00 20 00 20 00 44 49 Emu .... 26th 10 21 00 23 00 24 00 25 00 24 00 22 00 21 00 33 38 Clarendon . . " 25th 10 20 00 22 00 24 00 26 00 24 00 ,21 00 22 00 30 34 Means . . . 8.6 20.0 21.1 23.3 24.5 23.6 21.6 22.5 29.5 33.5 March. Lowther Castle England, 2d 32 18 00 21 00 23 00 25 00 23 00 ;22 00 22 00 66 69 S. Brewer . . Lisbon, 10th 5 17 00 20 00 24 00 25 00 25 00 24 00 '26 00 20 23 T. Campbell . Scotland, 12th 12 19 00 22 00 25 00 25 00 124 00 '20 00 24 00 40 43 Scotia .... London, 24th 6 17 00 19 00 20 00 20 00 18 00 ji6 00 13 00 35 38 , Means . . . 13.7 17.7 20.5 23.0 23.7 22.5 20.5 21.2 40.2 43.2 ApriIj. Tartar . . . Liverpool, 4th 7 21 00 21 00 23 00 22 00 !22 00 l23 00 \zi 00 21 24 Logan . . . Gibraltar, 19th 6 14 00 17 00 20 00 22 00 '20 00 20 00 23 00 30 33 Earl of Clare . London, Ist 12 18 00 21 00 26 00 26 00 26 00 i22 00 ^22 00 36 40 Seringapatatn . Liverp'l, 30th 10 19 00 19 00 20 00 20 00 120 00 20 00 |22 00 31 36 Leoutine . . . Bremen, 7th 12 18 00 20 00 24 00 25 00 J25 00 '23 00 24 00 39 42 T. Campbell . [London, 30th 14 19 00 20 00 20 00 19 00 20 00 20 00 25 00 34 37 Means . . . 10.1 18.1 1 19.6 22.1 22.3 22.1 21.3 24.5 31.8 35.3 FROM EUROPE TO THE LINE, 477 Crossings from Europe to the Parallel of St. Roque — Continued, SAME OF VESSEL. SAILED ritOM. Albert Edward Palmyra , , Niagara , . M. de Somerulaa Italy . , , Siam , . . Navigator , Sachem . , John Bull , Persia . , Red-Jacket . Leontine . . Maine Law , May, Liverp'l, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Liverp'l, Means . Gibraltar, Liverp'l, London, Liverp'l, Bremen, Liverp'l, 24th 31st 20th 12th 23d 14th 28th 18th loth 10th 4th 16th 3d DATS FKOM El'ROPt TO 30° N. 16 15 17 11 4 12 7 9 11 Albert Edward Allipore . . . William Pitt . Kensington . . Pedlar , . . Charles . . . Iloratio . . . Means 10.3 June. Liverp'l, 15thj 17 London, ISthj 11 England, 3di 15 Havre, 8th j 17 England, 20th! 13 Liverp'l, 4th: 12 2d, 15 14.2 19.1 LOSQITUDE OF CK0S8INO PARALLELS OF — CROSSED EQCATOB. 30° N. Long. W. 23°00' 22 00 17 00 18 00 18 00 20 00 17 00 13 00 18 00 18 00 19 00 14 00 18 00 18.1 21 00 20 00 18 00 22 00 16 00 19 00 18 00 Vernon . Akbar . . . Isabella . . . Phoenix . . . Two Brothers . Owen Glendower Paulista ... Miltiades . . Borneo . July. Liverp'l, 26th 20th 17th Gibraltar, 2d 18th I 27th' 11th 8th London, J Havre, [Liverp'l, Gibraltar, 26th 12 9 12 5 4 11 9 14 6 22 00 21 00 19 00 15 00 17 00 18 00 21 00 17 00 19 00 Means Aquetnet Lctitia Phfcnix . Elizabeth Columbia Inca . . Restitution Means . ^1 18.8 August. Liverp'l, 1st England, 14th 5th; London, 12th| England, 27th London, Istj Gibraltar, 10th! 13 9 9 17 20 12 19 00 20 00 19 00 19 00 21 00 17 00 19 00 12.1 il9,l 25° N. Long. W. 24°00' 24 00 20 00 19 00 23 00 23 00 20 00 20 00 22 00 21 00 23 00 18 00 19 00 21.2 25 23 19 24 19 21 21 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 20° N. Long. W. 25°00' 25 00 22 00 20 00 25 00 25 00 23 00 21 00 23 00 24 00 26 00 21 00 21 00 15° N. 10° N. Long. W.'Long. W. 23.1 25 00 26 00 23 00 26 00 21 00 24 00 21 00 21.7 23.7 23 00 23 00 20 00 21 00 18 00 24 00 25 00 19 00 25 00 25 00 20 00 23 00 20 00 26 00 27 00 21 00 22 00 26 00 21.6 23.6 20 00 23 00 21 00 21 00 22 00 21 00 21 00 21.2 23 00 25 00 24 00 24 00 22 00 25 00 24 00 23.8 26°00' 25 00 25 00 22 00 25 00 25 00 26 00 24 00 26 00 25 00 26 00 22 00 22 00 23°00' 23 00 24 00 24 00 22 00 24 00 27 00 23 00 24 00 24 00 25 00 23 00 23 00 6°N. Long. W. 24.5 23.8 25 00 26 00 25 00 26 00 22 00 26 00 21 00 ,22 00 ;26 00 !23 00 24 00 23 00 25 00 20 00 24.4 23.2 25 00 23 00 26 00 24 00 21 00 21 00 25 00 24 00 19 00 20 00 28 00 26 00 29 00 27 00 22 00 21 00 27 00 26 00 24.6 23.5 24 00 26 00 Long. W. 22°00' 22 00 23 00 21 00 21 00 19 00 22 00 19 00 16 00 19 00 23 00 22 00 25 00 24°00' !24 00 l24 00 ;23 00 :26 00 26 00 24 00 j20 00 i22 00 i26 00 !24 00 '26 00 '27 00 21.0 24.8 22 00 26 00 16 00 23 00 14 00 21 00 23 00 20.5 18 00 17 00 18 00 21 00 17 00 18 00 23 00 18 00 17 00 18.5 |24 '25 00 00 23 00 ;26 00 25 00 24.7 25 00 20 00 24 00 23 00 24 00 23 00 23,0 16 00 23 00 13 00 20 00 15 00 20 00 18 00 18.0 27 00 27 00 19 00 26 00 18 00 24 00 26 00 23.8 24 00 26 00 24 00 26 00 20 00 22 00 28 00 21 00 19 00 23.3 Days. 22 00 27 00 19 00 21 00 17 00 27 00 21 00 20,6 35 27 26 35 36 38 29 23 38 34 25 31 30 31,3 39 30 58 34 47 31 35 39.1 32 27 35 33 42 33 28 42 33 84 PASSED ST. BOQUE. Days. 39 30 29 49 58 31 25 37.3 38 30 29 38 43 41 32 26 41 37 27 34 34.5 42 35 62 37 50 34 38 42.5 36 30 39 37 47 36 30 46 36 37.4 42 33 32 52 62 34 28 40.4 478 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Crossings from Europe to ilie Parallel of St. Roque — Continued • DATS FROM LONQITCDE OF CEOSSINO PARALLELS OF — CROSSED EOUATOE. PASSED ST. HAME OF VESSEL. SAILED JEOM. EUEOPE TO 30° N. ROQUE. 30° N. 25° N. 20° N. 15° N. 10° N. 5° N. Long. W. Days. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. September. Margaret . . Havre, 1st 18 18°00' 21°00' 23°00' 25°00' '23°00' 16°00' 19°00' 42 45 Eestitution . . 8th 11 19 00 ;21 00 24 00 25 00 !24 00 21 00 21 00 32 35 Mariposa . . England, 5th 12 20 00 |22 00 24 00 26 00 24 00 17 00 20 00 86 40 Caroline Read . Liverp'l, 12th 12 20 00 23 00 25 00 26 00 25 00 21 00 25 00 38 40 Eobertina . . Glasgow, 11th 16 17 00 20 00 24 00 26 00 |25 00 19 00 20 00 47 52 Restitution . . Havre, 3d 14 19 00 21 00 24 00 27 00 24 00 21 00 20 00 38 41 Restitution . . England, 25th 9 17 00 20 00 22 00 22 00 21 00 21 00 25 00 25 28 Colcord . . . London, 14th 12 18 00 21 00 23 00 26 00 26 00 25 00 24 00 35 88 Means . . . 14.2 18.5 21.1 23.6 25.4 • 24.0 20.1 21.7 36.6 39.9 October. Coriolanus . . Liverp'l, 27th 13 24 00 '24 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 24 00 26 00 34 87 Montevideo . . Cadiz, 2oth 10 16 00 22 00 25 00 26 00 !25 00 24 00 28 00 27 30 Boston . . . London, 11th 17 28 00 32 00 32 00 30 00 26 00 22 00 25 00 39 42 Narraganset Liverp'l, 7th 7 22 00 !25 00 26 00 27 00 24 00 28 00 24 00 22 25 Albion . . . 24th 16 22 00 24 00 25 00 25 00 21 00 21 00 21 00 87 40 M. Forbes . . London, 7th 18 19 00 22 00 21 00 22 00 23 00 21 00 24 00 45 48 Rosario . . . Gibraltar, 10th 9 17 00 21 00 23 00 25 00 24 00 24 00 20 00 32 35 Scotia . . . London, 1st 7 18 00 18 00 19 00 20 00 21 00 18 00 16 00 35 38 Commodore . . 10th 10 18 00 22 00 24 00 25 00 24 00 24 00 29 00 29 32 T. Arbutlinot . England, 5th 10 18 00 21 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 21 00 25 00 83 36 Realm . . . Cadiz, 9th 4 15 00 !21 00 1 24 00 26 00 26 00 27 00 29 00 35 38 Means . . . 11.0 19.7 22.9 24.0 24.6 23.5 22.6 24.3 38.5 86.5 November. Belochee . . . Liverp'l, loth 9 18 00 23 00 20 00 20 00 19 00 18 00 17 00 80 33 S. Luman . . England, 29th 16 18 00 120 00 21 00 21 00 21 00 20 00 22 00 34 87 Brooklyn . . Liverp'l, 12th 14 22 00 ^24 00 26 00 26 00 ^24 00 21 00 22 00 88 36 Warsaw . . . England, 6th 17 21 00 24 00 24 00 26 00 24 00 21 00 23 00 82 35 Earnestine . . Liverp'l, 1st 16 18 00 20 00 24 00 26 00 24 00 26 00 27 00 87 41 Means . . . 14.4 19.4 22.2 23.0 23.8 22.4 21.2 22.2 33.2 36.4 December. S. Brewer . . Lisbon, 23d 4 18 00 21 00 24 00 25 00 25 00 23 00 27 00 20 24 Eliza .... England, 16th 9 19 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 23 00 21 00 25 00 82 37 Mary .... Lisbon, 22d 15 16 00 21 00 23 00 25 00 22 00 20 00 18 00 ■ 85 41 Scotia . . . London, 80th 10 18 00 18 00 19 00 19 00 19 00 15 00 15 00 35 40 Jenny Pitts . . England, 14th 12 18 00 18 00 23 00 22 00 23 00 25 00 27 00 88 36 Leontine . . . Lisbon, 7th 6 16 00 17 00 20 00 22 00 22 00 l22 00 26 00 25 29 Stornaway . . Liverp'l, 27th 10 17 00 jl9 00 20 00 21 00 22 00 22 00 28 00 30 33 . Geneva . . . Havre, 1st 16 19 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 |20 00 |20 00 24 00 1 51 55 Means . . . 10.2 17.6 19.9 21.5 22.4 22.0 21.0 23.1 32.8 86.8 16° and 17° 23 17° and 18° 24 18° and 19° 24 19° and 20° 23 20° and 21° 22 21° and 22° 21 22° and 23° 18 FBOM EUROPE TO THE LIKE. 479 Now upon an analysis of these tables, we find what the Pilot Charts might have induced us to expect, viz : the closer in shore, the longer the average passage to the line. The analysis gives the average time to the equator from the several crossings of lat. 30°, as follows : East of 16° 24 days from the mean of 6 K II IC II J^ " " " " 22 II II II II ig II II II II Q II II II II '7 II II u II a Thus, as the place of crossing the parallel of 30° is farther and farther to the west, so is the average passage thence to the equator diminished. East of the meridian of 19°, the average passage, as far as the data of these tables may be relied on, is about 24 days. To the west of 19°, the ratio of decrease as to length of passage, according to this showing, is most rapid. Now the winds along this route are an exact counterpart of thone that are found in the Pacific, on the route from California to Peru, Chili, or Cape Horn : for the deserts of Mexico and the United States hold very nearly the same relation to the N. E. trade-winds of the Pacific, that the deserts of Africa do to those of the Atlantic ; and though quick runs may be made now and then, both along the west American and west African coast, yet in the long run, experience in the Pacific has amply proved that the navigator saves time by keeping off from the coast, and so I apprehend it will be here. Indeed, experience in the Atlantic goes directly to show the same thing, and to place the opinion almost out of the category of con- jecture, for this is the very point upon which the advantages of the new route from the United States to the line are based. The passage to the line from England and the English Channel ought not, on the average, to be as long by several days as it is from the United States. In the first place, the distance from the Land's End is not so great by two or three days' sail ; and, in the next place, the winds are fairer. Vessels bound to the line from any of the Atlantic ports of this country, have to sail close hauled most of the way, but from Europe they go free. If the performance of the ships whose abstract logs I have, and which furnish the data for these tables, be a fair specimen of what ships generally do on this route, and I suppose it is rather above than below, it would appear that the average passage the year round to the line from England and the English Channel is 36 days; the months giving the longest averages, such as they are, being January and March 47 days, August 46, and June 39. The first two are evidently too long, their averages being determined from only two or three passages each. The average to the line from the United States has been brought down from 41 to 31 days ; and the average from the British Isles and English Channel can be, I am encouraged to believe, reduced to less than the American average ; and the observation, to be contained in the abstract logs that shall be kept for us during the next year or two will, probably, enable us to decide this question. 480 THE WIND AND CURRKNT CHARTS. In the mean time, the route which I venture to recommend — not, however, without some misgivings aris- ing from the want of more ample data — is the same, very nearly, for all vessels from whatever part of Europe. They should aim, whenever the wind will allow the option, to cross the parallel of 30° N., between the meridians of 25° and 30° W., but should not contend with adverse winds for it ; having reached this crossing, their course thence is due south for the line, between the same meridians. In summer and fall, they should enter the southern hemisphere about the meridian of 30°, but during the rest of the year, they will generally not be forced so far over to the west, though they should not care to go east of long. 25°. Vessels from as far north as the English Channel, should aim to cross the parallel of 40°, between the meridians of 20° and 25° ; and, for this reason — besides that of winds a little more propitious — viz : In crossing the calms of Cancer, the navigator wants to be in such a position, that he may always be able to go on that tack which will carry him most rapidly across this belt of calms. In other words, he wants to be in that position where it is immaterial to him whether he be making easting or westing, provided he be on the tack which will give him the most southing. For this i^ason, he should aim to enter the calm belt between long. 25° and 30° W. The average crossing place of 30°, at present, is about the meridian of 19° "W. Navigators, wishing to try the more westerly route, are referred to what is said under the head of the route to Eio, p. 324 et seq., for their guidance through the equatorial doldrums and other calm belts, at the various seasons of the year. There is room, also, for the gain of a day or two, from the line to Europe on the return voyage. On this voyage, vessels aim to cross the equator too far east, where they are so very liable to be baffled by calms and light winds. It is the passage over again, so far as the winds are concerned, from the line in the Pacific to California. There is, especially for emigrant ships to Australia, another recommendation in favor of what may be called this western route from Europe; this recommendation consists in better weather, and more healthful breezes, especially in the region of the equatorial doldrums, where the weather, even in January, is so singularly sultry and oppressive. The account given of it, by Com. Sinclair, p. 59, is graphic and true. I have the abstract log of an emigrant ship, from England to Australia a year or two ago, by which it appears that she lost in these doldrums no less than thirteen of her passengers. They were healthy until the vessel reached this region, and they were again healthy for the rest of the voyage after crossing it. I notice an entry in the log, made a day or two after getting clear of this almost steaming heat, this damp belt of perpetual calms, and ceaseless rains, "sick recovering fast." The women and children were the principal sufferers. This calm belt to the east of long. 25°, may be considered as the burial place on the wayside from Europe to the other hemisphere. To the west of this meridian, this belt is neither as broad nor as difficult to pass ; consequently, both time and health invite navigators to pass it west of long. 25°. The Trade-Wind Chart, and the Pilot Charts together, afford all the information that the navigator can desire, concerning the winds and the calm places along the routes between the meridians of 25° and 30° W., from the parallel of 30° north to the equator. My logs show, that vessels which cross the equator to the east of 25°, are frequently baffled by these doldrums, for three weeks or more at a OPTHE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HOKN. 481 time. The average time of crossing these, is from a week or ten days, to the east of 25° ; and from three to four west of that meridian. The shape of the belt is cuneiform, with its base towards the African Coast. The Trade-Wind Chart shows the navigator, at a glance, the parallels between which he may expect to lose the northeast trades, and enter those calms every month in the year. Attention to that Chart, and to what has been said under "EouTES TO Rio," p. 324, about the calm belts, the trades, and crossing the line, and the influence of the African Desert upon the winds at sea, will enable intelligent shipmasters to follow this route from Europe without farther directions. OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HORN. The force engaged upon the Charts at the Observatory has been so much interrupted, that I have not yet had time to discuss the Cape Horn route, according to the method used for discussing the best routes to the line. Pilot Charts from 50° S. to 62° S., and from 55° W. to 91° W., on a scale of 1° lat. 2° long., have been published, to aid navigators in their Cape Horn perplexities. A careful study of these Charts is necessary to a proper knowledge of this passage. The first injunction, therefore, in a set of Sailing Direc- tions for doubling Cape Horn, is to consult, whenever the 'winds are adverse, the Cape Horn Pilot Charts. Vessels bound round the Cape should first, however, after leaving Cape St. Roque, aim, if the winds will let them, to cross 25° S. in about 35° W. At any rate, as far off from the larid as, with a good clean rapfuU, they can without going to the east of 33° or 34°. After passing the parallel of Cape Frio, they should make the, best of their way south, aiming always to pass inside of the Falkland Islands, and, if wind and daylight serve, through the Straits of Le Maire. The reason for this recommendation is this: After crossing the parallel of Tierra del Fuego, the diffi- culty is to get to the westward. Therefore, it is better to make westing on this side, when it is practicable, and where the weather is mild, than to put it off for the stormy latitudes, where it is rriore difficult. Captain Smyley, who has been engaged for many years in the seal fishery of the South Seas, has furnished me with- gome remarks and sailing directions in relation to this part of the ocean; so also have Captain Bryson, and others ; navigators may find these remarks useful ; I therefore copy them. From Captain Leslie Bnjson, of Pie Brig Daniel, to Lieut. M. F. Maury. In compliance with your published request, I avail myself of the earliest opportunity to forward to you an abstract journal of the brig Daniel, formerly the United States bomb brigHecla, kept by me on her voyage from New York to California, which is but a poor tribute for the manifest advantage and valuable knowledge imparted by the aid of your truly useful and ingenious system, which I regard as one of the most valuable inventions of the age, and doubtless will yet lead to results, far beyond its present apparent purpose, to speed the voyage. 61 482 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Noticing your intimation to "West India traders for farther data, to complete your Wind and Current Chart of the West Indies, I have written a friend to send you my private journals, embracing a period of about six years, commencing May, 1838. These journals were kept for the purpose of facilitating a prac- tical knowledge of winds, &c., for which I thirsted, without the means of obtaining any reliable information, except the divers accounts furnished by casual observers, which, like the various sailing directions for Cape Horn, serve rather to distract the mind than to assist the judgment. I was in the constant habit for several years of referring to these journals, with the sole view of obtaining the very information that your Charts so plainly and beautifully illustrate. My personal observation, therefore, confirms me in the truth of your system. Having been kept solely for private use, you will find many remarks in those journals quite irrelevant to your purpose; nevertheless, in your hands, I trust they will be acceptable. The temperature of the air and water was only noted in approaching and departing from our coast. At different times, I have found a cold place in the centre of the gulf, bearing about S. E. by S. from Montauk. I do not know whether the remark is noted in my journals, but I am certain of the fact. The currents may not always have been regularly noted, except when unusually strong. In reference to my present passage, I would state that I followed your directions, as near as winds would permit. Although the vessel was deep, and sailed heavy, I have reason to think our passage was thus materially shortened. About the parallel of 45° S. a marked change in the weather occurred, followed by a constant succession of gales. The temperature of the sea had also suddenly fallen some 6° below the temperature of the air, as indicated by the thermometer attached to the barometer in the cabin. The difierence of temperature between the air and the water continued with little variation until we passed the cape, except a part of the 14th, 15th, and 16th of February, when we stood far enough eastward to bring Falkland Islands in a line with Cape Horn. At those times, the temperature of the sea rose to about the same range as the air; from that circumstance, in connection with the N. E. current, I was strongly impressed with the idea that a steady cold stream set to the northward and eastward, like the Gulf Stream on our coast, the elements being only reversed, which would account for the continual storms that seem to prevail in that region. The current continued more or less strong in proportion to the strength and duration of the gales; but varying more easterly as we drew up with the Horn, until we were fairly past it, and nearly up with the latitude of Cape Pilar, amounting to no less than 650 miles ! Considering this great drawback in connec- tion with the almost constant adverse gales, many of which were so heavy that no ship could bear canvas, it seems highly important to ascertain the most desirable route, if possible, to avoid such serious dangers and delays. It was my intention to have doubled the cape close, and keep near the land all the way round. But after making Diegos, the violence of the gale seemed to render it a matter of prudence to keep an offing ; then there was difficulty in making northing without also making much easting. When we finally succeeded in again attaining the latitude of the Horn, the gales were not so furious but that we could carry close-reef topsails. The second day after our departure from Diegos, the current had set us so far to the E., OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HORN. 483 I could not believe my chronometer, and supposed I might have inadvertently stopped her 10', which I deducted in order to make our position where I wished it to be. I continued to work time every day when an opportunity ofl'ered, and seldom missed a day, considering the dreadful weather. Arriving at Juan Fernandez, I found my chronometer perfectly correct, and have since corrected the longitude for the 10' subtracted. I mention the above to show that you may rely upon my observations upon the currents, &c., with more accuracy than is usually bestowed by merchantmen. Adverting to the winds of Cape norn, I would state that I projected wind circles like yours on the margin of your Chart of Tracks for the cape. The result led me to expect S. W. and N. W. as the prevailing winds for the months of February and March ; but it was our hard fate to find them from W. S. W. to W. N. W. per compass. I contemplate making the voyage round via China. If so, shall continue the abstract, with such remarks on the movement of the elements and natural phenomena as may come within the range of my observation. From Captain Smyleij to the same. In looking over your valuable Sailing Directions and Charts, which I consider the best guides ever given to the navigator, in pointing out the means of shortening the passage to his port, as well as shunning the calms, which have caused so much detention in vessels crossing the line, and also of the advantages taken by standing more to the westward, and passing nearer Cape St. Roque. I have tried both routes to my own satisfaction, and am well satisfied on my own part that the western route is far the best, and have for several years recommended it to be taken, and I am happy to say I have been since told by many that it is the most preferable. I sailed from Newport, R. I., July 3, 1836, in the schooner Sailor's Return — myself master — bound to the Falkland Islands and South Shetlands. The schooner Geneva, Captain A. Padack, my consort, sailed the same day, and kept company with me until we arrived in the latitude of 4° N. and 25° W. The winds were light and baffling, from S. W. to S. S. "W. for one or two days. I stood to the westward, but he began to worry for fear of falling to the leeward. I left him, giving him instructions to proceed with all possible dispatch, and meet me at the Falkland Islands; we were then in 4° 16' N., and 26° "W., wind S. S. W. The Geneva stood on her eastern tack, / to the westward, and arrived at the Falkland Islands twenty-one days before her. On examining our journal, I found I gained thirteen days of the time between 4° N. and 8° S., by nothing but his being afraid of falling to leeward ; whilst I could lay the land along, he was continually tacking about; and as for a current, I tried several times, and found but very little setting N. "W. There was the schooner Ann Howard, of New London, had the same passage as the Geneva, and took the same route ; she had eighty-one days to the coast of Patagonia, and eighty-three to Port Desire, latitude 47° 45' S. ; longitude 65° 54' W. The A. H! sailed within one day of the Geneva, and arrived within two days of her, giving me twenty days ahead of one, and twenty-three ahead of the other. Sailor's Return, a second voyage, sailed 22d August, 1838; and in thirty days was cast away at Cape St. Roque, standing along shore on the oQ'-shore tack, having made the land that morning. I was bound 4S4 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. in, to Eio Grande, north, to repair my sheathing, which had started off the bottom. I crossed the line in 35° 40' ; I found no trouble in getting up the coast, until I struck on the reef at Cape St. Eoque. I found the tides tolerably regular at the cape during the two days I was on shore, and the pilots say the currents are trifling on the coast from St. Eoque to St. Augustine, when you are in more than forty fathoms water; and I believe it is true, for I have tried it since, and found very little, if any. Schooner Benjamin De Wolf, W. H. Smyley, master, sailed from Newport, E. I., for the Falkland Islands, 2d of April, 1839. Having a sharp vessel, and every confidence in my own mind of the western route, I determined to steer my course as if bound to Fernando de Noronha, and to pay no attention either to winds, weather, or currents, no more than if such were not to be found on the route. I found no calms, and but little rain. I passed inside of Fernando de Noronha, distant twelve or fifteen miles, and passed Olinda in twenty-one days and eight hours; and from St. Augustine to Port Egmont, I had but twenty days — making but forty-one days and eight hours passage to the Falklands. Schooner Benjamin de Wolf, second voyage, W. II. Smyley, master, sailed from Newport, E. I., 28th May, 1840, for Patagonia, and arrived at Eio Negro, latitude 41° 4' S., longitude 62° 49' W., in forty-one days, passing about fifty-five miles east of Fernando de Noronha, and crossing the line in 36° 15'. I found the wind from N. W. to S. W., more than from any other quarter, from the line to St. Eoque. The current I had no opportunity to try, but am sure it is more governed by the wind than anything else, but far less than people in general suppose. Schooner, Ohio, W. H. Smyley, master, from Newport, E. I., to Eio Negro, Patagonia, sailed September 29, 1842, in company with the Sarah Ann, Gough, master — consort to the Ohio; kept company until in 16° north and 40° west. Captain Gough, as well as Padack, wished to cross the line well to eastward, and, although they were both under my instructions and control, I permitted them to have their choice. After leaving Captain Gough, I steered for Fernando de Noronha, as before, but kept on until I found myself in sight of Cape St. Eoque, passing inside of the Eocas, ten miles, and by making a short tack off Mernanguapa, passed Pernambuco, distant about eight miles, being then out thirty days. I stopped three days at San Francisco, and three at Isapacaray, making my passage to Eio Negro in sixty days including stoppages. The Sarah Ann made no stoppages, and came in ten days after me, making my passage sixteen days shorter than hers, exclusive of being embayed two days. I found by overhauling their journal and log, that they kept well to the eastward in that old beaten turn-pike of former navigators, crossing in from 24° to 25° W., and that most of my gaining was from about 4° N. to 8° S., whic^ convinced me of the advantages of the western route. Schooner Ohio, first voyage, W. H. Smyley, master, sailed from Newport, E. I., Jqly 14, 1841 — making my passage in fifty days, including two days' stoppage at the Brazils for recruits. I passed so close to the Eocas, and not being able to get good observations, owing to the weather, that I am not sure which side I went on. On my arrival in the Brazils, I tried my chronometer, by artificial horizon, and found it correct. It or THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HORN. 486 was in the daytime, and I kept a good look-out for them, until I was sure I was to the south of them. This voyage 1 had no consort ; I found but little current setting W. N. W. ; this was near the Rocas, perhaps one degree, or a little more, north of them. There is another thing still more remarkable; although you have more wind near the land, yet the sea is much smoother than it is further to the eastward. The natives who fish on the catamarans along the coast, have repeatedly told me that the current was but trifling; you will oftea see two of these catamarans at anchor, tailing in different directions, but generally with the wind. If the current about Cape St. Eoque was as strong as persons in general imagine it to be, the clump-built coasters would not be able to make headway, and beat from up to Pernambuco, at all seasons of the year, as they do. Schooner Catharine, of Newport, W. H. Smyley, master, bound to Patagonia. I left Newport, Sep- tember 10, 1845, and stood to sea, with the intention of taking my old route, that is, to steer for Fernando de Noronha, or nearly that course, so as to pass east of the Bermudas, but the wind prevailing more to the south, gave me a chance to keep well to the eastward. I stood boldly on ; but had the wind light, with heavy rain squalls, and much thunder and lightning ; crossed the line in 23° 32', making little headway, having light airs and a very irregular sea. Although I found so much rain and light winds, the sea did not seem to fall in the least, causing the vessel to thresh heavily, and be very uneasy. I spoke a brig, which had been eight days longer than myself in these rainy regions, and off' Pernambuco I spoke one which had been ten days less, being to the westward of me. I was forty -five days to Olinda, and twenty days from there to Rio Negro, Patagonia; and I fully believe, if I had taken the western route, I should have made a very short passage, as the vessel sailed very fast, was in good trim, and well manned. Pilot-boat John E. Davidson, W. H. Smyley master, from New York, towards coast of Patagonia, sailed July 5, 1849. July 6. - - The Hook and Light-house in sight. 7. - - Wind W. S. W. Latitude 38° 43' N. 8. - - Wind light S. E. " 38 31 9. - - " S. S. E. and S. E. " 38 14 10. - - " S. S. E. and calm. " 38 03 11. - - " Calm. " 38 00 12. - - " North. " 35 07 13. - - " S. W. and calm. " 35 04 14. - - " South. " 34 48 15. - - " South. " 34 29 16. - - " Variable " 33 38 Longitude none. True Longitude, li none. II none. II none. II none. II 66° 53' 59° 07' II 65 02 II 63 32 II 61 23 47 40 II 60 52* * Note. — The above is taken from the log-book of the mate ; the winds and latitudes are put down correctly, but the longitude is 13° 15' out of the way. I merely put down this to show you how erroneous some persons will be. I gave him his lengitude on the 16th, when I spoke a vessel wliose longitude agreed with mine within four miles, but, in crossing the line, he was almost as far out again. I Days. Hours, 27 4 26 30 34 39 16 486 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Homeward passages in the above-mentioned vessels. Sailor's Eeturn, from Eio Grande to Newport Benjamin DeWolf, first voyage, arrived from Morea Mernanguapa " " second voyage, arrived in March from Morea Mernanguapa Ohio, from Rio Janeiro to New York John E. Davideon, Rio Negro to New York In these five passages, after passing Cape St. Roque, I have kept "good full;" and always found, as I neared the West India Islands, that the wind hauled favorably, and the weather became less squally. Mernanguapa is a small port near Parahiba. — See Chart. There are few portions of the continent of America less known than from the Rio de la Plata to Cape Horn, and none of more importance ; the whole of that portion of country, except part of Belgranna and Eio Negro, being inhabited only by Indians. It has been the custom of vessels bound to the Pacific, after passing the La Plata, to go to the eastward of the Falkland Islands ; some wishing to avoid running by La Agle shoal, others fearing to get jammed on the coast of Patagonia. This should no longer be an excuse; for the first does not exist, and of the latter there is no danger. I have cruised for the above-mentioned shoal several times, taking a good departure from the Jasans and from New Island in the Falklands, and crossed to Cape Virginis and back in the long summer days, seeing no signs of it. In 1842, I left East Harbor, Staten Land, with my consort in company, and steered for the shoal, keeping about eight miles apart; the weather was clear. I kept men at the mast heads, and saw nothing of it. My observations were to be relied upon; for I had on board three chronometers, which had been well proved at Cape St. John. I kept on for Rio Negro, and on my arrival again tried my chronometers, and found them correct. I am well aware that no such shoal exists. I have since then tried to find it with the schooner, but without success. The Beagle and Adventure, and Captain Sullivan of the navy, have also hunted for this shoal without finding it. As for a vessel getting blown on shore on the coast of Patagonia by N. E. gales, it is out of the ques- tion. I have spent twenty-two years of my life mostly from South Shetlands to the River La Plata, and once I remained six years without coming north of 41 S., and I cannot say that I ever knew, during that crossed the line in 34° 15'' on the 5th of August, and on the 7th passed ten miles west of Fernando de Noronha, the weather clear, the island plainly in sight. On the 9th, passed Pernambuco ; I found no trouble in getting to the southward. It was my intention to have stopped at Pernambuco, for the purpose of landing some of my crew, who had mutinied on the passage, nearly killing my mate, and shooting me with a pistol. Their attempt to take the vessel left me without a sufficient number of men to work her, which caused my passage to be much longer than it otherwise would have been. I kept but little reckoning afterwards, and that mostly in my head, for fear of another mutiny, for the crew shipped in New York for the purpose of taking the vessel, and nearly succeeded in doing so. The weather being squally off Pernambuco, I kept on for St. Catharine's, and arrived there on the 22d of August ; on the .23d or 24th, gave my men up to the U. S. Consul ; on the 7th of September, got under way from St. Catharine's ; and on the 16th, anchored on the bar off Kio Negro, Patagonia. Giving me 30 days to the line. 47 days to St. Catharine's. 56 days to Rio Negro. OF THE PASSAGE ABOUND CAPE HORN, 487 time, the wind to blow heavily directly on shore for twelve hours. My voyages being principally made for sealing or whaling, caused me to keep close into the coast, whereby I had the best opportunities for observing the weather, currents, tides, &c. ; in fact, my voyages depended partly on these, and it stood me in hand to make myself acquainted with them. I have always found that the sooner I got to the westward, after crossing the line, the better. I always try to make the Peninsula of St. Joseph's, between New Bay and Port Valdez. The land is high, steep, clay cliffe, flat on top. Then, I endeavor to keep near enough to see the land until I get well to the south, so as to pass close by Staten Land ; by doing this, I have smooth water, winds from N. "W. to "W. N. "W., and pleasant weather; while another vessel will have the wind from W. N. W., and S. W. off the Falkland Islands, and on the south side of the islands the wind will be from S. "W. to S, This I have proved by having left men on the Jasans and the Bushenes (these being the extremes of the islands, both sealing .grounds), and requiring them to keep a journal of wind and weather. I found the wind to prevail much more from the S. W. and S. S. W., about one-third or one-half way between Cape Horn and •, and beyond that distance it drew more to the westward, and even to the northward of west. It was a common thing, while at anchor under Diego Ramirez, or sealing on shore, to see a vessel pass in shore of the island heading up two points higher than an another vessel off shore off them ; and I have often started to go in to anchor, heading well up for the place I wanted to come to at, and found, as I drew in shore, the wind gradually headed me off. When bound to Shetlands from the Gape, or from Staten Land (Shetland is our rendezvous, on account of getting wood there to last until our return), we always find, after passing the latitude 60 S., the weather much milder, fewer blows, but more fog. The currents as well as the winds are generally the reverse of what they are off Cape Horn. The prevailing wind at Shetland is N. E., while in the track generally taken by vessels it is S. W. The current is similar, for it seems more like a gulf stream than a common current following the direction of the wind. No navigator should be afraid to approach the coast. Soundings are found far out ; the water is much discolored, as the land is neared ; and we have another sign, which seldom fails in the daytime, i. e. the small gulls, which will always be found in forty or fifty miles of the coast, making their presence known by the noise they make as soon as the vessel is perceived. This seldom fails to be the case. The navigator should not be backward in tacking as soon as he finds himself getting off shore, for the wind will often lead him along for two or three points, and then favor him for a short distance again, by which means vessels often get so far to the eastward as to lose much time. I would always recommend a ship to tack in shore, even if she could make no better than a W. N. W. course, in preference to going to the eastward ; for by keeping well in, she will have smooth water, clear weather, and wind more off shore. "While, on the other hand, when she nears the Falklands, she would begin to have fogs, rain, and sleet ; and south of the islands the rain becomes hail-stones and snow. A short distance in these latitudes makes a great difference in wind, weather, and tides. For comparison, take Santa Cruz harbor, on the coast of Patagonia, latitude 50° 8' S. ; longitude 68° 21' W. ; tide in spring, forty-eight feet. The Jasan Islands, belonging to the Falklands, latitude 51° S., 488 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. longitude 61° 20' W. ; tide but six feet. Here is a great diiFerence in 7° of longitude, about 260 true miles. This will show the extraordinary difference made in tides "by a short distance, and the weather in propor- tion to the tides ; on the one it is seldom known to rain, at the other it rains half the time. At the Straits of Magellan, in a similar way ; it seldom rains at the eastern entrance, and at the western it seldom stops ; but this is owing more to the mountains leading from Cape Forward along the straits, and from thence to Cape Tres Montes, or Chili. Hereabouts, we have but little thunder and lightning, but one may be on a hill above the rain, while those below have a heavy storm ; I have seen this occur on Staten Land, also on Juan Fernandez and Massafuera. Temperature in high .southern latitudes differs greatly from temperature in northern ; in southern latitudes there seems to be no extremes of heat and cold as at the north. Newport, for instance, latitude 41° N., longitude 71° W., and Eio Negro, latitude 41° S., longitude 63° W., as a comparison. In the former, the cattle have to be salted and fed during the winter, not being able to get along in the fields on account of snow and ice. In the latter, the cattle feed in the fields all the winter, there being plenty of vegetation, and no use for hay. On the Falkland Islands, thousands of bullocks, sheep, and horses, are running wild in the country, getting a living all through the winter. This could not be in similar northern latitudes. On the other hand, in the latitude of 50° to 51° N., rye, barley, wheat, &c., can be raised during the summer, but in south latitude there is not sufficient heat in the summer to bring such things to maturity, for, even in the depth of summer, you would be liable to snow squalls. After passing the latitude of 40° S., the summer is not so warm, and the winter not so cold, as in northern latitudes. You can see, by reference to the book published by Commodore Wilkes, that the extreme cold had but in one instance been as low as 5° below zero. This I ascertained from a self-regulating thermometer, in latitude 63°, and gave him. Since that time, it has never been so low. The heat I could not ascertain, as the index in the tube shifted while I was lifting the instrument up. I tried to procure one some time ago in New York, but could not find one. I intended to have placed it in a much higher latitude, as very little is known about either extreme of temperature on the land. For instance, many suppose that Palmer's Land is a continent, and connects with the land laid down by "Wilkes ; however, this is not the case, for I have sailed round Palmer's Land and far south of it. ******* * Owing partly to negligence and partly to disasters, I have no logs or books which will be of use to you. But I will try this cruise to send you some ; and if you know of anything particular from the La Plata, to as far as 70° S., I may be able to give you some information, for to that place I have given most of my attention, as my business has been there during the greater part of the time. While I was at this book, it occurred ^to me to send some leaves out of a scratch-book, which might be of some use in showing tides, harbors, &c., so I tore them out and send them to you. I have done this OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HORK. 489 very hastily, and in a most bungling manner, but I did not know that I would have to go away so soon, and would not be able to finish. So I have driven ahead and done what I could. If you choose, I will distribute those Charts to men who I know will take care to return the journal to you, on their return home, for I consider them to be a benefit to all seafaring men. From Cajot. Ebenezer H. Linnell. San Francisco, 1854. Dear Sir : I herewith enclose the abstract log of the ship Eagle Wing, from Boston to this port. This being my first acquaintance of your Charts and Directions, in regard to the observations of the North and South Atlantic, I can add nothing. After leaving Boston, my progress was considerably retarded in consequence of loss of spars. I think the Straits of Le Maire should be passed near to Terra del Fuego shore, and continue the shore until well to the west ; by so doing, I have found an eddy current to the west ; this being the fifth time I have found this to be the case. Since 1845, 1 have been navigating these waters, mostly in the Chili trade, and I am confident that my passages have been shortened by keep- ing near the land. When to the west of the Straits of Magellan, I think you will eventually find that by keeping from 60 or 100 miles from the coast until you approach the 35° of latitude, then to pass near to Jban Fernandez to the S. E. trades, for the six summer months ; then, for the winter months, a direct course a little to the west, you will find favorable winds. In July 21, 1851, I passed through the Straits of Le Maire; passed the equator in 115° W., in 26 days, by the western route. In October, 1852, in 27 days from the Straits of Le Maire, and passed the equator in 116° W. per ship Buena Vista, being a full ship. The present time, my ship being a clipper, you will perceive that I did not have so favorable a time. I have had, from 18° north to this port, a very perplexing time ; you will notice that when in 18° north, my chance was good for 95 days. I trust the time is not far distant when this part of the ocean (North and South Pacific) will be tested and fully explained, as your Wind and Current Charts fully show the great advantages of this scientific undertaking. 'O- The opinions expressed by these navigators as to the passage to the line, and the Cape Horn route, are fully confirmed by the Pilot Charts ; and though sometimes a vessel, by going to the east of the Falk- land Islands, may have good luck, fine weather, good winds, and a short passage, it should be considered as the exception, but by no means as the rule. The combined experience of all the Cape Horn navigators, whose journals have been consulted during the progress of my investigations, is against the eastern, and in favor of the western, or in-shore passage, as a general rule. I find in the abstract log of the ship Defiance (Robt. McCerran), the following excellent remarks, concerning this passage : — September 26, 1852. At 4 hours 30 min. A. M. hove to for daylight. At 8 hours 30 min. A. M. 62 490 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. entered the Straits of Le Maire; wind atKK E. At 10 A.M. Cape St. Diego bore west per compass, and Staten Land S. E., entirely covered with snow. At 11 hours 30 min. clear of the strait. I am sur- prised that this strait is not passed by all ships in preference to passing east of Staten Land ; Le Maire being free from shoals, and 14 miles wide. An experience of 21 years' command in the Liverpool trade convinces me that the passage between Tuskar and the Smalls are trebly dangerous, and I can see no diflBculty in this passage that is not much greater in the navigation of the Irish Channel, either north or south about. I should certainly beat through in preference to going within three miles of the land. I have no doubt that an eddy from eastward — I found a current close in shore setting S. W., and by keeping the current from the S. W. — must prevail under any circumstances. Good Success Bay affords easy access and good anchorage. It may be said that heavy gales ahead, and thick weather, make the passage dangerous. In answer I say, that it cannot blow harder than it does in the Irish Channel, and the fog cannot be so dense as it is on the coast of Ireland, as the water is deeper and the air colder in Le Maire. Besides, the number of vessels on the Irish coast increases the danger by the chance of collision, and there is no other passage to approach. l:Ship Defiance (Eobert McCerran), from New York to San Francisco. Aug. 3, 1852. Lat. 6° 14' S. ; long. 34° 39' W. Current, 31 miles, S. W. J S. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., S. by E. Made the land 60 miles south of St. Eoque; too far E., 15 miles. I am satisfied that the Sailing Directions of Lieut. Maury have thus far shortened my passage, and this abstract proves that; though I was forced as far W. as 40° 30', when in 11° 30' N., yet, by watching chances, I was enabled to cross the line in 31° 55' W. without making northing over 30 miles; and though under anxiety on account of the bugbear of westerly current, I did not find it but one day, and generally on the current track I found a S. E. set. Sept. 29. Lat. 56° 14' S.; long. 71° 01' W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 44°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. Fresh gales and squally, with heavy aea. Sept. 30. Lat. 56° 11' S. ; long. 71° 26' AV. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. by N., W., W. by S. Fresh gales and head sea. Oct. 1. Lat. 56° 51' S.; long. 72° 58' W. Barometer, 29.2; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W. S. W., W. N. W. Strong gales and heavy sea. Oct. 2. Lat. 56° 85' S. ; long. 73° 15' AV. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W., W. S. W., S. W. Strong gales, rain, hail, and snow. Oct. 3. Lat. 56° 34' S.; long. 72° 42' W. Barometer, 28.8 ; temperature of air 39° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. S. W. Strong gales, rain, hail, and snow. Oct. 4. Lat. 56° 39' S. ; long. 72° 48' W. Barometer, 28.6 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41 °. Winds: S. W., W., S. W. Strong gales and heavy sea. OF THK PASSAGE AHOUND CAPE HOBX. 491 Oct. 5. Lat. 56° 19' S.; long. 73° 01' W. Barometer, 29.0 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 41° Winds : W., W. S. W., W. by S. Fresh gales, sea subsiding. Oct. 6. Lat. 56° 51' S.; long. 73° 25' W. Barometer, 29.7; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 42°. Winds : W ., W. by S., W. Fresh gales and heavy sea. Oct. 7. Lat. 56° 34' S.; long. 76° 29' W. Barometer, 29.5; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 42°. Winds : W. by N., W., N. W., AV. by W. Fresh gales, long rolling swell. Oct. 8. Lat. 57° 05' S. ; long. 78° 17' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Wind : N. W. throughout. Fresh gales, rain, and hail. During the above ten days, from close reefs to top-gallant sails; tacking as occasion required, yet not so bad as a winter passage from Liverpool to Xew York. Capt. Young, of the ship Venice, of Philadelphia, in his admirably kept abstract, makes also some judicious remarks upon the subject of the Cape Horn passage. Capt. Young's log is deserving of special notice, also, for the very excellent use he makes of the barometer. His remark that the indications of the barometer will show when the navigator enters, and when he quits the trades, is perfectly philosophical. In the calms, both of Cancer and Capricorn, the barometer ought to stand higher — say one-tenth of an inch (0.1) on the average — than it does either in the " variables" on the polar side of these belts, or in the "trades" on the equatorial side of them. In the belt of the equatorial calms, it also ought to stand, on the average, a little lower than it does in the N. E. or S. E. trades on either side of those calms. The close attention which Capt. Young gives his barometer, will, as a general rule, enable navigators in most cases to tell whether they have crossed calms or the trade-wind belts, or not. See also the log of the Great Britain, for Capt. Caldwell's remarks on his barometer during his Cape Horn passage. Ship Venice (John II. Young), of Philadelpliia, New York to California. Jan. 29, 1850. No observations. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 59°; of water, 68°. Winds: S. S. W., S. W., W. N. W. Discharged pibt at 3 hours 30 min. P. M. At 6 P. M. Neversink Lights bore W. I have determined, during the coming voyage, to keep the abstract log of Lieut. Maury, and thereby add my mite to the cause of science, in the hope that the day is not far distant when navigation shall be so simplified and reduced to " fixed principles," that all uncertainty may be removed. First and middle part, variable and bafiSing; latter, fine breezes. Strong rippling, which I judge to be the counter current of the stream. Jan. 30. Lat. 37° 50' N. ; long..68° 12' W. Current, one and a half knots, E. by N. Barometer, 492 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. 29.00; temperature of air, 62° ; of water, 73°. Winds: W. K. W., K N. W., N. N. W. At 4 P. M. the water rose to 70°, and to 73° at 5 ; water remarkably smooth, with a fine breeze blowing ; ship going fast. Jan. 31. Lat. 36° 55' N.; long. 63° 82' W. Current, 19 E., and 5 W. S. W. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 68°; of water, 72°. Wind: N. N. W. throughout. Fine breezes and water smooth; temperature, 73°, during the night fell to 72°. At 9 hours 30 minutes water, 71°. Have paid particular attention to the log since entering the stream, and find that we began to leave the stream about 9 A. M. Feb. 1. Lat. 35° 21' N. ; long. 60° 27' W. Current, 15, S. W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 64°; of water, 71°. Wind: N. throughout. Strong breezes with considerable sea; barometer, rising. I have determined to cross latitude 30° to the west of longitude 50°, if permitted by the wind. Feb. 2. Lat. 34° 16' N.; long. 58° 12' W. • Current, 8, S. W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 66° ; of water, 71°. Winds : N., K. N. W., W. N. W. Fresh breezes and pleasant weather. Feb. 3. Lat. 33° 32' K ; long. 56° 55' W. Current, 6 knots, S. W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 67° ; of water, 71°. Winds : W., W. S. W., S. Fine, clear weather ; barometer high and steady. Feb. 4. Lat. 34° 05' N.; long. 54° 04' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 69° ; of water, 72°. Winds : S., S., S. S. E. Fine, clear weather, such as is rarely met with at this season of the year in the North Atlantic. I almost regret the wind hanging here, as I desire much keeping to the west, for the purpose of giving the " Theory" of Lieut. Maury a fair trial, having a " weatherly ship," and no fear of Cape St. Koque. Feb. 5. Lat. 34° 42' N. ; long. 51° 30' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 68° ; of water, 72°. Winds : S. S. E. throughout. Fine, clear weather ; the horizon astonishingly clear. I scarcely recollect having more delightful weather — steady glass — smooth water — everything indicating midsummer, more than the last 48 hours. Feb. 6. Lat. 34° 59' N. ; long. 49° 01' W. Observed variation, 9° 40' W. Barometer, 29.6; tem- perature of air, 68°; of water, 72°. Winds: S. S. E., S., S. First part, fine; middle, barometer, falling fast ; dirty appearances ; observed variation at sunset, 9.40 W. Feb. 7. No observations. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 66°; of water, 72°. Winds: S. S. W., W., N. N. E. Cloudy, dirty weather; not much wind; barometer steadily falling; ship under short canvas ; heavy appearances all round, and every appearance of a heavy gale. Feb. 8. No observations. Barometer, 28.6 ; temperature of air, 64° ; of water, 72°. Winds: N.N. E., N. E., S. W. Glass still falling ; heavy appearances ; everything " snug" for a " blow." Feb. 9. No observations. Barometer, 28.4; temperature of air, 64°; of water, 72°. Winds: S. W., W., W. N. W. During the first and middle part, barometer fell to 28.2, with very bad-looking weather. At sunrise there was but little wind, but in less than half an hour, it blew furiously at S. W., veering to the W.; the sea rose so rapidly I was obliged to "scud ;" by 9 A. M., although the wind was blowing very heavy, the glass began to rise. Owing to the ship being deep and steering badly, I was induced to try what I had frequently heard of, namely : paying a hawser out astern. I middled and payed out 45 fathoms of 11 inch OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HORK. 493 hawser on each quarter, and found instant relief; so much so, that I shall most assuredly adopt it hereafter in bad-steering ships. Feb. 10. No observations. Barometer, 28.6; temperature of air, 68°. Wind : W. N. W. throughout. The gale still continuing, but every appearance of abating. I cannot forbear expressing the great benefit resulting from the trial with " hawser ;" feel satisfied I could not have " scudded" without it. I regret being driven to the E. Feb. 11. Lat. 27° 06' K; long. 38° 42' W. Current, S. E. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 70° ; of water, 72°. Winds : W., W. S. W., S. W. First part, moderating, and hauling to westward and southwest. Since observation of 6th, we have had 40 miles of S. E. set. In all my voyages across the equator, I have never been so far east in this parallel before ; for although there can be no doubt that the westwardly route is best, yet I have had a great desire to give it a fair trial by 'keeping further than usual to the westward. Feb. 12. Lat. 25° 34' K; long. 36° 31' W. Current, W. S. W., i knot. Variation, 11° -W. Baro- meter, 29.6; temperature of -air, 70°; of water, 72°. Winds: S. W., S., S. Throughout, moderate from southern board, with a heavy N. W. swell, for which I allow 15 miles set; during the 24 hours, everything apparently combines to capsize my calculations. Variation observed, 11° 5' W. Feb. 13. Lat. 25° 18' K; long. 35° 42' W. Current, W. S. W., i of a knot. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 72°. Winds: S. S. E., S. E., S. E. During these 24 hours tacked several times to avail of a point or two in the wind. My great object is to make southing when possible. Feb. 14. Lat. 24° 34' K ; long. 35° 56' W. No current. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 72°. Winds: S. S. E., S. S. E., S. Wind still hanging to the southward as I have never known before. Of course, I fully expected the trades ere this, which perhaps increases the annoyance, as I shall almost entirely be deprived of availing of the Pilot Chart, which I approve of so much, that a trial thereof is imperative on me. Feb. 15. Lat. 23° 30' N. ; long. 35° 12' W. No current. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 72°. Wind: variable, from S. to W. throughout. I feel buoyed up, that I am really to have the "trades" soon; since the 12th, a heavy N. W. swell. Feb. 16. Lat. 21° 40' N.; long. 34° 00' W. No current. Variation, 13° 20' W. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 73°; of water, 72°. Wind: west throughout. Wind breezing up again from westward. Feb. 17. Lat. 20° 26' N. ; long. 32° 58' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 72°. Wind : W. S. W. throughout. Wind light and steady from W. S. W., with a tremendous N. W. swell, giving strong assurance that a gale has prevailed in that quarter, which may have interrupted the "trades." I think this the only reasonable way of accounting for their absence ; longitude per sun and moon 33° 3', chronometer, 32° 58'. Feb. 18. Lat. 20° 00' N. ; long. 31° 44' W. No current. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 73°. Winds: S. W., calm, N.N. W. Light airs from southward ; middle, calm— heavy clouds 494 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. tritli lifhtning to the N. W. ; the only indication of " trades" is in the rise of the barometer, which I have generally paid some attention to. During 15 voyages across the equator, as master, I have never experi- enced anything like the present voyage ; for, at this season of the year, we have every reason to expect the favorable winds of the "trades" after passing the parallel of 25°. It would be a matter of much satisfac- tion to know what influence has thus thwarted them. Feb. 19. Lat. 17° 20' K ; long. 32° 52' "W. Current, i knot, W. S. W. Barometer, 30.10 ; tempera- ture of air, 75° ; water, 74°. Winds : N., N. E., N. E. First part, light from northward ; middle, inclining to eastward ; latter, fine breezes and hazy appearances of these winds. The weather is really delightful, and quite a treat, after the annoyances of the last ten days. I hardly yet dare to congratulate myself that the long looked-for trades have come at last, but hope such will prove the case. Feb. 20. Lat. 14° 32' N. ; long. 32° 20' W. Current, J knot, W. S. W. Observed variation, 11° 15'. Barometer, 30.02 ; temperature of air, 7G° ; of water, 75°. Winds: N. B., E. N. E., E. K E. Fine breezes; everything out, skysails, royal-steering sails, &c., going about 6 knots. The atmosphere extremely hazy ; the remains of a new swell still perceptible; observations, sun and moon, 32° 17' ; chron. 32° 20'. During these 24 hours, have observed very great rippling, resembling in some instances the " tide rips" of "Nantucket Shoals ;" tried the temperature frequently without experiencing any change. I had intended to make the remark before, that we have not seen a bird or fish of any kind since crossing the tropic, which must be considered very unusual, particularly with regard to the birds. Feb. 21. Lat. 12° 16' N.; long. . Current, I knot, W. Barometer, 30.02; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 75°. Winds: E. N. E., E., N. E. Light winds, and every indication of losing the " trades ;" the glass, however, keeps up. It may not perhaps be amiss to pay some attention throughout this abstract to the barometer with reference to indicating the trade-winds. The rise and fall thereof, I have frequently noticed on entering and leaving the vicinity of trades. During these 24 hours, the ripplings have been very strong, without any apparent change in temperature. Feb. 22. Lat. 9° 49' N.; long. 30° 30' W. Current, one knot, W.N. W. Variation, 10°. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 77° ; of water, 76°. Winds : K E., E. K E., E. Light winds and hazy atmo- sphere ; very frequent ripplings, more apparent from the extreme smoothness of the water ; during the night squalls, unattended with rain ; sun and moon, 20° 31' ; variation observed, 10°. Feb. 23. Lat. 7° 13' N. ; long. 29° 45' W. Current, one and a half knots, N. W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 78°. Winds : E. by N., E. N. E.., E. by N. Light breezes and hazy weather ; water smooth, rippling very strong, indicating a strong N. W. current. These 24 hours the weather very fine, and, although the barometer has fallen Jg, there is no apparent indications of losing our present favorable wind. Feb. 24. No observations. Current, one and a quarter knots, K W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 79°.5. Winds: E.N. E., K E., E. S.E. First and middle parts, fine; midnight, barometer, 30.1, at 4 A. M. 29.9 ; daylight, heavy appearances to S. E. ; from daylight to meridian, frequent squalls of wind and rain from S. E. Since 19th, the barometer has remained up until within two hours of OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HORN. 495 change from K. E. to S. E. I here predict it will remaia below 30° until we cross the equator, or get without the influence of the rainy latitude. Feb. 25. Lat. 3° 10' X.; long. 28° 40' W. Current, one knot, K W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 81°. Wind: E. S. E. Heavy squalls during first part; middle, strong breezes and heavy head sea ; latter part, squally. During these 24 hours, the barometer has fluctuated a tenth several times ; weather very warm and sultry; the first "Mother Carey's chicken" of the voyage seen to-day. Thus far, the voyage has been extremely barren of incident, not having seen any vessels for 20 days, and scarcely a bird or fish of any kind, Feb. 26. No observations. Current, three-quarters of a knot, N. W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E. to S. S. K, S. E. to S. by E. Throughout, heavy squalls rising at south; working round to S. E., with frequent heavy rain; weather very murky and close,'at times quite oppressive. Feb. 27. Lat. 2° 24' N.; long. 28° 57' W. Half knot current, W. K W. Barometer, 29.8; tempera- ture of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Calm throughout, with much rain ; a confused sea from S. S. E. Feb. 28. No observations. Current, half knot W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Wind: E. S. E., calm. Throughout, light airs and calm; heavy looking squalls, but unat- tended with wind ; considerable rain at times. March 1. Lat. 0° 29' K; long. 29° 55' W. Current, three-quarters of a knot, W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 84°; of water, 82°. Winds: E. S. E., E. S.E., S.E. First and middle part, heavy squalls of rain ; barometer fell to 29.7 at 4 A. M., up again to 29.9 ; heavy head sea from S. by E. March 2. Lat. 1° 27' S. ; long. 80° 49' W. Current, one knot, W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. S. E. Throughout, fresh and squally from S. E., with rain ; of course, ship " close hauled ;" heavy head sea from S. by E. March 3. Lat. 2° 44' S. ; long. 32° 04' W. Current, one knot, W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82°. Winds: S.E. by S., S. S. E., S.S. E. Throughout, moderate weather, assuming the settled weather of the " trades," oyily requiring a rise in the barometer to assure me of that fact, and I con- fidently expect the coming 24 hours will so see it. March 4. Lat. 1° 27' S.; long. 33° 35' W. Current, one and a half knots, W. K W. Barometer, 29.9; temperature of air, 83°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. S.E., S. E., S.E. Throughout, moderate, fine weather ; close hauled by the wind. Mer. Barometer, 30.* March 5. Lat. 6° 8' S. ; long. 34° 37' W. Current, 1 knot, W. N. W. Barometer, 30.1 ; tempera- * "I have no doubt that, although for the last few days the -wind has been scant, yet 2° or even 3° more to west would have enabled me to cross, say in 31 J° or 32° without any fear, as, from the experience of many voyages to Pernambuco, I never found any difficulty in getting past .'Cape St. Roque,' even in crossing in 34° on one occasion. In the event of falling to leeward, I would recommend beating along shore inside the rep/ always. There arc no dangers but visible ones; at least I found such the case, in beating up from the 'Rio Amnzonas,' a few years back." 496 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. ture of air, 84°; of water, 82°. "Winds: S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. Throughout, moderate, fine weather; every appearance of trades ; barometer up ; at 8 A. M. made the land. March 6. Lat. 8° 8' S. ; long. 34° 30' W. Current, 1 knot, N. W. Variation observed, 2° W. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 84° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E., E. by S., E. S. E. Throughout, moderate and fine weath&r ; consider myself as fairly within the trades. Mem. — Having, as I consider, got to the westward far enough to make sure of not being driven back, it may not be out of place to give my humble opinion with regard to the mooted point of making the passage around this bug-aboo. Cape Horn. I most distinctly disagree with those who recommend keeping to the eastward of the Falkland Islands; not conceiving the necessity of keeping so far to leeward, rendering the beating against a heavy head sea and strong current necessary. The chances for S. E. winds do not, in my opinion, make up for the great difference in distance between eastern and western sides of those islands. My opinion is not predicated solely on the beautiful weather I experienced to the westward of those islands ; but to the fact, that to the northward and westward of Staten Land, you are in a measure free from the heavy S. "W. swell ; which, by reference to that part of this abstract, it will be observed I had very smooth water, and so continued until I passed Staten Land. In Eio, I had frequent conversations with several whale captains, and their opinions are in conformity with my own. I do not hesitate to say the winter months (May, June, and July), are the best for doubling the cape, with more cer- tainty of easterly winds ; the only drawback being the interminable long nights. After all, I feel sure that masters in the European trade, who have, during the California fever, made the passage around the cape, will agree with me in saying, doubling Cape Horn is nothing in comparison with making the passage from Liverpool to New York, during our winter months. June 2. Lat. 55° 09' S.; long. 77° 30' W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 36°; of water, 41°. Winds : S. W., S. W., S. W. by S. Throughout, heavy from S. W., frequent squalls of snow and rain. June 8. No observations. Barometer, 29.7; temperature of air, 34°; of water, 42°. Winds: S. W. by W., and W. N. W. First part, strong ; middle, more moderate with rain. Ends strong with constant rain ; under short canvas, heading to S. W. June 4. No observations. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W. N. W., W., W. Throughout, heavy gales with constant rain ; barometer rose to 30.2, but fell again towards day- light ; weather very disagreeable ; filled all our empty casks with most excellent water; this may be considered rather singular at this season and in this latitude. June 5. Lat. 52° 13' S. ; long. 79° 15' W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 43°. Wind : W. throughout, strong from the westward. June 6. Lat. 49° 49' S. ; long. 80° 05' W. Current, two and three-quarter knots. Yariation, 23°10'. Barometer, 29.7; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds: W. by N., S. S. W., S. First part, moderate ; middle, squally with rain from southward. Ends same. June 7. Lat. 46° 28' S. ; long. 80° 47' W. Current, N. N. E., half knot. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAPE HOBX. 497 of air, 46°; of water, 45°. Winds: S. S. W., S. W., S. W. Throughout, heavy with frequent squalls of wind and rain. The weather feels much colder than any we have yet had. June 8. Lat.43° 17' S.; long. 82° 11' W. Variation, 22° 15'. Baronneter, 30.1; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 47°. Winds: S. W., S. S. W., S. Throughout, strong breezes, and frequent heavy rain squalls attended with much rain. June 9. Lat.42°20' S.; long. . Barometer, 30.3; temperature of air, 51°; of water, 48°. Wind: S. and variable. First part, light ; middle, variable and calm. « June 10. No observations. Barometer, 30.0 ; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 49°. Wind: K W. First part, light; middle, fresh; latter, strong, and dirty appearances. June 11. No observations. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 53°. Winds: N. W. W. N. W., W. N. W. Throughout, dirty, drizzling weather ; blowing strong at times. June 12. Lat. 38° 53' S. ; long. 79° 30' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 54°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., N. W. Throughout, moderate ; constant drizzling rain : very unpleasant. June 13. No observations. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 54°. Wind:N. W. by N. throughout. Throughout, moderate ; constant drizzling rain; heavy W.N. W. swell. June 14. Lat. 38° 03' S. ; long. 80° 12' W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 60 ; of water, 54°. Winds: N. W., W. N. W., N. W. Throughout, a most shocking bad 24 hours ; calm, heavy gales, torrents of rain, lightning, &c. This is the only really had weather I have yet had, and altogether I have seen very few more decidedly unpleasant in my life. It is perhaps rendered more so from not expecting any thing of the kind, presuming bad times had passed, with passing the cape. June 15. No observations. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 62'' ; of water, 55°. Winds : N.W., N. W., W. N. W. First part, strong ; middle, moderate. Ends heavy gales and torrents of rain. The barometer (during the last four days) has fluctuated repeatedly from 30 to 29; several times in the course of eight hours, presenting the most remarkable fluctuations I ever witnessed. Since 10th, the weather has been very much like the month of March, north 34^° on the coast of United States. June 16. Lat. 36° 28' S. ; long. 78° 38' W. Barometer, 29.6; temperature of air, 64°; of water, 55°. Winds: N. W., W. N. W., W. First and middle, very heavy gale. Ends moderating; barometer down several times to 29. June 17. Lat. 34° 28' S.; long. 78° 59' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 56°. Winds : W., W. S. W., S. Throughout, moderate. At 7 A. M. Juan Fernandez in sight, bearing north. June 18. Lat. 34° 09' S. ; long. 80° 01' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 56°. Winds : calm, N. N. W., N. W. First part, calm ; middle, strong; latter, blowing hard, much rain. Baro- meter fluctuating ^^ several times during the 24 hours. At 8 A. M. Massafuera in sight, west per compass. June 19. No observations. Barometer, 29.6; temperature of air, 65; of waterj 57°. Wind: N. W. throughout. Throughout, heavy weather, with almost constant rain. The fluctuations in barometer still continuing, causing a deal of uneasiness ; I have never had anything like it before; and this, after being an attentive observer of that instrument for more than twenty-two years. 63 498 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. June 20. Lat. 32° 10' S.; long. 78° 88' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 66° ; of water, 58°. Winds : N. W., N. N. "W"., "W. Throughout variable, but most remarkable ; from calm to lying to, torrents of rain, clear, lightning, heavy sea, smooth as a mill-pond ; and thus, during the 24 hours, every variety of weather under the sun, with the same fluctuations in the barometer. I am disposed to think all this is occasioned by, or a prelude to, some great change, perhaps an earthquake ; who knows ? June 21. Lat. 29° 58' S. ; long. 79° 41' W. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 63° ; of water, 59°. Winds: S. W., S., S. S. W. Throughout squally with rain ; wind during squalls hauling far as W. N. W. June 22. Lat. 28° 46' S. ; long. 79° 53' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 59°. Winds: S. S. W., calm, IST. W. First part, squally ; middle, calm ; latter part, moderate. By looking back, it will be seen I have been unable to get to the west, being desirous of cros^ng the equator about 115°, at the suggestions of many experienced "whalemen." My own judgment would have suggested 90°, but the above advisers recommend their crossing far west, on account of better winds. June 23. Lat. .^6° 50' S. ; long. 78° 45' W. Variation observed, 13° 50'. Barometer, 29.9 ; temperature of air, 66° ; of water, 62°. Wind : N. W. throughout. Throughout, light winds and smooth water ; wind at times favoring, so as to lay north, but mostly N. N. E., which, with the variation, makes easting fast. June 24. Lat. 25° 29' S. ; long. 79° 40' W. Current, N. N. E., half knot. Barometer, 30.00; tem- perature of air, 66° ; of water, 64°. Winds : W., W. S. W., S. W. Throughout, light winds and drizzling rain most of the time; but wind being so much better of late, the change is quite acceptable. In consideration of this very strong evidence in favor of the western or new route to the line, I quote an extract from the log-book of the brig Eolian, C. A. L. Blanchard, master. The Eolian sailed from New York, May, 3, 1851, with the Charts on board. She crossed the equator in 31° W., June the 9th — passed St. Eoque, June, 12 (40 days out), without going to the west of longitude 33°. The captain, in compliance with my general request, that every navigator would state in his abstract whether he had a longer or shorter passage than vessels arriving about the same time without the Charts, says : — . " You will see by this abstract, my passage has been somewhat lengthy, but, in comparison with many vessels which have arrived without your Sailing Directions, it has been short. One barque from Boston having a passage of seventy-five days, and two Baltimore vessels (fast sailers) had a passage of sixty-eight and seventy days ; 'also one from the same port of eighty-five days. The above vessels crossed the line far to the eastward." I have also the abstract of the N. B. Palmer {Charles P. Low, master), that sailed from New York, April 7 (4 days after the Eolian), also with the Charts on board. She too took the new route — she passed OF THE PASSAGE ABOUND CAPE HORN. 499 the Eolian, May 10 (the third day out). Both vessels that day crossed the parallel of 37° N.; the Eolian in longitude 56°, but the N. B. Palmer 8° farther west. This ship crossed the line in 31° "W., June 2, and the parallel of Eio, June, 15, or two weeks ahead of the Eolian ; and from 59 to 46 days ahead of the vessels mentioned by Captain Blanchard, which had not the Wind and Current Charts, and which went the old route. ... So, also, with Captain Caldwell, of the Great Britain. I quote hia letter, and extract from his very valuable abstract log, because of the information which they give as to the Cape Horn passage. " June 14, 1852 (San Fkancisco). I herewith forward you the abstract log of ship Great Britain, of Boston, under my commandJSrom New York to this port. The ship is 25 years old, and not a clipper. The ship John Jay sailed in company, not yet arrived. The last I heard from her she was at Rio, leaky. I do . not know whether she had your Charts. The clipper ship Aramingo left New York three days after we did, say 12th January, without your Charts, went nearly'to the Western Islands, crossed the line in about 26° W., went east of Falkland Islands, I believe, and arrived here one day after I did, say 138 days, with- out stopping. On my Chart (Blunt's), I find St. Paul's Island placed in long. 28° 20' W., and in some editions of Bowditch the same; while in other editions, and in Horsburg's Directory, 29° 15' to 29° 22' W. As this island is directly in the track of outward bound ships, it is important that all charts and hooks should be correct. I passed close to it, having had a good observation in the morning. It was cloudy when I passed it, about 4 or 5 P. M., but there is no doubt that it is in about 29° 20'* and not 28° 20'. With regard to your Charts, allow me to say I think very highly of them. I crossed the equator in about 30° in 26 J days from New York, after losing my tiller and being thereby detained 16 hours with a strong fair gale. I passed to the windward of Noronha, cleared St. Roque and St. Augustine, and the first time I tacked ship from New York was south of Rio, which I passed in less than 37 days, with a very deep ship. Passed through the Straits of Le Maire in 60 and Cape Horn in less than 61 days. After that, I had miserable chances. Having been nearly 20 years a shipmaster, and having, during my passage, given the subject much consideration, I will venture, at the risk of being thought presuming, to state my own views on the passage from Cape Horn to this port. Being up with Cape Horn, I would improve all opportunities of making westing, with very little regard to latitude, except to keep clear of the land, till in long, of 80° W., then, if wind permitted, edge off very gradually to the N. and shape my course so as to be in the long, of 110° W., in about 30 S. lat.; here you may expect to get the S. E. trades; and then make a due north course till I took the N. E. trades. My reasons are that you would thus make your westing where the degrees are short, and then cross the entire S. E. trades on a course that would let all your canvas draw, instead of running so much before the wind as to becalm your head* sails. You would thus take the N. E. trades in about 110° W., which is as far east as desirable. You will see by the log that the doldrums did not detain me much on either side." • Its position was accurately determined by the officers of the U. S. ship Marion, in 1849, to be in long. 29° 18' W., and it is accurately laid doT\n on the Wind and Current Charts. — M. F. M. 500 THE WIND AND CURKENT CHARTS. From Captain Sears, of the Wild Eanger, San Francisco, October 25, 1853. I followed your track to the equator for July, and had a passage of 28 days to the equator; crossed in 32° 20'; just cleared Kocas, and then had a very hard chance to Cape Horn. I highly approve of your track from Boston to the equator, and have no doubt but that I gained by following your instructions. I found very little current near St. Eoque. I intended to have gone through Straits of Le Maire, but the wind being S. "W., I could not get far enough to westward, and thought it better to pass eastward of Staten Land. With regard to a passage around Cape Horn, I would say I have seen worse weather between Boston and Liverpool in September, than I have seen for this passage north of the equator. I had a long spell of calm weather, which prolonged my passage. But find, on arrival, that I was in com- pany with four other clipper ships, and all arrived here same day. j^ Shij) Huguenot (J. G. Stover), San Francisco. May 24, 1853. The ship George Evans arrived here three days after we did, in, I believe, 151 days from Philadelphia ; he crossed the equator on this side in 105° ; has not your Charts on board. The ship Astrea, which sailed from New York two days before us, has not yet arrived. Cape Horn navigators should not forget that the prevailing winds encountered in doubling the cape are westerly winds ; that the Andes, which, in fact, terminate only with the continent, stand up as a barrier to these winds ; and consequently, these winds come around the cape in violent sweeps, puffs, and galea, as they do around the bluff point of land in a harbor, or the corner of a building on shore ; and that the strength of these sweeping winds is probably felt with more force near the cape than it is at a considerable distance off, and out of the influence of the land upon the course and velocity of the wind. Therefore I would advise navigators, in doubling the cape, first to pass through the Straits of Le Maire, if practicable, and, if they can, accomplish it by daylight, for the currents are unfrequently strong and conflicting there ; to hug the cape as closely as the winds on one hand and the rocks on the other will allow, and so make westing down there when the degrees are short, as fast as, without fighting adverse winds and weather, they may do, until they cross, if bound to California, the parallel of o0° S., between the meridians of 80° and 90° west. But if, after getting through the straits, and before doubling the cape, a westerly gale strike them in the teeth, then, instead of stopping there off the pitch of the cape to fight against it, with the intention of holding their own until the gale abates, or the wind slants so as to let them get round, I think the chances would be altogether in their favor, by sticking her away south, under the expectation that they would soon get out of the strength of the winds, which, eddji^like, come sweeping around Cape Horn, sometimes at one distance, sometimes at another, according to the direction of the gale. But even in doing this, the naviga- tor who is desirous of making a quick passage, will not fail to take advantage of slants. He will always prefer, until he doubles the cape, the tack upon which he can make the most westing. Vessels intending to touch at Valparaiso, or any of the Intermedios, need not care to get so far west while they are south OF THE PASSAGE AROUND CAl'E HORN. 501 of the parallel of 50°, even when the winds are fair, as vessels that are bound farther north, as to California, for example. Let these last make westing whenever they can, without making southing also. They cannot well cross the parallel of 50° S. too far west, on their way to California, provided they keep to the east of 100° or 110°. The Pilot Charts of the South Atlantic and Cape Horn, in addition to the Track Charts, leave but little more to be said with regard to the passages west, around Cape Horn, than may be gathered from the injunction : Study the Pilot Charts. I think that I may now congratulate navigators, especially those who are co-operating with me, and whose labors have enabled me to bring about these results, upon the present complete state of our know- ledge with regard to the route to Eio. From St. Eoque to Eio is plain sailing, and as far as St. Eoque, from the United States, the route is the same whatever be the destination of the vessel, whether Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn, or Eio. The route to the clearing of St. Eoque, I think I may be permitted to say, without incurring the imputation of self-praise, is as well understood as it is possible for any route across the ocean to be, that is governed and controlled by the force of winds and currents. From the parallel of St. Eoque, the route around Cape Horn, for all vessels from Europe or the United States, is the same. And from the parallel of St. Eoque to the parallel of 50° S., all is also plain sailing, requiring, how- ever, lie most watchful vigilance as the price of a quick passage between these parallels, for much of the distance lies through a region of baffling winds. The average of vessels under canvas from the parallel of St. Eoque to 50° S. on the Cape Horn pas- sage, is only about 100 miles a day. The intelligent seaman needs no other sailing directions here than simply : " Make the best of your way south." Of course, he will understand that this " best way" is not to be supposed to lay so close along with the land as to bring him within the influences of the land breezes and the calms of the coast. Besides this injunction, there is but another simple caution to add, and that is, when you arrive at the calms of Capricorn, do your best to get south; for, by that course, it is easiest to clear them. As to the parallels between which, at the different seasons of the year, you may expect the calms, see the Trade- Wind Chart. From 50° south, east of Cape Horn, to the same parallel west, lies the rub — so it is supposed. Along this part of the route the prevailing winds, it. is true, have westing in them, and are, therefore, in a great measure, head winds. How to overcome them depends on the skill of the navigator. The grand object of this work is to let the navigator know how he may expect to find the winds, which way the currents ; taking it for granted that, when he knows this, his own skill and intelligence will best guide him as to the rest. The Pilot Charts will give this information as to winds, in a general way. With the view of presenting it in a more special way, extracts have been made from various abstract logs, taken at random, showing 502 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. the wind and weather encountered by each vessel. These are arranged according to the months, and may be regarded as practical illustrations of the Pilot Charts. With such sources of information before him, the Cape Horn navigator, who studies them closely, can never, in changes of wind, feel at a loss either as to the best course to steer, or the best tack to put his ship upon, for the best passage. I have often, in the progress of these labors, had occasion to feel myself indebted to merchants and other citizens of the United States, besides those who follow the sea, for that wholesome assistance which the influences of sympathy, good wishes, and suggestions of good and useful men never fail to spread abroad and around. Among the earliest of these was E. B. Forbes, of Boston. He took a lively and active interest in the undertaking from the first, and before it had given any practical results in demon- stration of its usefulness. I well recollect the surprise he expressed, and how over sanguine he appeared to consider me, when I suggested to him as among the achievements of the future, the probability of his seeing the run made to the equator, on the new route to Rio, within 18 days. It has been done in 17, and several times within 18. Among the valuable suggestions, however, made by him, was one in relation to the harbors about Cape Horn. He thought that vessels when caught or threatened by a gale in the act of doubling Cape Horn, would frequently find both profit and advantage by seeking shelter for the while in some of the many fine harbors or anchorages which the excellent surveys of King and Fitz Roy show to be there. In proof that this was a good and practicable idea, I am at last enabled to adduce the result of actual trial. . Nassau Bay ofiers a resource to Cape Horn navigators which they should not overlook, and of which they may not unfrequently take advantage in stormy weather. With easterly winds it affords a short cut to vessels passing through the Straits of Le Maire on the way to the Pacific, and in case of westerly gales it affords a lee. My attention was called to it by Mr. George B. Upton, of Boston, in consequence of the use made of it by his ship, the Plymouth Rock. Captain Fitz Roy has given me a very good survey of it, and his Charts, it is presumed, are to be found on board of every vessel bound around Cape Horn. As to the occasions and circumstances when navigators should avail themselves of the advantages offered by this bay, I am not able to give any directions, nor to make any suggestions, further than to say : When ships are passing that way, each master must decide for himself, because, knowing the circumstances of his own case, he can consult his own judgment to more advantage under the circumstances, than he can any sailing directions that I can give. Mr. Upton's letter contains useful information and is suggestive, and, therefore, I hope he will not take offence on account of its publication here : — . Boston, Bee. 22, 1854. My Dear Sir : Whenever I have sent a full built ship to the Pacific, I have generally had to provide for the contingency of their putting into Valparaiso for water. I have sometimes suggested Juan Fernandez, and in one instance (ship Reindeer), have had a ship water there. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 503 My ship, Plymouth Eock, on her voyage from New York- to Panama, passed through Nassau Bay instead of going outside, and as I have never seen the track of any American ship, I venture to send you hers, through there, taken from one of Captain Fitz Koy's Charts. The ship left New York June 10, and arrived at Panama October 8. Captain Patterson will, no doubt, give you his whole abstract log of the voyage, on his return to the United States, The great object of my writing you at this time is to draw your attention to this important inlet (Nassau Bay) as a good place for vessels to go in for any temporary repairs, and also to obtain wood and water, A young gentleman who went out in my ship, and from whom I derive this information, says they stood up (Sept. 2) with an intention of going outside, but took a strong, heavy southwest gale and sea, stood back, and put into the bay ; found the weather there moderate ; thermometer 50° ; wind, light from N. W. ; the navigation in and through the bay, perfect. He landed on one of the small islands next to Wallaston Islands, near Cape Hale ; good landing ; fresh water, perfectly accessible and very good ; apparently good anchorage all around ihe shores. Saw wood growing which could be obtained with little trouble. I am aware that I am not giving you any new information in the abstract, but our shipmasters rather avoid a new route without some of their own countrymen comrades have previously been over the ground. Whenever you get abstracts of the logs of ships off Cape Horn early in September, and bound west, I think you will find that they had heavy westerly winds, snow squalls, and heavy swells. I am, with great regard. Your obedient servant, GEO. B. UPTON. CAPE HORN TRACKS. Danube (C. H. Chase). • Jan. 4, 1853. Lat. 30° 36' S. ; long. 40° 36' TV. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 73° ; of water, 73°. Winds: N. W. to S. E., S. E. to N. E., S. First part, squally, with sudden changes in the breeze, say from very light airs to strong squalls; middle part, changes not so sudden, but variable and light; latter part, fine breeze from S., and beautiful weather. Four ships in company. Saw a black-colored bird resembling a cape goose. We have now been at sea fifty-two days, forty-eight of which the wind has had more or less southing in it. I think the Danube has done well to be thus far on her passage. Thanks to Lieut. Maury, and those fiard workers with him, who have given us such invaluabk information. Jan. 5. Lat. 31° 30' S. ; long. 42° 13' W. Barometer, 30.15 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water 71°. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. E. First part, fine breeze ; middle part, very moderate and clear ; latter part, hazy 504 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. and lif^ht breezes, witTi long rolling swell from S. W, Two ships in company. This has been the most pleasant twenty -four hours since leaving New York. Long strings of jellies, such as are sometimes seen off the Western Islands. Cape hens and skipjacks around the ship. Jan. 6. Lat. 33° 06' S. ; long. 44° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water 70°. Winds: S. E., N. E., N. E. Pleasant breeze and fine weather these twenty-four hours; at times, a long swell from S. W. At 12 M. dark-looking weather towards the W. Jan 7. Lat. 34° 36' S. ; long. 4G° 00' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 72° ; of water, 69°. Winds: N. E., N. W., S. W. First part, fresh breeze and light squalls, all sail set; middle part, strong squalls, single-reefed topsAils ; latter part, heavy squalls, close reefs ; lost the foresail, and split main topmast staysail. Jan. 8. Lat. 36° 22' S. ; long. 45° 30' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 62° ; of water, 68°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Strong gale and violent squalls until 10 A. M. Close reefs. • Jan. 9. Lat. 37° 04' S. ; long. 45° l7' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 61° ; of water, 63°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. ; hard gales, rough sea, and bad weather. Jan 10. Lat. 36° 51' S. ; long. 45° 00' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 62° ; of water, 62°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. ; first part, strong gales, and very rough, cross sea, close reefs ; middle part, more moderate, double reefs ; latter part, squally, single reefs. Tacked to W. N. W. Jan. 11. Lat. 36° 25' S. ; long. 46° 42' W. Barometer, 30.15 ; temperature of air, 64° ; of water, 66°. Winds: S. W., S. W., calm; first part, moderate and light squalls; royals set; middle part, long, smooth swell, and moderate; latter part, light airs from S. W., and calms. Jan. 12. Lat. 37° 50' S. ; long. 49° 23' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 68° ; of water, 66°. Winds : W., W. N. W.,- W. by N. ; clear weather and royal breeze for the 24 hours ; the greenish color of the water of yesterday is not to be seen to-day ; no albatrosses, nor sea-hens. Heavy S. W. swell leaving us ; sea much more smooth at 12 M. than at 8 P. M. I think, if we could have got farther to the ■westward ere this, we should have been much farther on our voyage. Jan. 13. Lat. 38° 09' S.; long. 50° 33' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 68°; of water, 65°. Winds: S. W. to JS". W. ; calm, E. S. E. Throughout the 24 hours very light airs, and variable; smooth sea, and thousands of little sea-gulls on the water ; hazy, damp weather, with flying fog from N. E. Jan. 14. Lat. 39° 49' S. ; long. 53° 46' W. Current, | knot per hour, K E. by E. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 60°. Winds : E. S. E. to S. E., S. E., S. E. by S. First part, moderate ; middle and latter parts, fresh breeze and flying fog. Great quantities of birds, as albatrosses, &c. Jan. 15. Lat. 40° 37' S.; long. 56° 11' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, N. E. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 55° ; of water, 50°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. S. E., S. First part, very foggy with fresh breeze; much kelp; middle part, more clear; water much discolored; latter -part, clear weather, and water of greenish appearance, and strong rips like tide rips ; large patches of kelp ; sea at one time very smooth, and at another very rough. Sounded; no bottom with 110 fathoms; good sound. Jan. ih. Lat. 40° 37' S.; long. 56° 05' W. Current, IJ knot per hour, K E. Barometer, 29.95; CAPE HOKN TRACKS. 506 temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 48°. "Wind : S., calm, calm. First part, very moderate. At 4 P. M. sounded in 60 fathoms ; fine, dark sand ; light air from W. S. W. ; middle and latter parts, calm ; much kelp ; strong rips. At 8 A.M. sounded ; no bottom, 115 fathoms. Jan, 17. Lat. 42° 31' S.; long. 57° 42' W. Current, 1^ knots per hour, N.E. by N. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 55°; of water, 48°. Winds: W. N. W., K W., S., and variable. First part, gentle breeze ; middle part, light breeze, and fine, clear weather ; latter part, light rain squalls from S. W., and very moderate ; very small, tired-looking land birds on board ; also, flocks of small millers or moths ; water much discolored ; much kelp and floating weeds ; sounded ; no bottom, 115 fathoms. Jan. 18. Lat. 42° 16' S.; long. 58° 02' W. Current, If knots per hour, N.E. by N. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 48°. Winds : S. by W., S. S. W., calm. Moderate for 24 hours ; fogs and clear weather about every two hours. Kelp and feathers in large quantities. Jan. 19. Lat. 43° 29' S.; long. 58° 11' W. Current, If knots per hour, N.E. by N. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 51°; of water, 51°. Winds: calm, N"., S. W. Middle part, squalls, rain, and calms, very changeable ; latter part, thunder, lightning, hard squalls. Much kelp ; water quite blue ; wind from W. to S. W. Jan. 20. Lat. 44° 36' S.; long. 58° 36' W. Current, IJ knots per hour, N.E. by N. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 51°. Winds: S. S. W., N. W., S. Weather changeable, some- times a gale, and sometimes almost calm. Wind sudden in its changes, clear at times and then hard squalls. Kelp and numerous birds. Jan. 21. Lat. 45° 05' S. ; long. 60° 21' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, N. E. by N. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 47°. Winds : calm, S., N. W. First and middle parts, calms and light airs ; latter part, fine breeze and clear weather ; long rolling swells from south. Kelps, strong rips like tide rips ; at one time very smooth, at another very rough. Dark, heavy fog bank at south. Jan. 22. Lat. 47° 25 ' S. ; long. 60° 44' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, N. E. by N. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 49°. Winds : W. N. W., W. S. W., S. S. W. Fine clear weather for 24 hours, with steady breeze. All sail set. Barometer no use ; varied in the 24 hours from 29.50 to 29.90. At 4 P. M., sounded in 60 fathoms, fine dark sand. Kelp, penguins, and numerous other birds. To-day, noon, water quite blue, having passed this morning strong tide rips. Sea smooth and rough at times. Jan. 23. Lat. 47° 58' S. ; long. 60° 36' W. Current, J knot per hour, N. N. E. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 49°. Winds: S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. by S. Unsteady winds, hard flams, and smoky looking weather. Kelps and sea- weed. Tacked to the westward. Heavy rolling sea from S. W. Split maintop-gallant sail. Jan. 24. Lat. 48° 01' S.; long. 60° 45' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 49°. Calm throughout the day. A heavy rolling sea from S. W. Jan. 25. Lat. 49° 57' S. ; long. 62° 30' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 50°. Winds: N. N. W., N. W., N. W. First part, calms and light airs; middle part, moderate breezes; latter part, thick and rainy, fresh breeze. Water much discolored. 64 506 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Jan. 26. Lat. 50° 06' S.; long. 63° 06' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 50.° Winds : "W. N. W., S. W., S. S. W. First part, fine breezes ; all sail set. At 8 P. M., wind hauled in a squall to S. S. W., strong gale ; double reefs. Latter part, heavy sea and hard gale from S. W. to S. S. W. ; close reefs. "Water much discolored. No doubt soundings extend from about lat. 40° 40' S., and long. 57° W., on a S. S. W. line per chart, to Tierra del Faego. Jan. 27. Lat. 50° 27' S. ; long. 63° 02' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 49°. "Winds : S. S. "W., S. "W. by "W., S. S. "W. Gales, squalls, and variable winds, always from the southward. "Wore ship about six times during the 24 hours. Jan. 28. Lat. 50° 7' S. ; long. 63° 35' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 49° ; of water, 46°. "Winds : S. W., "W., S. S. W. Through this 24 hours, strong gales, and very heavy sea. At 4 A. M., wind hauled in a squall from S. "W. by "W. to S. S. E. ; wore ship. At 5 A. M., wind in the usual quarter, S. S. "W. ; brig in company, and has been for the last three days. Jan. 29. Lat. 50° 39' S.; long. 63° 57' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds : S. S. W., W. S. W., S. W. Fresh gales, and squally ; from top-gallant sails to close reefs ; latter part, hard hail squalls ; large quantities of kelp ; water much discolored ; very rough sea at times, and then smooth ; four sail in sight. Jan. 30. Lat. 51° 23' S.: long. 64° 11' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds: S. W., S., N. N. E. First part, fresh breezes, squalls; middle part, light airs and calms; latter part, gentle breeze from N. K. E., and thick weather ; heavy rolling sea from south, and water much discolored ; kelps ; white stormy petrels, the first I have ever seen ; if not white petrels, they have the same motions, are of the same form and size, and follow in the wake, same as all others ; two sail in company. Jan. 31. Lat. 53° 26' S.; long. 63° 32' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds : N. E., S. W., E. S. E. First and middle parts, strong breezes, hard hail squalls, and steady 1-ain ; latter part, squalls and rain from E. S. E. to S. ; water quite blue ; much kelp and many birds. Feb. 1. Lat. 54° 29' S. ; long. 63° 39' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 45°. Winds : E. S. E., calm. Calm. First part, moderate ; middle and latter parts, calm ; saw the land. Cape St. John, S. S. E. per compass ; am satisfied that soundings extend much farther eastward from the River La Plata towards the Falkland Islsyids, than laid down on any chart I have seen ; to day much kelp, and strong tide rips. Feb. 2. Lat. 54° 04' S. ; long. 63° 38' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 45°. Winds : calm, calm, S. E. Latter part, light airs from S. E. Throughout the 24 hours, long, rolling swell from S. E. ; Cape St. John, S. S. E. by compass, distant about 30 miles. Feb. 3. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. E., N. E., N. E. First part, very light, strong N". N. W. current ; middle and latter parts, fresh from N. E., and fine weather; have had several opportunities to test the correctness of chronometer ; find it perfect. At noon, west end of Staten Land, N. W. by W. ^ W. by compass ; east end, N. by E. Feb. 4. Lat. 56° 18' S. ; long. . Current, 2 knots per hour, N. E. Barometer, 29.50 ; tempera- CAPE HORN TRACKS. 507 tare of air, 45° ; of water, 46°. Winds : N". E., N. E., S. S. E. First and middle parts, fresh gale and thick rainy weather ; latter part, very pleasant. At noon. Cape Horn, W. N. "W. J W. by compass. Feb. 5. Lat. 56° 37' S. ; long. 69° 38' W. Current, 0.7 of a knot per hour, N. E. by E. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 41°. Wind : N. B. throughout. Steady gentle breeze for 24 hours, from 3 to 6 knots per hour. At — A. M., Diego Eamirez, N. W. by compass, distant 3 miles ; long. — ; rolling swell both from east to west. Feb. 6. Lat. 56° 29' S. ; long. 71° 30' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S., S. W., calm. First and middle parts, very light airs, and pleasant ; latter part, calm, and light rain squalls from N. W. ; no kelp ; whales and penguins in plenty. Feb. 7. Lat. 56° 31' S. ; long. 72° 28' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. S. W., W. N. W., W. S. W. First and middle parts, very light breeze ; latter part, hard hail squalls with strong breeze. Feb. 8. Lat. 56° 30' S.; long. 74° 00' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., variable, N. W. by W. First part, squally ; middle part, calms and light variable winds ; latter part, good breeze from N. W. by W., and squally. Feb. 9. Lat. 56° 49' S. ; long. 77° 03' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W. by W., W. N. W., W. Rain, hail, and squalls ; sea in heaps, very thick for 24 hours. Feb. 10. Lat. 55° 11' S. ; long. 77° 17' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W., W. S. W., W. N. W. Fresh breeze for 24 hours ; bad sea, and rough weather. Feb. 11. Lat. 55° 50' S.; long. 79° 55' W. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 44°. Wind: N. W. by W. throughout. Strong gales, hard squalls, and rough sea, for the 24 hours, with just rain enough to keep one uncomfortable. Feb. 12. Lat. 55° 46' S.; long. 80° 20' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. W. and W. S. W., W., N. W. by W. Same as yesterday, only that the hailstones are larger, and squalls more violent. Lat. (D. R.) 55° 36' ; long. (D. R.) 80° 49'. Feb. 13. Lat. 56° 13' S. ; long. 80° 35' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W. by W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Strong gales, hard squalls, heavy sea and close reefs. Lat. (D.R.) 56° ; long. (D.R.) 81° 05'. Feb. 14. Lat. 56° 37' S.; long. 80° 52' W. (J). R.). Barometer,29.20; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Wind : W. N. W. throughout. Hard gales, hard squalls, and a hard time ; close reefs and very bad sea. Feb. 15. Lat. 55° 25' S. ; long. 80° 02' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., S. W. Strong gales and hard squalls up to 4 A. M. At meridian all reefs out ; squally. Lat. (D. R.) 55° 23' ; long (D. R.) 80° 30' W. Feb. 16. Lat. 53° 54' S. (D. R.) ; long. 80° 15' W. (D. R.). Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. W., calm, S. E. by E. First part, squally and variable ; middle part, calm ; latter pan, thick and rainy. Very heavy swell from the west; many small gulls around the ship. 508 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Feb. 17. Lat. 52° 38' S. ; long. 80° 15' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44° ; Winds: S. S. E., S. W., W. by S. First part, fine breeze; middle part, almost calm; and latter part squally. Lat. (D. E.) 52° 03'; long. (D. E.) 80° 50'. If our indefatigable Lieut. Maury can find a passage of same length of time, with as much head wind in it as this, I shall believe I am not alone. Shall give you the true log distance when we strike the S. E. trades. Feb. 18. Lat. 50° 15' S. ; long. 80° 20' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 46°. "Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. S. "W. Through the 24 hours, hard squalls and very large hailstones. Lat. (D. E.) 49° 56' ; long. (D. E.) 80° 37'. N. B. — In all cases the longitude and latitude (D. E.) are brought forward last observations; log regu- larly hove every two hours during the passage. Feb, 19. Lat. 47° 45' S. ; long. 80° 46' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 47°. Wind : W. S. W. throughout. First part, hard squalls, and the largest hailstones I ever saw ; middle part, more moderate; latter part, light squalls.. All canvas set. Large flocks of birds. Lat. (D. E.)47° 34'; long. (D. E.) 80° 37'. Contest, fifty-three days out. Jan. 8, 1853. Lat. 50° 46' S. ; long. 60° 55' W. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W. First part, brisk breeze. and cloudy ; middle part, moderate ; latter, fresh. Single reefs. Jan. 9. Lat. 50° 32' S. ; long. 63° W. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., N. W. ; comes in fresh and squally. A strong current setting to the S. E. Middle and latter parts, light. Jan. 10. Lat. 53° 30' S.; long. 64° 41' W. Winds : K W., S. W., S. W. by W. First part, light airs, and pleasant ; middle, light breezes ; latter, moderate and fine. Have had a large swell heaving from E. N. E. since 6 this morning. Jan. 11. Lat. 56° 14' S. ; long. 66° 34' W. Winds : W. N". W., W., S. First part, pleasant breezes. At 7 P. M. saw Cape St. Diego, bearing S. by W., distant ten miles. At 9 P. M. passed through the straits. Cape Bartholomew bearing per compass east, distant ten miles. Latter part, strong gales from south. At meridian, Cape Horn bore W. J N., twelve miles distant. Jan. 12. Lat. 57° 4' S. ; long. 65° 38' W. Winds: S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. All these twenty -four hours, strong gales, with hail and sleet in squalls. Jan. 18. Lat. 58° 46' S. ; long. 66° 2' W. Winds : S. W., calm, W. first part, fresh breezes ; middle, calm ; latter, light and rainy. Jan. 14. Lat. 58° 33' S. ; long. 68° 44' W. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., W. First and latter parts, fresh breezes ; middle part, moderate. Jan. 15. Lat. 59° 26' S.; long. 70° 25' W. Winds: W., W. S. W., calm. First part, fresh winds; middle, light, and thick weather ; latter, calm and thick. Jan. 16. Lat. 57° 31' S. ; long. 74° 2' W. Winds: calm, S. E., S. W. ; begins calm ; ends fresh, with a rugged cross sea. CAPE HORN TRACKS, 509 Jan. 17. Lat. 56° 8' S.; long. 76° 22' W. Winds: W. S. W., W. First part, fresh and cloudy; middle, moderate ; latter part, strong, with thick rainy weather. Jan. 18. Lat. 54° 27' S. ; long. 79° 52' W. Winds: W., S. W., S. W. First part, fresh, and cloudy weather ; middle, rainy ; latter, strong and squally. Jan. 19. Lat. 50° 23' S.; long. 81° 9' W. Winds: S.W., W.S. W., W.S. W.; brisk breezes all these twenty-four hours, with cloudy, misty weather. F. W. Brune (D. C. Landis). Jan. 10, 1853. Lat. 49° 19' S. ; long. 64° 5' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 54°. Winds: N. N. W., S. E., S. S. E. First part, fine breeze and pleasant; middle, light and baffling; large swell from east ; latter part, light and pleasant. Jan. 11. Lat. 51° 25' S.; long. 64° 50' W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 56°; of water, 53°. Winds: E. N. E., K, W. S. W. First part, light and pleasant; barometer falling; middle part, fresh gales and rising sea; barometer still falling; latter part, hard galea and heavy sea. I notice that the sea rises fast in this neighborhood. Jan. 12. Lat. 53° S. ; long. 64° 14' W. Current, E. K E., f knot per hour. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 46". Wind: W.S. W. First part, strong breezes ; middle, strong gales, large sea ; ship laboring very much ; very cold ; barometer gradually rising ; latter part, pleasant. Jan. 13. Lat. by the land, 54° 45' S. ; long, by the land, 63° 42' W. Current, 2 knots per hour, N. N. W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. S. W., W. N. W., W. by N. First part, moderate and pleasant ; smooth sea ; middle, strong breezes. The sea has the appearance of a strong current tumbling about like breakers. At 9 A. M. east end of Staten Land bearing south by compass. Ends strong breezes and misty. Jan. 14. Lat. 56° 16' S. ; long. 62° 54' W. Current, 2 knots per hour, E. N. E. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. First part, fresh breezes ; appearance of strong current ; middle, fresh gales ; water smooth ; latter part, fresh gales and squally. Jan. 15. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 7' S.; long. (D. R.) 63° 4' W. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. by W., W., N. by W. Fresh breezes and smooth ; middle part, moderate and misty ; latter, light and foggy ; heavy swell. Jan. 16. Lat. (D. R.) 57° 10' S. ; long. (D. R.) 63° 30' W. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 44°. Winds: W., S. S. W., S. S. W. First part, moderate and rainy; S. W. swell; barometer falling; middle, fresh and rainy; barometer continues to fall until 11 P.M., then 28.75. After midnight, it rose again without much increase of wind ; latter part, light breeze ; tremendous heavy swell from W. S. W. Can this have been a gale to the westward of us which caused the fall of the barometer ? It certainly has been blowing hard to cause all this sea. ■ Jan. 17. Lat. 57° 57' S.; long. 63° 50' W. Current, 90 miles easterly, since last observation. 610 THE WIND AND CURKKNT CHARTS. Barometer, 29.48; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 43°. Winds: S., S., S. W. Moderate and cloudy, with heavy sea from S. W. ; cold; middle part, light and baffling; ends pleasant. Jan. 18. Lat. 58° 50' S. ; long. 66° 33' W. Current, f knot, east. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 43°. Winds: N. W., N. N. W., calm. First part, moderate and pleasant; heavy swell from the westward ; middle part, fresh, thick, and rainy ; ends light airs and calms ; foggy. Jan. 19. Lat. (D. E.) 59° 10' S. ; long. 66° 31' W, Current, 1 knot east, per hour. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 43°. Winds : calm, calm, N. N. W. First and middle parts calm, heavy swell from westward ; ends light breezes. The barometer has remained nearly stationary. Jan. 20. Lat 59° 46' S. ; long. 67° 08' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, east. Barometer, 28.9 ; tem- perature of air, 48°; of water, 42°. Winds: N. K W., S. W., W. S. W. First part, moderate breezes and rainy — very cold ; ends light breeze and pleasant. A heavy swell from the westward. Barometer remains low all the time ; it appears to be of no use here, though I will continue to use it for your gratifi- cation. Jan. 21. Lat. (D. E.) 59° 56' S.; long. (D. E.) 69° 28' W. Barometer, 28.75; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 41°. Winds: W., N., E. First and middle parts, light winds and pleasant; latter part, strong breezes and rainy ; not so much westerly swell. Barometer, all the time very low. Jan. 22. Lat. 59° 36' S. ; long. 73° 52' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 53°; of water, 43°. Winds : S. E., S., S. S. W. Throughout moderate breezes ; quite smooth. Jan. 23. Lat. 59° 18' S. ; long. 75° 00' W. Current, | knot, E. N. E. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. W., calm, N. W. Light breezes and pleasant. Jan. 24. Lat. 69° 32' S.; long. 78° 48' W. Current, 1 knot, E. S. E. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 43°. Winds : N. W., N. W., N. N. W. Moderate breezes and pleasant. Heavy westerly swell. Jan. 25. Lat. (D. E.) 59° 14' S.; long. (D. E.) 82° 10' W. Barometer, 28.8 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 43°. Winds: N. N. W., N., S. W. First part, strong breezes; middle, quite moderate, squally; ends, blowing hard gales ; cold, rainy weather. Jan. 26. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 23' S. ; long. (D. E.) 82° 53' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 48°, of water, 43°. Winds : S. W., calm, N. N. W. First part, gales and high sea ; but moderating towards the last. Middle part, light, westerly airs ; latter part, moderate breezes, thick and rainy. Jan. 27. Lat. 57° 40' S. ; long. 83° 54' W. Current, 30 miles, E. S. E. since last observations. Baro- meter, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 44°. Wind : W. S. W. Fresh breezes, thick and rainy ; blowing in flaws quite strong ; a westerly swell. Jan. 28. Lat. 55° 52' S. ; long. 84° 41' W. Current, 1 knot, east. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., S. W. by W. First part, strong gales and squally ; heavy westerly swell. Middle part, more moderate; latter part, fresh breezes and squally. You will observe that the barometer is gradually ranging higher as we decrease our latitude. Jan. 29. Lat. 54° 34' S. ; long. 86° 13' W. Current, none. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, CAPE HORN TRACKS. 611 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W., calm, N. N. E. First part, fresh breezes and pleasant ; middle part, light airs and calms ; latter part, fresh and cloudy. Jan. 30. Lat. 52° 11' S. ; long. 89° 08' W. Current, none. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 47°. "Winds: N. N. E., E. S. E., S.S.W. Strong breezes; high sea; close reefs; middle part, blowing heavy in squalls; ends more moderate; barometer rising. Jan. 31. Lat. (D. E.) 50° 46' S. ; long. (D. R.) 89° 09' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 47°. " Winds : W. by S., W., N. N. W. First part, fresh and squally ; heavy swell from S. W.; middle part, moderate ; latter, fresh and squally. Feb. 1. Lat. 50° 15' S. ; long, no observation. Current, 36 miles, E. N. E. since last observation. Barometer, 29.3; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 48.° Winds: N., K W., and W. First part, strong gales and disagreeable weather ; turbulent sea from N. W. ; appearance of a strong current; middle part, the same ; latter, strong breezes and hazy. Feb. 2. Lat. 48° 50' S. ; long. 90° 00' W. Current, E., one knot per hour. Barometer, 29.4 ; tem- perature of air, 52° ; of water, 50°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. S. W. First and middle parts, fresh breezes with heavy sea from N. W. ; latter part, strong breezes with large swell from S. W. We have had a constant current from the westward, amounting to 530 miles since leaving this latitude on the other side. The barometer does not appear to act yet. I think a ship in this part of the world is much better without one, for it causes a deal of anxiety, and uneasiness of mind to the master. Ship Tingqua (S. D. Whitmore). Jan. 15, 1853. Lat. 55° 20' S.; long. 65° 35' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 58°; of water, 46°. Winds : First part, baffling ; middle part, calm ; latter part, W. N. W. Commences with light airs from N. W. ; middle part, calm ; latter part, fresh breezes and pleasant. At 4 P. M. made Cape St. Inez, S. W. by W., 30 miles. At 4 A. M. passed within one cable's length of Cape St. Diego, low water. No rip off the capes as I have found heretofore, owing to the tide being with the wind. At 5 A. M. passed close to Good Success Bay. The American barque Virginian getting under way, standing out. He reports leaving New York five days before me ; by the papers, it is near twenty-five ; he got a good supply of wood and water at Good Success Bay. At 10 A. M. clear of the straits ; met the tide ; wind dying away ; at noon calm, with light rains; Cape Good Success, N. by E., N. L Islands W. by S.; strong flood tide; appearances of wind from the S. W.; barometer falling fast; sent dow skysail yards and royal studding- sail booms. This gives us fifty-two days out. With an ordinary chance since leaving the river, it might have been forty-five days ; but, since then, our latitude has been a hard one, and I think, at this season of the year, there is no need of keeping so close to the land after leaving Cape St. Augustine to the river Plata; but, since then, I found, as I increased my distance from the land, the winds are less favorable and not so strong. If there is any advantage in keeping in shore, I am sure I have had it this passage ; however, I shall compare logs with other vessels on my arrival at San Francisco, and inform you. Jan. 16. Lat. 56° 37' S.; long. 64° 20' W. Temperature of air, 58°; of water, 44°. Variation, 29° o 512 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. 40'. Commences calm ; barometer falling ; at 6, a light breeze from the S. W. ; middle part, strong breezes and a heavy sea ; ship laboring heavily ; latter part, fresh gales from the S. W. ; sea more regular. Jan. 17. Lat. 55° 35' S.; long. 65° 15' "W. Temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Variation, 29 40'. Wind: first part, fresh gales from the S. W.; exchanged colors with an American whale ship; middle part, wind, south ; latter part, more moderate ; wind, S. S. W. ; saw a large school of sperm whales. Jan. 18. Lat. 56° 38' S. ; long. 68° 00' W. Barometer, 29° ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 46°. Commences with light winds from the N. W., and ends with light winds from S. W. ; north point of land, S. S. W. ; sugar-loaf on Terra del Fuego, N. by W., current having set us to the northward and eastward 40 miles during the last twenty-four hours. At 10 P. M., Hermit's Isle bore west five miles ; steered S. J E. for Barnevelt's Eocks, going eight knots ; thick weather ; saw nothing ; presume passed to the eastward of them. Jan. 19. Lat. 56° 52' S.; long. 67° 30' W. Barometer, 28.5 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43°. Winds : first part, S. W. light ; middle and latter parts, W. Boarded by the captain of an American whaler, who reports light west winds, and thick rainy weather during the last ten days. Preparing for a S. W. blow. Jan. 20. Lat. 56° 52' S. ; long. 68° 15' W. Barometer, 29.00 falling ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 47°. Wind: moderate, from the westward all day. At 10 A.M. saw Diego Eamirez, S. W. by S. by compass, distant 20 miles. Standing close in, to take advantage of slants. Jan. 21. Lat. 57° 07' S. ; long. 70° 00' W. Barometer, 28.60; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 43°. First part, a moderate W. N. W. wind, heading as we draw near the land. At 2 P. M. made the land, distant 15 miles ; very hazy ; indications of a northerly wind. At 4. P. M. tacked 4 miles from the land. At 5 P. M. calm. Current setting to the eastward about J a knot. Middle part, N. N. W. At 6 P. M. breeze sprung up at N., increased, hauled to N. E., and back to N. N. W. Latter part, wind W. N. W.; first of it a double-reefed topsail breeze ; latter, light breezes and fine weather ; tacked ship, all sail. Barometer, 28.60 ; for my part, I put more confidence in the temperature of the water, than in anything else in these latitudes, as I have not been deceived as yet, especially as regards shifts, rising previous to south and west winds, and vice versd, Jan. 22. Lat. 55° 23' S. ; long. 74° 15' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 45°. First part. Winds: S. S. W. ; middle and latter parts, S. W. Fresh gales and a heavy sea ; carrying top-gallant-sail over single reefs. Jan. 23. Lat. 55° 37' S.; long. 74° 12' W. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air, 53° ; of water, 44°. Winds : first part, west and fresh; middle and latter parts, baffling; quite a change in the weather. Spoke the brig Mars, 24 days from Valparaiso; a long passage; land in sight to leeward; tacked ship to south- ward ; Cape Gloucester bearing E. N. E. 10 miles. Jan. 24. Lat. 55° 07' S. ; long. 77° 25' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 42°. Winds : first, N. ; middle, N. W; latter, N. N. E. Baffling winds and cloudy ; saw sperm whales in schools. Ends rainy. CAPE HORS TBACK3. 513 Jan. 25. Lat. 55° 00' S. ; long. 80° 24' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 43°. Winds : first part, K N. W. ; middle, K "W. ; latter, "W. K "W. Strong winds, and dark cloudy weather. At 8 P. M. wind heading ; appearances of a change. At 4 A. M. wore ship to the N. ; think I am clear of Cape Horn ; heavy irregular sea ; wind heading us to N. N. E. 2 hours, when it came back to its old quarter. Jan. 26. Lat. 52° 30' S. ; long. 80° 30' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 44°. Wind : strong from W. N. W. during the day, with dark cloudy weather. Jan. 27. Lat. 49° 15' S. ; long. 80° 32' W. Barometer, 29.75 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 50°. Wind and weather same as yesterday. Jan. 28. Lat. 46° 20' S. ; long. 80° 30' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 60° ; of water, 58°. Dark cloudy weather, with a W. N. W. wind. Barometer rose until 2 P. M. and there stopped. Alboni (N. E. Littlefield). Jan. 18, 1853. Lat. 54° 37' S. ; long. 64° 55' W. Barometer, 28.20 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W., W. S. W., S. First part, light; middle, fresh gales, very thick. At 11 A. M. entered the Straits of Le Maire ; very heavy squalls from the S., and thick, which ended in a heavy gale. Jan. 19. Lat. 54° 33' S. ; long. 63° 40' W. Current, 28 miles, E. Barometer, 28.10 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 40°. Winds: S. S. W., S. W., S. W. First part, heavy gale, with much rain ; the land entirely shut in ; middle and latter, thick and rainy. At 9 P. M. Cape St. John in sight, bearing S. W., 19 miles distant. Jan. 20. Lat. 55° 10' S.; long. 62° 52' W. Current, 20 miles, east. Barometer, 28.30; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Wind : S. W. Fresh gales, with much rain. Jan. 21. Lat. 56° 20' S. ; long. 63° 35' W. Current, 10 miles, east, for the day. Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 41°. Winds, S. W., calm, W. KW. First part, fresh; ends, fresh and squally. Jan. 22. Lat. 57° 20' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 28.60; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 40°. Winds: W., S. W., S. S. W. First part, fresh; middle, very heavy squalls; latter, fresh; large sea from S. W. Jan. 23. Lat. 56° 36' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 28.00 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds: S. W. by W., S. W., S. S.W. First part, fresh gales; middle, heavy gales; latter, fresh rain squalls. Jan. 24. Lat. 56° 36' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 38 ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W., calm, N. E. First part, fresh and clear ; latter, very light and cloudy. Jan. 25. Lat. 57° 27' S. ; long. 71° 26' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N. N. E., W. K. W., S. W. All day, light and pleasant ; all sail set, to main skysail ; Cape Horn in sight. 65 514 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Jan. 26. Lat. 57° 07' S.; long. 73° W. Barometer, 28.30; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. Fresh and squally. Jan. 27. La't. 57° GO' S. ; long. 74° 15' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. W., S. W. Fresb, witli rain squalls. Jan. 28. Lat. 55° 39' S. ; long. 75° 48' W. Barometer, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., S. W. Fresh gales and rain squalls. Jan. 29. Lat. 54° 44' S. ; long. 76° 35' W. Barometer, 28.40; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N. E., south, south. First part light; middle, wind canted suddenly to south, and blew a furious gale. Lost the foretopsail. Jan. 30. Lat. 52° 49' S. ; long. 82° 00' W. Barometer, 28.00 ; temperature of air, 58° ; water, 40°. Winds : S. S. W., south, W. S. W. First part, heavy gale ; middle, fresh gale ; latter, strong gale, with rain. I now consider that we are fairly past Cape Horn, and never, in one instance, has my barometer deceived me. Jan. 31. Lat. 50° 86' S.; long. 83° 45' W. Barometer, 29.15; temperature of air, 51°; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W. S. W., W. S. W. First part, fresh gales ; middle and latter, strong gales, thick and cloudy. Feb. 1. Lat. 50° 00' S. long. 85° 13' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 47°. Winds : W. by K, IST. N. W., W. S. W. First part, light ; middle and latter, fresh, thick, and rainy. Capt. Phinney, of the Kentucky, to Lieut. Maury. Herewith inclosed you have an abstract of my passage — ship Kentucky. It will be seen that I had good N. E. trades, and lost them in about 5° N., 30° 20' W. ; 19 days from Boston ; an old-fashioned ship, and very deep ; that I had very little calm or rain, but almost immediately took the S. E. trades, light and baffling, crossed the equator in 32° 40', 24 days out; wind, S. E. ; made two short tacks to eastward in the vicinity of Kocas; passed 17 miles west of same, and cleared St. Eoque in 27 days, running all one day near the land, in about 10 fathoms water ; crossed the parallel of Eio in 36 days, and from thence to Cape Horn I had a very poor chance. Entered the Straits of Le Maire in 65 days, and in 70 was west of the cape, with but little bad weather, and no easterly current; neither did I feel that strong westerly set between the line and St. Eoque, so much spoken of and feared. From Cape Horn till I took the S. E. trades, in 35° S., 105° W., I was 36 days, with almost a constant succession of N. W. gales. I crossed the line in 113° 10' W., 122 days out; took the N. E. trades in 5° N., and lost them in 26° 00' ; after which, my prevailing wind was farther southward, but light and baffling; and soon calms ; arrived in port this day, making my passage in 147 days. In conclusion, I cannot refrain from expressing my sense of the benefit I feel that your labors have already conferred upon the commercial world ; and also, my hope that you may be permitted to follow up these researches and investigations, by which, I believe, navigation will in a few years become quite a different matter from what it has been in times past. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 615 Ship Kentucky. Jan. 28, 1853. Off Cape San Diego, Straits of Le Maire. Barometer, 29.30. Wind : S. W. ; squally, variable, and bad weather. At daylight, made the land ; Cape St. Vincent bearing S. S. E. Entered the Straits of Le Maire as far as Cape San Diego ; the wind veering to S., and blowing violently in squalls ; wore ship and stood out ; two barques in company — all under close reefs ; bad weather. Jan. 29, Off Cape Good Success. Barometer, 29.40. Winds : S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Hard gales and violent squalls. At daylight, run through as far as Cape Good Success, when the wind veering to S. W., blowing violently, and a heavy sea, wore ship, and stood back again. Jan. 80. Off Cape San Diego. Winds: W. S. W.,S.S.W., S.S. W.; laying under lee of Cape St. Vincent ; violent squalls and hard gales. In the morning, calm, with light airs from N. E. Made all sail, and entered the straits. Spoke barque Gold Hunter, of and from Bath, ninety days out; we are sixty-seven. Ends off San Diego. Jan. 31. Cape Horn bearing W. S. W., 40 miles distant. Winds : E., E. S. E., calm. Light airs from the eastward, and fine. At 8 A. M. made Cape Horn. Ends calm. Feb. 1. Cape Horn bearing W. by S. J S., distant 20 miles. Winds : W. N. W., W. S. W., W. S. W.; moderate, baffling winds during the night ; latter part, squally, with hail. Feb. 2. Cape Horn bearing N. by W., distant 25 miles. Barometer, 29.40. Winds : calm, calm, N. E., baffling ; calm, baffling, squally weather ; latter part, light breeze from N. E. I have experienced no easterly current off the cape, yet. Barometer, useless. Feb. 3. Lat. 56° 24' S. ; long. 71° 10' W. Barometer, 28.96 ; Winds : N. E., N. E. by E., K N. W. Good breezes; latter part, moderate and baffling; calm, showery, light weather. Feb. 4. Lat. 56° 24' S.; long. 72° 43' W. Barometer, 28.94. Winds: N. N. W., S. W., N. N. W. Fine weather ; middle and latter parts, calm, baffling, and rainy. Ends fine. Feb. 5. Lat. 56° 07' S. ; long. 73° 55' W. Barometer, 29.10. Winds : N"., calm, calm. Calms and light baffling airs. Large swell from N. W. Feb. 6. Lat. 55° 49' S. ; long. 75° 02' W. Barometer, 29.50. Winds: S. W., W. S. W., W. Light airs throughout ; heavy swell from N. W. Feb. 7. Lat. 55° 04' S. (D. E.) ; long. 77° 01' W. (D. E.) Barometer, 29.55. Winds : W., S. W. by W., W. S. W. Moderate, cloudy, and squally. Tacked to north at midnight. Feb. 8. Lat. 53° 35' S.; long. 77° 24' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, E. Barometer, 29.52. Winds: W., W. by N., W. N. W. Moderate and rainy. In the morning brisk gale, and large sea from N". W. Feb. 9. Lat. 54° 11' S.; long. 78° 56' W. Barometer, 29.30. Winds: W. N". W., W., W. S. W. Hard gales and high sea. Ends moderate, and thick fog. Feb. 10. Lat. 53°05'S.(D. R.); long. 80°26'W.(D. E.) Barometer, 29.20. Winds: N. W., K W. N. W. by W. Strong ga^es, and thick, rainy weather. Feb. 11. Lat. 53° 55' S.; long. 82° 00' W. Barometer, 28.90. Wind: N. W. Hard gales, and squally. Two ships in company. ol6 THK WIND AND CUERENT CHAKTS. Feb. 12. Lat. 53° 15' S.; long. 82° 00' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, E. Barometer, 29.30. Winds : W. N. W., W., W. N. W. Hard gales, and squally. Latter part, nearly calm. Feb. 13. Lat. 53° 53' S. ; long. 83° 10' W. Current, J knot per hour, E. by S. Barometer, 29.10. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., W. by N. Tremendous gales, and very bad sea. Feb. 14. Lat. 52° 55' S. ; long. 82° 30' W. Current, J knot, E. Barometer, 29.20. Wind : W. by N. Violent gales, and hard squalls of rain and hail all day. Feb. 15. Lat. 52° 05' S.; long. 82° 45' W. Current, 1 knot, E. S. E. Barometer, 29.10. Winds: W. IST. W., calm, W. S. W. Hard gales. At 6 P. M. calm. Latter part, hard gales from same old quarter. Feb. 16. Lat. 51° 31' S. ; long. 82° 30' W. Current, J knot, E. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. N. W. Hard gales and bad sea all day. Feb. 17. Lat. 50° 48' S.; long. 82° 30' W. Current, J knot, E. S. E. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. S. W. Hard gales and bad sea. San Francisco, April 11, 1853. Lieut. Maury : I herewith send my abstract log of my passage to this port, and I am happy to say, that I feel indebted to your Charts and Directions for my short passage. I crossed the line in 35° 30' in less than 18 days from New York, and had no difficulty in beating past Cape St. Koque the 25th day out, and I have beaten everything that sailed about the time I did. It was my intention to go inside the Falkland Islands, but the weather prevented me, and I find, since my arrival, that, by going outside, I gained considerably on other vessels. I expect to leave here for Manilla ; and regret that I have not similar means of knowing the winds and phenomena of the Pacific, that your Charts give of the Atlantic. I shall forward my next abstract, and think it a slight testimonial for the benefit received. Clipper Barque Storm (John P. Eoberts), New York to San Francisco. Jan. 31, 1853. Lat. 40° 49' S. ; long. 44° 09' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 59°; of water, 61°. Winds : S. W. during first part ; middle and latter part, S. S. W., and N. E. First part, moderate winds and a heavy sea. At 6 P. M. wore ship to the W. by N. ; middle part, calm ; latter part, moderate breezes from the northeast. Observation, S. 67° W. Distance, 63 miles. I think I have missed it by not running close to Cape Frio, and running the coast down, as it appears to be a dead beat to wind- ward from where we are now. The Pilot Charts give me the chance for fair winds against head ones, in the proportion of about 3 to 2, for making a course from W. S. W. to S. S. W. The results will show how near it comes to the mark. Forty-one days out. Feb. 1. Lat. 42° 40' S. ; long. 46° 53' W. Barometer, 29.17 ; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 56°. Winds : during fi.rst and middle part, N. E. by E.; latter part, W. S. W. First and middle parts, fair and all sail set ; latter part, heavy gales ; ship under double reefs. Although various navigators agree in say- CAPE HOKN TBACKB. 517 ing that the barometer is not to be relied on in these latitudes, mine, thus far, has been an unfailing guide. Observation, S. 48° W. Distance, 166 miles. Feb. 2. Lat. 44° 27' S. ; long. 47° 38' W. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 56°. "Winds : W. S. W., W. N. "W., W. S. "W. Blowing heavy and a high sea running. Wore ship to N. W. Distance, by observation, 112 miles S., 17° W. Feb. 3. Lat. 43° 08' S. ; long. 48° 20' W. Wind : W. S. W., throughout. Heavy gales first and middle parts ; latter part, moderate. At 8 A. M. tacked to the south. Distance, by observation, 84 miles N., 20° W. Feb. 4. Lat 44° 27' S. ; long. 50° 17' W. Barometer, 29.30. Winds : N. E., K W., S. S. W. First part, moderate ; middle, heavy thunder squalls, with most vivid lightning ; latter part, fair, moderate wind. Tacked at 4 A. M. to west ; water dark green. Distance, by observation, 116 miles S., 47° W. Feb. 5. Lat. 46° 28' S. ; long. 52° 20' W. Barometer, 29.00. Winds : N. W., W., W. S. W. First and middle parts, fine ; latter part, heavy gales ; weather clear and cold. Distance, by observation, 166 mUes S., 31° 30' W. Feb. 6. Lat. 48° 47' S. ; long. 53° 00' W. Barometer, 29.50. Wind: W. S. W. throughout. First and middle parts, strong gale ; latter part moderate. Distance, by observation, 122 miles S., 13° W. Feb. 7. Lat. 49° 25' S.; long. 53° 40'. Barometer, 29.60. First and middle parts, calm ; latter part, wind all round the compass ; morning rainy, and wind east two hours ; at noon, a fresh west wind, with a dense fog. Distance, by observation, 47 miles S., 36° W. Feb. 8. Lat. 51° 00' S. ; long. 56° 45' W. Barometer, 29.70. Winds: W. to S.E., S., W. Com- mences with foggy weather and fresh breeze. At 4 P. M. wind changed to S. E. ; at midnight, tacked to S. S. E. Morning, fresh breeze and hazy weather. Passed some kelp. Distance, by observation, 152 miles S., 41° W. Feb. 9. Lat. 52° 05' S. ; long. 57° 45' W. Barometer, 29.70. First part, fine breeze from S. by W., and pleasant; at 4 P. M. tacked to W. by S.; at 8 P. M. to S.S.E. ; daylight, made the land west, ten miles"; saw numerous whales, penguins, and kelp. Middle part, calm ; latter part, west ; hauled to N. E. at noon, with fine weather. Distance, by observation, 75 miles S., 30° W. Feb. 10. Lat. 54° 18' S.; long. 61° 30' W. Current, IJ knot per hour, N. E. Barometer, 29.37. Winds: N. K W., N. W., W.; fine weather and moderate breeze. At 11 P. M. passed within five miles of Beauchure Island to the S. Morning, thick fog ; saw whales. Distance, by observation, 190 miles S., 45° 80' W.; by log, 190 miles. Feb. 11. Lat. 55° 01' S.; long. 63° 14' W. Barometer, 29.40. Winds: S.S. W., calm, W.N. W.; fair weather, moderate breeze. At 2 P. M. tacked to the westward ; at daylight, saw Staten Land, bearing W. S. W. 30 miles ; at 10 A. M. passed through a strong tide rip, running N. W. and S. E. Distance, by observation, 74 miles S., 54° W. Feb. 12. Lat. 56° 44' S.; long. 67° 03' W. Barometer, 29.04. Winds: W.K W., W. N. W., W. to S. W. First and middle parts, fine; at 8 A.M. Cape Horn bore W. N. W. fifteen miles. Latter part, 518 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. strong gale; a heavy swell from the westward. Distance, by observation, 164 miles S., 51° W. ; by log, 230 miles. Feb. 13. Lat. 56° 50' S.; long. 68° 35' W. Barometer, 29.36. Winds: W., W. S. W., K"W. by W. First part, strong gales from west ; spoke the brig Alfonso, 85 days from Boston for San Francisco ; at 8 P. M. tacked to N. W. ; at 4 A. M. tacked to S. W. Ends with strong breeze, rainy weather, and heavy sea. Distance, by observation, 50 miles "W., 7° S. Fifty-four days out. Feb. 14. Lat. 58° 08' S. ; long. 71° 11' W. Barometer, 29.00. Winds : N. W., W. by K, W. N. W. First part, a heavy squall ; middle part, more moderate. Spoke the barque A. F. Jenness, 138 days from Philadelphia, via Eio Janeiro, 46 days, bound to San Francisco. Ends with fine weather. Distance, by observation, 116 miles S., 47° W. Feb. 15. Lat. 59° 07' S. ; long. 74° 15' W. Barometer, 28.80. Winds: W. K W., W. K W., baffling from W. N. W. to W. First and middle parts, cloudy weather and moderate breeze. Latter part, light, changeable airs, and hail squalls. Ends calm. Barometer, low, and falling. Distance, by observa- tion, 114 miles S., 58° W. Feb. 16. Lat. 57° 43' S. ; long. 74° 55' W. Barometer, 28.73. Winds: calm, S.W. First part, calm; middle part, strong gale. Morning, light airs, and cloudy. Distance, by observation, 114 miles S., 59° W. Feb. 17. Lat. 56° 24' S. ; long. 76° 32' W. Barometer, 28.70. Winds: S. W., S. W., N.W. First and middle parts, moderate breezes, and thick, threatening weather. Morning, light wind ; at 10 A. M. tacked W. S.W. Ends with strong breeze. Distance, by observation, 95 miles N"., 33° W. Feb. 18. Lat. 55° 05' S. ; long. 77° 20' W. Barometer, 29. Winds : W., N. W., W. S. W. First and middle parts, fresh breeze; tacked twice; latter part, squally. Spoke the Chilian ship Jesus Eamos. She reported speaking the Jacob Bell (clipper) on the 16th. She left New York nine days before us. Dis- tance, by observation, 84 miles N., 19° W. Feb. 19. Lat. 52° 9' S.; long. 78° 18' W. Barometer, 29.50. Winds: W. S. W., W., W. S. W. Heavy and frequent squalls and a high sea. Weather cold and cloudy. Distance, by observation, 220 miles N., 23° W. A. F. Jenness (S. B. Horton). Feb. 3, 1853. Lat. 51° 30' S. ; long. 67° 4' W. Barometer, 29.15. Winds : E. N. E., K, N. N". W. Feb. 5. Lat. 53° 52' S.; long. 66° 80' W. Barometer, 29.20. Winds: K E., E., and E. S. E. Wind: light; weather variable. Feb. 7. Lat. 55° 18' S.; long. 63° 30' W. Barometer, 29.40. Winds : N.E., K, and N. W. Feb. 9. Lat. 56° 34' S. ; long. 65° 40' W. Current, 24 miles, easterly. Barometer, 29.20. Winds : W., S. W., and N. W. Feb. 11. Lat. 57° 8' S. ; long. 68° W. Barometer, 29.05. Winds : N. W., W., and S. W. CAPK HORN TRACKS. 519 Feb. 13. Lat. 57° 50' S.; long. 70° 10' W. Barometer, 29.08. Winds: N. W., "W. S. W., and W. N. W. Moderate breezes. Feb. 15. Lat. 58° 42' S. ; long. 72° 50' W. Barometer, 28.78. "Winds : N. W., W., and N. W. Feb. 17. Lat. 57° 7' S.; long. 75° 40' W. Barometer, 28.80. Winds: E., W. N. W., and S. W. Light and baffling. Feb. 19. Lat. 56° 2' S. ; long. 75° 50' W. Barometer, 29.15. Winds : K W., S, W., and W. Feb. 21. Lat. 53° 54' S.; long. 78° 40' W. Barometer, 29.85. Winds : E. N. E., S. S. E., and W. S. W. Feb. 23. Lat. 51° 40' S. ; long. 80° W. Barometer, 29.30. Winds : W. S. W., N". W., and K N. W. Feb. 25. Lat. 49° 55' S. ; long. 80° 5' W. Barometer, 29.60. Winds : K, W. N. W., and N. W. Flying Childers (J. D. White). Feb. 7. Lat. 48° 55' S. ; long. 64° 10' W. Temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Winds : N. E., N. E., S. Throughout this day moderate. Feb. 8. Lat. 51° 44' S.; long. 65° 22' W. Temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds: W., W., W. Moderate throughout. Feb. 9. Lat. 54° 15' S. ; long. 65° 10' W. Temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 48°. Winds : W., W., W. Moderate throughout. Feb. 10. Lat. 56° 30' S.; long. 65° 15' W. Temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 45°. Winds: W., W. to S. and to B., W. S. W. Passed through the Straits of Le Maire. Feb. 11. Lat. 58° 5' S. ; long. 67° 1' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 45°. Winds : S. W., N. W., S. W. Moderate ; smooth sea. Feb. 12. Lat. 58° 26' S.; long. 71° 20' W. Temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 43°. Winds : N. W., N. W., N. W. Moderate, with a smooth sea. Feb. 13. Lat. 58° 35' S.; long. 75° 20' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W., N. W., N. N. W. Moderate breezes. Feb. 14. Lat. 59° 27' S. ; long. 77° 1' W. Temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42° Winds : K N.W., N. W., W. Moderate breezes. Feb. 15. Lat. 58° 57' S. ; long. 77° 44' W. Temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W^ W., W. Strong breezes, with hail squalls. Feb. 16. Lat. 58° 8' S. ; long. 77° 44' W. Temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. AVinds : W., W., W. Light airs and calm. Feb. 17. Lat. 56° 55' S. ; long. 78° 35' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W^ W., W. Light airs and calm. Feb. 18. Lat. 55° 7' S. ; long. 79° 30' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W., W., W. Light airs and calm. 520 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Feb. 19. Lat. 51° 34' S.; long. 80° 20' W. Temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 46°. Winds : "W. S. W., W. S. "W., W. S. W. Fresh breezes and squally. Feb. 20. Lat. 47° 40' S. ; long. 82° 30' W. Temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 50°. Winds : S. W., S. W., S. W. Strong breezes and squally until 8 A. M. Ends calm. Winged Eacer (Wm. Homans), Boston to San Francisco. Jan. 30, 1853. Lat. 49° 37' S.; long. 65° 46' W, Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 50°. Winds: S., W., N. Jan. 31. Lat. 51° 12' S. ; long. 66° 8' W. Barometer, 28.6 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Winds : N., S. W., S. Feb. 1. Lat. 52° 16' S. ; long. 65° 10' W. Barometer, 28.6 ; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds: S., S., S. Feb. 2. Lat. 53° 12' S. ; long. 65° 12' W. Barometer, 29.1 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 47°. Winds : S. W., calm, calm. Feb. 3. Lat. 55° 23' S.; long. 66° 1' W. Barometer, 28.7; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 47°. Winds : E., N. N. E., N. At 5 A. M. made the land west side Straits of Le Maire, bearing S. by W. by compass. The Bell Mountain twenty-five miles distant ; strong breezes at north, and west end Staten Land plain in sight. Two barques, bound through the straits to southward, in sight. At 8 A. M. Cape Good Success, bearing N. W. by N. five miles ; a very strong tide setting to northward. Feb. 4. Lat. 56° 43' S. ; long. 68° 35' W. Barometer, 28.6 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 49°. Winds: KKE., W^ N.E. At 8 P.M. Cape Horn in sight, bearing W.K W. fifteen miles distant; 53 days from New York, and run a distance, by log, of 8,420 miles from New York to Cape Horn. Feb. 6. Lat. 56° 50' S.; long. 71° 20' W. Barometer, 28.7 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 49°. Winds: N., N. W., N. W. Feb. 6. Lat. 56° 32' S.; long. 73° 2' W. Barometer, 29.0; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 49°. Winds :S.S.E.,S.S.E.,W. Feb. 7. Lat. 56° 7' S. ; long. 76° W. Barometer, 29.02 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 48°. Winds: W.,S.W.,W.S.W. Feb. 8. Lat. 56° 11' S. ; long. 78° 30' W. Barometer, 28.8 ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 48°. Winds : W. by S., W. N. W., N. W. by N. Feb. 9. Lat. 55° 46' S.; long. 82° 46' W. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 48°. Winds : N. W. by N., W. N. W., S. Feb. 10. Lat. 54° S.; long. 82° W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 48°. Winds: S., S. W., N. W. Feb. 11. Lat. 53° 3' S.; long. 82° 47' W. Barometer, 28.7; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 48°, Wind: N. W. throughout. . " CAPE HORN TRACKS. 521 Feb. 12. Lat. 51° 3' S.; long. 82° W. Barometer, 28.6; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 48°. "Wind : N. W. throughout. Feb. 13. Lat. 50° S. ; long. 82° W. Barometer, 29.0; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 48°. Wind: N. W. throughout. On leaving New York, I followed your Directions as near as the wind and weather would allow, and crossed the equator -in the Atlantic in long. 31° 16', and found no difficulty in getting past the Brazil coast Time to equator 21 days, 21 hours, and passed through the Straits of Le Maire ; and off Cape Horn had light fine weather. Off the Horn, I tried to follow your Directions in getting west ; but the wind prevented me, hanging to N". W. after around the Horn ; and I passed about 3 degrees to west of Juan Fernandez. The S. E. trades I had far to the eastward, sometimes E. N. E., and from that to E. S. E. Crossed the equator 7th March, 1853, 85 days out, in long. 106° 24' west. Took N. E. trades in about 3 or 4, wind N. N. E. to N., and arrived off this bar, Sunday, 27th of March, in a thick fog, which continued until Wednesday, 80th, when it cleared up and I ran in. I should follow your Directions again if I was coming round the Horn, as near as the wind and weather would permit me. Although I am of opinion that, with the wind I had in the South Atlantic, after passing lat. 38° south, had I gone to east of Falkland Islands, I think I should have gained some 5 days in the passage, and should have got in, in 100 days. I was 105 days to the bar. I am going from this to Manilla and thence to New York ; on my arrival at the latter port, I shall send an abstract from this to that port. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the great benefit I have derived from your Charts and Direc- tions, and shall most readily contribute what little I can to aid you in the great and good undertaking. We have been sadly in want of what you are now so happily doing in the way of Sailing Directions and Charts for this navigation, say from IJ. S. A. round the Horn into North Pacific. Ship John Bertram (F. Leudholm). Feb. 8, 1852. Lat. 54° 53' S.; long. 62° 24' W. Current, north, 22 miles. Barometer, 29.67. Winds : S. W., variable, variable. First part, moderate breezes and rainy weather ; no prospects of clearing up, so as to get hold of the land ; kept off to the eastward, and gave up the idea of going through the straits, which I was very sorry to do. In my opinion, every vessel bound around the cape should endeavor to go through the Straits of Le Maire [a good opinion], provided they can get a sure bearing of the land, to know their true position. I have been through three different times and found no difficulty, but gained a great advantage of being so much farther to windward ; I have also strong reasons to think that there is better weather generally under the land, than off from it. At sundown, the weather clearing up, saw Staten Land, bearing S. W. J W., 5 leagues. Middle part, variable winds and squally weather, with rain ; latter part, pleasant weather ; a strong current setting to the north. Feb. 9. Lat. 57° 24' S. ; long. 62° 28' W. Current, E. by N., 37 miles. Barometer, 29.82. Winds: 66 522 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. S. W. by W., W. S. W., and S. "W. by W. Throughout these 24 hours, fresh breezes and passing rain squalls. Feb. 10. Lat. 55° 58' S. ; long. Gi° 26' W. Current, N. by E., 21 miles. Barometer, 29.80. Winds : S. W. by "W"., S. W. by "W., and N. W. by W. First part, strong breezes and squally weather ; under single reefs ; middle part., gentle breezes and squally, with hail ; morning, calm for three hours. At 6 A. M. a breeze sprang up from the N. "W". by N., tacked to the S. "W., and made all sail ; latter part, light breezes and pleasant. Feb. 11. Lat. 56° 09' S.; long. 70° 20' W. Current, east, 49 miles. Barometer, 29.62. Winds: N., N. by W., and N. by W. First part, fine breezes from the north, and pleasant weather ; middle part, brisk breezes. At 1 A. M. Cape Horn bore per compass N. N. W., distant 5 miles. A strong current, by the appearance of the water, which I found to have set me 49 miles to the eastward, by meridian observa- tion. At 4 A. M. saw Diego Eamirez Island, bearing S. W. by W. Latter part, fine breezes and heavy weather. At meridian. Island of St. Ildefonso bore, per compass, due north. Feb. 12. Lat. 57° 00' S.; long. 75° 17' W. Current, east, 25 miles. Barometer, 29.70. Winds: ]Sr. N. W., N. N. W., W. Fine breezes and pleasant weather ; evening, squally ; middle part, strong breezes and squally, with hail, snow, and a head beat sea ; latter part, strong breezes and squally, with a heavy head sea. Feb. 13. Lat. 57° 42' S.; long. 79° 08' W. Current, east, 20 miles. Barometer, 29.82. Winds: W. N. W., N. W. by W., and N. W. First part, strong breezes and pleasant ; middle part, moderate breezes and squally; wind variable, veering five or six points for several hours; latter part, fresh breezes and squally rainy weather. Feb. 14. Lat. 55° 18' S.; long. 81° 23' W. Current, E. J N., 33 miles. Barometer, 30.10. Winds: N. N. W., S. W., and W. by S. Strong breezes, and rainy, squally weather. At 9 P. M. wind hauled suddenly to the S. W. ; middle part, strong breezes and squally, with a heavy head sea ; latter part, brisk breezes; wind inclining more to the westward, witli an increasing sea from that quarter. Feb. 15. Lat. 52° 59' S. ; long. 81° 12' W. Current, E. by S., 18 miles. Barometer, 30.27. Winds : W. N. W., W. by S., and W. by S. First part, fine breezes and cloudy ; middle and latter parts, moderate and pleasant, a heavy sea running from the west. Feb. 16. Lat. 51° 12' S.; long. 82° 20' W. Current, none. Barometer, 30.53. Winds: S. W. by W., W. S. W., calm. First part, fine breezes and fine weather ; middle part, light winds ; latter part, calm and cloudy ; little or no current ; the log has probably not been strictly attended to. Feb. 17. Lat. 50° 16' S.; long. 84° 10' W. Current, E. S. E., 31 miles. Barometer, 30.60. Winds: N. by W., N. W. by N., W. N. W. Light breezes from the N., and pleasant weather ; middle part, mode- rate, with light rain ; morning, foggy ; latter part, light breezes and foggy weather ; at meridian, fog lifted and got observations. Feb. 18. Lat. 46° 32' S.; long. 85° 17' W. No current. Barometer, 30.35. Winds: W. by N., CAPE HORN TRACKS. 523 W. S. W., and S. W. First part, brisk breezes and cloudy ; middle part, strong breezes and squally, witli a beavy head sea ; latter part, strong breezes, with cloudy hazy weather. Shi^ Oolden West (Samuel E. Curwen). Feb. 10. Lat. 49° 41' S.; long. 63° 01' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 49°. Winds: N. N". W., N. N". W. to N., S. S. E. First part, brisk breezes and pleasant ; middle part, moderate and thick foggy weather. Sharp lightning at S. E. and S. "W.; latter part, brisk breezes from S. S. E. and cloudy. Distance, 157 miles. Appearance of soundings. Feb. 11. Lat. 50° 38' S.; long. 65° 31' W. Barometer, 29.55; temperature of air, 56°. Winds: S. S. W., W. by S., W. N. W. Commences with brisk breezes and cloudy ; middle part, light airs and pleasant; latter part, gentle breezes, and passing clouds. Distance, per log, 125 miles. Water much dis- colored. Feb. 12. Lat. 52° 58' S.; long. 66° 13' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 54°. Winds: W. N. W., IST. W. to N., S. W. by W. First part, gentle breezes, and pleasant ; middle part, light baffling airs, and cloudy. Ends with brisk breezes and clear weather. Sounded in 65 fathoms; gray sand. Dis- tance, 146 miles. Feb. 13. Lat. 64° 48' S.; long. 63° 44' W. Barometer, 29.55; temperature of air, 51°. Winds: S. W. by W., S. S. W. to N. W., W. Commences with fine breezes and pleasant. During the night, light airs from S. S. W. to N. W. and cloudy, at times. At 9 P. M. sounded in 60 fathoms ; white and gray sand, and gravel. At 3 hours 30 min. A.M. saw Staten Laud, bearing from S. E. to S. Ends with brisk breezes from the westward, and passing clouds. Passed several large tide rips having every appearance of heavy breakers. At noon, Cape St. John, Staten Land, bore N. W. per compass, distant 2 miles. Distance run, 151 miles. Feb 14. Lat. 56° 09' S. ; long. 06° 01' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 44°. Winds : W. ]Sr. W.,.S. W. to S., K to W. S. W. First part, brisk breezes and cloudy ; midnight, light airs and cloudy ; 2 A. M. calm ; 5 A. M. light northerly airs, and thick rainy weather. Ends with light airs from W. S. W., and passing clouds. Very large swell from S. W. Land in sight bearing from W. by S. to W. by Nj Experienced 40 miles current, setting N. 72° E. Distance run, 143 miles. Feb. 15. Lat. 57° 06' S.; long. 67° 16' W. Barometer, 29.05; temperature of air, 50°. Winds: S. W. by W., W. to S. W., IST. N. W. First part, strong breezes and cloudy ; middle part, moderate and baffling; squally at times; latter part, light airs and pleasant. Current, of no consequence. Distance run, 67 miles. Feb. 16. Lat. 57° 15' S.; long. 68° 36' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 45°. Winds: K W., W., N. N. W. First part, brisk breezes, and pleasant ; middle part, heavy gales, blowing violently, in squalls; latter part more moderate, large sea, 32 miles easterly current. Distance, by log, 91 miles. Feb. 17. Lat. 57° 07' S. ; long. 70° 12' W. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 42°. Winds: N. 524 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. "W. by N., W., S. W. First part, strong gales, and squally, with rain ; midnight, heavy squalls. Barometer, 28.70 ; latter part, brisk breezes, and passing clouds. Distance, 87 miles. Feb. 18. Lat. 57° 32' S. ; long. 72° 06' W. Barometer, 28.95 ; temperature of air, 45°. Winds: W. S. W., W. by S. to W. N. "W., calm. First part, brisk breezes and pleasant ; middle part, light and baffling, passing clouds ; latter part, calm and pleasant. Distance, per log, 107 miles. Feb. 19. Lat. 57° 42' S.; long. 73° 00' W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 47°. Wind: baffling, from S. W. to N. W.; very light baffling airs, and calm ; at intervals squally appearances; tacked several times. Distance, 29 miles. Feb. 20. Lat. 57° 18' S.; long. 74° 26' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 44°. Winds: calm, calm, S. S. W. ; first and middle parts, calm and dear ; latter part, light airs and pleasant. Distance, 42 miles. Feb. 21. Lat. 54° 34' S. ; long. 77° 00' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 43°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W. to W. S. W., W. S. W. ; first part, light winds and pleasant ; middle part, strong breezes, and squally, and continues the same throughout, with thick cloudy weather. Distance, 191 miles. Feb. 22. Lat. 51° 57' S. ; long. 77° 45' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 49°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W. to W., W. to N. W. by N. ; first and middle parts, strong breezes, squally and cloudy ; latter part, light and baffling, passing clouds. Distance, 174 miles. Feb. 23. Lat. 51° 29' S.; long. 81° 02' W. Barometer, 29.65; temperature of air, 47°. Winds: W. N. W., N. W. to N. N. W., IST. by W. Commences moderate and pleasant ; middle part, strong gales and cloudy ; large swell from S. W. ; latter part, strong gales, and thick foggy weather. Distance run, 142 miles. Feb. 24. Lat. 50° 28' S. ; long. 80° 53' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 48°. Winds: N. N. W., W. N. W., N. W. ; first part, strong gales and squally with rain ; middle and latter parts, strong gales, passing clouds, and rough sea. Distance, 112 miles. Feb. 25. Lat. 48° 39' S. ; long. 78° 09. W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 50°. Winds : JT. W. by N., to N. by W., N. by W., N. W. by N. ; brisk breezes and puffy ; cloudy at times ; weather look- ing squally ; heavy swell from south. Distance, 190 miles. Ship Bald Eagle (P. Dumaresq), New York to San Francisco. Feb. 13, 1853. Lat. 49° 26' S. ; long. 64° 20' W. Barometer, 29.72 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 52°. Winds : S. W., K K E., N. N. W. ; moderate and pleasant. Feb. 14. Lat. 52° 14' S. ; long. 65° 40' W. Barometer, 29.33 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 50°. AVinds : W., N". K W., W. S. W. ; light breezes, and pleasant ; barometer falling. Feb. 15. Lat. 54° 50' S. ; long. 64° 51' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 50°. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., N. E. ; light breezes, and pleasant ; barometer indicating a heavy gale ; in the Straits of Le Maire. Feb. 16. Lat. 56° 8' S. ; long. 67° 20' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. CAPE HOEN TRACKS. 62S Winds: N. E., S. W., N.; strong breezes; nigbt squally, with rain; vivid lightning. Ends fresh gales; passed Cape Horn. Feb. 17. Lat. 56° 36' S. ; long. 70° 41' W. Barometer, 28.82 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43°, Winds : N., W., S. W. by S. ; fresh gales; passed inside of Diego Eamirez ; light and squally. Feb. 18. Lat. 57° 1' S. ; long. 72° 30' W. Barometer, 28.94 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°.- Winds : S. W., W. by IST., W. ; fresh breezes ; middle part, light and squally. Ends with light airs. Feb. 19. Lat. 57° 14' S. ; long. 73° 34' W. Barometer, 29.17 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds : westerly, westerly, W. N. W. ; light airs throughout. Feb. 20. Lat. 56° 46' S.; long. 75° 18' W. Barometer, 29.66 ; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 45°. Winds : N. W., E., S. S. E. ; light airs throughout. Feb. 21. Lat. 53° 50' S.; long. 79° W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds : S. by W., S. W., W. S. W. ; light breezes ; middle and latter parts, fresh and cloudy. Feb. 22. Lat. 51° 29' S. ; long. 80° 46' W. Barometer, 29.92 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 47°. Winds: W. S. W., W. by N., N. N". W.; fresh gales; middle part, moderate. Ends fresh and pleasant. Feb. 23. Lat. 50° 6' S. ; long. 84° 43' W. Barometer, 28.36 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 47°. Winds : N. by W., N. W., N. by W.; fresh breezes ; middle part, rainy. Ends strong gales. Ship Phantom (A. J. Hallett), Boston to San Francisco. Feb. 25, 1853. Lat. 49° 03' S. ; long. 65° 07' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.09 ; temperature of air, 58°; of water, 50°. Winds: N. IST. W., S., S. Moderate breezes and clear weather. At 4 P. M. made Cape Blanco, bearing S. W., distant 15 miles ; tacking during the night and forenoon. Feb. 26. Lat. 53° 14' S.; long. 65° 59' W. Eipples. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 65°. Winds : S. S. E., N. E., N. N. W. First part, moderate and fine weather, with a smooth sea ; midnight, fresh breezes and cloudy, with a thick scud flying from the N. E. ; latter part, fresh breezes, and a heavy sea running ; no observation. Distance run, 264 miles. Feb. 27. Lat. 55° 05' S. ; long. 62° 30' W. Heavy ripples. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer^ 29.7; temperature of air, 59° ; of water, 52°. Winds: K N. W., N. W., S. W. First and middle parts, fresh breezes with rain, and thick weather; latter, moderate and fine; hard luck. Feb. 28. Lat. 56° 55' S. ; long. 64° 05' W. Variation observed, 17° E. Barometer, 29.7 ; tempera- ture of air, 54° ; of water, 50°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., N. W. Moderate breezes throughout the day ; latter, thick and drizzly, with rain. March 1. Lat. 56° 45' S. ; long. 67° 02' W. Eipples. Variation observed, 19° E. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 50°. Winds: W. by N., W. N. W., S. AV. First and middle parts, squally, with rain ; latter, heavy gales from the S. W., and a heavy sea running ; ship laboring hard ; water making a clear breach over her ; close-reefed topsail. March 2. Lat. 57° 07' S. ; long. 67° 32' W. Variation observed, 19° E. Barometer, 29.7 ; tempera- 526 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. ture of air, 60° ; of water, 53°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Heavy gales throughout the day. At 4 P. M., Cape Horn bore by compass N. by W. J "W., distant 25 miles ; wore ship. March 3. Lat. 58° 23' S.; long. 69° 45' W. Variation observed, 20° E. Barometer, 29.2 ; tempera- ture of air, 64° ; of water, 54°. Winds : W. by N., W., S. W. by W. Comes in with fresh breezes and squally, with rain ; middle, still raining ; the weather looking bad, double reefed the topsails. At 4 A. M., heavy gales ; put the ship under storm canvas ; heavy sea. March 4. Lat. 58° 42' S. ; long. 72° 85' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.2 ; tempera- ture of air, 56° ; of water, 50°. AVinds : S. W., N". W., N. W. Fresh breezes and squally throughout the day ; heavy sea running. March 5. Lat. 59° 21' S.; long. 73° 10' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 28.8 ; tempera- ' ture of air, 56°; of water, 44°. Wind: N. W. throughout. Fresh gales and squally during 24 hours; very heavy sea running ; ship laboring hard. March 6. Lat. 59° 36' S.; long. 75° 50' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 28.9 ; tempera- ture of air, 54°; of water, 45°. Winds: N. W., N. W., S. W. Fresh gales, with a heavy sea running. At 6 A. M., took the wind from S.W. ; wore ship. March 7. Lat. 58° 57' S. ; long. 77° 36' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.2 ; tempera- ture of air, 55° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W., W., N. W. First part, moderate breezes and cloudy ; middle, light airs and thick hazy weather ; latter, calm, and thick hazy weather. March 8. Lat. 57° 48' S. ; long. 80° 80' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 28.8 ; tempera- ture of air, 60° ; of water, 49°. Winds: N. W., N.N. E., S. W. Comes in with light breezes and thick hazy weather. At 7 P. M., tacked ship ; at 11 P. M., fresh gales ; a heavy sea from W. N. W., making a clear breach over the ship, and filling her with water ; latter part, fresh gales and heavy squalls at times ; passed near an American ship bound to California. March 9. Lat. 55' 08' S. ; long. 80° 25' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.3 ; tempera- ture of air, 58° ; of water, 48°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. Moderate breezes and squally, with a heavy sea running; middle and latter part, moderate breezes; no observations; this is a hard wind to get along with. March 10. Lat. 53° 16' S. ; long, 79° 08' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.5 ; tempera- ture of air, 60°; of water, 49°. Winds: W., calm, E. S. E. First part, light airs and thick weather; middle, calm, and thick weather, with heavy clouds hanging around ; latter, moderate breezes and fine weather. March 11. Lat. 50° 46' S. ; long. 81° 47' W. Variation observed, 23° E. Barometer, 29.5; tempera- ture of air, 58° ; of water, 50°. Winds : S. E., calm, N. N. B. First part, moderate ; middle, calm ; latter part, fresh gales. The sea making a clear breach over the ship fore and aft ; heavy squalls, with rain. March 12. Lat. 51° 17' S.; long. 83° 45' W. Variation observed, 22 E. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 60°; of water, 52°. Winds: N.N.E., N. W., N. AV. Fresh gales and heavy sea running. Pitched CAPE HORN TRACKS. 627 away flying jib-boom, and drew away a good- many bolts from the bows. Laboring very hard, and men much used up by the sea breaking over the ship. March 13. Lat. 50° 43' S. ; long. 84° 10' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.6; tempera- ture of air, 60° ; of water, 48°. Winds : K W., W. S. W., W. by K First part, fresh gales ; lying to. At 5 P. M. wore ship and made sail. Middle part, squally, and bad sea running. At 8 A. M. tacked to the S. W., and at noon to north; latter part, fresh breezes and thick, hazy, rainy weather. No observation to-day. Saw a ship to leeward, standing to the northward and eastward. March 14. Lat. 47° 85' S. ; long. 83° 10' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 29.7 ; tem- perature of air, 62°; of water, 49°. Winds: W. JST. W., S. W., and S. by W. First part, moderate and thick, hazy weather ; middle part, squally, with heavy rain. At midnight, wind shifted suddenly from N. W. to S. W., and blowing fresh ; continued so up to noon with a clear sky ; ship going 15 knots per hour from 1 A. M. to noon. At 5 P. M. spoke and passed clipper ship Toronto, bound same way, sixty-nine days out. Latter part, fresh breezes and fine weather, with passing clouds. Got a good observation to-day. March 15. Lat. 44° 27' S.; long. 85° 24' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 30.00; tem- perature of air, 61°; of water, 48°. Winds: S. S. W., S. S. W., S. W. First and middle parts, fine breezes and fine weather ; latter part, light airs and cloudy ; smooth sea. Eate, from 14 to 3 knots per hour. March 16. Lat. 48° 37' S.; long. 88° 29' W. Variation observed, 22° E. Barometer, 30.20; tem- perature of air, 63° ; of water, 49°. Winds : W. S. W., N. N. W., S. E. Comes in with light breezes and cloudy. Middle, squally, with rain. At 6 A. M. took a squall of wind from the south, which soon cleared the weather. Latter part, gentle breezes and fine weather. Ship going 14 knots with light sails. Now shall make a straight course for 115° longitude, in parallel of 37° south, as per your valuable Sailing Directions, which I think much of Ccqyl. John S. Farron to Lieut. Maury. I have the pleasure of forwarding you the abstract log of the clipper ship Eagle, under my command, from New York to this port, where I arrived on the 80th ult. You will perceive by it that, from the latter part of the 18th to the 23d January, I had the wind from S. by W., and south, which obliged me to go farther to the eastward than you recommended, and that I crossed the equator also a little to the east- ward of your route for that month — on the 24th day. On the 1st February, at noon, during a squall from N. N. E., a whirlwind, veering on its axis from right to left, and moving with an unequal and unsteady motion from E. N. E. to W. S. W., passed within twenty yards of the ship's stem, the ship going 6 knots ; when right astern, we were taken aback by the eddy for about two minutes, or until it had passed on our quarter ; it moved at the rate of about five miles per hour, and raised the water as if boiling, and seemed to iucrease as it progressed; but the rain that succeeded shortly after, obscured it from our view. I did not take the S. E. trades until in the latitude of 3° 30' S., and had a fair run of 40 days to the river Plata, and, passing through the Straits of Le Maire, I made Cape Horn on the fifty-fourth day. I had to go as far south as 59° 20' S. ; and had bad weather until I reached the parallel of 30°, and found no trade until 528 • THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, in 22°, and then on the average at E.N.E., which made me regret striving so much to got to the westward. However, I crossed the equator on the ninety-first day, in 115° 30'. I would call your attention to the great fall in the temperature of both air and water, immediately on passing the line ; which, taken in connection with the variableness of the wind for some days, the overcast appearance of the weather, and heavy swell coming from the W. N. W., inclines me to think that it has been blowing heavily from the N. W. at some distance in that direction from us, so as to change the direction and interrupt the regular trade, which I think we ought to have carried farther than the parallel of 19° N. You will observe, also, with respect to the currents in the Pacific, that I found none observable after the 15th March, the observations and the dead reckoning agreeing very nearly, excepting on the 18th, when there was a rise in the temperature of 7°, and a great difference in the latitudes by observation and D. B., which would intimate a current nearly south ; but after that there was no indication of any. I am bound home from this port, via Kio de Janeiro, but I have not yet made up my mind what track I shall pursue, and have no data to guide me ; however, I incline to the opinion of not going too far to the eastward. Trusting I shall be able to give you a good report, T remain, dear sir, yours, &c. Eagle (Jno. S. Farron). Feb. 26. Lat. 49° S6' S. ; long. 58° 54' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 4G°; of water, 46°. "Winds: N. to E., E., N. to E. Throughout, winds very variable with cloudy weather. Feb. 27. Lat 50° 19' S. ; long. 64° 47' W. Current, I knot per hour. Barometer, 29.90 ; tempera- ture of air, 51°; of water 48°. Winds: strong N., N. "W., S. S. W. First part, hazy; middle, flawy, cloudy, and hazy ; latter, clear. At 7 A. M. 8 fathoms, dark gray sand. Feb. 28. Lat. 51° 20' S.; long. 65° 56' W. Barometer, 29.81 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 48°. Winds : S. S. W., N. W., N. First part, clear ; from 8 to 12, calm ; middle part, clear ; latter, cloudy. At 8 A. M. 65 fathoms, with the same bottom. March 1. Lat. 54° 21' S, ; long, 65° 45' W. Barometer, 29.48 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 46°. Winds: N. N". W., N, W,, W, S. W. First and middle parts, hazy; latter, threatening appearances. At 7 A. M. saw the coast of Terra del Fuego. March 2. Lat. 55° 25' S. ; long. 65° 30' W. • Barometer, 29,55 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S., W. S. W., K W, First part, cloudy; middle, cloudy with calms ; latter, cloudy and hazy, with strong tide rips throughout. At 7 hours 30 min. P, M. Cape Diego bore S. by E. 5 leagues distant. At noon, east end of Staten Land bore N. E. by N. ; Cape Good Success, N. by W. March 3. Lat. 57° 01' S. ; long. 67° 00' W. Current, E. N. E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.27 ; temperature of air, 51°; of water, 44°. Winds: N., W. N. AY., W. S. W. First part, clear ; middle, squally with drizzling rain ; latter, 'heavy gales with hard squalls of rain. At 7 P. M. Cape Horn bore S. W. I S. March 4. Lat. 57° 39' S. ; long. 68° 18' W. Current, E. K E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 42°. Winds : decreasing, W. S. W., W. N. W., K N . W. First part, passing clouds; middle, clear; latter, cloudy and foggy with drizzling rain. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 629 March 5. Lat. 58° 47' S.; long. 71° 40' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. First part, fresh winds, cloudy, and hazy ; middle, fresh squalls and rainy ; latter, gales ; cloudy, and squally. March 6. Lat. 59° 20' S.; long. 74° 20' W. Barometer, 28.85; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 41°. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., N. W. by W. First part, fresh gales and squally ; middle and latter, moderate, hazy, and foggy, with drizzling rain throughout. At 9 A. M. tlie wind shifted to S. W. and cleared off. March 7. Lat. 58° 05' S.; long. 75" 51' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W. by W., W. N. W., and W. S. W. to N. N. E. Moderate and cloudy, with drizzling rain throughout. March 8. Lat. 57° 14' S.; long. 77° 17' W. Current, E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, at 4 A.M., 28.08 ; at noon, 28.66; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., N. W., S. W. by S. First part, light winds and cloudy ; at 8 A. M. wind hauled to north, squally with rain ; middle, heavy gales, with heavy squalls, slcct, and rain; latter part, heavy gales, hard squalls, and cloudy. A heavy sea running. March 9. Lat. 55° 27' S. ; long. 78° 12' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, E. Barometer, 29.25 ; tem- perature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W. by W., W. S. W., and S. W. First part, strong gales, with hard squalls and hail; middle, fresh gales, cloudy, and squally with hail ; latter, moderate, with pass- ing clouds. March 10. Lat. 54° 30' S.; long. 79° 10' W. Current, B., twenty knots during the day. Baro- meter, 29.43 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. W. by S., and S. S. E. to S. W. First part, moderate ; middle and latter, light ; calm, from 10 P. M. to 8 A. M. ; a heavy swell from W.N.W. March 11. Lat. 53° 12' S.; long. 83° 24' W. Current, half a knot per hour, E, Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 45°. Winds : S. S. W., variable, N. N. E. First part, fresh winds and passing clouds; middle, light variable airs and calms; latter part, gales, with thick cloudy weather; a heavy sea from N. W. March 12. Lat. 53° 17' S. ; long. 85° 30' W. No perceptible current. Barometer, 28.90 ; tempera- ture of air, 46°; of water, '44°. Winds: N. N. E., N. W. by N., N. W. by W. Begins hazy, with threatening weather; middle and latter parts, heavy gales, with hard hail squalls; cloudy, misty weather. March 13; Lat. 51° 48' S. ; long. 85° 39' W. No perceptible current. Barometer, 29.56 ; tempera- ture of air, 45° ;■ of water, 45°. Winds : W., S. W. by W., W. First part, strong gales and heavy squalls, with thick weather; middle, wind decreasing; overcast with drizzling rain; latter j)art, moderate, with drizzling rain ; a very heavy N. W. sea. Marcl) 14. Lat. 49° 02' S.; long. 87° 19' W. No perceptible current. Barometer, 30.06; tempera- ture of air, 47° ; of water, 49°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., S. W. by S. First part, light airs, calm, cloudy and rainy; middle, fresh gales and cloudy; latter, strong breezes and fair; a heavy westerly sea on throughout. 67 630 THE WIXD AND CURRENT CHARTS. Tornado (0. E. Mumford), New York to San Francisco. Feb. 28, 1853. Lat. 47° 52' S.; long. 64° 44' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 57°; of water, 52°. Winds : S. S. E., E., and N. E. Sounded with patent lead, in 57| fathoms, gray sand ; light breezes and calms. At 4 A.M. sounded in 56 fathoms, gray sand; lat. 47° 16' S. ; long. 64° 30' W. Dis- tance sailed by observation, 3,897 miles this month. March 1. Lat. 51° 31' S.; long. 65° 06' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 49°. Winds: N., N. N. E., and N. Fine breezes and hazy weather; distance run, 220 miles. March 2. Lat. 54° 19' S.; long. 65° 05' W. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 47°. Winds: S. W., S. W., and W. S. W. Moderate breezes and hazy weather; the land about Cape St. Diego could be seen through the haze ; spoke the barque Golden Age from Monte Video, bound to San Francisco; distance run, 168 miles. March 3. Lat. 56° 00' S. ; long. 65° 10' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 45°. Winds: W. S. W., W. N. W., and N". W. by W. Found it useless to attempt the straits with this wind, the ebb tide just having made ; at 7 P. M. Cape St. John's W. f N., distant 6 miles, I noticed a natural bridge, from the first high peak west of the cape to the land to the south of it. When Cape St. John's bears S. 7° W., the peak will bear S. 20° W. when 6 miles from the land. Distance run, 146 miles. March 4. Lat. 56° 34' S.; long. 67° 40' W. Current, E., 1 mile per hour. Barometer, 28.81 ; tem- perature of air, 50°; of water, 46°. Winds; S. W., S. W. and calm, and N. W. by N". Moderate breezes and pleasant ; at noon, Cape Horn, N. 4° W. by compass, distant, 38 miles, and clearly seen. The islands west of it plain in sight, distant 90 miles ; strong current rips. March 5. Lat. 58° 00' S.; long. 70° 24' W. Current, E., f mile per hour. Barometer, 28.62; tem- perature of air, 49°; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W., W. by S., and W. by N. J N. At 1 hour 30 min; P. M. the Islands of Diego Kamirez bearing W. S. W., distant 30 miles; at 2 hours 15 min. P. M. Diego Eamirez bore W. J N. true, and Cape Horn N. E. by N., just seen on the horizon. Latter part, a heavy head sea, and squally ; took in two reefs. Distance run, 124 miles. March 6. Lat. 58° 40' S.; long. 73° 27' W. --Current, E., f mile per hour. Barometer, 28.56; tem- perature of air, 48° ; of water, 43°. Winds: W. by N., W. by N. J N., and N. W. Moderate gale, and a very heavy head sea, with frequent squalls. At 11 hours 30 min. A. M. wind suddenly shifted to the S. W. Distance run, 104 miles. Mairch 7. Lat. 58° 02' S. ; long. 74° 58' W. Current, E., I mile per hour. Barometer, 28.60 ; tem- perature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W., W. by S., and N. W. by N. Light breezes from the S. W., and foggy, with rain. At 4 A. M. tacked to the southward; at noon, struck aback with a wind from the S. W. Distance run, 62 miles. March 8. Lat. 67° 17' S.; long. 76° 22' W. Current, E., 1^ miles per hour. Barometer, 27.60; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. by S., N. W. by W., and S. W. At 2 P. M. a clipper ship on our lee quarter, dist. 8 miles. At 10 P. M. wind backing to the N. Barometer, falling fast ; latter CAl'K HORN TRACKS. 681 part, hard rain, wind increasing and hauling to the westward, in heavy squalls. Distance run, 64 miles ; clipper ship bears S. S. W. 14 miles. March 9. Lat. 55° 19' S.; long. 77° 25' W. Current, 31 miles, S. 71° E. Barometer, 28.72; tem- perature of air, 43° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W. by W., W. S. W., and S. W. Strong breezes and a heavy irregular sea ; squalls heavy for two reefs. Distance run, 124 miles ; clipper ship S. by W. distant 14 miles. March 10. Lat. 54° 22' S.; long. 78° 52' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 45°. Winds : S. W., calm, and south. Light breezes and fine weather ; clipper ship S. W. by S. distant 18 miles. March 11. Lat. 52° 55' S.; long. 83° 00' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 45°. Winds : S., S. and E., and N. N. E. Moderate breezes and pleasant weather. Latter part, fresh breezes. Distance run, 173 miles. March 12. Lat. 52° 32' S. ; long. 84° 38' W. Current, E., 18 miles. Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 46°. Winds: N., N. W. by K, N. W. by N. J N. Heavy gales; ship under close reef; heavy rain ; at 6 P. M. wore ship; a strong gale blowing, and an ugly sea. Distance run, 82 miles. March 13. Lat. 50° 25' S. ; long. 84° 00' W. Current, E., 18 miles. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 47°. Winds : W. S. W., N. W. by N., and N. W. Strong gales, and squally until 7 A. M. ; shook out all reefs ; clipper ship five miles to windward, on the western tack. Latter part, foggy. Spoke the ship Phantom, from Boston, sailed January 6. Ends with light rain. Distance run, 170 miles. Capl. 0. R. Mumford to Lieut. Maury. You will please note that I was compelled, by bafiling winds, to make several tacks each day, between the parallels of 35° and 30° S., long. 95° to 100° W. Had I been a few degrees farther east, T have no doubt but that I should have made a better passage ; and I have reason to think that if I could have got farther west, such would have been the case; for it appears we were between two winds, not far distant from us either way. We crossed the equator in 118° W., and were 22 days into port, having light winds after passing 28° N. I was very particular about the current, from 30° N. and 135° W. into port ; and my observations confirmed those of my other passages. If I ever should come this way again, I will never cross the equator east of 118° W., which I think is about the right spot. Mascomma (A. D. Cobb), Boston to San Francisco. March 19, 1853. Lat. 51° 03' S.; long. 65° 89' W. Barometer, 80.03; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds: W.K W., N. W., S. W. First part, light wind and fine weather; middle, moderate and hazy ; latter, fresh breezes and fine weather. March 20. Lat. 53° 37' S.; long. 65° 18' W. Current, 1 knot, K E. Barometer, 29.94; tempera- ture of air, 47°; of water, 45°. Winds: W. S. W. throughout; fine breezes, and pleasant. Barometer,- falling. ■* 532 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Marcli21. Lat. 55° 04' S.; long. 65° 13' W. Current, the same. Barometer, 29.57 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 44°. Winds: N.N. W., N. N. W., N.W. First part, light winds, and clear; at 6 P. M. hauled up to go outside of Staten Land ; midnight, strong winds, and foggy ; morning, more mode- rate ; at 8 A. M. hauled up to westward to double Cape St. John. Ends foggy. March 22. Lat. 55° 25' S. ; long. 64° 20' W. Barometer, 29.53; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 43°. Winds: N. N. W., S. W., S. E. First part, light airs, and foggy; middle part, very thick, with variable winds, and light rain ; latter part, variable airs, and clear. At noon. Cape St. John bore (per comp.) N. N. E. 45 miles distant. March 23. Lat. 56° 07' S. ; long. 66° 20' W. Current, 1 knot, N. E. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W., N. W., N. W. by W. First part, light and fine ; midnight, strong winds. Ends with light airs from the N. W., with a heavy S. W. swell. Barometer falling slowly. March 24. Lat. 56° 39' S. ; long. 66° 49'. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 45°. Winds : N. N. W., W., W. Commences light winds, and cloudy ; midnight, squally and rainy. Ends with strong gales. Barometer, steady. March 25. Lat. 57° 32' S. ; long. 67° 21' W. Current, 1 knot, N. E. Barometer, 28.20 ; tempera- ture of air, 41°; of water, 44°. Winds: W. by N., N. W., W. First part, strong gales, with heavy rain; moderated during the afternoon ; midnight, the wind increased to a hard gale, which continued throughout. At noon, barometer 28.84. March 26. Lat. 58° 03' S.; long. 67° 26' W. Barometer, 28.84 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. AVind : west ; hard gales with snow squalls. March 27. Lat. 57° 45' S.; long. 68° 17' W, Current, 1 knot, E. N. E. Barometer, 28.90; tempera- ture of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., S. S. W., E. First part, hard gales, with severe hail squalls ; middle, light, variable winds ; at 10 A. M. wind canted to S. S. W., in a snow squall, and increased to a hard gale. March 28. Lat. 57° 10' S. ; long. 68° 20' W. Current, the same. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 45°. AYinds : S. W., W., S. by W. First part, strong gales, with heavy squalls, hail, and snow ; middle, the same. Ends with moderate winds, and snow squalls. March 29. Lat. 56° 35' S.; long. 69° 47' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 46°. Winds: S. by W., S. by W., S. Commences with strong gales and heavy squalls, and much snow; at 10 A. M. more moderate. Ends with fresh gales and light squalls. March 30. Lat. 56° 30' S. ; long. 71° 21' W. Current, 2 knots, E. N. E. Barometer, 29.10 ; tem- perature of air, 36° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S., S. by E., S. Commences fresh gales and fine weather ; middle, light, variable winds, with light snow squalls. Ends fine ; with good observations find a 2 knot current (easterly), for the last three days. March 31. Lat. 56° 07' S.; long. 73° 26' W. Current, 1 knot, E. N. E. Barometer, 29.00; tem- perature of air, 36° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. S. E., S. by E., S. S. E. First part, strong winds, with light snow squalls; middle, light and variable, with heavy clouds; latter, moderate and fine. OAPK HORN TRACKS. 68S April 1. Lat. 55° 36' S. ; long. 78° 13' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. E., S., S. S. E. First part, moderate ; middle and latter parts, strong gales, with snow squalls. April 2. No observation. Barometer, 29.64; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 45°. Winds: S. S. W., S. S. W., S. W. Commences with strong winds, rain, and snow; middle, strong winds and cloudy; latter, strong gales, with snow and rain. April 3. No observation. Barometer, 29.64 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 46°. Winds ; S. W^ S. S. W., S. Commences with strong gales and thick weather, which continue throughout the day. April 4. No observation. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 50°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. Commences with strong winds, and rainy appearances ; midnight, strong gales, and thick cloudy weather. Ends with fresh breezes, and cloudy. Lat. (D. R.) supposed to be about 50° S. A. Chesehorough (R. C. Cheseborough), New York to San Francisco. March 19, 1853. Lat. 50° 57' S. ; long. 65° 46' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 52°. Winds : N. W., S. W. First part, wind light and pleasant ; middle and latter parts, moderate breezes and pleasant. Barometer varying from 29.55 to 30.20, without any change. March 20. Lat. 53° 24' S.; long. 65° 17' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 58°; of water, 54°. Winds : S. W., W., N. First and middle parts, moderate and pleasant ; latter part, light. March 21. No observation. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 58° ; of water, 48°. Wind north. First and middle parts, pleasant ; latter, foggy ; wind variable. March 22. No observation. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 49°. Winds : variable throughout. Begins with light winds and a thick fog. At noon, sounded in 40 fathoms ; wore ship to the westward ; at 3 P. M., saw N. W. point of Staten Land bearing E., distant three miles ; wore ship to the southward; strong tide setting E. N. E. ; tacked ship to N. E.; 8 P. M., fell calm; 9 P. M., light southerly breeze; saw the land, bearing east, eight miles distant; midnight, rain ; 2 A. M., calm; 6 A. M., St. Diego bearing W., 10 miles distant; Cape St. Bartholomew, S. by E., 14 miles; being in 45 fathoms water, and finding a strong tide setting to the eastward, concluded not to go through the Straits of Le Maire; ends with light winds; at 11 hours 30 min. Cape St. John, B. S. E., 15 miles distant. March 23. No observation. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 53° ; of water, 48°. Winds : W., N. N. E., N. First part, light wind, with fine weather. At 6 P. M., calm ; 8 P. M., light N. N. E. breeze ; at 10, moderate; strong current W. S. W., and finding we could not clear Cape St. John, tacked to the westward, and stood again for the Straits of Le Maire ; at 7 hours 30 min. entered with a strong favorable tide and light north wind ; at 9 A. M., passed Cape Good Success ; ends clear. March 24. Lat. 56° 29' S. ; long. 66° 40' W. (D. R.) Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 49° ; of water, 48°. Winds : N. N. E., calm, W. Begins with light winds and fine weather ; middle part, calm ; at 2 A. M., strong gales from the westward, with rain and hard squalls ; ends moderate, with the sun out at times. 634 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. March 25. Lat. (D. K.) 57° 10' S.; long. (D. K.) 68° 50' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 48°. Winds : W., N., N. W. Begins moderate ; at 3 P. M., Cape Horn in sight, bearing N. W., 40 miles distant ; 8 P. M., wind light from the northward ; midnight, strong gales ; 4 A. M., squally, with hail ; ends strong gales and heavy sea. March 26. Lat. 58° 15' S.; long. . Barometer, 28.85; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 44°. Winds: W., W., W. S. W. Commences with hard gales and heavy squalls ; at 1 P. M., barometer, 28.85; wind increasing ; at 2, barometer, 29.10 ; squalls not so heavy ; middle and latter parts, strong gales and hard squalls of hail and rain. March 27. Lat. 57° 40' S. ; long. 70° 10' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., calm, S. W. First part, moderate ; middle, calm ; at 2 A. M., light from S. E. ; 4 A. M., south ; 8 A. M., S. W. ; strong gales and squalls ; ends same ; barometer, 29.10. March 28. Lat. 56° 30' S. ; long. 71° 30' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W., calm, S. W. First part, strong gales; at 9 P.M., calm; 11 P.M., E.; 1 A.M., S.E.; Barometer, 28.70 ; 8 A. M., hard gales, and squalls, and high sea ; ends the same ; barometer, 29.15. March 29. Lat. 55° 40' S.; long. 73° 10' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., S. W., S. E. First part, hard squalls and calms ; middle part, light ; at 8 A. M., light from the eastward ; barometer, 29.20. March 30. Lat. 53° 57' S. ; long. 75° 30' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. E., S. S. W., S. S. W. First part, light from the southward, with light snow squalls ; at 3 P.M., pleasant; middle and latter parts, moderate, with light snow squalls; at 11 hours 30 min. A.M., passed through strong tide rips. March 31. Lat. 52° 48' S. ; long. 77° 37' W. Barometer, '29 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 46°. Wind : variable throughout. Frequent squalls of snow, and sometimes calm. April 1. Lat. 49° 41' S.; long. 78° 30' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 47°. Winds : variable, S., S. First part, variable, with light squalls of rain and snow. At 6 P. M. strong gales and hard squalls from the southward ; middle and latter parts the same ; at noon barometer, 29.70. Lucknow (S. Plumer), Boston to California. March 7, 1853. Lat. 47° 51' S. ; long. 63° W. Current, slight, N. Barometer, 29.68 ; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 53°. Winds: N. W.,S.S. W., W.S. W. Begins with a fine N.W. wind and pleasant weather ; at evening, it hauled to the westward. During the night, wind baffling from W. to S. At 8 A.M. sounded in 65 fathoms: black and yellow fine sand. Latter part, fine breezes and pleasant. Baro- meter rather low for such weather, 29.60 to 29.70. Much kelp and sea-weed. 2 A. M. tacked to W., and at 8 A. M. to S. March 8. Lat. 50° 26' S. ; long. 65° 33' W. Barometer, 28.88 ; temperature of air, 58° ; of water, 63°. Winds: W. S. W., N. W., W. Begins with light breezes and fine weather ; evening, wind hauling CAPE HORN TRACKS. 535 to N. W., and increasing ; middle, fresh gales ; barometer falling, 29.40 ; latter part, hard gales and cloudy ; barometer at a stand, 28.88 ; wind hauling to S. W. March 9. Lat. 51° 22' S.; long. 64° 36' "W. Slight northerly current. Barometer, 29.25; tempera- ture of air, 52°; of water, 48°. Winds: W.S. W., S.W., S.S. W. First part, hard gales and furious squalls ; middle and latter parts, hard gales. Barometer rising very slowly. March 10. Lat. 51° 51' S.; long. 64° 56' W. Current (per hour), 1 knot, N.N. W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W. by W., S. W. Unsteady winds and dark cloudy weather, with showers of rain. At 1 P.M. wore ship to the westward, and at 8, to the southward. March 11. Lat. 51° 53' S. ; long. 65° 26' W. Current (per hour), | knot, N. Barometer, 29.55; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 48°. Winds: S. W., S.S. E. to S., S. S. W. Begins with unsteady, gloomy, rainy, and squally weather. Barometer falling. 11 P. M. wind hauled S. S. E. suddenly in a squall ; wore to the westward ; barometer rose /g with this change of wind;. Ends with hard gale, rough sea, and clear sky. March 12. Lat. 52° 34' S. ; long. 66° 28' W. Current (per hour), | knot, N. N. W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 53°; of water, 49°. Winds: S.S. W. to S.E., S.E. to N.E., N.E. to N.N. W. Moderating ; sea going down ; during the night, a light air hauling to the northward. Ends with a moderate N.N. W. wind and cloudy weather. Barometer from 29.90 to 29.60. March 13. Lat. 54° 50' S. ; long. 65° W. Barometer, 29.18 ; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 49°. Winds : N. N. W., N. W., N. W. to W. Begins with light breezes and cloudy. Sounded in from 47 to 54 fathoms. At daylight saw the land. At 10 hours 15 min. entered the Straits of Le Maire with a fine N. W. wind, which hauled to W. in the straits. Found a six knot-current setting through, and of course quite a turbulent sea. At noon. Cape Good Success bore S. W. | W., and Cape St. Bartholomew (Staten Land) E. J N. (per compa.ss). Clear in the straits, but cloudy over the land. Barometer falling gradually, with a continued light breeze and pleasant weather. March 14. Lat. 55° 56' S.; long. 64° 18' W. Current (per hour), | knot, N. E. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W., W. S. W., S. W. by W. Begins with light airs and calms. At 4 P. M. a fresh breeze sprung up at W. S. W., which soon became a gale. Middle, hard gales and harder squalls. Latter, more moderate. Saw cape pigeons and other birds. March 15. Lat. 56° 05' S. ; long. 63° 34' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water,. 44°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W. Hard gales and heavy squalls ; wind from S. S. W. to S. ; wore ship twice ; wind and sea gradually increasing ; no observation. Barometer rising slowly all day. March 16. Lat. 55° 25' S.; long. 63° 35' W. Barometer, 29.76; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 43°. Winds : S. by W., S., S. by W. Commences with hard gales and squalls, with snow and hail — weather same during the night. At 6 A. M. saw Staten Land bearing from N. W. to N. ; wore ship to the S. E. ; latter part, moderating, but squally ; found 40 miles northward in the last two days. March 17. Lat. (bearings) 55° 18' S. ; long, (do.) 63° 35' W. Current (per hour), 1 knot N., 42° E. 536 THE WIND AND CUHKENT CHARTS. Barometer, 29.82; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Wind: S.; unsteady winds, and cloudy, with hail snow, and rain, during first and middle parts ; latter part, light winds and cloudy. Tacked twice, and laid up well on both tacks. March 18. Lat. 57° 08' S. ; long. 63° 34' "W. (D. E.) Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 44°. "Winds : S. S. W., W. Begins with light breezes ; during the night, unsteady ; morning, freshening. Ends with a settled gale from W. ; cloudy during the day, with rain the latter part ; barometer falling slowly; no observation. March 19. Lat. 58° 31' S.; long. 63° 04' W. (D. E.) Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 43°. Winds: W. S. W., W. by S., W. Hard gales and foggy, with rain squalls; barometer stationary; a rough, irregular sea running. March 20. Lat. 58° 48' S.; long. 62° 10' W. Current (three last days), 52 miles, N. by E. Barome- ter, 29.55; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 39°. Winds: W. by S., W. S. W., S. W. by W. Hard gales and rainy, with a bad seg, running. 4 A. M. moderated for a short time, a little; barometer fell to 28.25. March 21. Lat. 59° 25' S. (D.E.); long. 64° 10' W. (D. E.) Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W. by W., W., N. W. First, unsteady breezes and foggy, with a heavy sea from S. W. ; middle, light N. W. wind ; latter, fine N. W. wind and foggy ; ship pitching heavily into a head sea. March 22. Lat. 60° 19' S. ; long. 67° 23' W. Current, E., 20 miles in two days. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W. by W., N. W. by W., W. N. W. Unsteady breezes from W. N. W. to N. W., and foggy throughout. March 23. Lat. 60° 15' S. ; long. 68° 41' W. Current, | knot per hour, E. N. E. Barometer, 29.02 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W. N. W., W., N. N. W. to W. N. W. Begins with brisk breezes and foggy. 6 P.M. tacked to the northward; middle, light airs, and calm, pleasant. 3 A. M. brisk breeze from N.N. W., tacked to W. Ends squally; plenty of porpoises, penguins, &c. in sight about the ship. March 24. Lat. 60° 50' S. ; long. 70° 21' W. Current, 1 knot per hour, E. N. E. Barometer, 28.82 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., N. W. ; winds unsteady, from N. W. to W.N. W., with squalls, fog, and rain ; from a calm to a gale, with some very pleasant weather. Tacked ship twice ; a heavy swell from W. S. W. March 25. Lat. 60° 37' S. ; long. 70° 42' W. (D. E.) Barometer, 28.26 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N. W. by N., W. by N., W. byN. Begins with brisk breezes, rainy, and squally, which gradually increased to a gale with heavy squalls and torrents of rain. 8 P. M. a sudden shift of wind to west : wore to the N. Ends with hard gales and heavy sea runnin<'. March 26. Lat. 59° 27' S.; long. 70° 14' W. Barometer, 28.75; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 43°. Winds: W.N. W., W., W. by S. First part, hard gales and squally, with a high sea; middle, hard CAPE HORN TRACKS. 687 squalls with, rain, sleet, hail, and snow ; latter part, unsteady, but moderating ; snow squalls ; heavy sea fromW.S.W. March 27. Lat. 58° 03' S.; long. 71° 06' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 43°. Winds : W. by N., W. S. W. First part, unsteady breezes with snow squalls ; middle, calm ; morning, hard gale and hard squalls, from S. W. to W. S. W. Ends with snow and raiu; heavy sea running; no current the last two days. March 28. Lat. 57° 04' S.; long. 72° 40' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 44°, Winds : W. by S., baffling, S. by W. First part, hard gales from westward, and squally ; 8 P. M. fell calm; barometer, 28.60 ; light snow falling; middle, light breeze from east, which soon hauled to the south, and increased to a gale ; clear weather ; passing snow squalls. Barometer rose at 4 A. M. Ends with a hard gale, hard and long snow squalls, and a heavy sea. March 29. Lat. 56° 08' S. ; long. 74° 42' W. Current, f knot per hour, E. K E. Barometer, 29.12 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 44°. AVinds : S. by W., S. W., S. First part, hard gales and hard snow squalls ; middle part, moderate but squally ; latter part, strong gales and cloudy. March 30. Lat. 55° 14' S.; long. 78° 38' W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 45°. Winds : S. by W., S. W., S. Unsteady gales and cloudy, with snow squalls and a high sea. Baro- meter fell j*5 or ^5 ; rose again. Many birds about. March 31. Lat. 53° 40' S.; long. 81° 19' W. A slight westerly current. Barometer, 29.10 ; tem- perature of air, 44° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W., S. W. by W., S. S. W. to S. First part, light winds and cloudy with light snow squalls ; middle part, fresh gales and cloudy ; latter part, wind hauling to southward ; heavy gale and heavy sea. April 1. Lat. 51° 42' S. ; long. 85° 09' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 47°. Winds: S. by E., S., S. by W. First part, hard gales and squally with hail, and a bad sea. Kunning with wind and sea on the quarter, and shipping much water. Middle, moderating, sea more regular. Ends unsteady gales, cloudy and squally. Barometer rising all day. April 2. Lat. 49° 58' S. ; long. 88° 22' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 48°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W., S. W. Fresh and cloudy. Ship Esther. March 7, 1853. Lat. 49° 48' S.; long. 64° 05' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 51°; Winds : N. W., S. S. W., W. S. W. First part, strong ; middle and latter parts, pleasant breezes. March 8. Lat. 52° 15' S. ; long. 64° 35' W. Barometer, 28.40. Winds: W. S. W., W. N. W., W. S. W. First part, strong breezes ; latter part, moderate. March 9. Lat. 51° 54' S. ; long. 63° 55' W. Barometer, 28.20. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., S. W. by S. At 9, commenced blowing a hurricane, with a heavy sea. Ship under main spencer, lying to. At 7, shipped a sea breaking adrift water-casks, &c. ; barometer ceased to fall. At 3 P. M. began to rise ; wind abated a little. 68 588 TBB WIMP AND OURRKNT OHARIl. Miiwh 10. TiiU. 52" 50' S.; long. 08' CO' W. Buroinoter, 20,00; tciniKMiituro ol" uir, •15''; of water, 40°. ^V mU : S. W., W. S. W., W. S.W. Strong gRlo ; latter part, heavy wmalls of hail mul rain. Mai-oh 11. Lnt. BS" 68' S.; long. 62° 66' W. Dftromotor, 20.00 ; tomporatiiro of air, 45° ; of water, 46". Wimla : W. S. \V., S. W., S. W. ; IVosh guloi. Maivh. 12. Tint. 64" 20' S. ; long. 08° 25' W. Baroinolor, -VMO ■ toinporaturo of air, 40° ; of water, 4rt°. \Viiul!<: S. W., 8. S. K., W.; heavy ^ales ami hiiuuIKm, (Irst part; latter, ft-osh broozo; mado Stutou Jiuml at 2 hourn 10 min. A. M. Mttivh 1!}. Ut. 66° 80' S.; long. 06° 20' \V. Baroniotor, 28.00; toinporaturo of air, 40°; of water, 46*». Wimls; N. W., oahui, N. W.; llrat part, strong broozoa and stiuully looking weather; middle, ealm; lattor, atrong biH)OKOS ; pnasod Stuton Land at 6 P. M. MaroU U. Lat. 50« 28' S.; long. 05° 00' W." Current, E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 20.00; tomporaturo of nir, 44°; of water, 43°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W.; flrat part, light and b«Uliing; at P. M. wind inoroasod suddenly to a very hard galo, with a heavy hard sea from south. Mareh 16. Lat. 65° 66' S.; long. 00° 12' W. Current, N. N. E., IJ knots per hour. Barometer, 89.40; toniperaturo of air, 42° ; of water, 46°. "Winds: S., S., S.; heavy gales and squalls. Maix'h 10. liat, 66° 88' S.; long. 06° 46' W. Baromoter, 20.60; temperature of air, 42°; of water 46°. Winds: S., S., 8.; boavjr galos and squalls. March 17. Lat. 66° 80' S.; long. 06° 00' W. CunxMit, N. E., 2 knoUs por hour. Uaromotor, '20.60 ; tomperatuit) of air, 60° ; of water, 48^ Winds: baflling throughout. We have had U50 n\ilos ourront, this Uuxt 4 days, setting to N, N. E. Maix'h 18. Lat, 67° 10' S.; long. 06° 30' W. BarvHuetor, 20.10; tempoi«aturo of air, 61° ; of water, 48°. Winds: S. S. K., W., W. by S. ; first part, light and pleasant; latter, heavy galos. March 10. U\t 68° 00' S.; long. 66° 80' W. Barometer, 20.00; tomporaturo of air, 62°; of water, 41°. Winds : W. S. W., calm, W. S. W.; first and hwt part, heavy gjUos with rain ; middle part, oolm. Maivh 20. I.SU. 68° 06' S. ; long. 05° 00' W. Current, K. N. E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 20.80; temiKM-ature of air, 60°; of water, 41°. Winds: Vf, S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W.; heavy gales and heavy soa. March 21. Lat, 68° 80* S, ; long. 60° 10' W^. Barometer, 20.10 ; temperature of air, 60° ; of water, 43°. Winds: W. S. W., W. N. W., W.; light brooxos, and thick weather. March 22. U\i, 60° 30' S.; long. 68° 80' W. Barometer, 28.00; temporaluro of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds: W, by N., W. N. W., W. by N.; first part, light; latter, good breezes. Matx^h 28. Lat 60° 17' S.; long. 72° 16' W. Current, S. E., \ knot per hour. Variation, 23° E. Baronxcter, 28.T0; tomporature of air, 60°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. N. W., W. N. \\\ N. W. Fresh brcesos. March 24. I^xt. 00° 40' S.; long. 74° 40' W. Baromoter, 28.2; temporal utv of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Winds: N. W., W. & W,, N. W. Strong breezes at 4 A. M., for an hour. lialter part, strong giUo. CAPK nOKW TRACK*. 8§# March 25, Lat, 60" 40' 8.; lonjf, 74" 4i5' W, Barorrwter, 27,00; tomporatore of air, ^O** ; of waUsr, 41 ', Windn : "W. N. VV., W, N, W,, W. Very Iwavy gale*. March 20, Lat, 59" 28' 8, ; long, 74" 00' W, Current, cajft, | knot fxjr hour, BarornHUjr, 2M0 ; temperature of air, 50" ; of water, 42*, WiiwU : AV. H, W., W,, W, J/ti<»t part, frcxh hn-A'/zut, with «KjiJftlI«, March 27. Lat, 57" 45' 8,; long, 74" 00' W. Baroriwtcr, 2hM; tcmfwraturc of air, 47"; of water, 48". Wiad»: W,, S.W,, W. 8. W. Vint part, strong br«e«w; calm, frorn » I', M, to 10 P, M, I/att«f part, strong from W, 8, VV, March 28, I^t 56" 28' 8,; long. 75* 15' W. Barom«?t«r, 28,90; temperature of air, 40"^ (A water, 48*. Winfl*: W,, baffling, 8, by "VV. First i»art, strong hmr/^'M and iKi«alI« at F', M, U) 10 V. M, ; Uffliog from N. to N. E.; at midnight, to^A hijary iiqoall from south, iMUsr part, strong gales, March 29, liat. 55" 00' 8,; long, 77" (X)' VV. Current, east, | knot per \uj»r. Barometer, 28,90; temfKsrature of air, 45"; of water, 44". Win/Is: 8, by W,, W. 8. W,, 8. K. First part, str/^ig gales; middle part, mo'50 ; t«mper«tare of air; 62*; of water, 56" Winda: variable, X. X. E,, K. N, W. First and mi^MIe, pleasant; latter part, thnn/ler «n/J lightning. March 5, Lat. 51* 2^ S.; long. 96* W W. l*>arotneter, 29.90. Wifj'ls: 8. W,, VV., K. W. Vtom 4 P. M. to 4 A. M. heavy fpUec March 6. Ut. 58" IS' 8.; long. 65" 11' \V. J; ":r, 29,50; temperature of air, 65"; <;f water, 58*. Wind : variable from north Uy we St. John (Staten Und) bore, per compati^ 8. K. l/y K., 20 mile*. March 8. Xo obserratioa. Barometer, 28.70; temperatare of air, 5«*; of water, 52". Wiwls; W. X. W^ W. X. W., X. W. Fresh breeze* and pleasant. Passed the land about eiglit mile* i^f. 7rot*i 8 to tnenAiam, fsuni ain. End* pleMiat, Barometer filing. March 9. Lat. 55" 11' S.; long, W. Barometer, 29j00', tempentore of air, 54*; of water, 60*. Winds: X. W., 8. W. bjr W,, S. W. by S. Commeaee* with stmmg fde«, with rain, thttn^W, nod lightning; from 5 P. M. to 4 A. M., I think a* hard a f^ a» I ever expeneoeed, and a* bad a ws. BmW' 540 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. meter, 28.65. At 9 A. M. wind and sea going down ; wore ship to the N. W. ; ends strong gales, but sea falling, and barometer rising. March 10. Lat. 55° 33' S. ; long. 62° 38' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 50°. Winds : S. S. W., "W. S. W., S. "W". Strong breezes, and pleasant ; ends squally. March 11. Lat. 55° 27' S.; long. 62° 40' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 45°. Wind : S. W. Strong gales, and heavy sea. March 12. No observation. Barometer, 29.45; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 46°. Winds: S. S. E., S.^V., N. W. Strong gales, and rough sea. March 13. No observation. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. W., W., W. Moderate ; saw land about Cape Horn. March 14. Ko observation. Barometer, 29.85; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 42°. Winds: W., S. W., S. W. by S. Heavy gales, and dirty weather. March 15. No observation. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 44°. Winds: S., S., S. S. W. Strong gales, and cloudy. March 16. Lat. 56° 30' S. ; long. 66° 17' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S., S. S. W., S. S. W. Begins with strong gales ; ends more moderate. March 17. Lat. 56° 31' S. ; long. 67° 16' W. Barometer, 30.05. Winds : S., S. S. E., S. S. E. Light breezes, and cloudy. At noon, Cape Horn bore N. N. W. March 18. Lat. 57° 54' S.; long. 68° 37' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 44°. Winds: W. S. W., W., W. S. W. Begins faint; ends strong gales, and bad sea. March 19. No observation. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 56°. Wind : S. W. Very heavy gales, and bad sea. March 20. Lat. 57° 51' S. ; long. 66° 26' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 55° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. S. W. Strong decreasing gales. March 21. Lat. 57° 58' S.; long. 69° 31' W. Barometer, 29.75 ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., N. W., W. N. W. Light breezes ; foggy during the night. March 22. Lat. 58° 34' S. ; long. 69° 34' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Wind : W. N. W. Begins moderate ; ends with strong breezes and passing clouds. March 23. Lat. 59° 02' S. ; long. 71° 25' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Wind : W. N. W. Strong breezes, and cloudy. March 24. Lat. 59° 32' S. ; long. 73° 28' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W. by N., N. W. Barometer falling, and other indications of a blow. March 25. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 28.75 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Wind : W. N. W., and variable. Very heavy gale, and tremendous sea. March 26. Lat. 59° 47' S. ; long. 73° 36' W. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. Wind: W. N. W., and variable. Begins heavy gale; ends more moderate. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 541 March 27. No observation. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°, Winds : W. by S., S. S. W., S. W. Strong breezes, and snow squalls. Marcli 28. Lat. 57° 30' S. ; long. 75° 30' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., S; S. W. Strong breezes and snow squalls. March 29. Lat. 56° 07' S. ; long. 76° 52' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 54°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., S. S. E. Begins with snow ; ends fine rain. March 30. Lat. 54° 24' S.; long. 79° 52' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., S. Moderate, with snow squalls ; ends pleasant. March 31. Lat. 52° 10' S.; long. 81° 52' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 46°. Wind : S. S. E. Latter part, heavy gale of wind; lying to. April 1. Lat. 50° 28' S. ; long. 84° 40' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 52°. Wind: S. S. E. Begins with a heavy gale; ends with fine breezes. Sea Serpent (Howland), New York to San Francisco, forty-one days out. March 26, 1853. Lat. 49° 2' S.; long. 64° 36' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 62°; of water, 55° ; water, 18 feet below the surface, 56°. Winds : N., N. W., S. W. First and middle parts, brisk and pleasant ; latter, light and fine weather ; forty-one days out. March 27. Lat. 51° 32' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 54°; water, depth 18 feet, 54°. Winds : N. N. W., N. W., W. S. W. Moderate and clear first part ; middle, brisk, unsteady and gusty ; latter, a hard gale and squally. March 28. Lat. 52° 24' S. ; long. 66° 00' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 49° ; water, depth 18 feet, 48i°. Winds : W. S. W., W., S. W. Moderate gale and unsettled, first part ; middle, unsteady ; latter, strong gale and passing clouds. March 29. Lat. 44° 06' S. ; long. 65° 26' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. S. W. throughout. First part, strong gale and passing clouds ; middle, more moderate and squally. Ends light. At noon, Cape St. Diego, N. N. W. 32 miles. The whole land covered with snow. March 30. Lat. 54° 46' S. ; long. 65° 12' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 47°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W. to S. S. E., S. W. to S. S. E. Moderate breezes, all night; light baffling winds and snow squalls. Ends same. At noon, Diego N. N. W. 6 miles ; S. W. point Staten Land, S. E. J E. true. March 81. Lat. 55° 00' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 46°. Wind: variable from S. S. E. to S. W. A^'ariable squalls of snow; the tide act through the straits until 5 P. M. ; being in mid passage got into a strong rip, and although we had a five-knot breeze, our vessel was unmanageable for an hour, until we cleared it. The current then set us back, but the wind coming off the land light, we kept our ground until the morning's tide. I have my doubts if it is always advisable to attempt this strait; it has detained us full three days; we could have reached the east of Staten Land much sooner with a free sail ; at any rate, our detention in rounding the island could not have been 542" THK WIND AND CUKBENT CHABT3, more. After passing the strait, tlie wind inclined south, so that we could not make a W. S. W. course to have cleared the land on the starboard tack. At noon. Cape Good Success bore N. W. 6 miles. Let us see how the case really was, and if the Sea Serpent really did lose " full three days" by going through the Straits of Le Maire. The Golden Eacer (p. 544), at the same time, was on the same voyage, and she was directly east of the Sea Serpent, March 28. March 29, the Sea Serpent was 68 miles farther to the south ; on the 30th, she was 86 ;' 31st, she was 74 ; and April 1, she was 80 miles farther south, and 6° farther west than her competitor. The Sea Serpent got clear of the cape, crossing the parallel of 50° in the Pacific two days ahead of the Eacer. This, I am sure, does not look like a loss of three days irt the .straits, but more like a gain of two. March 30, the Simoom (Smith), beat through Straits of Le Maire. On the 81st, she was just 34 miles south of the Sea Serpent. She hugged the land close, and, on April 13, was in 49° 32', and 90° 10' W., which was nearly a degree ahead in latitude, and in a much better position in longitude. I quote the abstract log of the Golden Eacer, that those who choose may compare the two. It will be perceived that she passed east of the Falklands. The Sword-Fish (Collins), was also along there at the same time. She was forced east of the Falklands March 29, lat. 51° 53', long. 57°. April 2, she had only got as far as 55° S., and 63° W. April 1. -Lat. 55° 50' S. ; long. 66° 14' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. "Winds: N. W. to W.K W.; variable, E. to S. S. E.; light and unsteady; fine weather; variable and squally ; at noon, cape in sight 35 miles distant; 48 days out. April 2. Lat. 56° 37' S.; long. 67° 16' AV. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds: all around the compass, calm, N. W.; variable, four times round the compass, and snow squalls all night ; calm, and hail, sleet, and snow ; at 7 A. M., a breeze from N. W. ; at noon, W. S. W. ; at noon, cape bore N. 38 miles ; saw it at 10 hours 30 min. A. M. ; land entirely covered with snow. April 3. Lat. 57° 08' S.; long. 67° 10' W. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. "Winds : W., "W. S. "W., S. "W. ; strong breezes, hail, snow, and rain all night ; strong gales, and squally ; latter, more pleasant, with an occasional snow squall. April 4. Lat. 56° 37' S. ; long. 67° 40' W. Barometer, 28.7.0; temperature of air, 39°; of water, * 40°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. S. W., W. S. W., and variable ; strong and squally ; middle, moderate ; latter, variable, all round the compass. April 5. Lat. 58° 17' S. ; long. 68° 08' W. Barometer, 28.60; temperature of air, 40°-; of water, 40°. Winds : W. S. W., W., N. W. to N. E. ; strong and squally ; middle, more moderate ; latter, light snow and hail. April 6. Lat. 58° 04' S. ; long. 69° 00' W. Barometer, 28.30 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., W., W. N. W.; strong squalls, hail, and snow; middle, same; latter, more pleasant. CAPE HOEN TRACKS, 643 April 7. Lat. 57° 48' S. ; long. 71° 02' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., W. S. W. ; light and variable ; middle, rain, strong winds. Ends squally, April 8. Lat. 57° 18' S.; long. 73° 11' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°, Winds : W., W. S. W., N. N. W. ; brisk gale ; middle, moderate; latter, strong gales, heavy head sea, April 9. Lat. 57° 28' S. ; long. 75° 00' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Winds: N.N. W., calm, calm. Commences strong; calm from 9 P.M. to noon, with a cross swell and light rain. April 10. Lat. 55° 13' S. ; long. 77° 10' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water 42°. Winds: W. N. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. ; light and steady; middle and latter, brisk, and fine weather. April 11. Lat. 53° 13' S. ; long. 79° 20' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., calm. Moderate breezes and fine weather; middle part, hazy. April 12. Lat. 52° 35' S. ; long. 81° W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W., and N, N, W. Moderate breezes and fine weather; middle part, strong breezes and rainy hazy weather. April 13. Lat. 50° 34' S.; long. 81° 25' W. Barometer, 30 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 47°. Winds : W., S. W., and calm. Weather light and misty ; latter part, calm ; a heavy head sea. May 7. Lat. 5° N.; long. 106° 43' W. Barometer, 29.70. Current, 50 miles, N.W Temperature of air, 78° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E., S. by E. Moderate breezes and unsteady faint lightning in the N. E. ; we have experienced a strong current, which is uncommon in these parts, and only encountered off the Cape of Good Hope. May 8. Lat. 7° 55' N. ; long. 108° 10' W. Current, 12 miles, N. E. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 80°; of water, 82°. Winds: S. S. E., S. by W., S. W. Moderate breezes and pleasant; middle part, variable breezes and squally appearances, with rain. May 9. Lat. 9° 52' N.; long. 109° W. Current, 20 miles, W.N. W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 85°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. Moderate breezes and squally, with rain ; latter part, calm. May 10. Lat. 11° N.; long. 109° 23' W. Barometer, 29.70 : temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 84°. Winds : W., variable, N. W. Moderate breezes and squally ; latter part, steady and pleasant. At 5 P. M. ClifFerton Eock bore N. N. W. I W., just visible frpm the deck, 15 miles distant. This island, in the track of outward-bound vessels, is about one hundred and fifty feet high, of a conical shape. Care should be taken when approaching it at night. We passed to the northward of it in moderate clear weather, when the roar of the surf warned us of our near proximity. We could not see the island distinctly, but what we supposed to be a white cloud, proved in the morning to be the island, bearing E. N. E., 7 miles distant. May 11. Lat. 11° 53' N.; long. 109° 20' W. Barometer^ 29.75 ; temperature of air, 78°; of water 84°. Winds : N. W., N. E. and calm, N. E. Light baffling winds and calm ; throughout the night thun- der and lightning ; latter part, moderate breeze and pleasant ; appearance of a trade-wind. May 12. Lat. 14° 04' N.; long. 111° 21' W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 544 THE WIND AND CURRKNT CHARTS. 85°. Winds : N". E., N. E. by E., and N. E. First part, light breezes and squally ; middle part, moderate and iinsteady, with rain ; ends, pleasant. Golden Racer (B. M. Melcher), Boston to San Francisco. March 26, 1853. Lat. 48° 49' S. ; long. 54° 05' "W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 55° ; of water, 47°. Winds : E. S. Ey E., N. W. First and middle, moderate breezes ; latter part, fresh breezes. March 27. Lat. 51° 30' S. ; long. 55° 50' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W. to S. W., S. W., N. W. Commences with strong breezes ; middle part, moderate. Ends with strong breezes and heavy squalls. March 28. Lat. 52° 27' S. ; long. 56° 37' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. by S., W. by S., W. by N. First part, strong gales with hail squalls, lying to ; middle and latter parts, more moderate. Barometer fell ^^ in four hours. March 29. Lat. 52° 58' S. ; long. 56° 42' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 88° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W. by S., W. by S., W. by S. Strong gales and heavy squalls varying from W. IST. W. to S. W., accompanied by hail. March 30. Lat. 53° 50' S. ; long. 57° 36' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., N. to E., S. W. Commences with strong breezes and hail squalls ; middle, light and variable, and thick snowy weather. Ends fresh breezes and passing clouds. March 31. Lat. 53° 46' S. ; long. 58° 68' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. E., calm, S. W. Light baffling airs. April 1. Lat. 54° 30' S. ; long. 60° 30' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W. by S., calm, S. E. to N. E. First, light ; middle, calm ; latter, moderate breezes with fine weather ; whales in sight daily during the last three days ; water colored. April 2. Lat. 55° 19' S. ; long. 63° 00' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : IST. E., N. W. to. S. S. E., S. S. E. to N. W. Commences with moderate breezes ; middle part, hail squalls. Ends light and variable. Staten Land in sight. April 3. Lat. 56° 42' S.; long. 64° 37' W. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 39°. Winds : W. by N., S. W., W. S. W. Commences with fresh breezes ; middle and latter parts, heavy snow and hail squalls and southwest swell. April 4. Lat. 56° 17' S.; long. 64° 35' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 41°. Winds: S. W., S., W. S. W. First and middle parts, heavy snow and hail squalls. Ends with light airs. April 5. Lat. 57° 30' S.; long. 65° 00' W. (D.E.). Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 40°. Winds : W. N. W., W. S. W., W. by N. First and middle, heavy snow and hail squalls. Ends moderate. April 6. Lat. 56° 49' S. ; long. 64° 20' W. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 545 Winds: "W.N.W., S.W., "W.N.'W. Commences with strong breezes; during the aflternooa and night, hard gales. Ends light airs, April 7. Lat. 57° 29' S. ; long. 67° 85' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Winds : W. K W., N. W. by W., W. N. W. to S. W. Commences with light airs ; middle part, fresh breezes. Ends moderate, variable, and thick. April 8. Lat. 57° 32' S.; long. 67° 40' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. W. by W., S. W. to N. W. First and latter parts, variable airs ; middle part, fresh breeze. For ten or twelve days have had a current of about one knot to N. E. or E. N. E. To-day have found, by good observations, thirty-five miles current E. N. E. true. April 9. Lat. 57° 30' S. ; long. 72° 40' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., N, N. W. Commences with fresh breezes ; middle and latter parts, fresh breezes and squally thick misty weather, April 10. Lat. 56° 36' S. ; long. 74° 00' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds: S. W., S. W., S. S. W. First and middle parts, light breezes; heavy sea from westward. Ends with fresh breezes and squally weather. April 11. Lat. 54° 17' S.; long. 76° 36' W. Barometer, 30.15; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 42°. Winds: S. W., S. W., W, First part, strong breezes ; middle, moderate; latter, light and variable. April 12. Lat. 54° 58' S. ; long. 80° 36' W. (D. K.). Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds: W. by K, K W., W. N. W. Begins moderate; middle and latter parts, thick misty weather. April 13. Lat. 53° 27' S.; long. 82° 20' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 43°. Winds: S. E., S. E. to N. E., N. First part, calm and light breezes; middle, fresh breezes. Ends moderate, variable breezes, and cloudy. April 14. Lat. 52° 16' S.; long. 85° 42' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W., N. W. to S., S. W. Begins with thick rainy weather; middle, strong breezes. Ends moderate ; during the night the barometer fell to 29.50. April 15. Lat. 49° 54' S.; long. 86° 15' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 47°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. AY., S. W. Commences with fresh breezes and thick weather; middle, moderate. Ends with light airs and passing clouds. Oovemor Morton (John A. Bergin), forty-nine days out. March 29, 1853. No observation. Barometer, 29.14 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 51°, Winds : N. W., N. W., S. E. Commences with a fresh breeze ; from 7 to 8 P. M. much chain and flash lightning at N. W., and some thunder, without much increase of wind; middle part, quite moderate; ends light breezes and drizzling rain ; passed several tide rips. March 80. Lat. 43° 31' S. ; long. 59° 33' W. Barometer, 28.94 ; temperature of air, 54° ; of water, 52°. Winds : S. E., N". E., N. W. Wind unsteady, with thick fog, except at intervals ; first part, light 69 546 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. winds • middle, fresh ; latter, moderate, with one hour of clear sky ; numerous tide rips setting apparently N. B. • 30 miles current in the last two days. March 31. Lat. 43° 51' S.; long. 59° 36' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 51°. Winds: N. W., calm, N. W. First part, light breezes and pleasant; middle, bafSing and calm, with fog ; latter, baffling and light ; much lightning and thunder to the south ; 8 A. M., heavy fall of hail, with but little wind from the south ; soon after which, it cleared, with a light westerly air. Current to N. E., 30 miles"; passed several tide rips. April 1. Lat. 45° 09' S. ; long. 60° 42' W. Barometer, 28.92 ; temperature of air, 57° ; of water, 54°. Winds : W. to W. S. W., K W., W. by N. First part, baffling, with squally appearances at S. S. W. ; middle part, with lightning; latter, a strong west wind, and pleasant. April 2. Lat. 46° 17' S. ; long. 61° 30' W. Barometer, 29.13 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 52°. AViuds : W. by S., S. S. W., S. S. W. First part, strong and squally; middle, more moderate ; latter, fresh, with rain. April 8. Lat. 47° 18' S. ; long. 62° 11' W. Barometer, 29.02 ; temperature of air, 53° ; of water, 53°. Winds: S. W. by S., W. S. W., W. by S. First and middle parts, fresh breezes and squally; latter part, fresh breezes and pleasant. April 4. Lat. 47° 52' S. ; long. 63° 08' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 52°. Winds : W., S. S. W., W. First part, strong breezes and squally, with lightning to the S. S. W. ; baro- meter, fluctuating 1.6 inches; middle part, with rain; at 10 P. M. barometer 28.80; latter, strong moderating wind, with a large sea from S. S. W. April 5. Lat. 49° 03' S.; long. 62° 33' W. Barometer, 29.54; temperature of air, 51°; of water, 30°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., W. Strong breezes and pleasant. April 6. Lat. 50° 40' S.; long. 63° 31' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 51°; of water, 48°. Winds : W., S. W. by W., W. S. W. Moderate and pleasant, first part ; middle, light airs and dew ; latter, light airs and pleasant. April 7. Lat. 53° 26' S. ; long. 63° 55' W. Barometer, 28.92 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 46°. Winds: N., N., N. N. W. First, light airs and pleasant; middle, fresh and overcast; latter, light winds, drizzling, and foggy ; no observation. April 8. Lat. 54° 25' S.; long. 63° 00' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. N. W., S. W. to S.E., S. E. First part, light airs and foggy; middle, fresh breezes and overcast ; latter, light breeze and clear weather ; tide rips ; current setting N. E. April 9. Lat. 54° 41' S. ; long. 64° 35' W. Barometer, 29.04 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 48°. Winds: S.E., calm, W.N. W. First part, light winds and pleasant; many tide rips; middle, calm and pleasant; latter, moderate and pleasant. April 10. Lat. 56° 00' S. ; long. 66° 45' W. Barometer, 29.00 temperature of air, 48°; of water, 49°. Winds : N. N. W., N. W. by N., N. Fresh, moderate, and light breezes, and pleasant weather. April 11, Lat, 56° 11' S.; long. 69° 53' W. Barometer, 29.53; temperature of air, 44°; of water, CAPE HOUN T14ACKS. 547 48°. Winds: S. S.E., S.S. E., S. Commences with fresh breezes, with rain and thick fog; ends moderate, with snow squalls. April 12. Lat. 56° 48' S. ; long. 72° 56' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 45°. Winds : S. S. W., W. S. W., N. W. by W. First part, moderate breezes and pleasant ; middle, light airs and calm ; latter, strong and rainy. April 13. Lat. 55° 56' S.; long. 75° 48' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. S. W., S., S. E. Light and moderate unsteady winds, with, during the first and middle parts, rain and mist ; ends pleasant. April 14. Lat. 55° 02' S.; long. 79° 00' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 45°. Winds : N. W., N. W., S. S. W. Commences and ends with light breezes; during middle part, fresh and light winds and rainy. April 15. Lat. 53° 06' S. ; long. 81° 10' W. Barometer, 29.46 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. Fresh and moderate breezes and cloudy, with squalls and some rain. April 16. Lat. 51° 17' S.; long. 82° 54' W. Barometer, 29.66 ; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 48°. Winds : S. W. throughout. Fresh, moderate, and light breezes, and cloudy, squally weather. April 17. Lat. 50° 10' S.; long. 84° 19' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 48°. Wiuds : S. W. throughout. Moderate and light baflSing winds and cloudy weather. Paragon (Samuel Duncan), New York to San Francisco. April 17, 1853. Lat. 50° 19' S. ; long. 62° 16' W. Temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Comes in strong, with passing clouds ; middle part, strong, with snow squalls ; ends, blowing hard ; close-reefed topsails ; heavy head sea. April 18. Lat. 51° 13' S.; long. 62° 34' W. Temperature of air, 48°; of water, 46°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. Strong breezes and clear; heavy head sea; stood four hours to the N. W. April 19. Lat. 52° 42' S. ; long. 62° 46' W. Temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. by S., W. by S., W. by S. Strong breezes ; ends, hazy and overcast. April 20. By bearings, lat. 54° 50' S. ; long. 65° 10' W. Temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. by S., W. by N., W. Commences brisk and clear ; middle, do. until 2 A. M., when it became cloudy, with small rain ; 4 A. M., under close reefs ; 8 A. M., saw Cape St. Diego, S. S. W., distant 4 leagues; at 10 A. M., it bore west ; at noon, Good Success Bay bore west ; a moderate southerly tide ; mountains covered with snow. Ends moderate, thick, and rainy. Seventy days out. April 21. Lat. 55° 59' S.; long. 63° 44'. Temperature of air, 40°; of water, 38°. Winds: S.W., S. W., W. S. W. Commences light ; at 1 P. M., calm, and the tide ahead ; I was afraid of drifting back through the straits. At 3 P. M., the breeze sprung up, and enabled us to clear the land before dark. Middle, wind increasing, with snow squalls ; ends heavy gales with snow. Lying to. April 23. Lat. 25° 46' S.; long. 65° 08' W. Temperature of air, 38°; of water, 40°. Winds: 548 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, S. S. E., S. E., calm. Commences fresli, with appearances of better weather ; middle, moderate ; ends calm and cloudy. No observation. Land in sight, bearing north. April 24. Lat. 56° 22' S. ; long. 67° 00' W. Current, east, IJ miles per hour. Temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 46°. Winds : N. E., N. E., K E. Calm, until 3 P. M., then a light breeze. Middle and latter parts, moderate and fine. At noon. Cape Horn bore N. "W. by N., distant 10 leagues. April 25. Lat. 57° 10' S. ; long. 73° 08' W. (D. E.). Current, east, 1 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 42°. "Winds : N. E., N. E., N. E. Commences with a moderate breeze, and cloudy. 5 P. M., thick and rainy. Spoke a vessel that sailed 10 days before ns. Squally and rainy during the night. Ends strong breezes and cloudy. April 26. Lat. 56° 47' S.; long. 76° 37' W. (D. E.). Current same. Temperature of air, 44°; of water, 43°. "Winds: N. E., N. K W., N. N. W. Commences brisk, with beautiful weather; during the night, strong breeze, and thick, rainy weather ; ends strong breezes, with a black, heavy appearance. April 27. Lat. 57° 17' S. ; long. 77° 39' W. Current, E., f mile per hour. Temperature of air, 44°. of water, 43°. Winds : N. E., N. W., N. W. Commences with strong breezes ; middle, strong and squally ; ends more moderate. April 28. Lat. 56° 22' S.; long. 80° 09' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 44°. Winds: N. W., N. N. E., E. Commences moderate, with a large ground swell from W. S. W. ; middle, fresh and squally, with rain ; ends very light, with thick fog. April 29. Lat. 54° 35' S.; long. 81° 02' W. Temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds: S., W. S. W., N. W. Commences strong and foggy ; middle, moderate; ends light. April 30. Lat. 54° 40' S. ; long. 83° 27' W. (D. E.). Temperature of air, 47°; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W., N". W., N. W. First part, moderate, with fog ; middle, same, with drizzling rain ; ends fresh. Noon, wind veered to west, and the weather cleared. May 1. Lat. 52° 13' S.; long. 81° 46' W. Temperature of air, 47°; of water 48°. Winds: W., W. N. W., N. W. Comes in moderate and fine ; middle and latter parts, fresh, with good weather. At 8 P. M. observed a comet, bearing W. S. W., about 15° high. May. 2. (D. E.) lat. 50° 41' S. ; long. 79° 48' W. Current, N., J mile per hour. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., W. by N. First part, fresh and cloudy ; middle and latter, strong, with thick and dirty weather. May 3. (D. E.) lat. 49° 13' S.;. long. 79° 00' W. Current, | mile per hour, N. Temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 51°. Winds: W., W., W. S. W. Strong breezes, with thick, rainy weather during the night. Herculean (W. M. Cbamberlin). April 20. Lat. 50° 18' S.; long. 65° 01. W. Barometer, 29.48 ; temperature of air, 47°; of water, • 46°. Winds : calm, N. N. W., N. W. Middle and latter parts, fresh breezes. April 21. Lat. 52° 25' S.; long. 65° W. Barometer, 29.38; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. AV., S. W., S. W. by S. First part, fresh breezes and pleasant; middle, strong winds and CAPE HORN TRACKS. 549 cloudy, with some rain. Barometer fell to 29.12, and when it commenced rising, the wind hauled to S. W. Ends, strong winds, with heavy squalls of hail, snow, and rain. April 22. Lat. 52° 38' S. ; long. 63° 55' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. E., S. E. First part, strong winds and heavy sea ; middle, more moderate ; ends cloudy, with light winds. April 23. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.65; temperature of air, 36°; of water, 42°. "Winds : S. E., p. S. E., N. E. Commences light winds and cloudy ; middle part, light winds and calm ; latter part, light airs and thiclc. April 24. Lat. 55° 19' S.; long, (bearings) 65° 15' W. Barometer, 29.66; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N., N". N. W., N. E. Commences thick and light winds ; middle, fresh winds, thick and rainy. 7 A. M. entered the Straits of Le Maire ; 7 hours 30 min. St. Diego bore W. N. W. When the weather cleared, saw Staten Land bearing E. N. E. Ends, strong winds and squally, with rain. April 25. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : E. N. E., E. N. E., N. E. Strong winds and thick rainy weather. April 26. Lat. 56° 24' S.; long. . Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 42°. Winds : N. E., N., N. W. First part, strong winds, and cloudy ; middle and latter parts, strong gales and squalls of hail and rain. April 28. Lat. 56° 18' S.; long. 78° 4' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : K, N. E., calm and variable. Commences strong winds and cloudy ; 4 P. M. more moderate ; 8 P. M. strong winds and squally; barometer fell to 28.92 ; ends, light airs and calm. Dead reckoning puts the ship in 80° 15' W., consequently, we have had an easterly current. April 29. Lat. 55° 6' S. ; long. 79° 20' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 42°. Winds: S., S. W., W. N. W. Begins with light winds and cloudy; middle, strong breezes; ends, light winds and calm. April 30. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.75 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds : N. W., N. W., K K W. Fresh breezes and foggy, with a drizzling rain. May 1. Lat.- ; long. . Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W., N. W. 1 P. M. the weather cleared ; middle and latter parts, fresh breezes and thick. May 2. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 43°. Winds: N. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Strong winds, and thick, rainy weather. •> May 3. Lat. 52° 54' S. ; long. 81° 30' W. Barometer, 29.38 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds: calm, W. S. W., W. S. W. Middle part, fresh winds, with rain squalls; ends, strong gales and clear ; ship leaking badly. May 4. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.51 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43°. Winds : AV. S. W., S. W., S. W. Begins strong winds and clear weather; middle, heavy gales and hard squalls; ends moderate and thick. 550 THB WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. May 5. Lat. ; long. . Barometer, 29.49 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 46°. Winds: W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Strong winds and thick weather ; ends strong gales. May 6. Lat. ; long. ■ . Barometer, 29.44 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Winds : N. W. by W., N. W. by W., W. N. W., and baffling. First and middle parts, strong gales and thick rainy weather ; ends with baffling winds and rain. New YorTc (David C. Baxter). April 22, 1853. Lat. 50° 55' S.; long. 57° 00' W. Barometer, 28.09; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 42°. Winds: S. S. W., S. W., S. S. W. First part, a moderate breeze ; at 8 P. M. wind increasing ; midnight, blowing a heavy gale ; at 8 A. M. moderating ; ends with a moderate breeze. April 23. Lat. 50° 48' S.; long. 61° 86' W. Barometer, 29.01; temperature of air 40°; of water, 43°. Winds: S. by W., S. by E., S. First part, strong breezes and smooth sea, with snow; middle part, brisk breeze; ends pleasant; made the Jason Isle (Falkland Islands) bearing S. S. W. 12 miles. April 24. Lat. 52° 14' S.; long. 63° 12' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Winds: W., N.N.W., N. K E. From 1 to 6 P.M., calm; then a breeze from west; middle part, brisk breezes ; latter part, strong breezes and thick weather; saw fin-back whales. April 25. Lat. 56° 10' S. ; long. 63° 30' W. Barometer, 29.01 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 40°. Winds : K N. E., N. N. E., K. K E. Strong breezes, with snow squalls. April 26. Lat. 57° 20' S. ; long. 69° 00' W. Barometer, 28.09 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 41°. Winds: IST. N. E., N. E., N. W. Commences a moderate gale; middle, heavy squalls; ends brisk breezes. April 27. Lat. 57° 31' S. ; long. 74° 20' W. Barometer, 28.05 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N. W., N. W., W. N. W. First part, strong increasing breezes ; middle part, heavy squalls ; ends strong winds, with a heavy S. W. swell. April 28. Lat. 57° 17' S. ; long. 78° 02' W. Barometer, 28.06 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., N. First part, strong breezes, with a heavy S. W. swell ; middle, squally; ends fine weather, light airs. April 29. Lat. 55° 45' S. ; long. 79° 08' W. Barometer, 29.01 ; temperature of water, 42°. Winds : S., W., N. W. Commences, and until 2 P. M. calm ; then a good breeze ; middle part, occasionally foggy ; ends fine ; saw* a great many whales. April 30. Lat. 55° 52' S. ; long. 82° 40' W. Barometer, 29.03 ; temperature of water, 42°. Winds : N. W., N. W., W. N. W. Foggy ; at 11 A. M. wind hauled W. S. W., tacked to N. W. ; saw a great many whales ; I think, sperm and right. May 1. Lat. 53° 26' S.; long. 80° 10' W. Barometer, 29.04 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. W., W. N. W., N. W. by W. Strong head winds. May 2. Lat. 53° 00' S. ; long. 80° 00' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 651 Winds : "W. N. W., W. N. "W., W by N. Commences with a strong breeze, which increased to a gale ; wore to the northward. May 3. Lat. 62° 38' S.; long. 79° 40' W. Barometer, 29.01 ; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 44°, Winds : W., W., W. S. W. Commences blowing a gale ; more to the S. W. ; during the night squally ; A. M. more to N". W. ; latter part, moderating. May 4. Lat. 50° 40' S. ; long. 79° 50' W. Barometer, 29.01 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. AVinds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Commences a moderate gale ; middle part, squally ; ends strong winds. May 5. Lat. 48° 50' S. ; long. 80° 30' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°, Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Commences strong winds ; midnight, to S. W. ; at 8, tacked to N. ; ends a brisk N. W. gale. Bosario (Caleb Sprague). May 4, 1858. Lat. 50° 43' S.; long. 64° 45' W. Variation, 21° E. Barometer, 29.26; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 56°. Winds : S. W., W., W. S. W. First part, gales, and heavy hail squall ; latter part, the same, with a heavy head sea. May 5. Lat. 53° 07' S.; long. 64° 07' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. ; heavy gales throughout ; saw several large patches of kelp. May 6. Lat. 54° 53' S.; long. 63° 37' W. Current, E., 14 miles. Barometer, 28.95; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., N. W., W. N. W. First part, heavjr gales ; middle part, strong breezes, with rain squalls ; at 9 A. M. made Cape St. John, bearing south, distant ten miles ; very strong tide rips about the cape, like breakers. May 7. Lat. 55° 43' S.; long. 63° 35' W. Current, K 45° E., 18 miles. Barometer, 29.25; tem- perature of air, 54°; of water, 39°. Winds: W. S. W., S.W. by W., W. S. W. First part, moderate; middle part, light air and baffling wind, with a heavy sea from the southwest. May 8. Lat. 55° 59' S. ; long. 65° 06' W. Current, N. 72° E., 23 miles. Barometer, 29.63 ; tem- perature of air, 46° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., N". N. W. First part, strong breeze ; middle and latter parts, heavy gales, with rain. May 9. Lat. 57° 03' S. ; long. 68° 12' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 55° ; of water, 42°. ^^ ,„ „ ' Winds : N. N. W., W., W. by N. First part, heavy gales ; latter part, strong breeze, a heavy sea. May 10. Lat. 57° 46' S. ; long. 68° 22' W. Barometer, 29.40. Current, K 77° E., 26 miles ; tem- perature of air, 51° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W., W. by N., W. by N. First part, heavy gales and squaUs, with lightning ; latter part, the same. May 11. Lat. 58° 36' S.; long. 70° 18' W. Barometer, 29.28 ; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 40°. Wind : W. N. W. ; strong gales, and heavy squalls of wind and rain. 552 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS, May 12. Lat. 58" 51' S. ; long. 72° 14' W. Barometer, 28.84 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 39°. Winds : N. W., N. W., K N. W. ; heavy gales and squalls. May 13. Lat. 58° 55' S.; long. 72° 40' W. Barometer, 28.75; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 49°. "Winds: "W. IST. W., "W. N. W., W. S. W. ; strong gales, with snow squalls and hail; latter part, violent gales. May 14. Lat. 57° 51' S.; long. 71° 33' W. Temperature of air, 48°; of water, 40°. Barometer, 29.30. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. ; heavy gale, with snow and hail. May 15. Lat. 57° 12' S.; long. 72° 08' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 40°. Winds : W., W., W. N. W. ; strong gales, with heavy squall of wind and rain. May 16. Lat. 57° 34' S.; long. 73° 15' W. Barometer, 29.48 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 38°. Wind : W. K W. Fresh breezes and passing clouds ; latter part, squally. At 4 A. M. wind suddenly shifted to the S. W. in a heavy squall ; weather extremely cold. May 17. Lat. 57° 17' S.; long. 74° 52' W. Barometer, 29.38 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 38°. Fresh breezes and passing clouds ; latter part, squally. May 18. Lat. 55° 54' S.; long. 73° 53' W. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., and W. S. W. First part, strong gale, and cloudy, squally weather ; latter part, light squalls. May 19. Lat. 55° 12' S. ; long. 77° 26' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., E. N. E., E. N. E. First part, light airs and calms ; middle and latter parts, fresh breezes and heavy gales. I have always noticed that in these latitudes the barometer stands much lower than with other winds. May 20. Lat. 55° 48' S.; long. 80° 57' W. Barometer, 28.30; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 42°. Winds : E. N. E., N., and N. W. First part, heavy gales and heavy rain following; middle part, a perfect hurricane ; latter part, strong gales. May 21. Lat. 55° 17' S. ; long. 81° 18' W. Barometer, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 40°. Winds: N. W., W. N. W., and N. W. First part, light airs, with fog squalls. Middle part, squally ; latter part, light airs. May 22. Lat. 53° 02' S.; long. 81° 01' W. Barometer, 29.02; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 42°. Winds : W. N. W., W. S. W., and W. Strong gales and heavy hail squalls. May. 23. Lat. 49° 58' S.; long. 80° 45' W. Barometer, 29.63; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W., W. S. W., W. Fresh breezes, and heavy squalls of hail and snow. Empress of the Seas (M. E. Putnam). May 8, 1853. Lat. 52° 11' S. ; long. 64° 51' W. Barometer, 29.72. Winds : S. S; W., W. by N., and W. N. W. Moderate breezes and overcast. May 9. Lat. 55° 15' S. ; long. 62° 20' W. Barometer, 29.27 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 41°. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 558 Winds: N. by W., N. N. "W., and W. bj S. ; strong gales; have intended all along to go through the straits, but gales and thick weather will prevent me from doing so. Ends calm ; an awful sea on. May 10. Lat. 56° 12' S.; long. 65° 38' "W. Current, E., 37 miles. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 42°. Winds: N. W., K W., and N. W.by N.; fine weather, and moderate breeze. At 4 P. M. Staten Land bore N., 35 miles distant. May 11. Lat. 56° 82' S.; long. 68° 29' W. Barometer, 29.46. Current, 17 miles, S. E. Variation, 24° ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. by N., N. N. W., and W. S. W. Lovely weather; ship under all sail. At meridian. Cape Horn, proper, bore W. 9 miles. Diego Kamirez W. by S. (true), 9 miles. May 12. Lat. 57° 29' S.; long. 72° 39' W. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 41°. Winds: N. W. throughout. First part, very pleasant ; mercury depressed ; at meridian, enjoying the delights of a N. W. gale. May 13. Lat. 56° 53' S.; long. 73° 55' W. Current, east, 20 miles. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds: N. W., W., and W. S. W. Strong gales and squally, with rain ; under close reefs. May 14. Lat. 57° 23' S.; long. 75° 01' W. Barometer, 29.37; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 42°. Winds: W., W. by N., and W. Strong gale and a heavy sea. Barometer, falling and rising very fast. May 15. Lat. 57° 30' S.; long. 78° 00' W. Barometer, 29.28 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. Winds: W., N. W., and N. W. by N. Strong gales; two reefs; thick misty weather; latter part, more moderate. May 16. Lat. 57° 13' S.; long. 78° 00' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W. S. W., and N. W. by W. Fresh gales and open weather ; latter part, moderate gale and pleasant ; all sail out. May 17. Lat. 56° 00' S.; long. 80° 27' W. Current, 75 miles east, in four days. Barometer, from 29.88 to 29.65. Winds: from N. and W. Fresh gales and heavy sea; under double reefs. May 18. Lat. 53° 21' S.; long. 79° 45' W. Current, S. E., 25 miles. Barometer, 29.17; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 43°. Winds: W., W., and calm. Strong breezes and frequent squalls; middle part, good breezes and pleasant ; latter part, calm ; a heavy sea, and tide rips. May 19. Lat. 50° 25' S.; long. 83° 17' W. Barometer, 28.35; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 47°. Winds : N. E., E. N. E., S. E. to S. S. W. First part, increasing breezes at N. E. ; under all sail ; mercury falling fast; middle part, a gale at E.KE., and rain; latter part, wind moderate, rainy weather; mercury fell this day 1.42, and no wind to speak of. Ship Roscoe (Thomas Smith). May 2, 1853. Lat. 49° 12' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 46°; water, 8 feet below surface, 46°. Winds: S.S.E., S. S.E., W.N. W. First and middle parbs, light 70 554 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. airs and squally; at 6 A. M. calm, on soundings; at 9 A.M. a breeze sprung up from W.N.W. Ends a fresh breeze. May 3. Lat. 52° 45' S. ; long. 65° 45' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44° ; water, 8 feet below surface, 46°. Winds : N. W., N. W., S. W. First and middle parts, fresh breezes, and during middle part, cloudy ; barometer, falling. In the morning, the wind changed to west and increased. Ends strong gales. My barometer, thus far, is a good indicator. May 4. Lat. 54° 06' S. ; long. 65° 25' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°; water, below surface, 45°. Winds: S. W., W., W. S. W. Heavy gales. Barometer fell to 28.80; at 10 A. M. made Cape St. Diego, bearing S. E. by compass, distant about 40 miles. May 5. Lat. 54° 35' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 43° ; water, below surface, 43°, Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. First and middle parts, heavy gales and a heavy sea ; at 8 A. M. saw Cape St. Diego bearing S.S. E. by compass ; not being able to fetch through the Straits of Le Maire, I shall go round Staten Land. Barometer ranging at about 29 ; falling on the approach of a squall, and rising after. Ends quite moderate. May 6. Lat. 55° 42' S.; long. 65° 05' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 47° ; of water, below surface, 47°. Winds : W. S. W., W., N. W. First part, strong breezes ; middle, moderate ; and latter, fresh breezes and squally. A very heavy swell from S. S. W. May 7. Lat. 56° 00' S.; long. 65° 10' W. Current, E.N.E., IJ knots per hour. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 47°; of water, below surface, 47°. AVinds: W.S. W., S.W., N. W. Commences blowing a gale ; wind unsteady. At 4 A. M. fell calm ; at 8 A. M. light airs. Ends fresh breeze. Barometer on the rise at noon. May 8. Lat. 56° 39' S.; long. 64° 45' W. Current, E.by N., 3 knots per hour. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43° ; of water, below surface, 43°. Winds : W., S. W., N. Commences with a fresh breeze. At 4 P.M. wind increased to a gale, and changing; bad sea running. At 11 P. M. moderating. Ends heavy gales. Barometer indicates the changes in the weather. May 9. Lat. 57° 44' S. ; long. 68° 45' W- Current, E. by K, 41 miles. Barometer, 29.40 ; tempera- ture of air, 44° ; of water, 42° ; of water, below surface, 42°. Winds : N., W. to S. W., W. Fresh breezes and sharp squalls. Crew in a state of mutiny. May 10. Lat. 58° 41' S. (D. E.); long. 69° 20' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40° ; of water, below surface, 40°. Winds : W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Heavy gales, veering a point or two east way. Barometer rose and fell /g during the day. May 11. Lat. 59° 20' S. (D. E.) ; long. 71° 19' W. (D. K.). Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°; of water, below surface, 41°. Winds: W., N. W. by W., N. W. Heavy gales, varying from W. to N. N. W. At noon, wind north with rain ; a bad sea running ; ship leaking badly. Crew still mutinous ; can't get sail handled. May 12. Lat. 59° 20' S. (D.E.); long. 73° 10' W. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 38° ; of water, below surface, 38°. Winds : W., N., jST. N. W. Commences with a gale; wearing CAPE HORN TRACKS. 555 ship according to the changes of the wind. At 7 P. M., calm ; at 8, light northerly airs ; middle part, blowing hard. From 8 to meridian, sharp snow squalls; blowing very hard ; ship still leaking badly. May 13. Lat. 60° 16' S. (D. E.) ; long. 74° 50' W. (D. R.). Barometer, 28.60 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 34° ; of water, below surface, 34°. "Winds : N., N. "W"., W. by S. Heavy gales, with sharp snow squalls. Ship making ten inches of water an hour. One of the pumps choked. May 14. Lat. 58° 24' S. (D. R.) ; long. 74° 11' W. (D. R.). Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 38° ; of water, below surface, 38°. "Winds : S. "W., "W. by N"., W. by N. Gale still continues, and lasts the whole day. One man washed overboard and drowned. Barometer rose gradually. May 15. Lat. 58° 25' S. (D. R.) ; long. 75° 09' "W. (D. R.). Barometer, 29.27 ; temperature of air, 41°. of water, 39°; of water, below surface, 39°. "Winds: "W., "W. N. W., N. by "W. Gale continues throughout this day ; during the middle part, squally with rain. Foggy during the middle and latter parts. At noon, the wind veered to N. "W. by "W. May 16. Lat. 58° 45' S. (D.R.); long. 75° 48' "W. Barometer, 29.47; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 39°; of water, below surface, 39°. "Winds: W., "W. N. "W., N. "W. by "W. Commences gale still blowing: middle, squally, black heavy clouds. At 10 A. M., quite moderate; bad sea running. The ship's cutwater started by plunging into a head sea. Ends cloudy. No observations for a week. May 17. Lat. 58° 12' S. (D. R.) ; long. 76° 27' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 38° ; of water, below surface, 38°. Winds : "W., "W. S. "W., "W. S. "W. Commences blowing a gale. At midnight, heavy squally weather. At 4 A. 'SI., a very heavy squall with snow. At 7 A. M., five feet of water in the hold. Put all hands at the pumps, and kept the ship off the wind until she was freed. She leaks at the rate of ten inches per hour. May 18. Lat. 56° 36' S.; long. 75° 01' "W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 40°; water, below surface, 40°. "Winds: "W. by S., W. S. "W., "W. S. W. First part, blowing a gale; middle, more moderate, but very squally, with some rain ; latter part, quite moderate. By observation, discovered that in eight days had made 150 miles east of the reckoning. The last 24 hours, we found the current setting south, at the rate of a mile an hour. May 19. Lat. 65° 20' S. ; long. 76° 21' "W. Current, N., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, .40° ; water, below surface, 40°. "Winds : "W. S. "W., calm, S. by E. First part, strong breezes ; middle, calm ; 11 P. M. light northerly airs ; at 8 A. M. fresh gale from N. ; at noon, blowing hard from N. E. by E. Barometer fell gradually. May 20. Lat. 55° 45' S. (D. R.); long. 80° 83' W. (D. R.). Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 41°; water, below surface, 51°. "Winds: E. K E., N. "W., K W. First part, a gale; very bad sea ; obliged to scud. At 5 hours 30 min. the wind suddenly hauled to N. N". "W. ; sea breaking over the ship; 4| feet of water in the hold; both pumps going, and all hands at them. Middle part, still blowing ; latter part, more moderate ; ends with thick foggy weather, and fine rain. Barometer did not work well. May 21. Lat. 55° 23' S. (D. R.); long. 81° 02' W. (D. R.). Barometer, 28.68; temperature of air 36° ; 556 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. of water, 41° ; of water, below surface, 41°. "Winds : N. W., W. N. W., "W. K "W. Cominences with light airs, with fog and rain; at 10 P. M. calm; 11, light airs from west; 12, sharp snow squalls from S. W.; ends calm, with snow. May 22. Lat. 53° 56' S:; long. 81° 30' W. Barometer, 29.26; temperature of air, 35°; of water, 40° ; water, below surface, 40°. Winds: W., W. S, W., W. S. W. Fresh gales and squally, with plenty of snow. May 23. Lat. 51° 32' S. (D. R.) ; long. 81° 33' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 45° ; water, below surface, 45°. Winds : W., W. to W. S. W., W. Fresh increasing gales, with snow, rain, and fog. May 24. Lat. 49° 15' S.; long. 81° 50' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 48° ; water, below surface, 48°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., S. W. First part, fresh breeze and squally ; middle, do. ; latter part, fine breeze. Surprise (Chas. A. Ranlett). April 27, 1853. Lat. 47° 10' S.; long. 60° 22' W. (D. R.). Very little current. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 59° ; of water, 45°. Winds : E. S. E., E., E. to N. E.; cloudy, almost calm, and unpleasant weather, first part ; at 6 P. M. a breeze sprung up ; a heavy sea on ; barometer rising slowly ; many birds about ; saw a white pigeon — he flew a few times and went off; a long, rolling swell from N. E. ; great patches of kelp. April 28. Lat. 50° 04' S.; long. 62° 59' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 54°; of water, 46°. Winds: N. W., N. W. Light from northward first part, and hauling W. N. W.; latter part, wind N. W., and a fresh breeze — weather like smoky southwester at the north ; barometer falling from 29.75 since midnight ; lots of birds, yet no Carey chickens ; plenty of kelp. April 29. Lat. 53° 36' S.; long. 64° 00' W. Barometer, 29.65; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 46°. Winds : N., N. E., N. E. ; strong breezes from the northward, and smoky or hazy weather — cannot see far; middle part, hauling N. E. ; intended to have gone through the Straits of Le Maire, but as the wind hauled eastward, must go outside ; saw penguins, kelp, &c., and a great many birds and porpoises. April 30. Lat. 54° 19' S. ; long. 63° 09' W. (D. R.) ; much current, by appearances. Barometer, 29.15; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 45°. Winds: E. K E., N. E., E. by S. At 2 P. M. thick wea- ther, and very bad to run for land; fresh breeze ; at 6 P. M. made a high bluff; land has the appearance of an island — took it to be one of the new islands. Tacked and stood off N. N. W. ; at midnight, tacked again, E. S. E., and stood over but saw nothing ; hauled up south at noon ; wind growing light, sea smooth, and strong tide rips ; must set strong to the eastward, as I cannot see Staten Land. May 1. Lat. 54° 46' S. ; long. 63° 06' W. (D. R.). A strong current, easterly. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 46°. Winds: N. E., light, calm, calm; light N. E. winds first part, and thick, rainy weather ; fog and rain all night ; smooth sea, and a very strong current somewhere by the many CAPE HORN TRACKS. 667 tide rips ; no sun to be seen since the 29th ult., consequently, cannot find out how much current, nor it3 course ; see penguins. May 2. Lat. 56° 3' S. ; long. 66° 27' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 46°, "Winds : calm, S. W., "W., W. N. W., calm, and thick fog until 4 P. M. ; a light breeze sprung up from S. W. by W. ; at 8 fine, clear weather. The third mate called me to see a comet — a good-sized comet, about 8° S. "W. from the middle star of the belt of Orion ; latter part, strong W. N. W. wind to sun this day. May 3. Lat. 57° 3' S. ; long. 66° 1' W. Current, for four days, easterly, only 1° 5'. Barometer, 28.75 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 42°. Wind : W., W. by S., W. S. W. Commences with a violent gale for a few hours ; middle part, more moderate ; latter part, violent snow storm, a very heavy sea, thick weather ; did not see the comet ; good observation ; found I had not lost so much as I anticipated — 40 miles - in three days, current. May 4. Lat. 57° 41' S. ; long. 65° 52' W. Very little current. Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 39°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Squally weather, snow, hail, rain, &c. ; wore ship to southward ; middle part, wind very strong in squalls ; saw two barques ; saw th& comet, but a long way N. E. of where we first saw it, in about 12° N. E. of Orion Belt, going very fast to the eastward ; latter part, very heavy squalls, as much as a close reef can stand. May 5. Lat. 58° 13' S. (D. E.); long. 66° 34' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 38°. Winds: S. W. by W., W. by S., W. S. W. Strong heavy squalls, with rain, hail, and snow all day and night. Barometer, rose to 28.70 ; at 4 P. M. fell to 28.30 ; some three or four of the most terrific squalls I ever witnessed in the night ; mastheads, yardarms, every one of them, had a bright light. After 7 A. M. barometer commenced rising; at noon, barometer, 28.50; heavy head sea; no observations; comet not in sight. May 6. Lat. 57° 47' S. (D. E.) ; long. 70° 19' W. (D. E.) Barometer, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 38°. Wind all around the compass. Barometer rose to 28.95 and then fell to 28.50. A squally day with a rough sea. Not able to make much headway. May 7. Lat. 58° 03' S.; long. 68° 40' W. Strong easterly current for the last three days. Baro- meter, 28.88; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 42°. Winds all around the compass. Cloudy, with rain and very rough head sea. Ship shipping a great deal of water ; men breaking down ; barometer rising and falling as the day before. Cape Horn is no bugaboo. It is much worse than I expected. 55 days out. May 8. Lat. 67° 50' S. (D. E.) ; long. 69° 30' W. (D. E.). Appearances of a strong easterly current. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 45°. Winds: S. W., W. N. W., K W. Commences squally. At 1 P. M. wind hauled to S. W.; blew a hard gale, and then hauled back to N. W. Barometer from 29.10 to 29.37, and fell to 29.25 as the wind hauled to the westward. Wild looking weather. May 9. Lat. 58° 25' S. ; long. 72° 52' W. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 40°. Winds: N. N. W., W. N. W., W. by N. Stormy, and such a head sea that we cannot get along; several sharp flashes of lightning to S. S. E. of us. 558 THE WIND AND CUKBKNT CHARTS. May 10. Lat. 58° 51' S. (D, E.) ; long. 73° 50' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 41°. "Winds: W., W., N. W. Snow squalls and lightning in the south; short S. W. sea; barometer unsteady. May 11. Lat. 59° 32' S. (D. E.); long. 73° 46' W. (D. E.). Current, E. N. E., 30 miles. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W. N. W., "W. N. W., N. W. Heavy gales, with hail, rain, snow, &c. May 12. Lat. 59° 23' S.; long. 75° 40' "W. Barometer, 28.40; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 39°. Winds : W^ N. N. W., W. N. W. Light winds ; nearly calm. Barometer fell from 28.90 to 28.40. Latter part, squally, with hail, rain, and snow ; wind increasing. May 13. Lat 58° 09' S. ; long. 76° 25' W. Barometer, 28.86 ; Winds : N. and N. W., S. W., S. S. W. to W. S. W. Commences with a gale, with heavy squalls of hail, rain, and snow. Barometer unsteady ; squalls the same, without any apparent effect on the barometer ; I do not trust to it. At noon a gale at W. S. W. May 14. Lat. 56° 16' S. ; long. 75° 55' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 42° ; Winds : S. W., W., W. Commences with a strong moderating gale ; sea heavy, and breaking over the ship everywhere; trying to get north; it is of no use to try to get to the westward here; barometer acts curiously here, rising and falling very often and very fast. May 15. Lat. 56° 35' S.; long. 77° 59' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds : W. J N., N. W. by W., N. W. by W. Commences with thick, stormy weather, with rain, hail, and snow; flashes of lightning. Latter part, more moderate, thick mist, heavy head sea. Barometer falling. May 16. Lat. 56° 38' S.; long. 78° 04' W. Current, 50 miles, the last three days. Thick, cloudy and all sorts of bad weather. Winds : N. W. by W., W. S. W., W. by N. Barometer, 28.90 ; tempera- ture of air, 52°; of water, 42°. May 17. Lat. 54° 41' S. (D. E.); long. 78° 35' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. N. W., S. W., and W. S. W. Stormy-looking weather ; blowing hard in squalls; short head sea. May 18. Lat. 52° 39' S.; long. 78° 45' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W., variable. Stormy weather ; moderated during the night; noon almost calm ; at 11 A. M. a light breeze sprung up at E. N. E. Barometer high. May 19. Lat. 50° 15' S. ; long. 82° 22' W. Current, S. E., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.35; temperature of air, 54°; of water 48°. Winds: E. K E., E. JST. E., variable. Commences with fine weather; wind soon increased; barometer fell very fast, ranging between 29.80 and 28.35; wind increased to a gale; during the forenoon hauled to the westward, going around by south. May 20. Lat. 50° 06' S.; long. 84° 00' W. Barometer, 28.30 ; temperature of air, 55°; of water, 48°. Current, 16 miles, south. Winds : N. W., N. W., N. N. W., and S. W., 1 hour. Cloudy and squally ; wind CAPE HORN TBACKS. 659 hauling to the northward. Barometer ranges from 28.35 to 28.50, too low to venture much sail. At 11 A. M. wind came out S. W. May 21. Lat. 48° 08' S.; long. 83° 15' W. Barometer, 28.70. Winds: S. W. and W., W. N. W., W. All appearances of a S. W. wind, which amounted to nothing; during the evening rainy; weather generally bad. Jlouqua (Eichard W. Dixey). April 25. Lat. 49° 1' S. ; long. 63° 43' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 49". Winds: N. W., N. N. E., E. First part, fine winds, and pleasant; middle and latter, strong winds, and cloudy. April 26. Lat. 52° 14' S. ; long. 64° 06' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 46°. Winds : E., E., E. N. E. ; fine winds, and cloudy. Birds and kelp in abundance. April 27. Lat. 54° 39' S.; long. 62° 45' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 46°. Winds : N. E., N. E., N. ; strong winds, and cloudy ; middle, strong gales. Lay to for daylight and the land. April 28. No observation ; 64° 45' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 39°. Winds : N., variable, N. E.; strong winds, and cloudy. At 2 P. M. judged the ship clear of Staten Land ; hauled up S. W. by S. April 29. Lat. 57° 06' S. ; long. 68° 30' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds: N. N. E., N. N. E., S.; strong winds, and thick weather; middle, moderate and rainy; latter, moderate and foggy. April 30. Lat. 56° 52' S. (D. E.) ; long. 70° 12' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. S. E., variable, calm, light breezes, and clear ; middle, do. ; latter, do. and foggy. At 7 P. M. a bright comet, bearing W. S. W. per comp., alt. 10° 20', in fine view; its range and tail about E. and W. true. May 1. Lat. 57° 22' S. (D. E.); loag. 72° 22' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 43°. Winds: calm, W. N. W., variable. First, calm, and thick foggy weather; middle, squally; latter, strong winds and thick. May 2. Lat. 58° 10' S. (D. E.) ; long. 73° 48' W. Variation observed, 28° 00' E. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W., W., W.; strong gales, and thick weather; middle, strong gales ; latter, strong gales and snow squalls. May 3. Lat. 57° 15' S.; long. 72° 18' W. Current, E., 1 mile per hour. Barometer, 28.84; tem- perature of air, 39° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. ; heavy gales first part ; middle, less wind ; latter, squally. May 4. Lat. 56° 57' S. ; long. 71° 00' W. Barometer, 28.62 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. ; heavy gales and heavy sea : snow squalls ; lying to. May 5. Lat. 57° 10' S. ; long. 70° 00' W. Barometer, 28.65 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 42°. 5g0 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Winds : W. S. "W., W. S. W., W. S. W. ; heavy gales, with snow squalls at times. At 7 hours 30 min. a violent squall passed over the ship. Apparently at the time of its striking her, a meteor, about the size of a man's head, burst at the masthead, and resembled a large rocket ; came down the mainmast and passed off to leeward without doing any damage ; thank God for the mercy ; ship hove to. May 6. Lat. 57° 19' S. ; long. 70° 10' W. Barometer, 28.62 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., variable, W. S. W. ; heavy gales ; high sea running; part of the time hove to. May 7. Lat. 57° 32' S. ; long. 69° 45' W. Barometer, 28.95 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W. S. W., N., W., W. S. W. First part, heavy gales ; middle, calm ; latter, heavy gales ; lying to. May 8. Lat. ; long. 71° 30' W. Current, B., 1 mile per hour. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., variable, N. W. ; strong gales, and cloudy; high sea. May 9. Lat. 58° 20' S. ; long. 72° 59' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 40°. Winds : N. N. E., W.N. W., W. N. W.; strong gales, and very heavy squalls; cloudy. The sea runs very high. May 10. Lat. ; long. 74° 30' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 41°. Winds: W. N. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. ; heavy gales and clear, first part; snow and rain squalls, latter ; occasionally a chance to make sail, but for very short periods. May 11. Lat. ; long. 75° 50' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N. W., N. W., N. W. ; heavy gales and rain; 7 P. M., violent squalls; middle, snow and rain ; clear at intervals ; ends strong gales and clear. May 12. Lat. ; long. 77° 05' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 28.37 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Wind : variable throughout ; moderate and cloudy ; 10 A. M., barometer very low ; made ready for a heavy gale ; ends strong gale ; hove to part of the day. May 13. Lat. ; long. 76° 45' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 28.26 ; temperature of air, 35° ; of water, 39°. Winds : N. W., N. W. ; very heavy gales and squally ; high sea. May 14. Lat. 58° 22' S. ; long. 73° 00' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., W., W. ; heavy gales and squally ; rain and hail. May 15. Lat. ; long. 73° 22' W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W. N. W., W. N. W. ; strong gales and squally. May 16. Lat. 57° 27' S. ; long. 73° 44' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 37°; of water, 42°. Winds: N. W. by W., W. N. W., W. by S.; strong gales, rain and fog; middle, do. and rain; latter, moderate. May 17. Lat. ; long. 75° 03' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 41°. Winds: N. W., W. S. W., S. W. ; strong winds and clear ; latter part, strong gales and cloudy. May 18, Lat. 56° 02' S. ; long. 74° 42' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. ; strong gales and heavy squalls ; middle, squally, hail and rain. May 19. Lat. ; long. 78° 08' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 43°. Winds: W. S. W., N.N. E., N.E.; first, moderate and cloudy; middle, do.; ends, hard storm. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 661 May 20. • Lat. ; long. 80° 18' W. Barometer, 28.17 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 43°. Winds: K E., K K W., N. K W. ; heavy gales and thick weather; lying to; shipped a sea, doing some slight damage ; ends moderate and cloudy. May 21. Lat. ; long. 81° 21' W. Barometer, 28.60 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Winds: N. W. by W., variable throughout; commences moderate and cloudy; barometer, low; often the barometer has indicated heavy weather when it was not experienced ; generally very correct. May 22. Lat. 53° 49' S.; long. 81° 05' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 33°; of water, 41°. Winds : variable throughout ; squally, with hail, rain, and snow. May 23. Lat. •; long. 82° 40' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 42°; Winds: W. S. W., W., W. ; first and middle parts, strong winds and squally; latter, strong gales and rainy. May 24. Lat. 40° 10' S.; long. 83° 00' W. Current, N.E., about J knot. Barometer, 29.90; tem- perature of air, 46° ; of water, 48°. Winds: W. S. W., W., W.; strong gales, and thick weather; midnight, rainy ; latter, moderate. Barque Parthian (Smith). May 13, 1853. Lat. 50° 55' S.; long. 63° 52' W. Barometer, 29.1; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Winds : N. N. W., S. S. W. Fine Aveather ; whole sail breeze. May 14. Lat. 53° 17' S. ; long. 64° 38' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 47°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. S. W. Middle and latter parts, strong breeze and clear. Double reefs. May 15. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 46°. Wind : W. At 10 P. M. hove to for daylight, to pass through the Straits of Le Maire ; at 9 A. M. entered, and at noon cleared the straits. Fine weather; all sail. May 16. Lat. 56° 40' S. ; long. 67° 1' W. Barometer, 29.2 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. Winds : N. W., W., S. W. Middle part, strong breeze and rainy. Ends calm, with a heavy S. W. swell. At meridian. Cape Horn W. by N. 15 miles. May 17. Lat. 57° 59' S. ; long. 68° 40' W. Barometer, 28.7 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 43°. Winds : N., N. W., S. S. W. First and middle parts, moderate and rainy. Ends with a hard gale, with snow squalls. May 18. Lat. 58° 21' S.; long. . Barometer, 28.9; temperature of air, 40°; of water 41°. Winds: S. S. W., W., W. S. W. Throughout, a hard gale and squally. May 19. Lat. 58° 51' S.; long. . Barometer, 29.0; temperature, of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Winds : W. S. W. Latter part, moderate, inclining to calm. May 20. Lat. 58° 32' S.; long. . Barometer, 28.2; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N. E., N., N. N. W. Latter part, strong breeze and rainy. Double reefs. May 21. Lat. 58° 45' S. ; long. 77° 10' W. Barometer, 28.1 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. N. W., N. W., W. N. W. Throughout at times rainy. Barometer, 28, lower than I have ever 71 562 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. . seen it. At meridian, rising a little; since my last clironometer observations, the current, if any, very trifling to the N. E. May 22. Lat. 57° 47' S.; long. 78° 53' W. Barometer, 28.0 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water 39°. Winds : N., variable, W. S. "W. Moderate with much snow ; middle part, wind went round the compass from W. to K and E., and W. May 23. Lat. 55° 50' S. ; long. . Barometer, 28.7 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. AVinds : W. S. W., W., W. by N. Latter part rainy ; double reefs in the topsails. May 24. Lat. 53° 40' S. ; long. . Barometer, 29.0 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Third and last parts, moderate and fine weather ; all sail. May 25. Lat. 53° 2' S.; long. . Barometer, 28.5; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 43°. Winds : W. S. W., K W., W. S. W. Third and last parts, blowing hard, with much rain, and heavy head sea ; double reefs. May. 26. Lat. 50° 40' S. ; long. 81° 25' W. Barometer, 28.7 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Middle and latter parts, moderate ; all sail. Lantao (Geo. H. Bradbury.) May 15, 1853. Lat. 51° 15' S. ; long. 68° 10' W. Winds: N. N. V- to N. throughout. First part, moderate ; middle, strong ; and latter, fresh breezes. Bluff, at Santa Cruz, in sight, bearing W. N. W. ; sea very smooth. May 16. Lat. 53° 05' S.; long. 56° 30' W. Winds: N. to W. N. W. throughout. Moderate and cloudy ; nasty swell from N. N. E. May 17. Straits of Le Maire. Current, N. E., strong. Barometer, 29.37 ; Winds : W. N. W. to K N. A¥., W. K W., K N. W. to S. W. First part, moderate and fine ; middle, moderate and overcast ; made Bell Mountain at 2 A. M., and soon after passed Cape St. Diego ; was struck by a S. W. squall (in the middle of the straits), which settled into a heavy gale ; ran back, and lay to under the lee of St. Diego. May 18. Off Cape Good Success. Current, N. E., strong. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 45°. Winds: S. W., W., S. W. First part, strong gales and heavy squalls; middle, moderate; stood for the straits, and passed Cape Good Success at daylight; at noon it bore N. by W., distant 15 miles; the mountains covered with snow. May 19, Lat. 56° 10' S.; long. 66° 30' W. Current, easterly, light. Barometer, 29.65; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 44°. Winds: W., W., and calm; calm, and N. E. to N. Strong gales and heavy squalls until midnight ; then light to 4 A. M. ; calm to 6 A. M.; breezed up from east, and round to north ; at noon, fresh. May 20. Lat. 56° 00' S.; long. 71° 30' W. Current, easterly, light. Barometer, 28.70 ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 46°. Winds: N. N. E., N.N. E., N. Strong breezes and cloudy; ends rainy; at 4 P. M. Cape Horn N. by W., 15 miles; the land at 9 A. M., N. N. E. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 5BS May 21. ' Lat. 57° 00' S.; long. 75° 30' W. Barometer, 28.62 ; temperature of air, 43°. Winds : N. W. by N". throughout. Strong gales, with occasional lulls; little rain ; squalls, not heavy. May 22. Lat. 57° 40' S.; long. 77° 00' W. Barometer, 28.52 ; temperature of air, 35° ; of water, 42°. Winds : N". N. W., N. W., W. Commences fresh and rainy, and threatening. At 3 P. M. a heavy squall, which lasted three hours and settled into a strong west gale ; 6 A. M. moderating. Ends, strong breezes and squally. May 23. Lat. 55° 00' S.; long. . Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W. by S., W. Strong breezes with heavy snow squalls. May 24. Lat. 53° 25' S.; long. 79° 00' W. Barometer, 29.75 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 44°. Winds: W. to W. S. W. throughout. Fresh gales and rainy with heavy squalls. Ends fresh but mode- rating ; snow and hail in the squalls. May 25. Lat. 52° 25' S.; long. 79° 45' W. Barometer, 29.05; temperature of air, 45°. Winds: W. S. W., calm, W. to N. N. W., W. Fresh until 6 P. M., then calm; middle, strong gales and squally. Ends, do., with sleet, hail, &c.; heavy sea from southwest. May 26. Lat. 49° 45' S. ; long. 79° 25' W. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 48°. Wind : W. by N. to W. by S. throughout. Commences strong gales and hard squalls. Ends the same, but moderating; hail, snow, and rain in the squalls. Competitor (Moses Hows). May 18, 1853. Lat. 50° 5,8' S. ; long. 63' 52' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. S. W., and S. S. W. Strong head winds. May 19. Lat. 54° 07' S. ; long. 63° 45' W. Barometer, 29.70. (Broke the thermometer.) Winds: S. W., S. W., and K W. First part, strong breezes ; latter part, more moderate. At 4 A. M. wind hauled to the northwest ; weather fine. At noon made Staten Land, S. S. E., 86 miles distant. May 20. Lat. 56° 34' S.; long. 68° 34' W. Barometer, 29.50. Winds : K, K, and N. N. W. Begins fine breezes from the north. At 4 P. M. passes the east end of Staten Land, four miles distant. At 4 A. M. Cape Horn, north ten miles; during the night, squally with rain. Latter part, moderate; all sail set. Noon, Isle Diego N. W. one mile distant. May 21. Lat. 57° 40' S. ; long. 72° 20' W. Barometer, 29.10. Winds: K, K, and W. by N. Strong winds and squally, with rain. May 22. Lat. 57° 36' S. ; long. 74° 20' W. Barometer, 28.50. Winds : W. N. W., N., and W. S. W. A heavy sea and gale ; shipping much water ; washed off the eagle and split the stem ; three feet water in the hold ; worked the pumps till midnight. Ship making three inches water per hour. May 23. Lat. 56° 08' S. ; long. 73° 50' W. Barometer, 28.70 ; Winds : W., W. S. W., and W. S. W. Strong gales, heavy sea, and thick Aveather. May 24. Lat. 56° 03' S.; long. 75° 10' W. Barometer, 29.30. Winds: W. S. W., S. W., and W. S. W. Strong gales ; ship leaking three and a h.alf inches per hour. Ends cloudy and heavy sea. 564 THE WIKD AND CUEEENT CHARTS. May 25. Lat. 55° 50' S. ; long. 76° 50' W. Barometer, 28.50. Winds: S. W. by W., W. N. W., W. ^N". W. First part, strong breezes ; latter part, moderate with rain. May 26. Lat. 55° 48' S.; long. 77° 50' W. Barometer, 28.40. Winds: W., W. N. W., calm. A heavy swell. At daylight, put the ship before the wind ; all hands employed strapping the bows together ; put four parts of chain around through the hawse-pipes, and set it up with lashings over the bowsprit and across the stem. Ends with dark and gloomy weather. May 27. Lat. 54° 58' S.; long. 79° 40' W. Barometer, 29.00. Winds: K, W. N. W., and K E. Begins with light breezes from the northward ; made all sail ; fine weather. May 28. Lat. 53° 18' S.; long. 79° 30' W. Barometer, 28.80. Winds: E., S. W., W. S. W. First part, light breezes ; latter part, a gale. May 29. Lat. 52° 12' S.; long. 79° 45' W. Barometer, 29.15. Winds: W. S. W., S. W., and S. W. Heavy gale and sea; middle part, more moderate; latter part, heavy squalls. May 30. Lat. 51° 12' S.; long. 79° 5' W. Barometer, 27.02. Winds: S. W. by W., S. S. W., W. S. W. Violent gales. May 31. Lat. 51° 14' S. ; long. 78° 30' ^Y. Barometer, 29.10. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. S. W. Violent gales and a heavy sea. June 1. Lat. 50° 42' S.; long. 78° W. Barometer, 29.10. Winds: W. S. W., W. by S., W. S. W. Violent gales and heavy sea. Golden Era (E. P. Sleeper). June 3, 1853. Lat. 51° 48' S.; long. 65° 31' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. W. Moderate breezes. At 8 A.M. sounded; had 75 fathoms water. June 4. Lat. 53° 05' S.; long. 64° 49' W. Barometer, 29.2; temperature of air, in the cabin, 51°; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., variable, N. W., variable. Light breezes, and pleasant. June 5. Lat. 54° 11' S.; long, not observed. Cape St. John, Staten Land, bearing S. E. by S. Baro- meter, 29.00 ; temperature of air in the cabin, 48° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W.N". W., N. W., N. W. to S. E. Light breezes. At daylight, Staten Land in sight; plenty of snow — very good place to slide down hill. June 6. Lat. (D. E.) 54° 25' S. ; long. (D. K.) 63° 25' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 42°. Winds: E., S. E. by S., S. E. by S. First part, light breezes; middle and latter, fresh breezes, and thick, with snow squalls. June 7. Cape St. John bearing S. W. by S., 45 miles distant. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air in the cabin, 42° ; of water, 42°. Wind : S. Fresh gales and snow squalls all this day. June 8. Lat. (D. E.) 55° 40' S. ; long. (D.E.) 62° 00' W. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S., W., S. W. Fresh gales, with snow squalls. June 9. Lat. (D. E.) 56° 09' S.; long. 62° 07' W. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air in the cabin, 37°; of water, 39°. Winds: S.W., S. W., toS.S. W.,S.E., variable. Fresh gales and snow squalls. CAPE HaRIf TBACKS. 565, June 10. Lat. 56° 04' S.; long. 62° 25' W. Barometer, 29.3; temperature of air in the cabin, 34°; of water, 38°. Winds : S. E., S. E. to S. W., S. W. Fresh gales, with heavy squalls of snow and hail. Plenty of ice about deck. June 11. Lat. (D. E.) 56° 51' S.; long. (D. E.) 62° 03' W. Barometer, 29.1 ; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 36°. Winds : S. W., S. W., variable, S. S. W. to S. The same as the last 24 hours. June 12. Lat. (D. E.) 56° 17' S.; long. (D. E.) 64° 12' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 31° ; of water, 36°. Winds: S. S. E., S. E., S. S. E. to S. The same as the last 24 hours— darn'd unpleasant. June 13. Lat. 55° 40' S. ; long. 64° 30' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 34° ; of water, 35°. Winds: S. S. W., S. W. by S., S. W. by S. Fresh gales, with heavy squalls of snow and hail ; a very bad sea. June 14. Lat. 56° 16' S. ; long. 63° 45' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 35°. Winds : S. S. W. to S. W., S. W. by S., S. S. W. Weather the same as yesterday. June 15. Lat. (D. E.) 56° 09' S. ; long. (D. E.) 64° 40' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 43° ; water, 37°. Winds : S. S. W. to S., S. to S. S. W., S. W. to W. Fresh gales and cloudy, with a very bad sea. June 16. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 00' S. ; long. 64° 17' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 44° ; water, 36°. Winds: W., W. by S., W. S. W. Heavy gale, thick and rainy. June 17. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 44' S. ; long. (D. E.) 63° 43' W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 36°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W. Weather the same as yesterday. June 18. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 28' S.; long. (D. E.) 63° 16' W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 37°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. by S. Heavy gale, thick and rainy weather ; very bad sea. June 19. Lat. 57° 33' (D. E.) S. ; long. (D. E.) 63° 40' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W. by S., W. N. W., W. to S. Weather the same as yesterday. June 20. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 48' S. ; long. (D. E.) 63° 48' W. Barometer, 29.1 ; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 36°. Winds : S. E. to K E., N. E. to N. W., K W. by N. First part, very light breezes ; latter part, fresh, thick, and rainy ; very bad sea. June 21. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 39' S.; long. (D. E.) 64° 30' W. Barometer, 28.7 ; temperature of air, 38° : of water, 32°. Winds : S. W. variable, W. N. W., W. by N". variable. First and middle parts, fresh breezes ; latter, fresh gale, with snow. Jnne 22. Lat. (D. E.) 59° 27' S.; long. (D. E.) 64° 30' W. Barometer, 28.7; temperature of air, 25° ; of water, 29°. Winds : W. S. W., AY., variable, W. to S. W. Fresh gale, and light breezes ; very heavy squalls of snow and hail throughout. June 23. Lat. (D. E.) 59° 47° S.; long. (D.E.) 64° 30' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 16° ; of water, 28°. W^inds : W. to S. W., W. N. W., calm. First part, fresh gale ; at 2 A. M., calm ; at daylight the whole ocean was one sheet of ice, or slush, from about six to ten inches in thickness ; no water to be seen ; ends with fresh breezes ; snow throughout. June 24. Lat. (D. E.) 59° 00' S.; long. (D. E.) 69° 15' W. Barometer, 29.2 ; temperature of air, 20' ,o. 5661 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. of water 36°. Winds: E., E. by S., S. E., variable. Fresh gales, with a regular "down east" snow storm. At 3 P. M., run out of the ice. For the last three days the vessel has been covered in ice, being from one to two feet thick on the outside. June 25. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 47' S. ; long. (D. E.) 71° 34' W. Barometer, 29.2 ; temperature of air, 27° ; of water, 36°. Winds : S. E., S. E. variable, S. E. Light breezes and calms ; moderate snow squalls. June. 26. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 30' S. ; long. (D. E.) 74° 21' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 39°. Winds : S., S. by W., S. to W. S. W. First part, light breezes ; middle and latter, moderate breezes, thick and rainy. June 27. Lat. 56° 12' S. ; long. 76° 00' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. W. to S. W., S. S. W., S. W. by S. First part, moderate breezes, with light snow squalls ; latter part, quite pleasant for Cape Horn ; but if I was in any other part of the world, I should call it unpleasant. June 28. Lat. 55° 26' S. ; long. 78° 24' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., calm. Moderate breezes and quite pleasant. June 29. Lat. 53° 35' S.; long. 79° 18' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 41°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., S. W. to W. Light breezes throughout. June 30. Lat. (D. E.) 62° 45' S.; long. (D. E.) 79° 30' W. Barometer, 29.1; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 41°. Winds: W., AV. to W. N. W., W. by N. First part, fresh breezes. Ends a heavy gale, with squalls ef hail. July 1. Lat. 50° 49' S.; long. 79° 55' W. Current, E., 40 miles during the last 24 hours. Baro- meter, 29.4; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W., S. W. by W. Fresh gales with very heavy sea. Squalls of hail and snow. Ship White Sqtiall (S. Kennedy), New York to San Francisco. May 28, 1853. Lat. 50° 7' S. ; long. 63°_37' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 48°. Winds : W., N. W., N". Moderate all day ; cloudy weather. May 29. Lat. 52° 6' N. ; long, 63° 82' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N., N. W., S. Moderate ; very gloomy. May 30. Lat. 52° 31' S. ; long. 63° 18' W. Barometer, 28.30 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S., calm, baffling. Begins calm ; ends N. E. gale. May 31. Lat. 54° 30' S. ; long. 63° 31' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 38°. Winds : calm, E., N. E. Strong gale until 4 A. M., when it hauled to the S. W. and cleared up. June 1. Lat. 56° 32' S.; long. 65° 2' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 38°. Winds : N. E., N. E., S. W. The same low barometer until 2 A. M., then rises, and the wind hauls N. E. ; moderate. June 2. Lat. 56° 45' S.; long. 66° 28' W. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air, 34° ; of water, 36°. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 567- Winds : W., S. AV., calm, and N. E. Begins fresh breezes N. E. ; at 10 P. M., N. W. Ends a gale at west, and snow. June 8. Lat. 57° 84' S. ; long. 68° 48' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 34°. Winds : N. E., N. W., W. S. W. Commences a gale at W. S. W. Ends more moderate. June 4. Lat. 57° 47' S. ; long. 68° 47' W. Current, E. K E., 27 knots per day. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 33°; of water, 37°. Winds: S. W., W., W. Commences a moderate gale; ends a moderate breeze. Saw Diego Eamirez, bearing N. W. by N. June 5. Lat. 56° 46' S. ; long. 68° 54' W. Current, E., 85 knots per day. Barometer, 29.70 ; tem- perature of air, 34° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., N. W., S. E. Strong breezes and passing snow squalls all day. June 6. Lat. 55° 47' S. ; long. 75° 30' W. Current, E. S. E., 15 knots per day. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 28°; of water 41°. Winds : S. S. E. throughout. Fine breezes all day; saw Aurora Australis. June 7. Lat. 52° 49' S. ; long. 78° 57' W. Current, S. E., 25 knots per day. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 32°; of water, 43°. Winds: S. S. E., S., S. W. Cloudy weather all day. Moderate breeze. June 8. Lat. 49° 12' S. ; long. 77° 46' W. Current, E., 10 knots per day. Barometer, 30.15; tem- perature of air, 36° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W., N. W., N. W. Nearly calm all day. Ship Victory (O. G. Lane), New York to San Francisco, 55 days out. June 15, 1853. Lat. 51° 03' S. ; long. 56° 49' W. Barometer, 28.60 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds: N. N. W., N. W., W. S. W. First part, heavy gales and hazy; second part, fresh breezes ; third part, at times calm, and fine breezes with mist and rain. June 16. Lat. 52° 12' S.; long. 56° 20' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 31°; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W. by W., S. W. by W. First part, fresh and rainy ; second part, hard gales, and heavy snow squalls ; third part, heavy gales and thick snow squalls. June 17. Lat. 52° 13' S. ; long. 55° 50' W. Current, E. N. E., 1 J knots per hour. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 41°. Winds : S. W., S. W., S. W. Strong breezes with snow squalls. June 18. Lat. 52° 54' S.; long. 54° 38' W. Current, N.E. by E., 1 mile per hour. Barometer, 29.62 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., S. S. W. Fresh breezes with snow squalls. June 19. Lat. 53° 40' S. ; long. 57° 00' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Winds : S. S. W., N. W., N. W. by W. First and second parts, fresh breezes ; third part, gale. June 20. Lat. 54° 30' S. ; long. 60° 46' W. Barometer, 28.85 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Winds : N. W. by W., W. N. W., N. W. First part, strong gale and cloudy ; second and third parts, fresh and cloudy. June 21. Lat. 55° 05' S.; long. 63° 43' W. Current. E. N.E. 4 knot. Barometer, 28.60 ; tempera- 568 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. ture of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. "W". by W., W. N. W., N.K W. First part, moderate, cloud j, and misty ; second part, moderate and foggy ; third part, light and pleasant. June 22. Lat. 56° 20' S. ; long. 66° 30' W. Current, 1 J knot, N. N.E. Barometer, 28.30 ; tempera- ture of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. N. W., N. N. E., E. First and second parts, moderate and cloudy ; third part, light breezes and rain, June 23. Lat. 56° 40' S.; long. 66° 50' W. Current, 1 knot, N.E. by N. Barometer, 28.40; tem- perature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds: S., calm, S. W. First part, light airs; second part, calm; third part, fresh breezes and cloudy misty weather. June 24:. Lat. 57° 33' S. ; long. 68° 20' W. Barometer, 28.70 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W., calm, N. N. W. First part, fresh ; second part, calm ; third part, light airs and calm at times. June 25. Lat. 57° 35' S. ; long. 71° 20' W. Barometer, 28.07 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 39°. Winds : N. N. W., IST. W., N. W. First part, fresh; second and third parts, strong gales and stronger snow squalls, rain, and hail. June 26. Lat. 57° 20' S. ; long. 71° 30' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 39°. Winds : N. W., W., W. S. W. Heavy gales and hard snow squalls. June 27. Lat. 56° 39' S.; long. 71° 33' W. Barometer, 28.95; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 41°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., W. First part, strong gales and squalls; second and third parts, moderate. June 28. Lat. 56° 26' S.; long. 75° 29' W. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Winds: calm, N. W., N. W. First part, calm; second part, light breezes; third part, moderate and cloudy, June 29. Lat. 55° 29' S.; long. 75° 23' W. Current, E., 1 knot. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., W. S. W., S. E. First and second parts, moderate and cloudy ; third part, light airs and pleasant. June 30. Lat. 53° 30' S.; long. 79° 03' W. Barometer, 29.05; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 42°. Winds : E., S. E., S. S. E. First part, moderate ; second and third parts, fresh breezes with snow squalls. July 1. Lat. 61° 04' S. ; long. 82° 16' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 43°. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. W., S. W. First part, fresh breezes and cloudy ; second part, moderate with light snow squalls ; third part, moderate with light snow squalls. July 2. Lat. 49° 14' S.; long. 84° 32' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 44°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. E., calm. First part, moderate, snow squalls ; second part, light breezes and cloudy; third part, baffling airs and calms. Schooner L. P. Foster (J. P. Keller), Boston to Puget Sound, 70 days out. June 8, 1853. Lat. 49° 16' S. ; long. 66° 38' W. Barometer, 30.20 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, CAPE HORN TRACKS. 569 46°. Winds: W., calm, N". W. Fine fair day; noon, 50 fathoms water. First and latter parts, light breezes ; middle, calm. At 4 P. M. land about Port Julien in sight, bearing W. N. "W., true, about 30 miles. June 9. Lat. 50° 42' S. ; long. 67° 15' W. Var. obs. 18° 30' E. Barometer, 80 ; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 45°. "Winds: N. "W., variable, S. W. by S. Commences with a decreasing breeze; middle, light, calm, and variable, from N. W. to S. S. W. ; day only 8 hours long ; weather fine ; ends with a fresh breeze, dying away. June 10. Lat. 51° 34' S. ; long. 67° 20' "W. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S., N. W., K W. Fine weather. At 5 A. M., sudden fall of wind, and veering westward ; 9 A. M., calm; noon, light breeze; dark green and smooth sea ; at noon, off the Straits of Magellan. June 11. Lat. 53° 45' S. (D. E.) ; long. 66° 54' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.55. Winds : N. W., N. N. W., N. W. First part, gentle breezes, with dark flying clouds, probably fog ; as daylight came on, the sky became obscured by this vapor. At 9 A. M., barometer falling ; land in sight about Cape Pinas ; noon, quite thick and dark ; barometer, 29.35 ; lower than I have noticed it before ; no change in the weather, except the fog. Thus far I have made no remarks upon the barometer. If I should dare to hazard an opinion, would say that, with the wind at N. E. and E., north of the equator, it ranges highest ; and with southerly winds south of it, and particularly south of Capricorn, lowest ; or, at least, that southerly winds may be expected when low, and westerly and northwesterly when quite high ; though we have had our strongest wind (even a terrific gale for a few hours) after the barometer had fallen to 29.40 some two hours and stopped. I think it was rising at the time; wind from about west, perhaps a little northerly and inclining southward. Eunning along the land ; -wind veering north ; saw what looked like snow on the mountain tops; at 10 P.M., up with Cape Diego, in sight; at the end of the day in the straits; weather getting fair ; wind strong at N. W. June 12. Straits of Le Maire. Barometer, 30.20; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. N. W., S. S. W., W. K W. At 2 A. M., well through the straits ; wind now strong, having just had doldrums and an agitated sea ; sea probably effect of currents ; doldrums, of high lands. At 4 A. M., wind increasing ; 7 hours 30 min. A. M., wind S. S. W., wore to the westward ; hail showers. At 10 A. M., bore up for straits ; strong gale and snow squalls ; rough sea ; moderating towards the latter part ; at end standing back; strong N. E. current. June 13. Off west end of Staten Land. Current, N. N. E. Barometer, 30.05 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W. N. W., N. W. Strong breezes and fresh gales. At noon, standing through the straits again ; wind veering northward ; barometer, 8 A. M., 29.50. At 4 P. M., Cape Good Success W.N.W. 6 miles; wind K W., and increasing; 10, moderating; barometer falling. At midnight, quite moderate and overcast. June 14. Cape Horn, N. W., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 41°. Winds : N., S., S. S. W. At 4 A. M., kept up for the cape ; heavy westerly swell. At 8 A. M., cape, snow 72 570 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. covered, W. N. W. 20 miles; wind light. At noon, calm, dark, and cloudy. At 1 P. M., rainy; wind south; barometer, 28.90 ; ends with an unsteady breeze and snow squalls. June 15. S. "W. part Hermit Island N. W. 8 miles. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., S. First and middle part, strong breezes ; snow squalls throughout. Barometer, at noon, 29.70, June 16. Diego Eamirez, W. 10 miles. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. S. E., S. E., S. At 8 A. M., Cape Horn N. W. 12 miles ; ice and snow on deck, cloudy ; 6 P. M,, nearly calm; at 9 P.M., wind strong, with snow squalls, which last throughout. June 17. Lat. 55° 45' S. (D. E.) ; long. 69° 35' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 30.30; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S., S. W., W. S. W. ; fresh breezes, with snow and rain. At 8 A. M., Isle Ildefonso N. E. by N. 10 miles; at 4 P. M. near the west end of Hoste Island — rough, rugged, snow-covered, fire-rent hills and mountains. Barometer, at sunset, 30.70. June 18. Lat. 56° 05' S. (D. E.); long. 69° 45' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 30.40; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W. N. W., N. W. by N., N. N. W. ; strong and increasing gales, with occa- sional rain. June 19. Lat. 56° 19' S. (D. E.); long. 72° 52' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 40°. Winds : N. W., N. W., N. W. to W. ; fresh gales, with rain squalls. Ends, strong gales. No cur- rent noticed since leaving the straits. June 20. Lat. 56° 41' S. (D. E.); long. 73° 32' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W. by W., IST. W. Commences fresh breezes, and rainy; middle, strong; latter, cloudy; 6 P. M. barometer 29.00; moderating. June 21. Lat. 58° 21' S. ; long. 74° 35' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 28.95 ; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 40°. Showery during the forenoon ; wind rising. Ends, fresh breezes and rainy ; sea rough : there may be some current with the wind, as an indifferent observation differs one degree from account. June 22. Lat. 57° 50' S.; long. 79° 13' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 39°. Winds : N. N. W., N. N. W., N. ; cloudy and rainy at intervals ; latter part, wind light. Barometer, , lower than it has been at any time before. June 23. Lat. 57° 49 S.; long. 81° 00' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 39°. Winds : W. N. W., K W., N. JST. E. ; cloudy and rainy at times. First and middle parts, light to moderate ; latter, fresh and squally, with snow. Wind veered to N. W. at end of day. June 24. Lat. 57° 09' S. ; (D. E.) ; long. 82° 30' W. (D. E.). Winds : N. W. by N., N. N. E., S. First part, moderate; middle, strong, with snow squalls. Weather, broken; from 2 to 8 P.M. calm; at that time a strong southerly wind. Barometer, 28.60, and commenced rising. Ends with snow squalls. June 25. Lat. 55° 00' S. ; long. 83° 28' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds: S., S., W. N. W. First, strong gales from south; middle, decreasing; latter, varying between S. W. by W., and W. N. W., with occasional snow squalls. June 26. Lat. 53° 15' S.; long. 82° 50' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 38°; of water 41°. CAPK HOKN TRACKS. 571 Winds: N. W., W. S. W., N. N. W.; wind strong at times, and varying from "W. S. W. to N. W., with some rain and snow. June 27. Lat. 52° 45' S. (D. R.) ; long. 83" 41' W. (D. R.). Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 37°; of water, 41°. Winds: N., K, N. N. W. ; unsteady winds, with hail and snow; now a storm, and then a calm. Ends very heavy squalls, but altogether moderating. June 28. Lat. 52° 25' S.; long. 85° 21' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N., calm, S. E. ; at 4 A. M. calm ; decks coated with ice. First part, light winds ; middle and latter, calm and increasing S. E. breezes. Barometer up and down j%. Ends rainy. June 29. Lat. 50° 28' S.; long. 85° 11' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 42°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E., S. S. E. First half, increasing breeze, drizzly, rain ; latter strong, inclining southerly ; occasional hail squalls. Ship John Land (Peleg Howes), Boston to San Francisco, 53 days out. June 14. Lat. 50° 39' S.; long. 64° 02' W. Barometer, 28.8 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44° Winds : N. W., N. W., N. W. Heavy gales. June 15. Lat. 53° 03' S. ; long. 62° 50' W. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44= Winds : W. N. W., S. W., S. W. First, heavy gales ; second, hail and snow ; third, squally. June 16. Lat. 53° 50' S. ; long. 61° 53' W. Current, E. N. E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.2 temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 40°. Winds: S. W., S. S.W., S. S. W. Strong gales. June 17. Lat. 54° 20' S.; long. 63° 35' W. Current, E. by K, J knot per hour. Barometer, 28.8 temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. W., S., S. S. W. Heavy squalls. June 18. Lat. 54° 27' S. ; long. 62° 01' W. Current, E. by K, J knot per hour. Barometer, 29.2 temperature of air, 30° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., S. W. by S. Strong winds. June 19. Lat. 56° 24' S.; long. 65° 20' W. Current, E. by N., I knot per hour. Barometer, 29.2 temperature of air, 30°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., W. by S. Heavy snow squalls and sleet. June 20. Lat. 57° 24' S.; long. 67° 17' W. Current, E. by K, J knot per hour. Barometer, 28.8 temperature of air, 30° of water, 42°. Winds: W. by S., W. by S., W.N. W. Strong gales. June 21. Lat. 58° 12' S. ; long. 70° 27' W. Current, E. by K, 20 miles. Barometer, 28.6 ; Winds N. W. by N., N. W. by N., N. W. by N. Heavy gales. June 22. Lat. 57° 26' S. ; long. 75° 10' W. Current, E. by N., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.5 ; tempera- ture of air, 30°; of water, 42°. Winds: N. W., N. W., N". W. Strong gales, with passing squalls, with snow. June 23. Lat. 57° 24' S. ; long. 79° 04' W. Current, E. by N., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.6 ; tempera- ture of air, 30° ; of water, 42°. Winds : N. W. by N. throughout. Heavy weather. June 24. Lat. 56° 27' S. ; long. 80° 33' W. Current, E. by N., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.2 ; tempera- ture of air, 30° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., N. W. by W. Fresh breezes. 672 THE WIND AND CUKRENT OHABTS. June 25. Lat. 55'^ 17' S. ; long. 80° 33' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 28.2 ; tem- perature of air, 30° ; of water, 42°. "Winds : W. S. "W. throughout. Heavy gales. June 26. Lat. 53° 20' S. ; long. 80° 10' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 28.25 ; tem- perature of air, 30° ; of water, 42°. "Winds : "W. by N., W. N. W., N. "W. by W. Heavy gales ; snow and hail. June 27. Lat. 52° 36' S. ; long. 80° 35' "W. Current, east, 14 miles. Barometer, 28.9 ; temperature of air, 30° ; of water, 42°. "Winds : N. "W., N. W., N. W. by "W. First part, fresh winds ; latter, strong winds, and squally. > June 28. Lat. 52° 10' S. ; long. 83° 32' "W. Current, E. by K, 14 miles. Barometer, 28.8. "Winds: N. W., N. "W., N. "W. by "W. Strong breezes, and squally. June 29. Lat. 50° 32' S.; long. 85° 13' W. Current, E. K E., 15 miles. Barometer, 28.9. Winds : N., N. E., S. E. by E. Moderate breezes, and cloudy. Barque Ellen Noyes (F. A. Lewis), Boston to San Francisco, 75 days out. July 1. Lat. 50° 46' S.; long. 54° 20' "W. Barometer, 29.1; temperature of air, 40°. "Winds: "W. S. W. throughout. Strong gales, and clear. July 2. Lat. 52° 00' S.; long. 55° 01' W. Barometer, 29.0. "Winds: "W. S. "W., W., W. N. W. Fresh gales, and cloudy. July 3. Lat. 53° 26' S.; long. 56° 50' W. Barometer, 28.9. Winds: N. W., N. W., W. S. W. Gales, and cloudy. July 4. Lat. 54° 40' S.; long. 57° 57' W. Barometer, 28.4. Winds: N. W., variable, variable. Gales and squally, with snow. July 5. Lat. 54° 44' S. ; long. 58° 00' W. Barometer, 29.0 ; temperature of air, 25° ; of water, 38°. Winds : variable throughout. Heavy snow squalls. July 6. Lat. 55° 20' S. ; long. 57° 00' W. Barometer, 29.0 ; temperature of air, 25° ; of water, 38°. Winds : variable throughout. Snow squalls. July 7. Lat. 55° 15' S. ; long. 59° 00' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 28° ; of water, 37°. Winds : variable throughout. Snow squalls. July 8. Lat. 55° 20' S.; long. 61° 20' W. Barometer, 29.14; temperature of air, 29°. Winds: variable from E. to S. S. W., with snow squalls. July 9. Lat. 54° 51' S.; long. 62° 15' W. Barometer, 29.6; temperature of air, 29°. Winds: varying from E. to S. S. W., with snow squalls. July 10. Lat. 54° 48' S. ; long. 62° 40' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 30°. Winds : vari- able throughout. Light winds, and clear. July 11. Lat. 56° 08' S. ; long. 64° 20' W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 30°. Winds": vari- able throughout. Strong N. E. gales, and cloudy. CAPE HORN TRACKS, 678' July 12. Lat. 58° 01' S. ; long. 71° 51' W. Barometer, 29.6 ; temperature of air, 82°. Winds : N. E., N. E., N. W. Strong gales and squally. July 13. Lat. 57° 48' S. ; long. 70° 40' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., S. W. by W. Strong gales and squally. July 14. Lat. 58° 25' S.; long, 72° 06' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds : variable throughout. Light winds and pleasant. July 15. Lat. 58° 17' S. ; long, 72° 46' W. Barometer, 29,6; temperature of air, 33°. Winds: vari- able, calm, calm, light and baffling ; second and third, calm. July 16. Lat. 57° 55' S.; long. 74° 21' W. Barometer, 29.6; temperature of air, 33°. Winds: variable throughout. Light airs. Current, E., one knot per hour. July 17. Lat. 57° 50' S.; long. 74° 15' W. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 35°. Winds: calm, calm, S. W. First and second, calm ; third, fresh and squally. Current, E., one knot per hour. July 18. Lat. 56° 04' S. ; long. 76° 15' W. Barometer, 29.4 ; temperature of air, 32°. Winds : N. W., W., W. Fresh breezes and squally. • July 19. Lat. 53° 28' S.; long. 78° 30' W. Barometer, 29.7; temperature of air, 35°. Winds: W., S. W., S. S. W. Fresh breezes and squally. July 20. Lat. 52° 01' S.; long. 78° 34' W. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 35°. Winds: S, throughout. Light winds and foggy. July 21. Lat. 50° 02' S. ; long. 78° 41' W. Barometer, 30. Winds: S., S. E., N. E. Strong winds and foggy, with light rain. Ship White Squall (Samuel Kennedy), Philadelphia to San Francisco, 57 days out. July 5, 1852. Lat. 50° 21' S.; long. 63° 55' W. Current, N. N. E., 30 miles. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., N. N. E., N. Cloudy, with rain. July 6. Lat. 51° 32' S. ; long. 64° 35' W. Current, K E., 30 miles. Barometer, 29.64 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N. E., N. W., N. E. Moderate and cloudy. July 7. Lat. 54° 25' S.; long. 63° 00' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 39°,- Winds : N. E., N". E., E. N. E. Moderate and cloudy. July 8. Lat. 55° 24' S.; long. 63° 19' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 36°. Winds : baffling from IST. E. to E. S. E. Cloudy, with snow and rain ; calm at times. July 9. Lat. 55° 50' S. ; long. 65° 00' W. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 37°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E., N. ; nearly calm all day; snow, hail, and rain. July 10. Lat. 56° 00' S. ; long. 66° 30' W. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 38°. Winds : calm throughout. Thick fog. 4 days current, N. E., 101 miles. July 11. Lat. 56° 40' S. ; long. 67° 40' W. Current, E. N. E., 31 miles. Barometer, 29.53 ; tempera- ture of air, 36° ; of water, 38°. Winds : calm, N., N. W. At times, calm and fog. 574 THE WriTD AND CUBEENT CHARTS. July 12. Lat. 58° 17' S. ; long. 70° 19' W. Current, E. by S., 41 miles. Barometer, 29.60 ; tem- perature of air, 85° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., W., W. Squally, hail, and rain. July 13. Lat. 58° 42' S. ; long. 72° 32' W. Barometer, 29.26 ; temperature of air, 30° ; of water, 40°. Winds: N. W. to N. N. W., N. W. to S. W., calm. First and second parts, heavy squalls; third, calm. July 14. Lat. 57° 59' S. ; long. 75° 53' W. 2 days current, E. by N., 92 miles. Barometer, 29.21 ; temperature of air, 29° ; of water, 35°. Winds : calm, E., E. K E. First, calm ; second and third, mode- rate and snow. July 15. Lat. 55° 37' S. ; long. 78° 32' W. Current, N. E., 32 miles. Barometer, 29.46 ; temperature of air, 25° ; of water, 32°. Winds : S. S. E., S., S. Moderate ; latter, stormy. July 16. Lat. 54° 07' S. ; long. 80° 33' W. Current, E. S. E., 35 miles. Barometer, 29.17 ; tempera- ture of air, 38° of water, 39°. Winds : S. S. E., N., S. W. First part, strong breezes and fine weather ; second part, blowing fresh ; third part, calm and cloudy. July 17. Lat. 53° 33' S. ; long. 80° 10' W. Current, E., 27 miles. Barometer, 29.08 ; temperature of air, 35° ; of water, 35°. Winds : S. W., N. N. W., N. W. Hard gales. July 18. Lat. 52° 35' S.; long. 78° 57' W. Current, S. E., 24 miles. Barometer, 28.93 ; tempera- ture of air, 37° ; of water, 38°. Winds: W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Fresh gales throughout. July 19. Lat. 53° 18' S. ; long. 79° 20' W. Barometer, 28.97 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W., W. N. W., N. W. Heavy gales and squally. July 20. Lat. 54° 10' S.; long. 78° 33' W. Current, E. S. E., 36 miles. Barometer, 29.06; tem- perature of air, 38° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., N. W. Heavy gales; lightning, hail, and rain. July 21. Lat. 53° 32' S.; long. 79° 19' W. Current, S. E., 42 miles. Barometer, 29.28; tempera- ture of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W., calm, E. First, gale ; middle, calm ; latter, blowing hard, snow, hail, and rain. July 22. Lat. 51° 28' S.; long. 81° 45' W. Barometer, 28.87; temperature of air, 88°; of water, 42°. Winds: E., S., S. W. First, heavy gales; second, tremendous gales; third part, moderate. July 23. Lat. 48° 51' S. ; long. 79° 52'. W. Current, S. S. E., 41 miles. Barometer, 29.60 ; tempera- ture of air, 88° ; of water, 13°. Winds : W. N. W., W., S. W. ; moderate and pleasant. N. B. Palmer (C. P. Low), 49 days out. July 10, 1852. Lat. 48° 47' S. ; long. 57° 52' W. Barometer, 29.90. Winds : S. W. by W., W. N. W., S. S. W. Light airs, and variable, with much snow. July 11. Lat. 51° 54' S.; long. 55° 43' W. Barometer, 29.8. Winds : S., W. S. W., W. N. W. Stiff breezes, and cloudy. July 12. Lat. 53° 23' S. ; long. 55° 04' W. Barometer, 29.2. Winds: W. S. W. Stiff breezes and cloudy, hazy weather. CAPE HORN TRACKS. ' 576 July 13. Lat. 54° 42' S. ; long. 56° 02' W. Barometer, 28.8. Winds : N. N. W., W. S. W, W. S. W. First part, moderate top-gallant breeze ; middle and latter, gales, with heavy sea. July 14. Lat. 55° 02' S. ; long. 56° 51' W. Barometer, 29.4. Winds : S. W., S. W. by W., S. Heavy gales. July 15. Lat. 54° 31' S. ; long. 61° 12' W. Barometer, 28.8. Winds : S., W. N. W., N. W. Double- reefed topsails, and reefed courses ; heavy sea. July 16. Lat. 54° 40' S. ; long. 62° 56' W. Barometer, 28.8. Winds : N. N. W., N. N. W., S. W. by W. First part, moderate breezes. At 10 A. M., made Staten Land, bearing S. S. W., distant 20 miles. Ends strong gales. July 17. Lat. 56° 41' S.; long. 66° 00' W. Barometer, 29.6. Wind: W.S.W. First part, under close reefs ; ends under double reefs. July 18. Lat. 56° 35' S. ; long. 68° 00' W. Barometer, 29.2. Winds : W. JST. W., K N. E., N. N. E. Under double reefs ; Cape Horn bearing north, by compass, 36 miles distant. July 19. Lat. 57° 18' S. ; long. 69° 30' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds: W. K W., W. by K, W. First part, heavy gales, with heavy sea ; middle, close reefs ; latter, single reefs. July 20. Lat. 57° 40' S. ; long. 72° 32' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds : S. S. E., S., S. S. W. Single reefs, with top-gallant sails. July 21. Lat. 56° 21' S. ; long. 73° 47' W. Barometer, 28.5. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. W., S. S. W. First part, very heavy snow squalls from the south ; middle and latter, close reefs. July 22. Lat. 55° 20' S.; long. 77° 30' W. Barometer, 29.2. Winds: N. E., N., N. W. First, moderate breezes and cloudy; ends double reefed topsail breeze. July 23. Lat. 54° 44' S. ; long. 78° 04' W. Winds : N. N. W., W., W. Stiff double reefed topsaU breeze. July 24. Lat. 52° 58' S.; long. 78° 04' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds : W^ W. S. W., S. W. First part, double reefs; middle, close reefs; latter, heavy gales, with hail and snow. July 25. Lat. 51° 46' S. ; long. 76° 50' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds : S. S. W., W- N- "W., W. K W. First part, heavy gales ; middle and latter, more moderate. July 26. Lat. 50° 33' S. ; long. 77° 34' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds : W. N. W^ W, W. by N. First part, stiff gale ; ends single reefs. July 27. Lat. 50° 42' S. ; long. 77° 38' W. Barometer, 29.2. Winds: N. W., K N. W., W. S. W, First part, heavy gale ; at 6 P. M., hove to under close-reefed maintopsail, &c. July 28. Lat. 51° 03' S.; long. 77° 25' W. Barometer, 29.2. Winds: W. S. W., W., W. First part, heavy gale, with very dangerous sea ; middle, heavy rain squalls ; ends more moderate. July 29. Lat. 50° 07' S. ; long. 77° 47' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds: S. W., N. K. W., K N. W. Stiff breezes; first part, squally. July 30. Lat. 50° 03' S. ; long. 79° 18' W. Barometer, 29.2. Winds : N. N. W., W. K. W., W. N. W. Commences calm and cloudy, then heavy gales ; middle part, gales ; latter, single-reefed topsails. 676 THE WIND AND CUllRENT CHARTS. Southerner (E. Hooper). July 6, 1852. Lat. 51° 02' S. (D. K.); long. 64° 20' W. (D. K.). Temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Commences with strong gales and clear. Wind : S. E., and inclining westerly ; 8 P. M. wind shifted S. W. ; barometer falling; middle and latter parts, moderate breezes with rain; wind, W. N. W. at noon. Barometer, fell suddenly from 28.80 to 28.35. July 7. Lat. 50° 86' S. ; long. 64° 26' W. (D. E.). Comes in with heavy gales and rain. At 8 P. M. the barometer at 28.10 ; wore ship to the westward. "Wind: S. S. E., gale increasing at 10 P. M. At 2 A. M. the gale suddenly increased so much as to knock the vessel's lee sail under water ; run her off before the wind and furled maintopsail, then brought by and lay to under storm sails ; sea rising fast. At 4 A. M. wind increased to a violent hurricane, keeping the whole of the starboard side under water ; decks full up to the hatches ; vessel laboring very much. Found it necessary for the safety of the ship and people to throw overboard cargo. Ends with a violent hurricane ; the barometer, at 28.10 ; all hands engaged throwing overboard cargo ; heavy sea. July 8. Lat. 50° 03' S.; long. 64° 06' "W. Commences as the last ended. The vessel laboring very much and shipping heavy seas; decks filled with water fore and aft; still very unsafe; all hands still throwing overboard cargo. At 11 A. M. the vessel making better weather ; stopped throwing overboard the cargo ; secured things about decks. Current, N. E., 40 miles in 24 hours. Barometer commences to rise at 5 P. M. ; at noon, barometer, 28.50. July 9. Lat. 50° 34' S. ; long. 68° 28' W. Barometer, 28.90. Current, K E., 40 miles in 24 hours. Commences with more moderate S. "W. gales ; middle and latter parts, strong gales from S. S. W. July 10. Lat. 51° 21' S. ; long. 62° 14' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Current, E. N. E., 20 miles. Commences with fresh S. S. W. gales and squally ; middle and latter parts, much the same. At noon, wind west. July 11, Lat. 52° 48' S.; long. 62° 33' W. Barometer, at noon, 29.80; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 40°. Current, E. N. E., 24 miles. Fresh westerly gales, first and middle parts ; latter part, moderate southerly winds. July 12. Lat. 54° 07' S. ; long. 62° 81' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 40°. Current, E. N. E., 24 miles. Comes in with a moderate southerly wind ; at 8 P. M. wind west ; tacked south. Ends with a westerly breeze and clear. July 18. Lat, (D. E.) 55° 50' S.; long. (D. E.) 64° 08' W. Barometer, 28.60; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 40°. Current, E. N. E., 80 miles. First part, wind west and moderate ; middle part, fresh gales and clear ; latter part, heavy gales and cloudy. Ends with the wind at N. W. July 14. Lat. 57° 03' S.; long, 65° 58' W. Barometer at noon, 28.50, and rising; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 40°. Current, N.E. by E., 24 miles. Commences with strong N.W. gales, with rain ; middle part, more moderate ; latter part, fresh gales at S. S. W. with squalls of snow and hail. July 15. Lat. 56° 30' S.; long. 67° 01' W. Barometer at noon, 29.40; temperature of air, 34°; of CAPE HOKN TRACKS. 577 water, 40°. Current, E. N. E., 20 miles. Commences with strong gales, and passing squalls of hail and snow. Barometer rising fast; middle part, a light south wind and clear : latter part, a moderate S. W. wind. July 16. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 11' S.; long. (D. E.) 69° 59' W. Barometer at noon, 28.08; temperature of air, 88°; of water, 40°. . Current, E. N.E., 2 miles per hour. Comes in moderate and clear. "Wind: W. S. W. inclining northerly. At 3 P. M. saw Cape Horn, bearing, per compass, W. N. W. distant about 25 miles ; at 4 P. M. tacked south, and hauled by the wind, to double the cape as sharp as possible ; middle part, fresh N. W. winds and clear ; latter part, strong gules, with a heavy cross sea ; wind N. N.W. July 17. Lat. 57° 11' S.; long. 70° 34' W. Barometer at noon, 28.90; temperature of air, 36°; of water, 41°. Current, E. N.E., 2 miles per hour. Commences with a strong increasing gale, from N.N.W. inclining to west. Barometer, 28.45 ; moderating during the night ; latter part, fresh gales from W. S. W. July 18. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 01' S.; long. (D. E.) 72° 48' W. Barometer at noon, 28.60, and falling. First part, fresh W. S. W. winds, with occasional squalls of snow, rain, and hail ; middle part, moderate and clear; latter part, strong N. N. W. gales ; lying to. July 19. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 20' S'.; long. (D. E.) 72° 14' W. Barometer at noon, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 41°. Commences with heavy N. K "W". gales; 2 P.M., barometer, 28.50, and at 6 P. M., 28.20; middle part, strong gales, with rain; midnight, barometer rising; latter part, moderate N. W. gales, and cloudy. July 20. Lat. (D. E.) 58° 10' S.; long. 74° 37' W. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Commences with strong gales and overcast; middle, light E.S. E. winds, and thick weather; latter, fresh S. E. gales ; hail, snow, and rain. July 21. Lat. 57° 51' S. ; long. 77° 24' W. Temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 40°. Commences with strong S. E. gales, with snow ; middle and latter parts, moderate S. E. winds, with snow; barometer at noon, 28.94. July 22. Lat. (D. E.) 57° 18' S. ; long. (D. E.) 80° 46' W. Barometer at noon, 28.70, and rising ; temper- ature of air, 42°; of water, 41°. First part, light baffling winds, and flying clouds; middle part, fresh N. N. E. gales, with snow ; latter part, fresh N. N. W. gales, with rain ; at noon, wind shifted to S. S. W. ; cur- rent, during the last three days, E. N. E., 70 miles. July 23. Lat. 56° 50' S. ; long. 82° 11' W. Barometer unsteady ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 41°. Current, 26 miles, E. N. E. First part, light S. S. W. wind ; at 8 P. M. it shifted to N. N. W., and blew a gale, with rain and snow. July 24. Lat. 55° 32' S.; long. 83° 05' W. Barometer at noon, 28.20; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Commences with fresh westerly gales, with snow squalls ; at 8 P. M. the wind shifted to E. S. E. ; barometer falling to 28.00 ; during the night, heavy gales and squally ; 4 A. M. barometer rose to 28.25 ; latter part, moderating gales, and clear. July 25. Lat. 54° 27' S.; long. 81° 37' W. Barometer at noon, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Current, E. N. E., 2 miles per hour. First part, moderate N. "W. gales, and squally; middle 73 578 THE WIND AND CURKENT CHARTS, part, strong westerly gales; barometer fell during the uigbt, to 27.90, and at 8 A.M. rose to 28.10; wind shifted to S. W., and blew strong, with snow squalls. July 26. Lat. (D. R.) 52° 27' S. ; long. (D. R.) 81° 00' W. Barometer at noon, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. First part, strong W. S. W. gales, with heavy squalls of wind, hail, and snow ; middle and latter parts, more moderate ; at 8 A. M. wind hauled to N. W. ; ends light breezes, with over- cast sky. July 27. Lat. 53° 10' S. ; long. 81° 31' W. Barometer at noon, 27.97 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Commences with moderate breezes, and cloudy. At 3 P.M. wind N. N. W. ; tacked to the westward. Barometer falling. At 8 P.M. blowing a hard gale, with heavy squalls; lying to. Ends with violent gales, and tremendous squalls of wind, hail, and rain from N. N. W. July 28. Lat. 52° 13' S. ; long. 81° 12' W. Barometer at noon, 28.77 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. First part, heavy gales, with squalls of wind and hail ; at 4 P. M. the wind hauled to west ; wore to the north ; at 8 P. M. the barometer rose 0.2. Middle and latter parts, fresh W. S. W. gales, with snow and hail squalls. July 29. Lat. 50° 59' S. ; long. 79° 19' W. Barometer at noon, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. First part, fresh west gales ; at 8 P. M. barometer commenced rising; middle and latter parts, light breezes, and fine, clear weather. July 30. Lat. 50° 55' S. ; long. 80° 15' W. Barometer at noon, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 45°. First part, light N. "W. winds, and clear; at 2 P. M. tacked west; at 8 P. M. strong gales which continued from K. N. W. ; at 8 A. M. the wind moderating, at west; ends with fine weather. July 31. Lat. 50° 00' S.; long. 78° 10' W. Barometer at noon, 28.95; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 46°. Commences with moderate N. W. winds ; middle part, strong gales ; at 4 A. M. tremendous heavy gales ; lying to under storm fore and aft sails. Barometer in this case gave no warning. Ends with a more moderate wind at west. Aug. 1. Lat. 50° 23' S.; long. 78° 38' W. Barometer at noon, 28.90. Commences with moderate west gales; at 4 P. M. wind hauling northward; wore ship to S. W.; middle and latter parts, heavy gales; lying to under storm sails. Ship Levanter (Wm. A. Follansbee), New York to San Francisco, 81 days out. July 14. Lat. 48° 25' S.; long. 64° 46' W. Current, easterly, IJ knots per hour. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. by N., W. J N., W. J S. Moderate and pleasant. July 15. Lat. 50° 33' S.; long. 64° 10' W. Current, 1^ knots. Barometer, 29; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., S. W. by W. First and second parts, moderate ; third part, gale. July 16. Lat. 50° 23' S. ; long. 65° 21' W. Current, S. E., | knot. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 44°. Winds: S. W. by W., S. W., S. W. First part, moderate; second and third parts, hard gale, with snow squalls. CAPE HORN TKACKS. 579 July 17. Lat. 53° 15' S.; long. 64° 56' W. Barometer, 29.1 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : "W. N W. to N. "W., S. W., S. W. First part, fresh ; second part, gale ; third part, strong and squally. July 18. Lat. 54° 40' S.; long. none. Barometer, 28.8; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W. N. W., N. W. Fresh breezes and thick; passed through the Straits of Le Maire. July 19. Lat. 56° 08' S. ; long. 65° 30' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. to W. S. W., calm and W., W. N. W. Strong gales and heavy squalls. July 20. Lat. 56° 44' S. ; long. 67° 22' W. Barometer, 29.2 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W., N. IST. W., N. N. W. First part, fresh breezes ; second and third parts, strong gales. July 21. Lat. (D. R.) 57° 10' S.; long. 67° 56' W. Barometer, 29.4; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 42°. Winds : N. N. W., W. N. W. to -W., S. W. Hard gales ; ends calm. July 22. Lat. 57° 32' S. ; long. 69° 16' W. Barometer, 28.5 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 41°. Winds : calm, E. K E., E. N. E. to IST. W., E. N. E. to S. S. W. First part, calm ; second part, moderate ; third part, hard gales and snow. July 23. Lat. (D. R.) 58° 21' S.; long. 69° 46' W. Barometer, 28.5; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 41°. AVinds : S. S. W., W. S. W. to W. K W., N. W. by W. Hard gales and heavy snow squalls. July 24. Lat. (D. R.) 58° 30' S. ; long. 69° 10' W. Barometer, 28.9; temperature of air, 36°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. W., W. S. W. to S. W., S. W. to W. S. W. Hard gales and heavy snow squalls ; calm for 10 minutes. July 25. Lat. (D. R.) 58°40'S.; long. 67° 09' W. Barometer, 29.2; temperature of air, 25°; of water, 39°. Winds: S. W. throughout. Hard gales; third part, moderate. July 26. Lat. (D. R.) 58° 08' S.; long. 67° 34' W. Barometer, 29.1; temperature of air, 30°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W., calm, E., calm. First part, moderate ; second part, calm ; third part, light airs and calm, snowing. July 27. Lat. 56° 31' S.; long. 73° 08' W. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 28°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. E., S. to S. E., S. to S. E. First part, light airs ; second and third parts, fresh, and .snow squalls. July. 28. Lat. (D. R.) 55° 31' S. ; long. 77° W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 41°. Winds: S. E.to S., S.E., S. to W. JST. W. First and second parts, moderate and pleasant; third part, light airs and calm. July 29. Lat. 53° 45' S. ; long. 79° 33' W. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W. to W., W. Fresh breezes and squalls of rain. July 30. Lat. 52° 26' S. ; long. 79° 55' W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W., W., W. Fresh breezes and rain squalls, and misty all day. July 31. Lat. (D. R.) 50° 07' S.; long. 81° 04' W. Barometer, 30.2; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W. by W., W. by S. to W. Moderate breezes and fog showers. 580 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Aug. 1. Lat. 48° 37' S. ; long. 82° 00' W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Winds: W. by S., W. S. "W. to S. W., S. to S. W. Moderate breezes and foggy ; latter, nearly calm. Miza Mallory (John E. Williams). July 30, 1852. Lat. 50° 38' S. ; long. 62° 34' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 46°. Winds : S. S. E., E., N. E. First part, calm, and light winds; middle and latter, strong. Barometer, going down. July 31. Lat. 53° 34' S. ; long. 64° 41' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 40°. Wind : N. N. E. ; strong breezes, cloudy, thick, and rainy. Aug. 1. Lat. 54° 36' S.; long. 63° 15' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 40°. Winds : K W. to W., W., W. First part, strong breezes from N". W., and thick ; middle, wind shifting to west, cleared up, blowing strong gale. At 8 A. M. made Staten Land ; unsettled glass, going up and down. Aug. 2. Lat. 54° 31' S. ; long. 65° 40' W. Barometer, 29.02 ; temperature of air, 40°. Winds : N. W., K N. W., N. N. W. First part, strong gale ; at 6 P. M. passed close to Cape St. John, heavy squalls off the land ; latter part, squalls not so heavy ; at daylight, made Terra del Fuego. Aug. 3. Lat. 56° GO'S.; long, not observed. Barometer, 29.2; temperature of air 42°. Winds: N. N. W., N. First part, strong gale ; middle, heavy squalls, with snow ; latter, pleasant. At noon, about 20 miles east of Cape Horn. Aug. 4. No observations. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 37°. Winds : N"., W., W. First part, moderate and pleasant ; at 5 P. M. Cape Horn bore north, distant about five miles ; at 8 P. M. heavy bank coming up from the west, and barometer going down; at midnight, close-reefed; latter part, hail squalls. At 7 A. M. made the Diego Eocks. Aug. 5. Lat. 57° 28' S. ; long. 69° 00' W. Barometer, 29.1 ; temperature of air, 38°. Wind: W. N. W. First part, strong gale, with hail squalls; middle, more moderate; latter part, moderating; under top-gallant sails. Aug. 6. Lat. 57° 02' S.; long. 70° 51' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: N. W., N., N. N. E. First part, strong breezes and rain squalls. Ends, light and baffling ; heavy sea from west ; weather looks bad. Aug. 7. Lat. 56° 04' S.; long. 72° 30' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 36°. Winds: S., S. W., S. W. First part, light; middle, hail and snow squalls — under close reefs; latter part, more mode- rate ; made sail. Aug. 8. No observation. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 38°. Winds : W. to W. N. W., N. W., N. First part, strong breezes, and baffling. Barometer, going down; at 3 P. M. it stood at 28.85. Ends, with snow and rain — double reefs. Aug. 9. Lat. 54° 30' S. ; long. 78° 36' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 34°. Winds : N. W., S. W., S. W. First part, all sorts of weather — fog, rain, and calm, with heavy sea from N. W. ; middle part, strong gale ; latter, more moderate, but still squally. Aug. 10. No observation. Barometer, 30.2; temperature of air, 34°. Winds: S. W., S. W., E. CAPE HOEN TRACKS. 6$1 First part, strong breezes, with snow and hail squalls; middle, moderate breezes, and baffling; latter, moderate and cloudy. The weather changes very quick about here ; from all sail to close reefs. Aug. 11. Lat. 48° 38' S.; long. 83° 25' W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 44°. Winds: E. N. E., E. N. E.., N. E. First part, strong breezes; middle part, same; barometer going down fast; latter, strong and hazy ; heavy sea from the north. Ship Pelican Slate (S. Weeks), Philadelphia to San Francisco, 76 days out. July 30. Lat. 50° 30' S.; long. 64° 45' W. Barometer, 30.03; temperature of air, 41° of water, 43°. Winds : calm, S. W., S. W. First part, calm ; second part, moderate ; third part, fresh breeze. July 31. Lat. 51° 17' S.; long. 66° 00' W. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Fresh breezes and pleasant. Aug. 1. Lat. 52° 58' S. ; long. 66° 10' W. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W. throughout. Strong gales and squally. Barometer falling. Aug. 2. Lat. 54° 18' S.; long. 65° 35' W. Barometer, 29.8; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., N., N. W. First part, moderate weather, dark and cloudy. Aug. 3. Lat. 55° 00' S.; long. 63° 32' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 42°. Winds : N. W., S. W., S. W. First part, moderate. Should have gone through Straits of Le Maire, but wind contrary, south, and night coming on, thought it prudent to go round Staten Land. Third part, gales with squalls of hail and snow. Current, E. JST. E., 15 miles. Aug. 4. Lat. 55° 30' S. ; long. 63° 32' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 30° ; of water, 41°. Winds : S. S. W., S., S. Heavy gales with squalls of snow and hail. Current, E. N. E., 36 miles. Aug. 5. Lat. 55° 50' S. ; long. 64° 00' W. Barometer, 30.2 ; temperature of air, 31° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S., S., S. S. E. Strong gales and dark cloudy weather. Carrent, E. N". E., 30 miles. Aug. 6. Lat. 55° 25' S.; long. 64° 20' W. Barometer, 30.3 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 41°. Wind : S. S. E. throughout. First part, strong winds and heavy squalls of snow. Second part, strong gales. Third part, moderate. Strong current setting northward at E. N. E., 40 miles. Aug. 7. Lat. 55° 25' S.; long. 63° 45' W. Barometer, 30.3 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 35°. Winds: S., S., S. W. ; moderate snow squalls and cloudy. Aug. 8. Lat. 56° 40' S. ; long. 63° 40' W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 35°. Wind : S. W. throughout ; moderate and dark cloudy weather. Current, E., 20 miles. Aug. 9. Lat. 57° 00' S.; long. 63° 00' W. Barometer, 29.5; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 35°. Winds : S. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. ; moderate. Second part, light ; third part, calm. Current, E., 20 miles. Aug. 10. Lat. 57° 18' S. ; long. 63° 30' W. Barometer,. 29.5 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds: N. W., calm, calm. First part, light airs and dark cloudy weather; second part, calm and baf- fling; third part, calm. Current, E. N.E., 20 miles. Aug. 11. Lat. 57° 10' S. ; long. 66° 33' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. 582i. THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Winds: W.N. W. First part, light airs and dark cloudy weather; second part, baffling; third part, light breezes. Current, E., 25 miles. Aug. 12. Lat. 57° 40' S. ; long. 68° 30' W. Barometer, 29.8 ; temperature of air, 35° ; of water, 38°. Winds: W. S. W., W.S.W., E. First and second parts, fresh breezes and rainy; third part, light winds and cloudy ; strong tide rips. Current, E. by N., 35 miles. Aug. 13. Lat. 56° 49' S. ; long. 73° 20' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds: N.E., N.E., N. N.E. First part, light airs; second part, moderate; third part, fresh breezes. Current, E, by N., 30 miles. Aug. 14. Lat. 55° 57' S. ; long. 75° 53' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 40°. Winds: N. E., N. E., N. N. E. First part, fresh; second part, light and baffling, and cloudy; third part, light winds. Current, E., 15 miles. Aug. 15. Lat. 55° 44' S. ; long. 76° 30' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 42°. AVinds : E., calm, calm. First part, light winds and cloudy ; second and third parts, calm. Current, E., 15 miles. Aug. 16. Lat. 54° 08' S. ; long. 78° 45' W. Barometer, 28.5; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 43°. Wind: E., S. E., S. First part, light airs; second part, fresh and squally, with snow; third part, light airs. Current, E., 20 miles. Aug. 17. Lat. 53° 48' S. ; long. 80° 45' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. Winds: S., S., S. First part, light airs; second and third parts, fresh gales and rainy. Current, E., 20 miles. Aug. 18. Lat. 53° 20' S. ; long. 82° 00' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds: variable, variable, calm. First and second, variable; third, from calms to strong gales, and fine weather to squalls of snow and rain. Current, E., 20 miles. Aug. 19. Lat. 51° 16' S.; long. 83° 30' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds : calm, S. W., S. W. First part, calm ; second, fresh southwest gales with squalls of snow and hail ; third, moderate. Current, E. S. E., 30 miles. Aug. 20. Lat. 48° 10' S. ; long. 84° 30' W. Barometer, 30.00 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 48°. Wind : S. W. throughout. Fresh gales with heavy squalls of wind, rain, hail, and snow. Current, S. E., 20 miles. Ship White Swallow (P. W. Lovett), Boston to San Francisco, 86 days out, Aug. 21, 1853. Lat. 49° 33' S. ; long. 62° 55' W. Barometer 29.40 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, at surface, 32°; at 10 feet below surface, 36°. Winds: W., S., S. Fresh breezes and pleasant. At 10, wind changed to south in a squall, and blew a gale for the remainder of the day. Hail and snow. Aug. 22. Lat. 50° 40' S.; long. 63° 50' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 85° ; do. 36°. Winds : S. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Fresh gales ; cloudy and cold. CAPE HORN TRACKS, 583 Aug. 23. Lat. 53° 15' S.; long. 62° 46' W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 34° ; do, 35°. Winds : W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Strong gales ; middle and latter, more moderate. Aug. 24. Lat. 55° 38' S.; long. 61° 46' "W. Barometer, 28.67; temperature of air, 87°; of water, 34° ; do. 35°. Winds : W., N. E., W. First part, fresh breezes ; middle and latter, strong gales. Aug. 25. Lat. 55° 42' S.; long. 60° 42' W. Barometer, 28.38; temperature of air, 29°; of water, 38° ; do. 37° . Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., S. W. First part, gales with hail and snow ; middle, more moderate ; latter, light breezes. Heavy westerly swell. Aug. 26. Lat. 56° 29' S.; long. 62° 56' W. Barometer, 58.67; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 86°; do. 37°. Winds: S., N. E., W. All kinds of weather; middle, light and calm; latter, strong gale with hail and snow. Aug. 27. Lat. 56° 16' S.; long. 63° 83' W. Barometer, 28.63 ; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 26° ; do. 27°. Winds: W., calm, S. W. Commences fresh gale; middle, quite moderate; latter, calm and thick, snow storm. Aug. 28. Lat. 56° 14' S.; long. 65° 10' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 37° ; do. 37°. Winds : calm, W., N. W. Commences light airs and snow ; middle, light; ends same. Aug. 29. Lat. 57° 00' S. ; long. 67° 40' W. No observation. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 38° ; do. 38°. Winds: N. W., W. K W., N. E. Commences fresh breezes ; middle, wind working southerly with rain ; latter, N. E. to N. W. ; moderate and raining. i Aug. 30. Lat. 57° 40' S.; long. 70° 30' W. Barometer, 28.65; temperature of air, 41°; pf water. 39°; do. 88°. Winds : K W., K W., W. K W. Fresh breezes and raining. | Aug. 31 . Lat. 58° 42' S. ; long. 71° 41' W. Current, east, 36 miles. Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 88° ; do. 87°. Winds: W. N. W., W. N. W., N. N. W. Strong breeze, heavy squalls, with snow and hail ; midnight, moderate. Sept. 1. Lat. 59° 18' S. ; long. 73° 11' W. Strong easterly current. Barometer, 28.30 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 38° ; do. 37°. Winds : W. K W., W. N. W., N. K E. Fresh breezes and squally, with snow and hail. Sept. 2. Lat. 58° 32' S. ; long. 74° 00' W. Current, east, strong. Barometer, 28.37 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 39° ; do. 37°. Winds: K N. E., W., S. S. E. Commences light breezes, and snow; middle, light ; ends good breeze. Sept. 3. Lat. 55° 24' S.; long. 76° 15' W. Current, east, IJ knots per hour. Barometer, 29.05; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 38° ; do. 38°. Winds: S., S. W., W. Fine breeze. . During the last four days we have had an easterly current, from 1 to 1^ knots per hour. Sept. 4. Lat. 54° 27' S. ; long. 76° 25' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.05 ; tem- perature of air, 40° ; of water, 89° ; do. 38°. Winds : W., W. N. W., N. W. Commences fresh breezes, and cloudy ; ends heavy gales and squally, with hail, rain, and snow. Sept. 5. Lat. 52° 57' S.; long. 76° 22' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 584 THE WIND AND CUKKENT CHARTS. . 40° ; do. 38°. Winds : N. W., W. N. "W., W. N. "W. Strong gales, with hail and snow ; middle, more moderate. Sept. 6. Lat. 49° 52' S. ; long. 79° 29' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43° ; do. 42°. Winds : W. N. W., S. W., S. W. Strong breeze, with heavy squalls, with rain and hail ; at 4 P. M., wind hauled to S. W. in a squall, and lasted strong throughout the day. Ship Corinne (John K. Stickney), New York to San Francisco, 92 days out. July 29. Lat. 49° 09' S.; long. 64° 52' W. Current, west, half knot per hour. Barometer, 80.26; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 48°. Winds : S. to S. E., calm, calm. First part, squally, and fresh winds ; second and third, light airs and calm. July 80. Lat. 51° 11' S.; long. 64° 52' W. Barometer, 30.03; temperature of air, 89°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. by W., S. W., W. S. W. First, light airs and cloudy ; second and third, moderate and pleascint. July 31. Lat. 52° 35' S. ; long. 65° 00' W. Barometer, 29.77 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. by S., S. W. by W., S. W. by W. First, moderate ; second, hard gales ; third, moderate. Aig. 1. Lat. 54° 23' S. ; long. 64° 03' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. "Wind : S. W. throughout. First, moderate ; second, suddenly a furious gale ; third, hard gale. Aug. 2. Lat. 54° 33' S.; long. 63° 50' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. N. W. F'irst, hard gales ; second, same ; third, more moderate, and thick wcither. Aug. 3. Lat. 56° 21' S. ; long. 63° 08' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 35° ; of water, 36°. Winds : W. S. W. to W., S. W. by W., S. W. by W. First, fresh breezes and thick ; second, light breezes and thick ; third, strong breezes, with squalls of sleet and snow. Aug. 4. Lat. 56° 25' S.; long. 63° 24' W. Barometer, 29.92 ; temperature of air, 26° ; of water, 34°. Winds : S. by W., S. S. E., S. S. E. First part, fresh gale and thick snow ; second, hard gale, with heavy squalls of sleet and snow ; third, moderating. Aug. 5. Lat. 56° 40' S. ; long. 66° 17' W. Barometer, 30.30 ; temperature of air, 34° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. E. to S., S. S. E., S. S. E. to S. First part, fresh gales and frequent snow squalls; second, moderating; third, moderate and cloudy. Aug. 6. Lat. 56° 57' S. ; long. 66° 22' W. Barometer, 30.38 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 41°. Wiada: S. S. E.-to S. S. W. throughout; winds variable, with frequent squalls of snow and sleet. Aug. 7. Lat. 50° 40' S. ; long. 65° 50' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 34° ; of water, 39°. Winds -. S. to S. S. W., S. W., S. W. by W. ; fresh and flawy, also cloudy. Aug. 8. Lat. 58° 49' S. ; long. 66° 06' W. Current, iST. E. strong, rate not ascertained. Barometer, 29.86 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 37°. Winds : S. W., S. W. by W., W. by S. ; squally and cloud V. Aug. 9. Lat. 66° 07' S. ; long. 68° 06' W. Current, E. N. E., 1 mile per hour. Barometer, 29.54 ; CAPK HORN TRACKS. 585 temperature of air, 36°; of water, 31°. Winds: W., W., W. S. "W. ; moderate, witli frequent squalls of sleet and snow, and drizzling rain. Aug. 10. Lat. 59° 42' S.; long. 69° 11' W. Current, easterly. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 34° ; of water, 37°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W. to W. S. W., S. S. W. to S. S. E. ; liglit variable winds, and calms ; squalls of snow and sleet. Aug. 11. Lat. 59° 39' S. ; long. 71° 05' W. Current, for 56 hours, N. 87° E., 54 miles. Barometer, 29.56 ; temperature of air, 34° ; of water, 38°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. by E., E. First part, liglit airs ; second, moderate ; third, fresh and cloudy. Aug. 12. Lat. 58° 25' S. ; long. 76° 18' W. Current, easterly. Barometer, 29.72 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 39°. Winds : E., E., E. to N. E. First part, fresh, with snow squalls ; second, moderate, with snow ; third, fresh snow squalls and sleet. Aug. 13. Lat. 57° 09' S. ; long. 78° 00' W. Current, for 48 hours, S. 71° E., 42 miles. Barometer, 29.35 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N. N. E. to calm, N. E., do. First part, strong and rainy, calm for a few moments; second, light airs ; third, moderate, and drizzling rain. Aug. 14. Lat. 55° 27' S.; long. 81° 30' W. Current, S. 17° E.,"29 miles. Barometer, 28.85 ; tem- perature of air, 38° ; of water 40°. Wind : N. E. throughout. First and second parts, fresh breezes and thick weather ; third, light airs and calms, thick fog. Aug. 15. Lat. 54° 23' S. ; long. 83° 10' W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N". E., calm and baffling, S. S. E. First, light breezes and dense fog; second, calm and baffling airs ; third, gentle breezes. Aug. 16. Lat. 53° 37' S.; long. 83° 46' W. Barometer, 29.22; temperature of air, 37°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. E., S. W to N. W., S. W. to N. W. Light variable breezes ; latter, squalls of rain. Aug. 17. Lat. 52° 38' S. ; long. 84° 14' W. Barometer, 29.03 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. AVinds : W. to W. N. W., W. N. W. to N". N. W., W. to W. N. W. Fresh breezes and squally weather. Aug. 18. Lat. 52° 00' S. ; long. 84° 13' W. Barometer, 28.85 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds: W. K W., W. N. W., W. N. W. to W. S. W. First, fresh and squally ; second, fresh gales, squally with sleet and rain; third, fresh breezes and squally. Aug. 19. Lat. 50° 12' S. ; long. 84° 40' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W. by S. throughout. Strong gales ; heavy squalls of snow and hail. " Your Sailing Directions, with the accompanying Charts, contain much valuable information, and I would recommend them to every shipmaster, in whatever trade he may be, with regard to doubling Cape Horn. I should prefer running down between the parallels of 58° and 60°, rather than contend with adverse winds, heavy sea, and strong easterly currents, between 58° and the cape. I experienced smooth sea, good weather, and easterly winds, while other ships 2° or 3° N. of me were fighting westerly gales, and had a much stronger easterly set," 74 586 THE WIND AND CUBKENT CHARTS. Ship Wild Banger (J. Henry Sears), Boston to San Francisco, 60 days out. Aug. 20, 1853. Lat. 51° 00' S. ; long. 62° 00' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 36°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., "W. S. W. Moderate breezes and pleasant. Aug. 21. Lat. 51° 40' S. ; long. 63° 10' W. Barometer, 29.95; temperature of air, 81° ; water, 32°. Wind: S. S. W. throughout. First part, light winds; at 4 P. M. made Cape Percival (Falkland Islands); at 8 P. M. violent squall from S. S. E.; ends moderate. Aug. 22. Lat. 54° 25' S.; long. 63° 50' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 34°; of water, 35°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. Strong breezes and squally ; snow and hail. Aug. 23. Lat. 55° 00' S. ; long. 64° 00' W. Northerly current. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 34°. Wind : S. W. throughout. At 1 P. M. made east end of Staten Land, bearing S. \ W. ; strong gales and heavy snow squalls. Aug. 24. Lat. 56° 00' S. ; long. 64° 20' W. Current, N. E., 1 J- knots per hour. Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 29°; of water, 31°. Winds : W. N. W., S. W., S. W. At 6 P. M. Staten Land bore W. N. W. 25 miles ; strong gales from S. W. Aug. 25. Lat. 55° 23' S. ; long. 63° 80' W. Current, east, 2 knots per hour. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 28°; of water, 30°. Winds: S. W., S. W., S. S. W. Strong gales and heavy snow squalls ; ends more moderate. Aug. 26. Lat. 56° 08' S. ; long. 62° 40' W. Current, east, 3 knots per hour. Barometer, 28.10 ; temperature of air, 27° ; of water, 27°. Winds: S. by W., N. W., W. S. W. Commences moderate breezes and cloudy ; midnight, fresh breezes, squally weather ; ends a heavy gale. Aug. 27. Lat. 56° 20' S. ; long. 63° 00' W. Current, same. Barometer, 28.30 ; temperature of air, 30° ; of water, 32°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Commences heavy gales ; ends more moderate. Aug.-28. Lat. 56° 28' S.; long. 64° 00' W. Current, east, 1^ knots per hour. Barometer, 28.60; temperature of air, 36°; of water, 34°. Winds: calm, S. W., N. W. First and middle parts, light and calm; ends moderate, cloudy, with rain. Aug. 29. Lat. 56° 53' S. ; long. 67° 48' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 28.85; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 36°. Winds: W., calm, N. W. First and middle, light airs and calm; ends fresh breezes, thick and rainy. Aug. 30. Lat. 57° 30' S.; long. 70° 22' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 28.80; tem- perature of air, 41°; of water, 89°. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Strong breezes and rainy. Aug. 31. Lat. 58° 23' S.; long. 72° 17' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 28.80 ; tem- perature of air, 36° ; of water, 37°. Winds : W. K. W., W., W. Strong gales, and squally ; snow. Sept. 1. Lat. 51° 17' S.; long. 73° 20' W. Current, east, 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 28.75; tem- perature of air, 34° ; of water, 36°. Winds: W. N. W., K W., N. W. Fresh breezes and squally. Sept. 2. Lat. 56° 55' S.; long. 73° 40' W. Current, east, 28 miles. Barometer, 28.80; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 86°. Winds : W., W. N. W., W. N. W. Strong breezes and squally. CAPE HOEN TRACKS. ^7 Sept. 3. Lat. 54° 38' S. ; long. 76° 20' W. Current, east, 29 miles. Barometer, 29.40 ; \emperature of air, 35° ; of water, 34°. Winds : "W. S. W., S. W., "W. Strong breezes, and heavy snow squalls. Sept. 4. Lat. 53° 41' S.; long. 77° 14' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 35°. "Winds: W. S. W., S. W., W. N. W, Strong breezes and squally, Sept. 5. Lat. 52° 15' S. ; long. 77° 42' W. Current, south, 12 miles. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 37°. Winds : W. N. W., W. S. W., W. Fresh breezes and squalls of hail and rain: hope I *ara 'most clear of bad weather and worse winds. Sept. 6. Lat. 49° 21' S.; long. 80° 55' W. Current, south, 12 miles. Barometer, 29.95; tempera- ture of air, 43°; of water, 40°. Wiuds : W. S. W., S. W., S. Fresh breezes, with squalls of hail and rain ; latter part, wind hauling to south ; first fair wind for a month. " San Francisco, October 25, 1853. " I followed your track to the equator for July, and had a passage of 28 days to the equator ; crossed in 32° 30', just clear of Eocas, and then had a very hard chance to Cape Horn. I highly approve of your ti'ack from Boston to the equator, and have no doubt but that I gained by following your instruc- tions. " I found very little current near St. Roque. I intended to have gone through the Straits of Le Maire, but the wind being S. W., I could not get far enough to westward, and thought it better to pass east end of Staten Land. With regard to a passage around Cape Horn, I would say I have seen worse weather between Boston and Liverpool, in September, than I have seen yet in this passage. North of equator, I had a long spell of calm weather which prolonged my passage ; but find, on arrival, that I was in company with four other clipper ships, and all arrived here same day." Barque Mermaid (George Sniith), Pernambuco to San Francisco, from Cape St. Roque, 31 days. Aug. 20, 1851. Lat. 50° 30' S. ; long. 65° 35' W. Winds : K W., N. N. W., and K N. E. Fresh breezes. Aug. 21. Lat. 54° 31' S.; long. 65° 16' W. Winds: W. N. W., W., and W. S. W. Fresh gales. At meridian. Cape St. Diego bore S. E., distant 10 miles. Aug. 22. Lat. 56° 14' S.; long. 64° 16' W. Winds: W. S. W., S. W. by W., W. S. W. At 1 P. M. entered the Straits of Le Maire, and was set to the southward by a tide at the rate of 6 miles per hour. At 5 P. M. Cape Good Success bore N. W., distant 25 miles. After getting through the straits, experienced a heavy irregular sea from the S. W., which lasted until midnight ; latter part, squally. Aug. 23. Lat. 57° 05' S.; long. 65° 12' W. Winds: W. S. W., S. W., and S. by W. Squally weather. Aug. 24. Lat. 56° 45' S.; long. 67° 35' W. Winds: N. W., S. S. W., K Unsteady wind; ship under all sail. 588 THE WIND AND CUKHENT CHARTS. Aug. 25. Lat. 57° 30' S. ; long. 70° 45' W. Winds : N. N. E., K W., and W. Temperature of air, 43°; of water, 41°. Strong winds; made Diego Island. Aug. 26. Lat. 57° 20' S. ; long. 70° W. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., and N. W. Heavy gales ; hove to. Aug. 27. Lat. 57° 40' S.; long. 71° 10' W. Temperature of air, 89°; of water, 41°. Winds: N. N. W., W., and W. Strong gales; under close reefs. Aug. 28. Lat. 56° 48' S.; long. 72° 50' W. Temperature of air, 38°; of water, 41°. Winds: W. S. W., S., and S. First part, strong gales ; middle and latter part, moderate. Aug. 29. Lat. 55° 19' S.; long. 78° 00' W. Temperature of air, 38°; of water, 41°. Winds: S., S. S. W., and S. W. Fresh wind. Aug. 30. Lat. 53° 12' S. ; long. 79° 00' W. Temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., W., and W. N. W. First part, moderate ; middle and latter parts, squally. Aug. 31. Lat. 51° 45' S. ; long. 78° 45' W. Temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., and W. K W. Fresh gales, and squally. Sept. 1. Lat. 51° 10' S. ; long. 78° 18' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds : K. W., W. K. W., and N. E. Fresh winds. Sept. 2. Lat. 49° 42' S. ; long. 80° 10' W. Temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. E., N. W., and E. First and latter parts, moderate ; middle part, squally. Ship Queen of Clippers (John Zerega), New York to San Francisco, 61 days out. Aug. 80. Lat. 49° 53' S. ; long. 64° 57' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 43° ; water, at 12 feet 2 inches below surface, 43°. Winds : K W. by W., W. N". W., W. by S. First, moderate ; second and third, fresh and squally. Aug. 31. Lat. 54°05'S.; long. 65° 00' W. Barometer, 29; temperature of air, 39°; surface of water, 43° ; below siirface, 12 feet 2 inches, 48°. First, moderate and squally ; second, fresh ; third, blowing hard in squalls. Sept. 1. Lat. 54° 52' S.; long. 65° 02' W. Barometer, 29; temperature of air, 42°; of water, at surface, 41°; below, 41°. Winds: W. by N., W. N. W., N. First and second, strong gales; third part, light winds. Sept. 2. Lat. 56° 08' S.; long. 65° 27' W. Barometer, 28.70 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, at surface, 40° ; below, 40°. Winds: W. K W., S. S. W., W. by S. First, light winds and strong tide rips; second, calm; third, heavy gales and squalls of hail. " I see in your book of Directions that some of the captains state that they do not consider the barometer as a guide in high southern latitudes; but I differ from them. Although I may not have had as much experience as some of them — having been thirteen years at sea, of which time I have been captain six years— I think if the glass falls three or four-tenths in a few hours, it will be succeeded by a gale and very heavy gust, which will last several hours— although the simple fact that the barometer falls, does not, as a CAPS HORN TBACKS., 58^ natural consequence, predict wind; it only shows that there is a commotion in the atmosphere in your vici- nity, which may be succeeded by wind or rain, but I think more likely by the former." Sept. 3. Lat. 56° 30' S. ; long. 66° 50' W. Barometer, 29 ; temperature of air, 34° ; surface of water, 40°; below, 40°. Winds : W. by S., "VV. by E., S. S. W. Strong gales and snow squalls. Sept. 4. Lat, 57° 28' S. ; long. 66° 50' W. Barometer, 29.3 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40° ; below surface, 40°. Winds : " not put down." Squally and misty weather. Sept. 5. Lat. 58° 37' S. ; long. 68° 15' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 35° ; of water, 40° ; below surface, 40°. Current, E., 1 J knots. Winds : W. J S., W., W. by N. Heavy gales and squalls. Sept. 6. Lat. 58° 00' S. ; long. 69° 40' W. Barometer, 29.03 ; temperature of air, 31° ; of water, 40° ; below surface, 40°. Current, E., 1\ knots. Winds: W., S., S. by W. First, gales; second, gales and snow squalls; third, blowing very hard. Sept. 7. Lat. 56° 09' S. ; long. 73° 33' W. Barometer, 30.18 ; temperature of air, 33° ; of water, 40° ; below surface, 40°. Current, N. E., 1 knot. First part, gales; second, more moderate; third, fine weather. Sept. 8. Lat. 54° 29' S. ; long. 76° 00' W. Barometer, 30.03; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 40° ; below surface, 40°. Winds: S. by W., S. W. by S., S. E. First and second, moderate, with rain squalls; latter, light airs and calm. Sept. 9. Lat. 53° 30' S.; long. 80° 13' W. Barometer, 29.05 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40° ; below surface, 40°. Winds : E., E., N. W. Light breezes and squally. Sept. 10. Lat. 53° 05' S.; long. 82° 80' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°; below surface, 40°. Winds : N. W. by N., N. N. W., W. by N. Strong gales. Sept. 11. Lat. 50° 24' S.; long. 82° 00' AY. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 42°; below surface, 42°. Winds: N. W. by K, S. W., W. First part, strong gales and misty; second, moderate ; third, moderate and squally. Slu'p John Bertram (F. Lendholm), Boston to San Francisco, 58 days out. Aug. 28, 1853. Lat. 49° 27' S.; long. 65° 17' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 43°. Winds ; W. by S., S. W. by W., N. W. by W. First and middle parts, light breezes. Sounded in 60 fathoms. Ends fine breezes and pleasant. Aug. 29. Lat. 51° 55' S.; long. 66° 30' W. Barometer, 29.46; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 41°. Winds: W. N. W., W. N. W., N. W. First and middle parts, light breezes ; latter part, faint airs. Aug. 30. Lat. 54° 03' S.; long. 65° 32' W. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 41°. Winds : variable, variable, K W. Commences light variable airs. Ends fine breeze. Aug. 31. Lat. 56° 45' S. ; long. 66° 57' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., N. W. by N., W. by S. Commences with fine breezes and pleasant. At 2 P. M. Cape St. Diego bore, by compass, S. E. At 3 hours 30 min. P. M. passed it and entered Straits of Le Maire. Be- calmed two hours. A strong northerly current. At 7 P. M. clear of the straits. Middle, unsteady winds with snow. At 6 hours 30 min. A. M. Cape Horn bore W. \ S. Ends strong gales. 590 THE WIND AND CURRKNT CHARTS. Sept. 1. Lat. 57° 06' S. ; long. 69° 01' W. Barometer, 28.82 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., "W. S. W., "W. by S. First part, moderate breezes with frequent snow squalls ; middle, dark gloomy weather ; ends with unsteady winds and snow squalls. Sept. 2. Lat. 57° 27' S. ; long. 69° 45' W. Barometer, 28.70 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. by N. Moderate breezes with snow squalls, and a high sea. Sept. 3. Lat. 56° 02' S, ; long. 72° 00' W. Current, E. N. E.', 26 miles. Barometer, 28.97 ; temperature of air, 37°; of water, 40°. Winds: variable, S., W.S. W. First, light baffling winds; middle and latter, fresh breezes with snow squalls. Sept. 4. Lat. 57° 21' S.; long. 73° 13' W. Barometer, 29.28 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 40°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., W. by N. ; strong gales with a heavy sea. Sept. 5. Lat. 58° 17' S. ; long.. 74° 01' W. Barometer, 29.07 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W. S. W., W., W. N. W. ; heavy gales and a heavy sea. Sept. 6. Lat. 57° 24' S.; long. 74° 28' W. Current (two days), E., 29 miles. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 25°; of water, 39°. Winds: W., W. S.W., S. S. W. ; strong gales and heavy sea; long and heavy squalls. Sept. 7. Lat. 56° 10' S.; long. 77° 28' W. Barometer, 30.23 ; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., S. W. by S. First part, strong gales and stronger squalls ; middle, strong breezes and squally ; ends, moderate breezes and cloudy. Sept. 8. Lat. 54° 56' S. ; long. 79° 11' W. Barometer, 30.48 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. S. W. to W. by S. ; calm. First part, light breezes and light squally weather ; middle, baffling: ends, calm and foggy. Sept. 9. Lat. 53° 34' S. ; long. 83° 00' W. Barometer, 29.96 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 40°. Winds : calm, N, E., N. W. by N. Commences, calm and foggy ; middle and latter parts, fine breezes. Sept. 10. Lat. 53° 11' S. ; long. 85° 28' W. Barometer, 29.08 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N. W. by N., W. by S., W.; strong breezes and strong gales, and cloudy squally weather. Sept. 11. Lat. 50° 26' S. ; long. 85° 48' W. Barometer, 29.46 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. N. W., S. W., S. W. by W. Commences, strong breezes and squally, with rain ; 9 P. M. wind hauled to S. W. ; middle and latter parts, strong breezes and squally, with a heavy cross sea. Ship Eagle (John S. Farron), New York to San Francisco, 62 days out. Sept. 10, 1851. Lat. 48° 38' S.; long. 49° 35' W. Current, N. 66° E., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.28; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W. by W., S. W. by W. First and second parts, fresh ; latter, hard gales and cloudy. Sept. 11. Lat. 50° 31' S.; long. 51° 10' W. Current, K 80° E., 22 -miles. Barometer, 28.93; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 38°. Winds : W. by S., W. by N., W. N. W. ; strong gales, cloudy and rain. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 591 Sept. 12. Lat. 51° 20' S. ; long. 51° 06' W. Current, E., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 38°. "Winds: "W. by N., W., "W. ; heavy gales, hail and lightning. Sept. 13. Lat. 52° 20' S.: long. 51° 41' "W. Current, S. 81° E., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.38; tem- perature of air, 41°; of water, 37°. Winds: W. S. "VY., S. W., W. by N. First part, strong gale; second and third parts, moderate. Sept. 14. Lat. 54° 01' S.; long. 54° 46' W. Current, S. 83° E., 26 miles. Barometer, 29.09; tem- perature of air, 41° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W. by N., W. N. W., W. by N. ; moderate, cloudy and hazy, Sept. 15. Lat. 55° 05' S. ; long. 59° 42' W. Current, S. 80° E., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.08 ; tem- perature of air, 34°; of water, 89°. Winds : E. S. E., E., S. ; moderate breezes, with sleet of snow. Sept. 16. Lat. 58° 00' S. ; long. 60° 53' W. Current, S. 86° E., 25 miles. Barometer, 29.64 ; tem- perature of air, 32° ; of water, 39°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W. by S., S. S. W. Heavy squalls of sleet and snow ; latter, passing clouds. Sept. 17. Lat. 55° 07' S.; long. 62° 56' W. Current, E., 32 miles. Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 39°. Winds : S., S. W., W. N. W. Moderate and cloudy. Sept. 18. Lat. 56° 58' S. ; long. 67° 23' W. Current, S., 25 miles. Barometer, 29.28 ; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 40°. Winds: KK W., W. K W., W. K W. First, moderate; second, variable; third, fresh gales, and cloudy. Sept. 19. Lat. 58° 21' S. ; long. 69° 5' W. Barometer, 29.62 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W., W. by S., W. by K Strong breezes, and cloudy. Sept. 20. Lat. 59° 38' S.; long. 71° 33' W. Barometer, 29.48; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 39°. Winds: W.KW., W.KW., W. Hard squalls and hail ; latter, fair. Sept. 21. Lat. 61° 07' S. ; long. 73° 30' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 36°. Winds : W., W. by S., W. Moderate, and thick drizzling rain. Sept. 22. Lat. 61° 48' S. ; long. 76° 36' W. Barometer, 28.65 ; temperature of air, 87° ; of water, 34°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., N. W. by W. Moderate, cloudy, and rainy. Sept. 23. Lat. 60° 59' S.; long. 76° 50' W. Current, N. 82° E., 16 miles. Barometer, 28.70 ; tem- perature of air, 36° ; of water, 36°. Winds: W. S. W., E. S. E., W. K W. First, light, with snow ; lat- ter, cloudy. Sept. 24. Lat. 59° 45' S. ; long. 78° 50' W. Barometer, 28.42 ; temperature of air, 87°; of water, 38°. Winds : W. by N., N. W., N. N. W. Moderate and cloudy, with drizzling rain. Sept. 25. Lat. 59° 16' S.; long. 80° 47' W. Barometer, 28.30; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 37°. Winds: N. N. W., calm, S. S. W. First and second, drizzling ; third, snow. ' Sept. 26. Lat. 56° 14' S. ; long. 83° 1' W. Barometer, 29.03 ; temperature of air, 32° ; of water, 39°. Winds : S. W. by W., S. E., S. E. by S. First, baffling, with snow squalls ; second, snow ; third, cloudy. Sept. 27. Lat. 52° 50' S. ; long. 84° 45' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. E. throughout. Fresh breezes ; dark cloudy weather, with heavy snow squalls. 592 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Sept. 28. Lat. 50° 00' S. ; long. 85° 16' AV. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds: S. E., S., S. E. First and second, baffling and fair ; latter, rain. Barque Sarah H. Snow (Laban Hawes), Boston to Valparaiso, 38 days from Cape St. Eoque. Sept. 11, 1851. Lat. 49° 46' S. ; long. 65° 00' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. S. W., W., and W. S. W. Strong breezes and clear weather. Sept. 12. Lat. 51° 30' S.; long. 64° 59' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 44°; of water 42°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., and W. S. W. Fresh breezes and passing clouds. Sept. 13. Lat. 54° 33' S. ; long. 65° 12' W. Barometer, broke ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W. N. W., N. W., and W. N. W. Strong gales, with quick passing clouds ; made Cape St. Diego, bearing S. E. Sept. 14. Lat. 55° 45' S. ; long. 65° 39' W. Temperature of air, 40°; of water, 42°. Winds: W.N. W., calm, and S.E. Weather variable ; passed through the Straits of Le Maire. Sept. 15. Lat. 56° 37' S. ; long. 64° 56' W. Temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. E., S. by E., and S. W. by S. Hard gales, with snow. Sept. 16. Lat. 56°45'S.; long. 65° 00' W. Temperature of air, 35°; of water, 42°. Winds: S. S. W., S. S. W., and variable. First and middle parts, blowing hard, with snow ; ends fair. Sept. 17. Lat. 67° 20' S. ; long. 65° 50' W. Temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : vari- able, variable, and W. N. W. Moderate breezes and squally ; latter part, fresh and squally. Sept. 18. Lat. 57° 46' S.; long. 69° 33' W. Temperature of air, 42°; of water, 40°. Wind: W. ISr. W. Fresh breezes and hard gales, with rain. Sept. 19. Lat. 58° 50' S.; long. 70° 50' W. Temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W., W. S. W., and W. Blowing hard, with squalls and high sea. Sept. 20. Lat. 59° 50' S.; long. 71° 47' W. Temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Wind : W. Hard gales, with squalls, and rain, and snow. Sept. 21. Lat. 59° 50' S.; long. 72° 00' W. Temperature of air, 40°; of water, 40°. Wind: W. Dull, rainy weather ; blowing hard. Sept. 22. Lat. 60° 27' S.; long. 72° 58' W. Current, E. 24 miles. Temperature of air, 39°; of water, 37°. Wind: W. N. W. Blowing hard, cloudy and rainy. Sept. 23. Lat. 60° 26' S. ; long. 73° 00' W. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 37°. Winds : W. Strong gales, with rain and heavy sea. Sept. 24. Lat. 59° 50' S.; long. 74° 00' W. Temperature of air, 38°; of water, 38°. Winds: W., W., and S. W. Fresh breezes, and light squalls of rain and snow. Sept. 25. Lat. 59° 41' S. ; long. 76° 30' W. Temperature of air, 40° ; of 'water, 39°. Winds : N. W., N. W. by W., and variable. Strong breezes and squally, with snow and rain. Sept. 26. Lat. 57° 31' S. ; long. 77° 35' W. Temperature of air, 38°; of water, 40°. Winds: S. W., S. W., and S. S. W. Fresh winds, with hail and snow squalls. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 598 Sept. 27. Lat. 55° 02' S.; long. 79° 41' W. Temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Winds: S., S. S. E., and S. E. by E. Strong breeze, with dark clouds ; hail and snow. Sept. 28. Lat. 52° 00' S.; long. 81° 25' W. Temperature of air, 38°; of water, 42°. Winds: S. E., S., and S. S. W. Fresh winds and squally, with rain and snow. Sept. 29. Lat. 50° 10' S.; long. 81° 45' W. Temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds: S. W., S. W. by W., and N. N. E. First part, snow and hail squalls ; latter part, fresh gale and rain. Ship Raven (W. H. Henry), New York to San Francisco, 19 days from Cape St. Roque. Sept. 23. Lat. 50° 51' S. ; long. 65° 20' W. Current, E., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W. S. W., calm, E. S. E.; light airs and calm. Sept. 24. Lat. 51° 46' S. ; long. 64° 31' W. Current, N.E. J E., 23 miles. Barometer, 29.80 ; tem- perature of air, 38° ; of water, 40°. Winds: S. E., S., and S. S. E. Moderate breeze and squally. Sept. 25. Lat. 52° 53' S. ; long. 66° 10' W. Current, N., 14 miles. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds: S. E., baffling, E. S. E., light and variable. Sept. 26. Lat. 54° 26' S. ; long. 65° 10' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N. N. E., light and variable ; made the land of Terra del Fuego ; at noon, Cape St. Diego bore S. by E., 12 miles. Sept. 27. Lat. 55° 58' S. ; long. 69° 05' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Wind : N. W. Moderate and cloudy ; passed through the Straits of Le Maire, and cleared them at 6 A. M. ; at 5 A. M., Cape Horn bore N. N. W., 2 miles. Sept. 28. Lat. 56° 14' S.; long. 71° 05' W. Current, none. Barometer, 29.50. Winds: calm and W. N. W., light and calm. Sept. 29. Lat. 55° 45' S. ; long. 73° 00' W. Current, E., 36 miles. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W., S. S. W., and W. S. W. Fresh breezes and squally, with rain. Sept. 30. Lat. 55° 38' S.; long. 74° 35' W. Barometer, 29.70; .temperature of air, 40°; of water, 40°. Wind: W. Fresh gales and thick cloudy weather; double reefs. Oct. 1. Lat. 56° 03' S.; long. 75° 24' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Wind : W. N. W. Heavy gales and violent squalls, with rain. Oct. 2. Lat. 55° 57' S. ; long. 74° 85' W. Current, in three days, E., 88 miles. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 41°. Winds: W. N. W., W. S. W., and S. W. Hard gales and squalls. Oct. 3. Lat. 55° 32' S.; long. 74° 35' W. Current, E,, 30 miles. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W., and W. N. W. : Strpng gales and hard squalls ; turbulent sea. Oct. 4. Lat. 55° 36' S.; long. 74° 45' W. Barometer, 28.70 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W., and W.N. W. Strong gales and violent squalls, with rain. Oct. 5. Lat. 55° 26' S.; long. 75° 45' W. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air and water, 41°. Winds : W. N. W, W., W. S. W. Heavy gales. 75 594 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Oct. 6. Lat. 53° 47' S. ; long. 75° 20' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 45°. Wind: W. Light winds and passing squalls, with rain. Oct. 7. Lat. 54° 03' S. ; long. 78° 21' W. Current, E., 12 miles. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : N. W., N. N. W., and N. W. First part, light ; latter part, fresh breezes. Oct. 8. Lat. 54° 25' S. ; long. 80° 18' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Wind: N. W. Strong gales, and thick rainy weather. Oct. 9. Lat. 54° 04' S.; long. 83° 25' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W., N. W., and N. N. W. Strong breezes, and thick rainy weather. Oct. 10. Lat. 53° 10' S. ; long. 82° 40' W. Current, E., 12 miles. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W., calm, and N. W. Variable breezes, and thick weather. Oct. 11. Lat. 50° 55' S.; long. 79° 10' W. Current, E., 18 miles. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Wind:N. W. Moderate breeze, and cloudy. Oct. 12. Lat. 50° 02' S. ; long. 80° 18' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 45°. Winds : W. N. W., N. N. W., and N. N. W. Variable breezes, and thick weather. Ship Samuel Eussell (Joseph Limeburner), from New York to San Francisco, 26 days from Cape St. Eoque. Oct. 8, 1852; Lat. 51° 18' S. ; long. 64° 00' W. Barometer, 30.30 ; temperature of air, 54°. Winds: E. N. E., N., and N. N. W. Fresh breezes and calms; thick and foggy. Oct. 9. Lat. 55° 46' S.; long. 65° 03' W. Barometer, 30.29 ; temperature of air, 52°. Winds: N. W.; S. W. by W., and calm. Foggy weather. Oct. 10. Lat. 55° 00' S.; long. 63° 43' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 46°. Winds : calm, N., and N. W. First part, light breeze and thick fog ; latter part, clear. Oct. 11. Lat. 56° 22' S.; long. 67° 50' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., baffling. Strong breezes and snow squalls. Oct. 12. Lat. 56° 35' S. ; long. 67° 50' W. Barometer, 30.10 ; temperature of air, 42°. Winds : W. S. AV., baffling. Light breezes and thick weather. Oct. 13. Lat. 56° 49' S.; long. 71° 40' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 46°. Winds: N. E., N., and N. W. First part, light ; latter part, strong breezes. Oct. 14, Lat. 57° 34' S.; long. 73° 59' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 54°. Winds: N. W., W., W.N. W. Strong gales and rain during first part ; latter part, clear. Oct 15. Lat. 57° 12' S.; long. 75° 13' W. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: W. by N., S. W., and W. N. W. Heavy gales, and squally. Oct. 16. Lat. 57° 33' S. ; long. 77° 50' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 42°. Winds : N. W. by W., N. W., and N. W. Strong gales, and heavy sea. CAPE HORN TKACKS, 595 Oct. 17. Lat. 57° 10' S.; long. 79° 12' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 38°. Winds: W. N. "W., W., and "W.by S. Strong breezes and clear. Oct. 18. Lat. 54° 34' S.; long. 78° 12' W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 40°, Winds: W. N. W., W., and W. Heavy gale and squalls. Oct. 19. Lat. 52° 02' S. ; long. 77° 29' W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 43°. Winds: W., W. S. W., and N. W. by W. Strong breezes and thick weather ; heavy head sea. Oct. 20. Lat. 52° 45' S. ; long. 78° 31' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W., and S. by W. Heavy gales and heavy head sea. Oct. 21. Lat. 52° 30' S.; long. 78° 50' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 46°. Winds: S. S*W., W.S. W., and N. W. Strong gale, and hail squalls. Oct. 22. Lat. 52° 37' S. ; long. 77° 49' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 40°. Wind : W. Strong gales and hail squalls. Oct. 23. Lat. 50° 44' S.; long. 79° 18' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: W. by S., W. S. W., and S. W. Strong gales and rainy. Ship Winged Arrow (F. Bearre), Boston to San Francisco, 21 days from St. Eoque. Sept. 25. Lat. 50° 05' S.; long. 66° 41' W. Barometer, 29.5; temperature of air, 56°; of water, 55°. Winds : S. E., calm, variable. Light airs and calms. Sept. 26. Lat. 52° 30' S. ; long. 67° 00' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 55°. Winds : S. E. throughout. Light breezes and cloudy weather. Sept. 27. Lat. 55° 00' S. ; long. 64° 15' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 55°. Winds : N. E., N". E., N. First and second parts, moderate ; third, fresh breezes. Sept. 28. Lat. 56° 30' S. ; long. 67° 30' W. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 56° ; of water, 55°. Winds : N., N., N.W. Moderate and pleasant. Sept. 29. Lat. 56° 40' S. ; long. 69° 14' W. Barometer, 28.7 ; temperature of air, 56°. Winds : W., S. S. W., W. S. W. Fresh gales and heavy squalls. Sept. 30. Lat. 57° 15' S.; long. 70° 15' W. Barometer, 28.6; temperature of air, 50°. Wind: W., S. W., S. W. by W., W. S. W. Fresh gales and variable weather. Oct. 1. Lat. 57° 20' S.; long. 71° 00' W. Barometer, 28.8. Winds: W., W. by K, W. by N". Heavy gales. Oct. 2. Lat. 57° 33' S.; long. 70° 42' W. Barometer, 28.8. Winds : W., W., S. S. W. Heavy gales. Oct. 3. Lat. 57° 52' S. ; long. 71° 51' W. Barometer, 28.8. Winds: W., W., W. by S. Heavy gales and rain. Oct. 4. Lat. 58° 00' S. ; long. 71° 50' W. Barometer, 28.9. Winds: W. by K throughout ; heavy gales, with constant rain and snow. Oct. 5. Lat. 5.6° 12' S. ; long. 71° 36' W. Barometer, 29.0. Winds : W. by S., W. by S., W. ; fresh gales ; third part, more moderate. 59& THE WIND AND CURKENT CHARTS. Oct. 6. Lat. 55° 40' S.; long. 72° 03' W. Barometer, 29.7. Winds: W. by S. throughout; squally and variable. Oct. 7. Lat. 57° 03' S.; long. 74° 19' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds: W., W. N. W., N. W. First and second parts, moderate ; third part, fresh. Oct. 8. Lat. 57° 50' S. ; long. 74° 30' W. Barometer, 29.3. Winds : W. N. W. throughout ; fresh gales and rainy. Oct. 9. Lat. 57° 30' S. ; long. 76° 30' W. Barometer, 29.3. Winds : W. by N., W. by N"., K N. W. ; moderate and rainy. Oct. 10. Lat. 56° 13' S. ; long. 78° 39' W. Barometer, 29.6. Winds: N. N. W., W.; variable, moderate and foggy. ■• Oct. 11. Lat. 56° 43' S. ; long. 79° 57' W. Barometer, 29.4. Winds : N. W., W. N. W., W. by S. ; moderate breezes. Oct. 12. Lat. 56° 30' S. , long. 82° 10' W. Barometer, 29.3. Winds : W. S. W., calm, N. First part, moderate ; second part, calm ; third part, gales. Oct. 13. Lat. 55° 13' S. ; long. 84° 10' W. Barometer, 29.02. Winds : W. N. W., W. N. W., W. by N. ; fresh gales and rain. Oct. 14. Lat. 52° 19' S.; long. 83° 03' W. Barometer, 29.5. Winds: W., W., W. by S.; fresh breezes and light squalls of rain. Oct. 15. Lat. 48° 43' S.; long. 83° 37' W. Barometer, 29.8. Winds: W., throughout; fine breezes and clear pleasant weather. Ship Louis Philippe (Robert Benthall), Baltimore to Valparaiso, 30 days from St. Eoque. Sept. 29, 1849. Lat. 50° 00' S.; long. 63° 02' W. Current, N. 56° E., 0.6 mile per hour; tempera- ture of air, 43°; of water, 41°. Barometer, 30.05. Winds: W., S. W., S. W.; moderate breezes and pleasant. Sept. 30. Lat. 51° 54' S. ; long. 63° 20' W. Current, N. 45° E., 0.5 mile per hour; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 40°. Barometer, 29.92. Winds : W. S.W., W. S. W., W. ; moderate and clear. Oct. 1. Lat. 53° 18' S.; long. 63° 54' W. Current, N. 78° E., 1 mile per hour. Barometer, 29.8. Winds : W., W. S. W. to W. ; variable light breezes and clear. Oct. 2. Lat. 54° 52' S.; long. 65° 14' W. Current, S. 74° E., 1.7 mile per hour ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 41°. Barometer, 29.47. Winds : K, W. N. W. to N. W., K W. to variable; light breezes, cloudy and rainy. Passed through the Straits of Le Maire; strong tide rips. Oct. 3. Lat. 56° 29' S.; long. 65° 65' W. Current, N. 19° E., 0.6 mile per hour; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 38°. Barometer, 29.35. Winds: W. throughout; moderate breezes and rainy. Oct. 4. Lat. 57° 29' S.; long. 66° 42' W. Current, N. 19° E., 0.6 mile per hour ; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 38°. Barometer, 29.34. Winds: W., W. to W. N. W., W. N. W. to W. ; cloudy, with Jiard snow squalls, moderate breezes. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 697 Oct. 5. Lat. 56° 20' S.; long. 66° 19' W. Current, S. 77° E., 1 mile; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 38°. Barometer, 29.62. Winds : S. W. to W. S. W., W. S. W., W. K W. ; cloudy, with hail squalls, moderate breezes, Oct. 6. Lat. 55° 08' S. ; long. 70° 40' W. Current, S. 57° E., 1.5 mile per hour ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 40°. Barometer, 29.20. Winds: K W. and S. W., N, W. by N., N". by W.; moderate breezes, and cloudy with rain. Oct. 7. Lat. 57° 07' S. ; long. 70° 50' W. Current, N. 57° E., 1.5 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 38°. Barometer, 28.82. Winds : N. by E. to N. W., W. N. W., W. N. W. ; strong breezes and snow squalls. Oct. 8. Lat. 57° 18' S. ; long. 71° 42' W. Current, N. 64° E., 1 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 38°. Barometer, 28.70. Winds : N. W. to W. N. W., W. N. W., S. E. to S. W., W. K W. ; sti'ong winds, and hard snow squalls. Oct. 9. Lat. 57° 25' S.; long. 71° 43' W. Current, K 26° E., 0.7 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Barometer, 28.97. Winds : W. N. W.,W., S. W. to S. S. W. First part, moderate gales and snow squalls ; second and third parts, moderating. Oct. 10. Lat. 56° 50' S. ; long. 72° 40' W. Current, N. 69° W., 0.7 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Barometer, 29.42. Winds: S. W., S. W. to W. S. W., W.; moderate and cloudy, with snow and hail. Oct. 11. Lat. 58° 00' S.; long. 74° 54' W. Current, K 76° W., 0.7 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 39°. Barometer, 28.97. Winds : W. N. W., W. K W. to N. W., W. to W. N. W. ; moderate and cloudy, with rain. Oct. 12. Lat. 58° 21' S. ; long. 77° 09' W. Current, S. 74° W., 1.3 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 39°. Barometer, 28.45. Winds : N. K W., K K W. to W. N. W., W. N. W. First part, moderate and cloudy ; second and third parts, light breeze and rain. Oct. 13. Lat. 56° 31' S. ; long. 77° 04' W. Current, S. 13° E., 0.5 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 40°. Barometer, 28.82. Winds : S. W. to W. K W., W. S. W. to W. by K, W. S. W. to W. by N.; moderate breezes, with snow squalls. Oct. 14. Lat. 54° 42' S. ; long. 76° 31' W. Current, S. 49° E., 0.5 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 39°. Barometer, 29.17. Winds : W. to W. S. W., W. to W. S. W., W., W. N, W.; moderate breezes, with snow squalls. Oct. 15. Lat. 55° 26' S. ; long. 76° 53' W. Temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Barometer, 22.82. Winds : W. to W. S. W., W. S. W. to W. N. W., W. K W. ; strong winds and cloudy, with rain. Oct. 16. Lat. 55° 24' S.; long. 77° 27' W. Temperature of air, 37°; of water, 39°. Barometer, 28.94. Winds : W. N. W., W., W. S. W. First part, moderate and cloudy, with snow squalls ; second part, moderate and rainy ; third part, moderate, with snow and rain. Oct. 17. Lat. 55° 20' S. ; long. 77° 47' W. Current, S. 39° E., 0.6 mile per hour. Barometer, 28.82 ; 598 THE ■WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Winds: S. W. to W. S. W., W. to W. N. W., W. N. W. to N. by W. First and second parts, moderate and clear ; third part, stormy, with rain. Oct. 18. Lat. 55° 34' S.; long. 77° 25' W. Current, S. 39° E., 0.6 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water 39°. Barometer, 28.67. Winds : N. W. to W. N. W., W. N. W., W. ; stormy weather, with snow squalls. Oct. 19. Lat. 55° 28' S. ; long. 77° 17' W. Current, S. 46° E., 1 mile. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 39°. Barometer, 29.18. Winds: W., W. S. W.; cloudy, and fresh breezes, with snow squalls. Oct. 20. Lat. 52° 50' S. ; long. 78° 15' W. Current, S. 46° E., 1 mile. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Barometer, 29.52. Winds: S. W., S. W. by W.; S. W. by W.; fresh breezes and cloudy, with snow, rain, and hail. Oct. 21. Lat. 50° 10' S. ; long. 79° 58' W. Current, S. 42° E., 0.5 mile per hour. Temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 43°. Barometer, 30.17. Winds : S. W. to S. S. W., S., S. S. E. to S. S. W. ; moderate, with passing clouds and light hail. Schooner Clifton (Daggett), New York to Acapulco, from Cape St. Roque, 82 days. Sept. 26. Lat. 50° 31' S. ; long. 64° 27' W. Barometer, 28.48 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. by N., N. N. B. and N. Strong breeze. Sept. 27. Lat. 51° 57' S. ; long. 64° 27' W. Barometer, 28.48 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N. N. W., N. N. E., and K Misty and cloudy. Sept. 28. Lat. 53° 40' S.; long. 64° 28' W. Barometer, 28.25 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W., S. W., and S. W. Strong breezes and passing squalls. Sept. 29. Lat. 54° OS' S. ; long. 63° 42' W. Temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Barometer, 28.94, Winds : W. S. W., S. W., and S. W. Snow squalls and strong breezes ; saw Staten Land. Sept. 80. Lat. 54° 54' S. ; long. 63° 28'. W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 42°. Winds: K, N. E., and N. E. Fair weather; saw Cape St. John. Oct. 1. Lat. 66° 82' S. ; long. 66° 00' W. Barometer, 28.65 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., and W. S. W. Squally. Oct. 2. Lat. 56° 55' S. ; long. 65° 48' W. Barometer, 28.85 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W. K. W., N. N. W., and N. N. W. Some rain ; wind strong. Oct. 3. Lat. 57° 18' S.; long. 66° 37' W. Barometer, 28.85 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 39°. Winds: N., N. N. W. and N. Squally; an occasional blue sky. Oct. 4. Lat. 57° 22' S.; long. 67° 31' W. Barometer, 28.87 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds: N., E., and E. N. E. Cloudy and misty ; light wind. Oct. 5. Lat. 56° 57' S. ; long. 70° 30' W. Barometer, 28.30 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds: N".E.,N.E., and S.W. Snow squalls. Oct. 6. Lat. 57° 05' S. ; long. 71° 13' W. Barometer, 29.68 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W. N. W., N., and W. N. W. Strong winds, and snow squall. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 699 Oct. 7. Lat. 57° 20' S. ; long. 73° 19' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 40°. Winds : N. by W., N., and N. E. Moderate breezes and rain. Oct. 8. Lat. 56° 52' S.; long. 76° 50' W. Barometer, 28.57 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds : N. W., S. W., and W. S. W. Cloudy, light winds. Oct. 9. Lat. 56° 10' S. ; long. 79° 17' W. Barometer, 29.27; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. E., S. E., and S. S. E. Cloudy ; fresh winds. Oct. 10. Lat. 54° 29' S.; long. 81° 49' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 41°. Winds: S. W., S. W., and W. N. W. Cloudy and rainy; light winds. Oct. 11. Lat. 52° 20' S.; long. 82° 14' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 42°. Winds : W., W. N. W., W. Cloudy ; fresh winds with rain. Oct. 12. Lat. 50° 21' S.; long. 82° 25' W. Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 43°. Winds : W., W., W. by K Some rain. Ship Sea Witch (George W. Eraser), New York to San Francisco, 21 days from St. Roque. Oct. 14, 1852. Lat. 51° 43' S.; long. 64° 40' W. Temperature of air, 50°; of water, 42°. Winds: N. N. E., N., N. W. First and second parts, fresh and foggy ; third part, light airs. Oct. 15. Lat. 52° 51' S.; long. 63° 40' W. Temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., S. E., E. S. E. First and second parts, fresh breezes ; third part, moderate. Oct. 16. Lat. 54° 15' S.; long. 64° 46' W. Barometer, 29.47; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 41°. Winds: S. E., calm, W. First part, moderate; second part, calm; third part, light breezes. Oct. 17. Lat. 55° 33' S. ; long. 66° 40' W. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of^ air, 46° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W., calm, W. S. W. First and second parts, light breezes ; third part, calm. Oct. 18. Lat. 56° 30' S.; long. 67° 16' W. Barometer, 29.02; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W., W.N. W. First part, light airs; second part, fresh gales; third part, heavy gales. Oct. 19. Lat. 56° 02' S.; long. 67° 12' W. Barometer, 28.70; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 42°. Winds: W. N. W., W. S. W., W. S. W. Hard gales; third part, moderate. Oct. 20. Lat. 56° 30' S. ; long. 69° 8' W. Barometer, 28.85 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. N. W., N. N. W., W. N. W. Heavy gales. Oct. 21. Lat. 56° 15' S. ; long. 70° 56' W. Barometer, 28.3 ; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 40°. Winds : W. N. W., S., N. N. W. Hard gales, with squalls of rain, hail, and snow. Oct. 22. Lat. 57° 12' S.; long. 71° 44' W. Barometer, 28.22; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40°. Winds : W. N. W throughout. Hard gales, with gales of hail and snow. Oct. 23. Lat. 56° 23' S.; long. 72° 18' W. Barometer, 28.12; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 39°. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W^ calm. First and second parts, hard gales ; third part calm. Oct. 24. Lat. 55° 22' S. ; long 73° 25' W. Barometer, 27.89 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. 600 THE WIND AND CURRENT CUAKTS. Winds : W. S. W., W. S. W., calm and E. First part, fresh ; second part heavy gales ; third part, calms and light airs. Oct. 25. Lat. 54° 49' S. ; long. 77° 29' W. Barometer, 27.97 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds: E., N. W., S. W. Hard gales and rain. Oct. 26." Lat. 54° 18' S. ; long. 78° 47' W. Barometer, 28.15 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43°, Winds : S. W., N. N. W., N". W. Hard gales and cloudy. Oct. 27. Lat. 52° 29' S. ; long. 79° 24' W. Barometer, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W., W. S. W., W. Fresh gales and squally. Oct. 28. Lat. 51° 41' S. ; long. 80° 15' W. Barometer, 28.43 ; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 43°. Winds : W. K W., W. N. W., W. Fresh gales and squally. Oct. 29. Lat. 49° 47' S.; long. 79° 5' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. by N., W. by N., W. N. W. Fresh gales and squally weather. Thomas W. Sears (Joseph Osgood), New York to San Francisco, 75 days out. Nov. 1. Lat. 49° 32' S. ; long. 65° 27' W. Current, K 35° E., 1.1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.74 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N., N. N. W., S. First and middle parts, fresh gales ; ends pleasant breeze. Nov. 2. Lat. 50° 50' S. ; long. 65° 04' W. Barometer, 29.86 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 43°. Winds : E., N. E., S. Light winds throughout. Nov. 3. Lat. 51° 36' S. ; long. 64° 57' W. Current, N. 31° E., 0.3 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.90; temperature of air, 50°; of water, 44°. Winds: S. S. W., calm, E. by S. Light airs and calms * this day. Nov. 4. Lat. 52° 55' S. ; long. 65° 13' W. Current, S. 53° W., 0.6 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.79 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water 47°. Winds : E. N. E., E, N. E., E. S. E. Light airs and pleasant throughout. Nov. 5. Lat. 53° 34' S. ; long. 65° 58' W. Current, N. 20° W., 0.8 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.35; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 46°. Winds: E., E., S. Light airs and pleasant throughout. Nov. 6. Lat. 54° 15' S. ; long. 64° 35' W. Current, N. 58° W., 30 miles. Barometer, 29.40 ; tem- perature of air, 52° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. E. by S., calm, N. W. First and middle parts, light airs and calm ; latter, fine breeze. At 8 hours 30 min. A. M. saw Cape St. Vincent bearing south, distant 40 miles. Nov. 7. Lat. 56° 16' S.; long. 65° 55' W. Current, S. 44° W., 27 miles. Barometer, 29.08; tem- perature of air, 47° ; of water, 44°. Winds: N. W., N. W., N. W. by N. Strong breezes.. At 6 P. M. Cape St. John bore west. Land in sight in the morning. Nov. 8. Lat. 56° 55' S. ; long. 65° 18' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water 43°. Winds : W. S. W. throughout. Hard gale, with rain, snow, and hail. An ugly sea. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 601 Nov. 9. Lat. 57° 09' S. ; long. 67° 57' W. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 43°/ Winds: W. S. W., K W., N. W. Commences moderating. Morning, light and baffling airs. Nov. 10. Lat. 57° 23' S. (D. E.); long. 67° 12' W. (D. R.). Strong easterly current. Barometer, 28.50; temperature of air, 39° ; of water, 41°. Winds: calm, W., N.N. W. At 6 P. M. looking bad to tlie westward. At 10 A. M. hard gales, with hail, rain, and snow. Ends hard gales. Nov. 11. Lat. 57° 38' S.; long. 66° 00' W. Current, strong easterly. Barometer, 28.57; tempera- ture of air, 42°; of water, 41°. Winds: S.W., S.W., W.S.W. Heavy gales. During the forenoon a snow storm. Nov. 12. Lat. 58° 07' S.; long. 65° 27' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 40°, Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. Hard gales and squally, with hail and snow. Nov. 13. Lat. 58° 30' S. ; long. 65° 05' W. Current, E. S. E., 27 miles. Barometer, 28.78 ; tempera- ture of air, 37°; of water, 38°. Winds: S. W. by W., S.W., W. Commences fresh gales and squally; middle fart, baffling airs with snow ; latter part, light airs. Ends squally. Nov. 14. Lat. 57° 55' S. ; long. 65° 44' W. Current, E., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.03 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 38°. Winds : W., S. W., W. Strong breezes, with snow. Nov. 15. Lat. 59° 01' S. ; long. 68° 36' W. Current, E. by S., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.48; tem- perature of air, 40° ; of water, 39°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W. by W., W. by S. Fresh gales, with frequent snow squalls. Nov. 16. Lat. 58° 08' S.; long. 69° 31' W. Current, S. 43° E., 17 miles. Barometer, 29.04; tem- perature of air, 36° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W. St W., S. S. W., S. S. W. Commences squally ; snow and hail ; at 8 P. M. hard gales, which lasted all night. Ends moderating. Nov. 17. Lat. 58° 00' S.; long. 71° 30' W. Current, E., 15 miles. Barometer, 28.64; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 40°. Winds: S. W., N.N. W., W.N.W. Commences light breezes; middle and latter parts, cloudy with rain. Nov. 18. Lat. 57° 33' S.; long. 71° 44' W. Current, easterly. Barometer, 28.98; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W., W., S. W. At 4 P. M. wore ship to the west. Evening, hard squalls from west; bad sea ; wind increased to a hard gale. Nov. 19. Lat. 56° 48' S.; long. 73° 00' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : S. W., baffling, N. Commences moderating ; middle part, light breezes ; morning fresh breeze and rainy. Nov. 20. Lat. 55° 48' S.; long. 77° 39' W. Barometer, 29.06; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 40°. Winds : S. E., E., E. by N. Strong breezes and large sea. Nov. 21. Lat. 54° 05' S.; long. 81° 12' W. Barometer, 29.12 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds : E. throughout. Strong breezes and cloudy. Nov. 22. Lat. 51° 52' S.; long. 84° 25' W. Barometer, 29.38; temperature of air, 43°; of water, 41 ^ Winds: E.N. E.,E.S.E.,E. S.E. Fine breezes and cloudy. 76 602 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHAKTS. Nov. 23. Lat. 50° 39' S. ; long. 85° 17' W. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 41°. Winds : E. S. E., S. S. E., S. E. Light breezes and cloud j. Nov. 24. Lat. 49° 41' S.; long. 86° 05' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 42°. "Winds : W. N. W., E. N. E., E. Light airs and calm ; cloudy weather. John Wade (J. H. Little), 52 da3-s out. Nov. 4, 1852. Lat. 50° 00' S. ; long. 63° 58' W. Barometer, 29i40 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. Winds : E., E. by S., E. Strong breezes and squalls, with constant rain. Nov. 5. Lat. 50° 50' S. ; long. ^Q'' 45' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43°. Winds : E. S. E., S., and S. by W. Light breezes and rainy ; latter part, clear. A barque in company, sounded in 70 fathoms water. Nov. 6. Lat. 51° 41' S. ; long. 66° 16' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 54°. Winds : S. W., calm, and N. Light baffling winds and fine weather. Nov. 7. Lat. 58° 35' S. ; long. 64° 36' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 45°. Winds : N. E., N. E., N. N. E. Light breezes and cloudy. Saw many whales. Nov. 8. Lat. 55° 34' S. ; long. 64° 36' W. Current, E. N. E., 40 miles. Barometer, 29.10; tempera- ture of air, 45°; of water, 44°. Winds: N., N. W., and W. Light baffling winds and squally, and calm. At 5 P. M. Staten Land bore south, distant 26 miles. At 8 A. M. Cape St. John, S. by E., distant 18 miles. A strong easterly current. Nov. 9. Lat. 56° 26' S. ; long. 66° 58' AV. Current, E., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. Winds : N. N. E., N., N. N. W. Light breezes and pleasant. Latter part, moderate breezes and perfectly clear. At 12 M. Cape Horn bore N. by W. J W., true, distant 30 miles. Barometer falling steadily. Nov. 10. Lat. 57° 02' S.; long. 67° 01' W. Barometer, 28.60 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds: S. W., S. S. W., N. W. First part, light airs; middle and latter parts, heavy gales, with heavy squalls of wind and rain. At 12 M. close reefed the topsails. At 6 P. M. spoke the ship Golden City, who sailed four days previous. Cape Horn bore N. W., distant 18 miles. Passed another ship standing the same way with ourselves. Barometer falling very fast. Nov. 11 . Lat. 57° 50' S. ; long. 66° 00' W. Barometer, 28.40 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 39°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., S. W. Weather the same as yesterday. Nov. 12. Lat. 58° 13' S. ; long. 65° 27' W. Current, E. for two days, 60 miles. Barometer, 28.50 ; temperature of air, 37° ; of water, 38°. Winds : S. W., S. W., and S. W. by S. Weather the same, with frequent snow squalls. Nov. 13. Lat. 57° 39' S.; long. 66° 27' W. Current, east, 20 miles. Barometer, 28.60 ; tempera- ture of air, 35° ; of water, 37°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., and S. W. Heavy gales, and squalls of snow and sleet. Nov. 14. Lat. 57° 27' S.; long. 67° 47' W. Current, E., 14 miles. Barometer, 28.80; temperature CAI'E UORN TRACKS. 603 of air, 38°; of water, 37°. Wiads : S. S. W., S. W., and W. S. W. First and middle parts, fresli gales, with heavy squalls of wind and snow ; a heavy head sea. Two barques in company. Nov. 15. Lat. 57° 20' S.; long. 69° 53' W. Current, E. by K, 20 miles. Barometer, 28.50; tem- perature of air, 38° ; of water, 37°. Winds : W. S. W., W. N. W., and W. Calms, and very heavy squalls of snow ; double reefs ; exchanged signals with the barque Isabelita Hyne. Nov. 16. Lat. 57° 18' S.; long. 71° 39' W. Current, east, 10 miles. Barometer, 28.90; tempera- ture of air, 39°; of water, 38°. Winds: S. S. W., S. S. W., S. W. First and middle parts, heavy gale; close reef topsails and courses ; severe squalls of snow. Latter part, moderate. Nov. 17. Lat. 57° 51' S. ; long. 73° 55' W. Current, E. N. E., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.50 ; tempera- ture of air, 40°; of water, 38°. Winds: N., W. by S., W. Moderate breezes, aud showery; at i P. M. wore ship. Nov. 18. Lat. 55° 51' S.; long. 76° 05' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 41°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., W. S. W. Heavy squalls and heavy sea. Nov. 19. Lat. 55° 02' S. ; long. 78° 12' W. Current, E. N. E., 20 miles. Barometer, 28.60 ; tempera- ture of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds: W., N. W., and W. Moderate breezes and cloudy. Nov. 20. Lat. 53° 50' S.; long. 78° 41' W. Current, E. N. E., 20 miles. Barometer, 29.00; tem- perature of air, 44°; of water, 43°. Winds: W. by N., W. by N., and W.S. W. Light baffling squalls and calms. Nov. 21. Lat. 50° 48' S.; long. 82° 00' W. Barometer, 28.70; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 44°. Winds: W. S. W., E. N. E., E. N. E. Moderate ; latter part, strong breezes and rain. Nov. 22. Lat. 49° 24' S. ; long. 84° 01' W. Current, east, 35 miles in two days. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : E. S. E., E. S. E., and S. S. E. Light breezes and rainy ; passed two vessels steering north. Ship White Squall (B. Lockwood), New York to San Francisco, 22 days from Cape St. Roque. Nov. 8, 1850. Lat. 51° 12' S.; long. 64° 50' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 64°. Winds: N. W., and S. E. Moderate weather. Nov. 9. Lat. 53° 32' S.; long. 65° 15' W. Barometer, 29.60; temperature of air, 65°. Winds: W. and S. Moderate winds. Nov. 10. No observation. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 50°. Wind: W. Gale at 12 hours 30 min. ; made Cape St. John at 11 A. M.; passed the Straits of Le Maire. Nov. 11. Lat. 56° 36' S. ; long, no observation. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 35°. Wind: W. Close reefs ; rain and hail squalls. Nov. 12. Lat. 56° 13' S.; long. 65° 58' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 35°. Wind: W. Snow and hail squalls. Nov. 13. Lat. 56° 37' S.; long. 66° 05' W. Barometer, 29.10 Winds : W., W. by N., and W. by N., strong; snow and hail squalls. 604 THE WIND AND CUHEENT CHARTS. Nov. 14. Lat. 57° 15' S.; long. 65° 52' W. Barometer, 28.75; temperature of air, 34°. AVind: "W. N. W., strong ; snow and hail squalls. Nov. 15. Lat. 57° 50' S.; long. 65° 59' W. Barometer, 28.70; temperature of air, 33°. Wind: W. N. W., strong ; snow and hail squalls. . Nov. 16. Lat. 57° 57' S.; long. G5° 40' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 35°. Wind: W. N. W., strong ; snow and hail squalls. Nov. 17. Lat. 56° 56' S.; long. 66° 43' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 34°. Wind: W. S. W., strong ; hail and snow. Nov. 18. Lat. 57° 16' S.; long. 66° 28' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 33°. Wind: W., strong ; hail and snow squalls. Nov. 19. Lat. 57° 37' S. ; long. 66° 38' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 34°. Winds : W., W. N. W., and W. N. W., strong ; snow and hail squalls. Nov. 20. Lat. 65° 52' S. ; long. 57° 28' W. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 35°. Wind : W., strong ; snow and hail squalls. Nov. 21. Lat. 57° 07' S.; long. 68° 10' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 32°. Winds: S. W., W. N. W., strong ; saw Diego Eamirez. Nov. 22. No observation. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 35°. Winds: S. W. and W. N. W., strong breeze ; snow and hail, Nov. 23. Lat. 57° 49' S.; long. 70° 20' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 28°. Wind: W. Close reefs ; snow and hail. Nov. 24. Lat. 59° 23' S.; long. 74° 10' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 29°. Wind: W. N. W. Close reefs. Nov. 25. No observation. Barometer, 29.00 ; temperature of air, 28°. Wind: W. Lying to; snow and hail squalls. Nov. 26. Lat. 58° 42' S.; long. 74° 27' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 30°. Wind: W. N. W. Lying to ; snow, and hail squalls. Nov. 27. Lat. 57° 47' S.; long. 74° 10' W. Barometer, 28.20; temperature of air, 33°. Winds: N. N. W. and W. S. W. Lying to ; snow and hail. Nov. 28. Lat. 55° 19' S. ; long. 73° 28' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 37°. Wind: W. S. W. Close reefs. Nov. 29. Lat. 54° 51' S. ; long. 74° 25' W. Barometer, 29.60 ; temperature of air, 45°. Wind : S. W. First part, close reefs ; latter part, light airs and calm. Nov. 30. Lat. 52° 29' S.; long. 78° 28' W. Barometer, 29.80. Wind: S. W. Fine weather; all studding sail. Dec. 1. Lat. 50° 23' S. ; long. 80° 54' W. Barometer, 30.25 ; temperature of air, 60°. Winds : S. W., S. W., and S. E. Fine weather. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 605 Ship Senalor (Roland F. Coffin), New York to San Francisco, 60 days out. Nov. 12, 1853. Lat. 50° 04' S. ; long. 63° 00' W. Baroraeter, 29.19; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 46°. Winds: "W., calm, W. First part, good winds; at 1 P. M. until 4 A. M., calm; barometer fell to 29.32 ; went up in an hour to 29.40, as the breeze freshened ; after 4 A. M. it again fell ; at 8 A. M. barometer, 29.30. I do not see that it is a guide to be depended on certainly ; my experience this passage would show its fall to be followed by delightful weather. Ends light breeze from west. Nov. 13. Lat. 52° 04' S.; long. 63° 56' W. Barometer, 29.04; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. by S., W. by S., S. W. by S. Fine weather ; barometer still falling; at 10 P. M. 28.97 ; we shall certainly have some kind of weather. Ends with fresh breezes ; heavy dew for the last two nights. Nov. 14. Lat. 52° 27' S. ; long. 65° 34' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W. by S., calm, S. W. by S. First part, fresh ; middle, calm ; saw Aurora Australis ; the quadrant from S. E. to S. W., to altitude of 30°; sky cloudless; heavy mass of clouds in S. E.; latter part, moderate breezes. Nov. 15. No observation. Barometer, 28.80 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water, 40°. Winds : W., W. N. W., N. W. to S. W. First part, fine weather ; middle part, moderate gale. At 4 A. M. made Cape St. Diego, bearing S. per compass, distant 20 miles ; intended to pass through the Straits of Le Maire, but wind headed me off. Kept away for Cape St. John ; at meridian it bore E. S. E., distant 15 miles. Nov. 16. Lat. 55° 20' S. ; long. 63° 00' W. Barometer, 29.0 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : calm, W., S. S. W. Begins calm ; middle, fresh breezes; latter, a gale with snow and hail. Nov. 17. Lat. 55° 30' S.; long. 62° 30' W. Barometer, 29.07; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 40°. Winds: S. W., calm, W. Begins hard gale ; found we had been set to the eastward IJ knots the last 24 hours ; middle, calm ; latter, light airs. We had a strong set to the N. E. this day. Nov. 18. Lat. 56° 40' S. ; long. 63° 12' W. Barometer, 28.88 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°, Winds : W., S. W., W. S. AV. First and middle part, fine weather ; latter, hard gale from W. S. W. Nov. 19. No observation. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., W. S. W., W. N. W. First, hard gale ; middle and latter, moderate with snow. • Nov. 20. Lat. 57° 00' S.; long. 66° 41' W. Barometer, 29.29; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 44°. Winds : W. N. W., W. S. W., E. First and middle, fresh breezes; latter, moderate. Nov. 21. Lat. 57° 00' S.; long. 71° 40' W. Barometer, 29.29; temperature of air, 38°; of water, 42°. Winds: E.N.E.,E.N.E., S.E. First part, thick snow storm ; middle, snow storm ; latter part, heavy snow. Point Blancard just in sight astern. Nov. 22. Lat. 56° 25' S. ; long. 74° 22' W. Barometer, 29.28 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. E., S. E., S. Fine weather and smooth sea. Nov. 23. Lat. 54° 26' S.; long. 76° 30' W. Barometer, 29.70; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W., S. W., W. S. W. First part moderate, with squalls of snow and hail ; middle and latter parts, moderate. 606 THE WIND AXD CURRENT CHARTS. Nov. 24. Lat. 52° 07' S.; long. 78° 36' W. Barometer, 29.96 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 48°. "Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. W. Sky overcast ; wind increasing ; middle and latter parts, moderate. Nov. 25. Lat. 50° 59' S. ; long. 80° 30' W. Barometer, 30.07 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 48°. Winds : S. S W., E. S. E., E. S.E. Light winds and pleasant. Brig Tigris (0. Ilowe), Salem to San Francisco, from Cape St. Eoque, 32 days. Nov. 14, 1850. Lat. 50° 32' S.; long. 61° 52' W. Temperature of air, 57° ; of water, 48°. Winds: W. by S.,.S. W., and W. by S. Strong gales and cloudy. Nov. 15. Lat. 51° 58' S.; long. 64° 16' W. Temperature of air, 51°; water, 48". Winds: W., N.N. W., and W.N. W. Strong winds and large sea. Current, S. 51° E., 48 miles. Nov. 16. Lat. 53° 35' S. ; long. 63° 50' W. Temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 48°. Winds : W. N. W., W. by N., W. N. W. First part, strong winds and clear; middle part, heavy gale. Current, E., 24 miles. Nov. 17. Lat. 55° 12' S.; long. 63° 41' W. Temperature of air, 50°; of water, 48°, Winds: W. S. W., W. N. W., and variable. Fresh breezes, and cloudy, squally weather; at 5 A.M. made Staten Land. Current, E., 24 miles. Nov. 18. Lat. 56° 09' S.; long. 65° 00' W. Current, E., 20 miles. Temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 47°. Winds: W., N. W., and W. Light breezes and cloudy ; latter part, fresh breezes. Nov. 19. Lat. 56° 41' S.; long. 65° 57' W. Temperature of air, 51°; of water, 47°. Winds: W., N. W., and W. N. W. Fresh gales and squally ; at 9 A. M. wind hauled to N. W. Nov. 20. Lat. 57° 00' S. ; long. 65° 48' W. Temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 47°. Winds : W. by S., W. N. W., and N. W. Heavy gales, with lightning. Nov. 21. Lat. 56° 55' S.; long. 65° 46' W. Temperature of air, 48°; of water, 48°. Strong gales and squally, with rain ; middle part, more moderate, and calm ; latter part, gales and rain. Nov. 22. Lat. 56° 26' S. ; long. 68° 00' W. Current, E., 21 miles. Temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 47°. Winds: N. W., W., and S. W. Strong gales and heavy sea. Nov. 23. Lat. 57° 43' S. ; long. 69° 08' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Winds : N. W., W., and S. W. Temperature of air, 51°; of water, 47°. Hard gales. Cape Horn bearing north, 25 miles. Chronometer is right. Nov. 24. Lat. 57° 17' S. ; long. 71° 30' W. Temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. by S., N. W., and N. W. Strong gales and cloudy, with rain. Nov. 25. Lat. 57° 17' S.; long. 72° 28' W. Temperature of air, 44°; of water, 42°. Winds: W., W. N. W., and W. N. W. Hard gales and squally, with hail and snow. Nov. 26. Lat. 59° 31' S. ; long. 74° 57' W. Temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., and N. Heavy gales and squally, with hail and snow. Nov. 27. Lat. 59° 10' S.; long. 76° 24' W. Temperature of air, 45°; of water, 43°. AVinds: N. N. W., W. S. W., and S. W. Strong gales and .squalls, with rain. CAPE HORN TRACKS. 607 Nov. 28. Lat. 57° 50' S. ; long. 76° 30' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W., S. W., and W. Strong gales and hard squalls, with snow and sleet. Nov. 29. Lat. 56°04'S.; long. 78° 56' W. Current, E., 26 miles. Temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. S. W., and S. Fresh breezes, and squalls of snow and hail. Nov. 30. Lat. 53° 46' S.; long. 80° 41' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Temperature of air, 49°; of water, 45°. Winds : S., S. S. W., and S. W. Fresh breezes from the S. W., and snow squalls. Dec. 1. Lat. 52° 20' S. ; long. 81° 33' W. Current, E., 24 miles. Temperature of air, 53° ; of water, 47°. Winds: S. W., S., and S. by E. Light breezes and cloudy weather. Dec. 2. Lat. 50° 05' S.; long. 81° 40' W. Temperature of air, 52°; of water, 48°. Winds: E. S. E., E., and E. by S. Moderate winds and cloudy weather. Ship Revere (Charles W. Hamilton), Boston to California, 62 days out. Nov. 16, 1852. Lat. 49° 24' S. ; long. 52° 41' W. Barometer, 29.31 ; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: N. N. W., W. N. W., W. First part, moderate; middle and latter, squally, with gales of snow and hail. Nov. 17. Lat. 50° 48' S.; long. 52° 51' W. Barometer, 29.36; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: W., W. S. W., W. by N. ; squally, with gales of snow and hail. Nov. 18. Lat. 51° 49' S.; long. 55° 19' W. Barometer, 29.26; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: W. by N., W. N. W., N. W. ; baffling and squally weather. Nov. 19. Lat. 53° 49' S.; long. 56° 04' W. Barometer, 30.1 ; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: N. W. by W., W., W. ; changeable and squally, with heavy sea from S. S. W. Nov. 20. Lat. 58° 40' S. ; long. 86° 13' W. Barometer, 29.23 ; temperature of air, 48°. Winds : W , N. N. W., S. W. by S. ; weather changeable ; ends, light airs and rain. Nov. 21. Lat. 55° 04' S.; long. 60° 47' W. Barometer, 29.28; temperature of air, 40°. Winds': S. W. by S., N. to N. W., N. W. ; light breezes and light rain ; middle, calm; latter, airs. Nov. 22. Lat. 55° 46' S.; long. 64° 32' W. Barometer, 29.26 ; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: N. W., S. to S. S. E., S. S. E. ; changeable and cloudy, with snow squalls, calms, and baffling airs. Nov. 23. Lat. 56° 43' S. ; long. 66° 19' W. Barometer, 29.28 ; temperature of air, 40°. Winds: S. S. E. to S. W., W., W. S. W ; changeable and baffling ; made Staten Land, distant about 50 or 60 miles ; had a current in our favor for last 48 hours. Nov. 24. Lat. 57° 58' S. ; long. %&° 09' W. Barometer, 29.30 Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. S. W. ; strong breezes and squally, rain, hail, and snow. Nov. 25. No observation. Barometer, 30.12. Winds : S. S. W., S. S. W., S. W. ; changeable weather ; made the land off Cape Horn, bearing north. Nov. 26. Lat. 56° 48' S. ; long. 67° 54' W. Barometer, 30.12. Winds : W. S. W., S. W. ; calm and baffling airs, light breezes and fine weather. 608 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Nov. 27. Lat. 57° 42' S. ; long. 70° 24' W. Barometer, 29.34. Winds : E., W. N. W., N. K W. First part, light breezes and pleasant ; middle, fresh ; latter, moderate ; cloudy and foggy weather. Nov. 28. Lat, 28° 45' S.; long. 73° 23' W. Barometer, 29.21. Winds: W. N. W. throughout ; fine breezes and squally. Nov. 29. Lat. 59° 08' S.; long. 74° 33' W. Barometer, 29.19. Winds: W.N.W., W., W. S. W. to N. W. ; baffling airs and squally, with snow, hail, and rain. Nov. 30. Lat. 58° 56' S.; long. 74° 37' W. Barometer, 29.23. Winds: N W. and calm, calm and S. S. W. ; changeable airs and calms, and squally appearances. Dec. 1. Lat. 56° 23' S. ; long. 76° 45' W. Current, E. by N., 24 miles. Barometer, 29.35. Winds : baffling, S. S. W., S. W. by W., W.S.W. ; variable airs; squalls of snow, hail, and rain. Dec. 2. Lat. 55° 11' S. ; long. 77° 48' W. Current, S. by E. 16 miles. Barometer, 29.36. Winds : baffling, W. S. W., S. S. W., S. ; variable breezes and calm ; latter, good breezes. Dec. 3. Lat. 53° 04' S.; long. 80° 06' W. Barometer, 30. Winds: S. by W. to S. W., S.E., E. to N. E. ; variable airs and cloudy. Dec. 4. Lat. 50° 54' S.; long. 83° 29' W. Current, S.W. by S., 37 miles. Winds: N.E., S.E., S. W.; variable breezes, and cloudy, rainy weather. Adelaide Metcalfe (George Scott). Dec. 4, 1853. Lat. 45° 09' S. ; long. 53° 42' W. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 49»°; water,, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 49^°. AVinds : W. S. W., W. S. W., N. W. First and middle, moderate and clear ; latter, light airs, calm and rainy. At 8 P. M. water 64°, and at 9 A. M. as per log. I think it very singular, so great a change from cold to warm, and the reverse, when we have made so little distance. Saw one patch of kelp. The water has the appearance of being shoal, and has most of the time for several days. At 12 M. the barometer down to 29.44, and falling slowly ; think it indicates northerly winds ; no observations. Dec. 5. Lat. 46° 01' S.; long. 54° 02' W. Current, E.N. E., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.49; temperature of air, 52°; of water, 51^°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 51 J°. Winds: N. N. W., S. E., N. E. First and last parts, cloudy at times, some rain; wind baffling, but averaging as per log: middle part, clear ; barometer has varied several times, and the water from 2° to 3° ; twice saw several patches of kelp ; most of the time a bad sea from southward : ends clear, and very light airs from N. N. W. Think my D. R. was wrong yesterday. Dec. 6. Lat. 47° 07' S.; long. 55° 04° W. Barometer, 29.66; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 471° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 47|°. Winds : W., W. S. W., N. N. W. All this. day moderate and cloudy, with smooth sea; no observation; saw some sea-weed and kelp. First part, barometer stationary at 29.46; middle, rose as per log, and so remained until 11 A. M., then fell. Dec. 7. Lat. 48° 32' S. ; long. 57° 44' W. Barometer, 29.57 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 44° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 44°. Winds : N. N. W., W. N. W., S. Commences moderate ; barometer CAPE HORN TRACKS. 609 falling; at 4 P. M. strong breeze, barometer 29.45, and stationary; middle part, moderate, barometer stationary ; at 4 A. M. tacked to the westward ; latter part, moderate, barometer rising fast, at noon stood at 29.77 ; ends, fine clear weather, and bad sea from S. W. ; saw much kelp and sea-weed at 6 P. M., and until 8 P. M. the water had the peculiar green appearance it usually has on soundings, so much so that it was noticed by every person on board. Dec. 8. Lat. 49° 06' S. ; long. 59° 03' W. Current, W. N. W., J knot per hour. Barometer, 29.87 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 46°. Winds : calm, W. N. "W., W. All this day fine clear weather; middle part, barometer rising ; at 4 A. M. stood at 29.92 ; at noon, 29.81, and falling slowly ; saw kelp and sea-weed ; latter part, water has the appearance of being very shoal. Dec. 9. Lat. 50° 35' S. ; long. 61° 20' W. Current, W. S. W., f knot per hour. Barometer, 29.43 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46^° ; water, at ID feet 6 inches in depth, 46^°. Winds : N. W., N. W., W. S. W. First part, moderate; middle, strong breeze; latter part, light airs. First part, barometer falling, and so continues to do until midnight, when it stood at 29.43, and has so remained since ; at 4 P. M. (the water still having the appearance of being very shoal) hove to, to get a cast of the lead, but did not get bottom with 60 fathoms ; at 10 A. M. made the Jason Islands, bearing S. by E. by compass, distant 25 or 30 miles ; saw much kelp and sea-weed and one right whale. Dec. 10. Lat. 52° S.; long. 61° 55' W. Barometer, 29.20; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 46°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 46°. Winds: W., N. W., W. S. W. First part, fine weather and moderate, barometer falling; middle, strong breeze, barometer at midnight, 29.20, and stationary; latter part, fresh gales; saw a great number of whales, and much kelp and sea- weed. Dec. 11. Lat. 52° 12' S. ; long. 62° W. Current, N. N. E., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.38; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 46^°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 46°. Winds: W. S. W., calm, calm. First four hours, strong gales and very heavy sea. From 4 P. M. until 8 P. M. little more moderate ; middle and latter parts, calm, and light baffling airs all round the compass. First part, barometer rose .18, and has remained stationary since; saw several whales, and much kelp and weed. Dec. 12. Lat. 53° 40' S.; long. 65° 17' W. Barometer, 29.1 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 43 J° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 43' °. Winds : calm, N. W., W. All this day clear weather; middle and latter part, light winds; saw much weed and several whales; latter part, barometer falling. Dec. 13. In Straits of Le Maire. Barometer, 28.85; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 44°. Winds : W., ., N. W. First and last part, moderate breeze, clear and rainy alternately; middle part, calms, heavy squalls of two or three minutes' duration, and the wind all round the compass. At 8 P. M. made Staten Land to the S. S. W. ; at noon, Cape Good Success bore W. by S., distant 6 miles. Barometer falling steadily; saw several whales. Dec. 14. No observation. Barometer, 28.73 ; temperature of air, 36J° ; of water, 41° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 41°, Winds: N. W., W., S.W. First six hours, good breeze from N.W.; next ten 77 610 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. hours, fresh gales, as per log, with occasional short spells of calms; at 4 A.M. commenced a heavy gale from S. W., attended with snow, rain, and hail, and bad sea ; wore ship to the W. N. W. ; barometer sta- tionary, as per log. Dec. 15. No observation. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 37°; of water, 42°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 42°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., south. First part, very heavy gales, barometer rising; middle part, tremendous gale; latter part, moderate; made sail and wore to the W. S. W.; at 10 A.M. made Staten Land to the N.N. W., distant 18 miles, barometer rising. All through the day thick weather, snow, rain, and hail. Dec. 16. No observation. Barometer, 29.25 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 44°. Winds: S., calm, N. N. E. First part, light winds and clear weather; middle, calm ; latter, moderate breeze and tbick rainy weather, with very heavy swell from the eastward. First part, barometer rising, and middle part up to 29.39 ; at 2 i\. M. started down ; at 9 A. M., as per log, and at noon 29.14, and still falling. Dec. 17. No observation. Barometer, 29.03; temperature of air, 39|°; of water, 40J°: water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 40°. Winds: N. N. W., W., S. W. ; first three hours rainy, and wind from N.N. E.; barometer falling from that time until 10 A. M. ; wind veering nearly every hour from W. to S. by W., with strong breeze, light airs, and calms, and the weather looking most of the time very dirty, attended with drizzling rain, sleet, snow, and hail. At 10 A. M. wind jumped suddenly to S. S. E. : at midnight, barometer 29.91, and stationary at 9 A. M., as per log; and at noon 29,15, and rising fast. Dec. 18. Lat. 56° 43' S.; long. 66° 02' W. Current, N.E., 62 miles in two days. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 41°. Winds : S. S. W., W. S. W., N. N. W.; first four hours strong squalls, with snow and rain ; middle part, light and baffling, with very fine weather; latter part, strong breeze and cloudy. First part, barometer rising fast; at 10 A. M. near 29.67 ; latter part, falling. Dec. 19. Lat. 57° 51' S.; long. 67° 18' W. Current, N. E. by E., 1 knot per hour. Barometer, 29.14; temperature of air, 42°; of water, 41°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 41°. Winds: N. W. by W., W., W. First and middle parts, strong gales, most of the time rain, hail, and snow; mercury fluctuating several times, but rising. Dec. 20. Lat. 58° 01' S. ; long. 67° 10' W. Current, N. E., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.54; temperature of air, 39°; of water, 40^°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 40°. Winds: S. W. by W., S. S. W., S. W. First part, fresh gales and heavy squalls, with snow, rain, and hail; middle, heavy gales at 8 A. M. ; latter part, very light; all this day mercury rising steadily. Dec. 21. Lat. 58° 01' S. ; long. 66° 42' W. Current, E. N. E., IJ knot per hour. Barometer, 29.5 ; temperature of air, 41° ; of water, 40i° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 40|°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. ; all this day light airs and baffling, and fine weather, with heavy swell from westward ; mercu7-y very steady; at 10 A. M. light breeze from the eastward. Dec. 22. No observation. Barometer, 29.41; temperature of air, 41°; of water, 42°; water, at 10 CAPE HORN TRACKS. 611 feet 6 inches depth, 42°. Winds : E. by N., E. by N., E by S. ; all this day moderate breezes and cloudy weather; mercury fell a little the first part. Dec. 23. Lat. 56° 24' S. ; long. 75° 19' W. Current, E. by S., | knot per hour. Barometer, 29.53 ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42^° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 42°. Winds : E. by S., E. by S., E. S. E. ; all this day, moderate; last two hours clear, and mercury rising slowly. Thus far, I think the barometer has been an infallible guide as to the weather. Dec. 24. Lat. 54° 50' S. ; long. 78° 06' W. Barometer, 29.65; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 44°; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 44°. Winds: E., E. K E., K E.; all this day light breezes and cloudy. First part, mercury rising ; middle part, 29.74 ; latter part, falling slowly, and wind hauling to the north. Dec. 25. Lat. 53° 09' S. ; long. 79° 08' W. Barometer, 29.47 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 45° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 45 J°. Winds : N. N. E., N. N". E., calm, W. First twelve hours good breeze and rainy weather; next four hours calm ; latter part, light breeze and cloudy. Dec. 26. Lat. 52° 19' S. ; long. 79° 04' W. Barometer, 29.44 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 47 J° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches depth, 47-J°._ Winds : N. W., W., W. First part, fresh gales ; middle and latter parts, more moderate, but squally. Dec. 27°. No observation. Barometer, 29.7 ; temperature of air, 49° ; of water, 48J° ; water, at 10 feet 6 inches in depth, 48°. Winds : W., W. by S., W. N. W. ; all this day strong breezes ; middle and latter parts, rainy ; mercury rising steadily. I intend to touch at Juan Fernandez. Ship Flying Fish (Edward C. Nickels), New York to San Francisco, 48 days out. Dec. 18, 1852. Lat. 48° 15' S. ; long. 63° 39' W. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 51° ; of water, 50°. Winds : S. W., S. W., N. N. E. Wind, fresh ; middle and latter, light. Dec. 19. Lat. 51° 11' S. ; long. 64° 54' W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 46°. Winds: N. N. E. to N. N. W., N. to N. W., S. W. Moderate and cloudy ; latter, clear. Dec. 20. Lat. 54° 56' S. ; long. 65° 07' W. Barometer, 29.50 ; temperature of air, 47° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W. to W., Avesterly. First part, clear and pleasant ; latter, cloudy. Dec. 21. Lat. 55° 16' S. ; long. . Temperature of air, 52° ; of water, 45°. Winds: S., E., N. First part, light airs, passed through Straits of Le Maire; middle, nearly calm; latter part, fresh N. E. breezes with fog, Staten Land bearing N. by W., true distance 28 miles. Dec. 22. Lat. 56° 06' S. ; long. . Winds : N. W. to N. E., N. E., N. E. First part, light airs ; middle and latter parts, passed Cape Horn bearing N. J E., distant 7 miles ; foggy. Dec. 23. Lat. 55° 08' S. ; long. 74° 29' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 43°. Wind : N. E. throughout. Fresh breezes, and foggy ; St. Ildefonso Island bearing N. E. by N., 18 miles. Dec. 24. Lat. 51° 55' S.; long. 79° 35' W. Temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 45.° Winds: E., 612 THE WIND AND CUKEENT CHARTS. bafHing, N. E. First part, fresh winds and thick weather ; middle, light baffling breezes and showers ; latter part, N. B. wind. Dec. 25. Lat. 49° 15' S.; long. 80° 08' W. Barometer, 29.50; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 47°. Winds: N., W., W. Strong northwardly winds and rain ; wind suddenly hauled to westward, with light rain. Sliip John Ollpin (Justus Doane), New York to Sau Francisco, 46 days out. Dec. 13. Lat. 48° 40' S. ; long. 60° 36' W. Barometer, 29.32 ; Winds : W., W. by S., W. by S. Strong breezes, and squally. Dec. 14. Lat. 51° 05' S. ; long. 68° 58' W. Barometer, 29.10. Winds : W. by N., S. S. W., S. S. W. First and middle, moderate ; latter, squalls and gales. Dec. 15. Lat. 49° 50' S. ; long. 63° 02' W. Barometer, 29.65. Winds: S. W., S. W., S. W. by S. nard squalls and gales. Dec. 16. Lat. 51° 07' S. ; long. 65° 12' W. Barometer, 29.55. Winds: S.S. W., S. W., W. by S. Light baffling airs, and calm. Dec. 17. Lat. 53° 56' S.; long. 65° 10' W. Barometer, 29.55. Winds: W. N. W., W. by N., S. S. W. First part, light breezes; middle and latter, gales. Dec. 18. Lat. 55° 06' S. ; long. 64° 40' W. Barometer, 29.80. Winds: S. W. by S., W.S.W., N. W. by W. First part, moderate ; middle, light ; latter, squalls, with rain. Dec. 19. Lat. 56° 42' S. ; long. 66° 07' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 46°. Winds : N. W. by W., S. W. by W., N. W. by W. Moderate gales and puffy. Dec. 20. Lat. 56° 20' S. ; long. 66° 32' W. Barometer, 29.95 ; temperature of air, 42°. Winds : A¥. by N., W. by S., S. W. First and middle, gales, with hail, rain, and snow ; latter, light. Dec. 21. Lat. 56° 45' S.; long. 67° 20' W. Barometer, 29.62; temperature of air, 43°. Winds: S. W., W. N. W., calm. First part, light; middle, light airs and calms; latter, calms and fog. Dec. 22. Lat. 56° 20'. S.; long. 72° 10' W. Barometer, 29.45; temperature of air, 46°. Winds: E. S. E., E. by N., E. by N. Light breezes and hazy. Dec. 23. Lat. 55° 48' S.; long. 79° 08' W. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 42°. Winds: E. by N., E. by N., E. Moderate breezes and hazy. Dec. 24. Lat. 53° 48' S.; long. 83° 24' W. Barometer, 29.55 ; temperature of air, 46°. Winds: E., E. N. E., N. N. E. First, light breezes ; latter, fresh breezes and rainy. Dec. 25. Lat. 51° 41' S. ; long. 84° 07' W. Barometer, 29.45 ; temperature of air, 48°. Winds : W. N. W., N., N. W. First part, light ; middle part, moderate ; latter part, strong breezes and rainy throughout. Dec. 26. Lat. 48° 32' S.; long. 83° 40' W. Barometer 29.92; temperature of air, 49°. Winds: W. N. W., W., W. Strong breezes, rainy and hazy throughout. CAPE HORN TRACKS. , 618 Ship Wild Pigeon (W. Putnam), New York to San Francisco, 42 days out. Dec. 9. Lat. 49° 32' S. ; long. 65° 13' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 48°. Winds: W. N. W., W. N. W., W. S. W. Moderate and fair. At midnight a blow. Dec. 10. Lat. 52° 09' S.; long. 65° 31' W. Barometer, 29.35; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 46°. Winds: W. S. W., S. W., S. W. First, moderate; second, strong and squally; third, a gale from southwest. Dec. 11. Lat. 58° 08' S.; long.- 65° 08' W. Barometer, 29.45; temperature of air, 40°; of water, 45°. Winds : S. W. hauling to W., calm, calm. First part, blowing hard ; second and third parts, calm. Dec. 12. Straits of Le Maire. Barometer, 28.90 ; temperature of air, 45° ; of water, 42°. Winds: W. S. W., N. W., calm. First, moderate and cloudy ; second, same ; latter, calm and cloudy. Dec. 13. Lat. 56° 27' S. ; long. 65° 45' W. Barometer, 28.60. Current, easterly, 24 miles. ' Tem- perature of air, 42° ; of water, 41°. Winds : K, N. W., N. W. First, light winds. At 10 P. M. a white squall. Second and third parts, moderate. Dec. 14. Lat. 56° 28' S.; long. 66° 44' W. Barometer, 28.40. Current, easterly, 1\ mile. Temper- ature of air, 39°; of water, 41°. Winds: K W. and variable, S. S. E., S. W. First, moderate; middle and latter, squalls. Gales, hail, rain, and snow. Dec. 15. Lat. 56° 52' S. ; long. 66° 52' W. Barometer, 28.80 ; current easterly, 1 mile per hour ; temperature of air, 38° ; of water 40°. Winds : S. W., S. S. W., S. E. First part, hard gale ; second part, blowing in hard squalls ; third part, moderate. Dec. 16. Lat. 56° 59' S.; long. 68° 13' W. Barometer, 29.00; current, easterly, J mile per hour; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 42°. Winds : calm, calm, N. W. First and second parts, calm ; latter, moderate. Dec. 17. Lat. 56° 52' S. ; long. 70° 24' W. Barometer, 28.75 ; current, easterly, 1 mile per hour. Winds : N. W. by W., S. W., S. S. W. First part, fresh breezes and rainy ; second part, hard gale ; third part, moderate. Dec. 18. Lat. 56° 21' S.; long. 72° 59' W. Barometer, 29.15; current, easterly, 1 mile per hour. Winds : S. W., W., W. N. W. First part, light ; second part, moderate ; third part, gale. Dec. 19. Lat. 59° 20' S. ; long. 73° 29' W. Barometer, 29.10 ; current, easterly, 30 miles ; temperature of air, 40° ; of water, 42°. Winds : W. by S., W. S. W., W. K W. First part, gale ; second part, gale ; third part, gale ; rainy throughout. Dec. 20. Lat. 56° 24' S. ; long. 73° 42' W. Barometer, 29.15 ; temperature of air, 43° ; of water, 42°. Winds : S. W., W. S. W., W. First part, gale and rainy ; second part, moderate and rain ; third part, moderate and fair. Dec. 21. Lat. 56° 14' S.; long. 75° 58' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 45°; of water, 44°. Winds: W. N. W., calm, N. E. First part, light breezes; second part, calm and rainy; third part, moderate and fair. Dec. 22. Lat. 55° 14' S.; long. 78° 43' W. Barometer, 29.25; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 614 THE WIND AND CUKRKNT CHARTS. 43°. Winds : N. by E., W, N. W., N. E. First and second parts, light breezes and rainy ; third parts, moderate. Dec. 23. Lat. 53° 07' S. ; long. 81° 35' W. Strong easterly current. Barometer, 29.70 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 44°. Winds : E., S. E. by E., E. S. E. ; moderate and rainy. Dec. 24. Lat. 51° 35' S.; long. 84° 50' W. Current, easterly, 45 miles. Barometer, 29.40; tempera- ture of air, 45° ; of water, 44°. Winds : E. by S., N. E., N. W. First part, moderate ; second part, baffling winds and rainy; third part, strong breezes. Dec. 25. Lat. 49° 05' S.; long. 84° 41' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 46°. Winds: W., W. N. W., K W.; moderate and rainy. Ship John Jay (J. B. B. Engleman), New Bedford to San Francisco, 76 days out. Dec. 12. Lat. 48° 56' S.; long. 62° 53' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 48°; of water, 48°, Winds : W. by K, N. to N. E., W. N. W. ; light and baffling. Dec. 13. Lat. 51° 01' S.; long. 65° 00' W. Barometer, 29.10; temperature of air, 49°; of water, 46°. Winds : N. N". E., N., IST. ; moderate and pleasant. Dec. 14. Lat. 52° 54' S. ; long. 64° 05' W. Barometer, 29,24 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 44°. Winds: S. S. W., S. W., S. W. to W. N. W.; moderate and pleasant. Dec. 15. Lat, 54° 07' S. ; long. 64° 24' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 50° ; of water, 45°. Winds: W. S. W., calm, N. N. E.; light airs and middle calm. Dec. 16. Lat. 55° 24' S. ; long. 64° 20' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 48° ; of water, 44°. Winds : N. N. W., N. N. W., N. W. ; light breezes and pleasant. Dec. 17. Lat. 55° 41' S.; long. 63° 30' W. Barometer, 29.28; temperature of air, 47°; of water, 42°. Winds: S., calm, N. W. by W. to W. First and third parts, light; middle, calm. Dec. 18. Lat. 56° 39' S.; long. 65° 40' W. Barometer, 28.65; temperature of air, 40° 39°. Winds: N. N. W., N. by W., N. W. by W. Strong breezes and rainy. Dec. 19. Lat. 56° 37' S.; long. 66° 00' W. Barometer, 28.77; temperature of air, 41° 40°. Winds : N. N. W., W,, W, Light breezes and rainy. Dec. 20. Lat. 56° 23' S. ; long. 67° 29' W. Barometer, 29.30 ; temperature of air, 41° 41°. Winds : W., N. E. to E. K E., E. N. E. First part, light ; second and third parts, brisk Dec. 21. Lat. 57° 04' S. ; long. 72° 29' W. Barometer, 29.23 ; temperature of air, 38° .41°. Winds: E.N. E.,E.]Sr.E., E.S.E. Fresh breezes and cloudy. Dec. 22. Lat. 56° 03' S.; long. 75° 40' W. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air, 40° 41°. Winds : S. S. E. to S. by W., S. to S. W., S. S. W. First and third parts, light; second Dec. 23. Lat. 55° 16' S.; long. 76° 30' W. Barometer, 29.30; temperature of air, 42 42°. Winds: S. W. to S. S. W., S. W., calm. Light breezes; latter, calm. Dec. 24. Lat. 54° 52' S.; long. 77° 40' W. Barometer, 29.40; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. Winds: S., calm, calm. . First part, light airs; second and third parts, calm. ; of water. ; of water, ; of water, breezes. ; of water. ; of water. , moderate. ; of water. CAPE HORN TRACKS. ei9 Dec. 25. Lat. 54° 25' S.; long. 79° 30' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds: N. N. W., N. N. W., S. W. by W. Strong winds and squally. Dec. 26. Lat. 52° 45' S.; long. 79° 07' W. Barometer, 29.00; temperature of air, 44°; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., W. by S., W. by S. Strong breezes and rainy. Dec. 27. Lat. 51° 10' S. ; long. 79° 15' W. Barometer, 28.90; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 46°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., N. N. W. Fresh gales and rainy. Dec. 28. Lat. 49° 50' S. ; long. 78° 50' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 46° ; of water, 46°. Winds : S. S. W., S. W., N. W. Fresh gales and rainy. Dec. 29. Lat. 50° 56' S.; long. 79° 31' W. Barometer,,29.08 ; temperature of air, 46°; of water, 44°. Winds : N. W., N. W. by W., W. S. W. Strong gales and cloudy. Dec. 30. Lat. 50° 35' S.; long. 79° 26' W. Barometer, 29.20 ; temperature of air, 42° ; of water, 44°. Winds : W. S. W., S. W., S. S. W. Hard gales and cloudy weather. Dec. 31. Lat. 48° 04' S. ; long. 80° 07' W. Barometer, 29.40 ; temperature of air, 44° ; of water, 46°. Winds : W. S. W., W. by S., W. First and second parts, strong gales ; latter, moderate. Ship Ansliss (Milton P. Hedge), Eichmond to San Francisco, 25 days from Cape St. Eoque. Dec. 10, 1852. Lat. 50° 16' S.; long. 62° 14' W. Winds: W. S. W., W., and W. S. W. Heavy gales. Dec. 11. Lat. 50° 44' S.; long. 62° 22' W. Winds: W. S. W., S. S. W., and S. W. Moderate gales. Dec. 12. Lat. 51° 37' S. Dec. 13. Lat. 53° 48' S. Dec. 14. Lat. 54° 30' S. Dec. 15. Lat. 54° 43' S. Dec. 16. Lat. 54° 58' S. Dec. 17. Lat. 55° 57' S. Dec. 18. Lat. 56° 42' S. Dec. 19. Lat. 57° 44' S. Dec. 20. Lat. 57° 57' S. Dec. 21. Lat. 57° 57' S. Dec. 22. Lat. 57° 10' S. Dec. 23. Lat. 56° 09' S. Dec. 24. Lat. 55° 02' S. Dec. 25. Lat. 54° 24' S. Dec. 26. Lat. 53° 00' S. Dec. 27. Lat. 51° 05' S. Dec. 28. Lat. 49° 24' S. long. 63° 19' W. long. 65° 18' W. long. 66° 28' W. long. 63° 56' W. Winds: W., N. W., and W. S. W. Fresh and squally, long. 64° 30' W. Winds: W. S. W., and W. N. W. Fresh and squally, long. 63° 00' W. Winds: baffling. Strong breezes and heavy gales, long. 62° 38' W. Winds : S. E., S., and N. Light breezes and rain, long. 63° 08' W. Baffling winds. Winds : N., S. W., and W. S. W. Light winds and rain. Winds : S. W. and N. W. Light winds and rain. Winds : N. W., W., and W. Heavy gales, long. 66° 53' W. Wind : W. Light breeze, long. 67° 06' W.- Winds : W., S. W., E. N. E. Light breezes, long. 71° 58' W. Wind: E. by K Strong breezes, long. 77° 20' W. Winds : E. by N., E. S. E., E. S. E. Strong breeze, long. 80° 30' W. Winds : E. S. E., E., N. N. E. Strong breeze. long. 82° 30' W. Winds : N. N. E., W., and W. N. W. Heavy gales, long. 81° 00' W. Winds : N. W., N. W., and W. Strong gales, long. 79° 38' W. Winds : baffling. Strong winds and squally, with rain, long. 78° 34' W. Wind : W.N. W. Strong breezes and squally, with rain. 616 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. I have given such copious extracts, with regard to the Cape Horn passage, because I wanted, by prac- tical illustrations and example, to impress navigators with a correct estimate as to its difficulties. And, still further to illustrate this route, the following table of Cape Horn crossings has been pre- pared. It shows the crossings according to the month; it shows the time from the parallel of St. Eoque to the parallel of 50° S. in the Atlantic ; the longitude in which each vessel crossed the parallel of 50°, 53°, and 56° S., east of the Horn; then, as the course is west, it shows the parallels upon which the meridians of 67°, 71°, and 73° W. are crossed. Thence the course is to the northward again, and the table shows the meridians upon which the parallels of 55°, 53°, and 50° S., in the Pacific, are crossed. The last column shows the time from lat. 50° in the Atlantic to the same parallel in the Pacific, which is generally the difficult part, and always the turning point of the passage. CAPB HORN CEOSSIXGS. 617 Ca'pe. Horn Crossings. TEOM LONGITUDE OF CBOSSINO LATITUDE OF CBOSSINO lOKOITUDE OF CROSSING FROM 50° PARAL- PARALLELS EAST OF MERIDIANS SOUTH OF PARALLELS WEST OF S. IN THE NAME OF TESSEl. LEL o; CAPE HORN CAPE HORN CAPE HORN. ATLANTIC ST. EOdUB TO 50° S. IN THE TO 50° S. 50° S. 53° S. 56° S. 67° W. 71° W. 75° W. 55° S. 63° S. 50° S. PACIFIC. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Days. January. Danube 33 63° 64° 69° 56° 56° 57° 77° 80° 80° 23 Contest . . 23 61 64 67 56 69 57 78 80 81 12 Tingqua 26 64 66 64 57 57 56 80 80 80 14 Alboni . . 26 64 64 64 57 57 56 76 79 85 16 F. W. Brune 33 64 64 63 60 59 59 84 87 89 21 Cygnet . . 33 64 65 67 56 57 56 77 80 85 21 Gray Feather 25 61 64 63 57 57 56 76 77 79 19 Golden Gate 20 65 64 67 56 56 55 75 77 79 11 Telegraph . 24 60 65 65 57 58 56 76 78 81 15 Trade Wind 22 65 65 67 57 58 59 75 82 81 12 Eagle . . 21 62 65 66 57 57 57 79 81 82 10 Edwin . . 29 66 65 66 57 58 58 80 81 80 25 Telegraph . 24 65 65 65 57 57 56 76 78 78 20 Means .... 24.6 63.4 64.6 65.6 56.9 57.4 56.7 79.6 80.1 80.0 16 February. John Holland . . 31 65 66 63 58 59 57 76 80 79 26 Kentucky . . 33 61 65 71 56 56 56 77 78 82 25 Storm . . . 23 57 61 67 57 58 58 77 78 79 12 A. F. Jen n ess* 44 66 66 66 57 58 57 76 78 80 20 John Bertram 25 65 65 63 56 56 57 81 81 84 12 Flying Childers 26 65 65 65 58 58 58 79 80 81 12 Golden West . 30 65 66 66 57 57 57 77 78 81 14 Bald Eagle . 19 64 65 69 56 57 57 77 79 84 10 Phantom . . 23 65 66 64 57 58 59 80 79 84 15 Winged Racer 26 66 65 69 57 57 56 81 83 82 14 Anna Kimball 30 66 66 66 57 57 58 78 79 79 17 Roman . . . 28 65 65 66 57 58 57 80 83 85 14 Eagle Wing . 24 65 65 66 56 57 56 76 76 78 10 Flying Cloud . 21 66 66 67 56 56 56 78 79 80 12 Game Cock 23 63 64 64 57 58 57 79 78 79 19 Archer . . . 28 65 65 64 56 56 56 79 79 79 14 North Carolina 30 54 56 61 57 59 56 75 77 .79 29 Means . . . . 27.3 63.7 64.5 65.7 56.8 57.3 56.9 78.0 79.1 80.8 16.1 * She is famous for long passages. See p. 464. 78 618 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Cape Horn Crossings — Continued. FKOM LONGITUDE OF CKOSSIIJQ LATITUDE OF CROSSING LONGITUDE OF CROSSING FROM 50° PARAL- PARALLELS EAST OF MERIDIANS SOUTH OF PARALLELS WEST OF S. IN THE NAME OF VESSEL. LEL OF CAPE HORN CAPE HORN CAPE HORN , ATLANTIC ST. ROdCB TO 50° S. IN THE TO 50° S. 50° S. 53° S. 56° S. 67° W. 71° W. 75° W. 55° S. 53° S. 50° S. PACIFIC. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Days. March. t Aldebaran .... 28 66° 65° 66° 56° 59° 57° 77° 80° 84° 28 Esther May 29 64 62 65 58 60 56 77 80 81 23 Lucknow . 26 65 66 63 60 58 56 78 81 86 25 Masconoma 32 65 65 66 57 56 56 78 Tornado 25 65 65 65 56 58 57 77 80 84 13 Eagle . . 24 64 65 66 57 58 58 78 83 86 13 Celestial 24 63 64 66 56 57 56 77 79 81 18 Amelia . . 26 63 64 63 59 57 55 78 79 80 26 Phantom . 23 65 66 63 57 59 59 80 79 81 14 Stag Hound 22 65 64 65 57 57 65 73 78 78 12 Courser . . 26 65 65 66 56 57 57 77 78 79 12 Huguenot . 28 67 65 67 58 57 58 78 79 81 21 Ludwig . . 36 63 63 62 58 58 57 78 80 81 31 Herald of the Morning 26 64 64 65 57 56 54 76 77 82 8 Seaman's Bride . . 26 64 63 63 57 58 57 80 85 88 16 M. Howes . • . . . 36 66 65 61 66 57 57 8*1 84 85 15 Means .... 27.3 64.6 64.0 64.6 56.5 57.0 56.5 77.7 78.2 81.8 18.3 April. Simoom . . . . 29 65 65 68 56 56 56 76 79 85 14 Sea Serpent . . . 21 65 66 66 56 57 57 77 79 81 18 Stag Hound , . . 30 65 64 78 55 55 56 79 80 78 12 Golden Eacer . . . 21 55 57 64 57 57 55 75 82 86 19 Paragon .... 36 62 63 67 56 56 57 81 82 79 16 David Baxter . . . 33 61 63 63 57 57 57 80 80 80 12 Herculean .... 39 65 64 78 15 Sword Fish . . . 19 57 60 64 58 58 68 83 86 87 17 Astrea 38 57 57 59 57 57 57 81 82 83 21 Gov. Morton . . . 30 62 63 67 56 56 65 79 81 84 11 Burlington . . . 39 62 65 63 57 58 58 80 80 80 15 Francisco .... 35 63 65 65 56 56 67 77 80 82 28 Cornelia L. Bevan . 36 60 65 66 57 56 56 79 81 78 16 Polvnesian . . . 30 64 66 65 57 57 55 78 80 82 15 Cynthia 35 65 66 68 57 58 66 75 80 84 17 Means .... 31.4 61.2 63.3 66.3 56.5 56.8 56.4 78.3 80.8 82.0 16.4 CAPK HORN CROSSINGS. 619 Oape Horn Crossings — Continued. FEOM LONGITUDE OF CR09SINQ LATITUDE OF CROSSIXO LONGITUDE OF CROSSING FROM 50° PARAL- PARALLELS EAST OF MERIDIANS SOUTH OF PARALLELS WEST OF S. IN THE NAME OF YK88EL. LEL OF CAFE HORN. CAPE HOKI J. CAPE HORN. ATLANTIC ST. BOQUE TO 50° S. IN THE TO 50° S. 50° S. 53° S. 66° S. 67° W. 71° W. 75° W. 550 8. 63° S. 50° S. PACIFIC. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Long. W Long. W. Long. W. Days. May. i Surprise . . . . 24 63° 64° 66° 58° 58° 59° 79° 79° 84° 22 Competitor , , 24 64 64 67 56 57 56 79 80 78 15 Empress of the £ )eas 27 65 65 65 56 57 57 80 80 85 13 Houqua* . . 31 64 63 65 57 58 58 81 82 83 29 Parthian . . 25 63 64 67 56 58 58 79 80 81 13 Climax . . . 23 61 65 67 56 56 56 76 78 79 12 Sirocco . . . 34 64 6Q 67 56 57 58 79 82 .80 20 Archer . . . 33 64 64 66 57 57 56 82 84 84 23 Eol)t. Harding* 33 66 65 65 57 58 55 75 78 78 26 Seaman's Bride 26 64 63 66 57 58 56 81 81 81 15 Lantao . . . 27 67 67 71 56 56 57 79 79 80 11 Hampton . . 37 65 65 66 57 58 56 78 79 80 21 Hugh Birckhead 34 64 65 67 56 58 58 77 78 79 23 Rosario . . . 28 64 64 65 57 58 56 81 81 81 19 Eoscoe . . . 29 65 65 65 57 59 58 81 81 82 22 Jas. H. Shepherd 40 66 68 t Eliza Thornton 45 64 65 67 57 59 57 78 79 79 23 Beiij. Howard 30 .64 64 67 57 57 57 79 82 81 23 Mary Annah . 29 63 64 63 57 57 57 77 80 82 36 Storm King . 31 64 64 65 57 58 57 78 79 79 16 Catharine . . 40 64 65 64 57 56 58 77 77 78 21 Santiago . . 27 65 66 66 57 57 57 79 79 80 16 Matanzas . . . 32 66 66 65 57 57 56 78 77 83 29 E.B.Forbes . 28 64 64 65 57 57 57 79 82 86 15 Surprise . . 21 62 65 64 •57 57 56 77 80 82 18 Means . . . . 29.7 64.0 64.7 65.5 56.7 57.3 56.9 78.6 79.8 81.0 19 June. Staffordshire . . . 25 62 66 66 56 56 53 73 77 79 14 White Squall . 24 64 63 65 57 56 56 76 79 78 11 L. P. Foster* . 43 67 67 70 56 56 58 83 83 85 20 Finland . . . 41 64 63 64 57 57 56 81 87 90 14 Golden Era 29 65 65 65 59 59 56 78 79 80 28 North America 20 54 58 61 57 58 54 75 78 80 23 Cohota . . . 27 64 64 63 58 58 56 78 81 84 18 Flying Cloud . . 27 G7 65 66 56 55 54 73 76 78 09 John Land . . 26 64 63 65 57 58 57 80 80 85 15 Uncle Toby . . 32 65 65 65 58 58 57 78 80 86 13 Hornet . . . 25 63 65 64 58 59 58 79 79 79 14 Channing . . . 38 66 66 65 57 57 57 t 15 Oxnard .... 33 65 66 67 57 57 67 78 78 79 11 Amazon . . . 36 63 63 65 57 59 56 79 80 85 15 Linwood . . . 32 65 65 63 56 56 57 • 80 83 83 19 E. C. Sronton* . 42 65 66 64 57 58 57 79 81 81 27 Mayflower . . . 80 65 65 67 57 58 56 77 80 86 14 Cleopatra . . . 27 62 64 66 57 58 58 80 83 86 16 Celestial Empire 30 64 63 63 56 56 56 ' 78 78 1 79 18 Means .... 29.5 63.6 64.0 64.7 57.0 57.3 56.7 77.7 78.6 82.3 15.7 . * Not iaelnded in the means. t Throueh the Straits of MaceUan. t No obserrations. 620 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Ga'pe Horn Crossings — Continued. FBOH LONGITUDE OF CE03SIN0 LATITUDE OF CROSSING LONGITUDE OF CROSSING FROM 50° PARAL- PARALLEIS EAST OF MERIDIANS SOUTH OF PARALLELS WEST OF S. IN THE RAME Of TESSEL. LEL OF CAPE HOEK . CAPE HORN , ( MPE HOR^ r. ATLANTIC ST. TO 00° S. EOQUE IN THE TO 50° S. 50° S. 53° S. 56° S. 67° W. 71° w. 75° W. 55° S. 53° S. 50° S. PACIFIC. Days, Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Days. July. N. B. Palmer . . . 22 56° 55° 67° 57° 58° 56° 77° 78° 78° 19 Southerner 25 64 63 64 56 57 58 83 81 79 26 A. Buckman . 37 66 66 68 56 57 56 76 77 80 14 Senator . . . 19 64 65 65 57 57 56 77 80 81 18 Queen of the Eas1 30 63 63 61 56 56 55 77 78 79 23 White Squall . 22 64 64 65 56 58 58 78 79 80 18 Ellen Noyes . 28 55 56 64 58 58 57 77 78 79 21 Flying Cloud . 23 66 65 68 56 56 55 73 78 80 7 Rome . . . 33 55 55 61 57 56 55 76 79 80 24 Victory . . . 26 57 55 66 57 57 56 76 80 84 17 Levanter . . 35 64 65 65 56 56 56 77 79 81 16 Atalanta . . 39 65 65 68 56 56 54 76 77 80 18 Belle of the West 29 66 65 62 58 57 57 79 82 82 19 Anglo-Saxon . 31 57 59 60 60 59 59 86 88 88 26 White Squall . 27 64 63 65 57 58 58 79 80 81 18 West Wind . 34 64 64 67 57 56 55 73 76 78 13 Cyane . . . 38 61 64 62 57 57 57 80 82 81 23 Avondale . . 31 55 56 60 57 56 56 78 81 86 30 Sarah Boyd , 47 63 67 66 56 57 56 78 80 79 19 Eeindeer . . 34 59 63 65 58 56 57 79 81 80 22 Golden State . 23 58 63 66 58 59 56 76 78 80 19 Means .... 29.3 61.2 60.7 64.4 57.0 57.0 56.0 77.6 79.6 80.8 19.5 August. ' E. Mallory .... 35 63 65 67 57 57 56 78 79 88 13 Pelican State . 31 65 66 64 57 57 56 76 82 83 20 White Swallow 30 64 63 63 57 58 57 76 76 79 17 Corinne . . 38 64 65 63 59 60 59 81 84 85 21 Wild Ranger . 27 62 63 64 57 57 55 76 77 80 17 Mermaid . . 31 65 65 65 57 57 57 78 79 80 13 Samoset . . 29 62 64 64 57 57 57 78 80 83 12 Fenelon . . 40 63 67 65 56 57 55 75 76 81 18 Union . . . 28 64 65 63 57 58 58 78 81 84 13 Carioca . . . 31 65 64 64 56 58 56 77 81 84 11 Flying Dutchman 23 64 64 66 57 57 56 79 83 86 8 Greenwich . . 42 65 65 66 57 57 57 76 77 80 18 Young America 24 64 65 66 57 56 66 77 80 83 8 John Bertram 25 66 66 67 57 56 57 79 83 86 14 Rubicon . . 37 64 65 66 57 57 57 78 80 80 17 Horsburgh 31 63 62 63 57 56 55 75 80 81 21 Harrisburg 86 60 67 66 57 57 55 76 78 79 18 Kate Hays 88 63 66 66 58 57 57 76 81 82 19 Winfield Scott 37 •58 59 60 57 57 56 72 81 81 25 Windward . . 28 59 63 • 61 58 59 57 79 83 84 22 F. P. Sage . . 37 62 64 66 57 56 55 78 81 83 16 Sandusky . . 37 65 65 67 57 _ 57 57 78 79 81 26 Sunbeam . . 33 66 66 65 57 58 55 76 80 80 22 Means .... 32.5 63.3 64.6 64.6 56.8 57.1 56.3 77.5 80.0 81.9 17 CAPE HORN CROSSINGS. 621 Cape Horn Crossings — Continued. FROM LONGITUDE OF CKOSSINO LATITUDE OF CROSSINO LONGITUDE OF CROSSING FROM 50° PARAL- PAKALLKLS EAST OF MERIDIANS SOUTH OP PARALLELS WEST OF S. IN THE KAME o; VESSEL. LEL OF CAPE HORN CAPE HORN . CAPE HORN , ATLANTIC BT. TO 50° S. BOQCr. IN THE TO 60° S. 50° S. 53° S. 56° S. 67° W. 71° W. 75° W. 55° S. 53° S. 60° S. PACIFIC. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Days. September. Albany 82 63° 66° 56° 56° 55° 75° 77° 79° 16 Z. D. . . . 37 67 67° 57 56 57 71 80 81 18 Sarah Snow 38 65 65 65 57 59 60 79 81 82 17 Carringlon 28 65 65 66 57 58 56 82 83 83 21 Defiance 32 65 67 70 56 56 85 84 83 22 Eagle . . 23 51 54 59 57 59 61 83 ♦ 84 85 18 Queen of Clippers . 26 65 65 65 56 56 55 76 80 82 12 John Bertram . . 25 65 66 67 57 56 57 79 85 86 14 Sovereign of the Sea 19 64 66 67 56 56 56 78 78 79 9 Jamestown . . . 21 64 65 66 56 57 57 79 82 83 17 Comet . . 18 65 65 66 57 58 57 83 84 84 29 Trade Wind 20 65 65 65 57 58 59 82 84 85 24 Whistler . 24 63 64 65 56 56 56 78 79 81 10 Hurricane . 21 65 65 64 58 56 57 78 78 83 25 North Wind 21 65 66 66 57 57 58 79 79 78 29 Eaven . . 19 64 63 64 57. 58 57 81 82 83 26 Wild Duck- 23 65 66 65 57 57 56 79 82 84 23 Arab . . 36 65 64 65 59 58 59 78 81 84 39 Wisconsin . 33 64 66 66 58 59 59 84 84 84 40 Hero . . 29 63 64 67 57 66 55 77 83 83 20 Kremlin 29 65 65 66 57 56 55 73 81 81 11 Means 64.2 65.0 65.7 56.6 57.0 57.0 79.1 81.3 82.4 • • • 1 26.4 20.9 October. Seaman 20 65 65 69 55 57 58 77 76 77 24 Louis Philippe . . 30 63 64 65 56 56 58 76 78 80 22 Sea Witch .... 20 64 64 67 56 56 55 77 79 80 14 Typhoon . . . . 21 64 65 66 56 57 56 76 79 77 10 Eaven 18 64 66 69 56 56 56 76 82 80 19 Schooner Clifton 49 64 64 66 57 57 57 81 82 82 16 S. D. Horton . . . 27 66 66 66 57 59 57 80 76 80 38 Matilda 41 65 64 67 56 58 58 76 78 79 32 Samuel Eussell . . 26 64 65 68 56 57 57 78 78 79 15 Winged Arrow . . 21 67 67 67 56 57 58 84 83 83 20 Mandarin . . . . 20 64 64 66 57 56 58 83 84 83 22 Witch of the Wave 19 63 65 66 56 59 61 85 87 87 19 John Wade . . . 21 63 64 66 57 56 57 87 95 97 15 Wizard 14* 65 65 66 57 56 56 77 82 86 12 Means . . . . 25.6 64.6 64.8 66.7 56.2 56.3 57.3 79.4 81.0 82.3 19.5 ♦ From Rio, 622 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Gape Horn Crossings — Continued. PROM LONGITUDE OF CROSSING LATITUDE OF CROSSING LONGITUDE OF CROSSING FROM 50° PARAL- PARALLELS EAST OF MERIDIANS SOUTH OF PARALLELS WEST OF S. IN THE NAME OF VESSBI. LEL OF 3APE HORN. < MPE HORJS I. 3APE HQBM. ATLANTIC ST. KOOUB TO 50° S. IN THE TO 50° S. 50° S. 53° S. 56° S. 67° W. 71° W. 75° W. 55° S. 63° S. 50° S. PACIFIC. Days. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Long. W. Long. W Long. W. Days. November. Thomas W. Sears . 28 65° 66° 65° 59° 58° 56° 77° 81° 85° •21 Monsoon . . . . 21 63 67 67 56 58 59 78 78 80 17 John Wade 20 64 64 67 56 57 56 76 78 82 17 Senator . . . 20 63 65 63 57 57 56 76 78 81 24 Revere . . . 24 53 56 66 57 57 59 78 80 83 17 Tigris . . . 80 62 64 65 56 58 59 79 81 82 18 Fanchon . . 81 64 65 64 57 56 55 75 77 79 22 White Squall . 28 65 65 66 57 58 54 73 78 81 23 Comet . . . 20 65 65 66 56 58 56 76 81 84 12 Delegate . . 26 65 66 69 57 57 78 79 81 22 Manchester 23 62 63 62 56 57 57 79 81 81 24 Ann Maria 30 63 64 62 57 58 58 82 82 83 28 Morning Light 21 65 66 66 56 57 57 78 83 83 24 Edwin . . . 31 64 64 65 57 58 58 78 81 81 24 Skylark . . 20 63 65 64 56 56 56 76 77 78 20 N. B. Palmer . 21 65 66 66 57 58 59 79 80 80 18 Onward . . 26 63 65 64 57 58 58 80 81 80 28 Winged Arrow 23 63 67 66 56 56 56 76 79 78 18 Bald Eagle . 18 64 65 64 57 58 57 77 78 81 19 Sam'l Russell . 16 64 65 65 57 58 58 80 81 81 14 Unknown . . • 22 63 64 64 57 57 56 78 77 79 19 Parthenon . . 29 63 64 65 58 59 58 78 79 81 24 Kate and Alice 32 64 64 65 58 58 57 77 78 77 21 Means . . . . 24.3 63.3 64.8 65.1 56.7 57.2 57.1 77.3 79.4 80.0 20.6 December. Westward-Ho . . 21 63 66 64 57 56 55 73 80 82 13 Anstiss . . . 24 62 64 64 58 57 56 80 . 81 79 18 Flying Fish . 24 64 65 66 55 56 55 74 76 79 7 John Gilpin . 19 64 65 66 57 56 57 79 83 84 11 Wild Pigeon . 23 65 65 66 56 56 56 79 82 86 16 John Jay . . 30 65 64 64 56 57 56 76 79 79 19 J. E. Donnell . 34 61 63 65 56 56 55 77 78 79 13 George Raynes 26 64 64 65 56 56 55 75 78 80 11 Tigris . . . 30 62 64 65 66 58 59 78 80 82 18 Seaman . . . 23 62 . 65 66 57 57 54 75 75 78 12 Adelaide . . 29 61 64 66 58 58 56 78 79 79 19 Westward-Ho 21 66 66 65 57 56 56 78 80 82 24 Franconian 28 62 63 63 57 57 57 81 83 83 19 Cyclone . . . 22 54 56 60 59 59 58 78 81 82- 18 Sam'l Lawrence 25 63 64 65 57 57 56 76 77 78 15 Golden City . 22 65 65 67 57 57 56 76 77 79 10 Ringleader 21 64 65 64 58 58 58 78 79 80 12 Arthur . . . 32 66 65 66 57 58 56 80 80 80 19 Eureka . . . , 25 65 66 66 57 58 59 86 85 86 18 Squantum . . 28 65 66 66 57 57 57 76 77 79 19 Means . . • 25.3 63.1 64.2 65.4 57.4 57.0 56.0 77.6 79.5 80.7 15.5 CAPE HORN CROSSINGS. 623 There are some ships whose passages, to latitude 50° in the Atlautic, are too long to be taken into the average. They make such bad time as to constitute an exception from the generality. Such is the A. F. Jenness, with her 44 days in February. She, it will be recollected, is among tbe September (p. 464) crossings to St. Eoque. Her time then, from the United States to the line, was 77 days ; and in the count there, her performance, because it was out of all rule, was rejected from the means. From the parallel of Cape St. Eoque to the parallel of 50° south, at the usual crossing-place for the Cape Horn trader, is about 2,900 miles— not quite the distance from New York to Liverpool. And the most striking feature in this table is perhaps the length of the time between these parallels. The distance from the average crossing of 50° in the Atlantic to the average crossing of the same parallel in the Pacific, after having doubled the cape, is nearly half the distance from the St. Eoque parallel to the Atlantic crossing of 50° south ; and the time occupied around the cape is nearly in the same ratio. The average distance, made good against the current around Cape Horn, is 80 miles a day. The average distance from the parallel of St. Eoque to that of 50°, througb a mild climate, and with no such opposing current, is 104 miles the day. And the average distance made good by the " liners,"/rom Liver- pool to New York, is 95 miles a day ; to Liverpool, the average (made good) is 135 miles. These Cape Horn crossings are derived from the mean of 220 passages taken at random ; and they give us, it may be supposed, what may be finally considered as &fair average; for it really differs less than a day from the average as stated in the sixth edition of this work, from the mean of 125 cases. So it appears that the passage from England to New York, under canvas, in the winter time, is nearly as difficult as the passage around the Horn. Navigators are recommended to give these tables an attentive examination, for they are instructive. January is a good month from St. Eoque around the Horn, being 40.6 days. February is three days longer, the difficulty lying between the parallel of St. Eoque and that of 50° south, March is still worse, the passage then being aggravated by the difficulties from the parallel of 50° in the Atlantic to 50° in the Pacific. April is worse than all, and here the difficulty lies chiefly from St. Eoque to the parallel of 50°, the average of that part of the passage being a week or 23 per cent, longer than it is in January. From June to November, the doubling of Cape Horn is most difficult, the monthly average being between 19 and 20 days from the parallel of 50° on one side, to the same parallel on the other. The best months for doubling it are from December to April, inclusive, the average being 16| days. On the other hand, August gives the largest average from the parallel of St. Eoque to that of 50°, and November the smallest. From February to August, inclusive, the monthly mean for this part of the route is 31 days, while, for the five other months, the average is six days "less. Thus it ceases to be any longer a matter of opinion, for actual experience has decided that, as a rule, the months of the least daylight give the longest passages from Cape St. Eoque around the Horn. It is, however, useless to go into any further discussion of this table here. Every navigator can do that for himself. It is only necessary to call his attention to the very tedious time generally, which navi- gators have from the parallel of St. Eoque to that of 50° S.; how nearly all vessels pursue the same 624: THE WIND AND CUBBENT CHAETS. route* and how those vessels that go east of the Falklands, though they reach 50° sooner, lose all they gain in getting west after clearing those islands. Take, as an instance, the eight ships which did this in July. Their average time to 50° south in the Atlantic was 28, and thence around the Horn 22 days — total 50. The average of the thirteen inside ones for that month is 30 and 18 days — total 48, or a gain of two days by passing inside of the Falkland Islands. These tables afford the navigator, who is running for a quick passage, fresh points of departure in the middle of the ocean. Here he can compare his progress with the progress made by those who have preceded him at the same season of the year, and see how much he has to gain to come up with the foremost among them, or how much he has to spare, and still hold his own with the best of them. THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN. Many of the vessels engaged in the coasting trade of the United States have now to pass these straits or Cape Horn on their way to and fro between the Atlantic and Pacific parts of the country. Steamers will always find it to their advantage to pass through the straits. " In them," says a brother officer, after having made the passage through in 83 days under canvas, "the winds and weather are more moderate; the sea smooth; the anchorages good and safe; the tides, taken at the right moment, an important auxiliary ; and, with proper care and lookout, and rigid adherence to the Sailing Directions and Charts of Captains P. P. King and Fitzroy, R. N., excepting where changes have naturally taken place, the dangers are of little importance. "The head winds in the western reaches present the greatest obstacles; and, in my opinion, it is at Cape Isidro or Cape Froward that the difficulties commence. The almost perennial strong westerly winds form the only objection to the navigation of these waters." Among the many expedients to which the dangers of the sea compel vessels to resort, or among the emergencies which spring up from the business of commerce, sailing vessels, and especially small craft, may now and then find it to their advantage to take to the straits. As a rule, however, it is the route for steamers, and for the benefit of all such, I give the following sailing directions. They were prepared by Thomas S. Phelps, Master U. S. N., and are formed on information derived by him while on board the U. S. S. Decatur, of which vessel he was the master when she made the passage through. This report was addressed to the commander of the vessel, and so much of it as relates to steam navigation is subjoined : — U. S. Sloop of "Wae Decatue, Valpabaiso, Chili, January 20, 1855. "SlE : I respectfully submit the following report, containing information calculated, in my opinion, to facilitate the navigation of the Straits of Magellan, founded on actual observation during the passage of the THE STRAITS OP MAGELLAN. 625 U. S. sloop of war Decatur, under your command, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, during the months of October, November, and December, 1854. I think that, for a fast sailing, weatherly ship, the passage wonld average from twenty to twenty-five days. [She wonld, therefore, lose time by attempting the straits, for the average time from 50° S. in the Atlantic, around the Cape, to the same parallel in the Pacific, is only 17 days. M.] I can discover no reason why a steamer of any class should ever go round Cape Horn, as the average passage through the strait need not be more than three or four days; besides, the facilities forwoodino- and watering are very great. The coal mines near the Chili settlement, v;-ith little trouble, force, and expense, could be advantageously worked, and would yield all the fuel required. All the bearings, ranges, &c., given are magnetic, unless otherwise stated. The variations, as laid down by Captains King and Fitzroy, are to be relied on implicitly. Soundings North of Cape Virgins. — From ten to twelve miles north of Cape Virgins, and from five to eight from the land, there are between 37 and 43 fathoms water, with the bottom of blue mud, which changes to coarse sand and gravel farther south. Eastern Entrance of the Strait. — After making Cape Virgins, should the wind be stormy from S. W., W., or W . N. W., it would be well to run in, and anchor near the land, where the sea is smooth, and wait till the wind moderates sufficiently for proceeding. Cape Virgins may be passed in safety, at from one and a half, to two and a half miles distant. We crossed Sarmiento Bank, two and a quarter miles from the cape, sounding in 10 fathoms, sand, shells, pebbles, and slate : tide about one quarter flood. I know nothing of Sarmiento Bank, to the southward and east- ward of the above limits ; changes may, and probable have, taken place, and vessels should avoid it, until it can be examined. When past the reef, which makes out from Cape Virgins, stand along the land or S. by E., until Cape Possession is well open with Dunginess, when the course to the westward is clear. I have been informed by Captain Sweeney, of the American Merchant Marine, and the captain of the French war steamer Catinat, that Wallis Shoal no longer exists, they having sought in vain for it. After passing Point Dunginess, should the wind be ahead, and the tide flood, stand out into the main stream, where there is 40 fathoms, and there will be little difficulty in working up to Possession Bay ; but, if the tide is ebb, it would be well to anchor under Dunginess until it turns. If it blows a gale from S. W. to K. W., a vessel should anchor under Dunginess, where she can ride it out in safety, instead of running out to sea, which I believe has frequently been the case, and thereby losing much time, and magnifying the dangers of the entrance. Good anchorage, may be had along the coast, between Point Dunginess, and two miles northeast of Cape Possession, in from 12 to 18 fathoms water, and about one mile from the shore. Should it be necessary to run from these anchorages, a position can easily be taken up under Dunginess, or, if desirable, run down the Main Channel, south of Sarmiento Bank, out to sea. 79 626 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Possession Bay. — Do not anchor in Possession Bay, unless it be near the cape or south of Narrow Bank; the ground is said to be foul. Thus far all the points are well marked, and easily distinguished, excepting the point of Cape Pos- session, when to the southward and westward of it. A good rule to be adopted, when running for the First Narrows, is, not to go inside of 16 fathoms. Nmrow Bank. — On approaching Narrow Bank for an anchorage, to await the tide or otherwise, care must be taken not to have the centre of North Direction Hill bear more southerly than S. "W. by "W. ; for on that bearing with Mount Aymond N. W. \ AV., to N. W. J W., the water shoals suddenly from 21 to 6 fathoms. There has evidently a large flat made between the above bearings and Narrow Bank proper, since it was surveyed. I have no idea of the extent of this flat ; we made two tacks on it, and the least water found was 6 fathoms, and the greatest depth, 7^ fathoms, sand. There probably is good anchorage here, with plenty of room. With North Direction Hill (centre), bearing W. S. W., and Mount Aymond N. W., there is good anchorage in 21 fathoms, from which position the course S. S. "W., through the Narrows. Of Orange Bank I can say nothing; we approached it once, and the soundings instantly indicated it. In selecting objects for cross bearings. North Direction Hill and Mount Aymond are to be preferred to Cape Possession and Orange Peak. Near the entrance to the First Narrows, on Delagado Bank, is the wreck of the yacht Northern Light ; which, if the weather is clear, serves as a good mark for the entrance. First Narrows, &c. — With a flood tide there is no difficulty in the First Narrows; after emerging, should the wind fail, anchorage may be had in from 10 to 14 fathoms, between Baranca Point, and Triton Bank, taking care to avoid the kelp near the north shore. Here, as in every other part of the strait, it is difficult to discover kelp until it is close aboard, unless it is anchored in thick masses, floating, or the weather is calm. There is no danger in passing south of Triton Bank. At our anchorage near Triton Bank, and opposite the Narrows, the tide set by us at the rate of two and a half knots per hour ; while in the Narrows, we certainly had no more than three knots per hour. Gregory Bay. — When clear of Triton and Kelp Banks, steer for the highest peak of the sand hills, which form Cape Gregory, and when the extremity of the cape bears S. S. W., or a better mark when Capes St. Vincent and Gregory close, you are in 17 fathoms, with clay and shells, which is a good anchorage ; or you can stand on till within one-third of a mile from the shore, and anchor in 6 or 7 fathoms, clay. This is an excellent anchorage, and with good ground tackle one need not fear any wind. The anchorage, recommended by the surveyors, is about two miles to the N. E., abreast of the extreme northern slope of the sand hills. Be careful in approaching the land between the two anchorages, for there is a sand-spit which makes out some distance, perhaps a quarter of a mile or more. The observatory of Capt. King was on the highest peak of these sand hills ; the bush, which he mentions, has been destroyed. THE STKAITS OF MAGELLAN. 627 Second Narrows. — On leaving Gregory Bay, take advantage of the flood tide, stand out into the channel, taking care not to pass an imaginary line drawn from Cape Gregory to Point N. S. de Gracia, and there is neither danger nor difficuly in the Second Narrows. The south shore is bold close to. We experienced more current here than in any other part of the strait. If a vessel should be caught in a heavy gale here, there is little danger, as she can easily regain an anchorage in Gregory Bay. Royal Roads. — Anchor anywhere in Eoyal Roads to the northward of the shoal between Elizabeth Island and Pecket's Harbor, which I call Royal Shoal ; the ground is good, tenacious clay, the depth moderate, and there is but little tide. Between the N. E. end of Elizabeth Island and Royal Shoal, and half a mile from the former, there is good anchorage in 7 fathoms, clay. The tide sets constantly to the eastward, which prevents a vessel from tailing towards the shore. This is an excellent position for awaiting an opportunity for passing down the south side of the island. Water could be procured here by digging wells in the clay banks. Muscles, wild celery, and game abound. One-eighth of a mile from Sylvester point, there is 7 fathoms; and at about one hundred and fifty feet from 2 to 2i fathoms, with much kelp. A vessel can go close to tliis end of the island without danger. When it is flood tide, the "ripples" are very heavy, and would induce a stranger to imagine himself near a dangerous reef. No bottom was found in the "rips," with 40 fathom line out. In selecting an opportunity for passing down the south side of Elizabeth Island, ebb tide I think is to be preferred to the flood (in either case a commanding breeze is necessary), the danger of drifting on Santa Martha and Magdalena or Wallis Shoal, is entirely removed, and there is little or none of being set on Elizabeth Island; the tide flows up from the southward against the north shore, and close in forms an eddy to the southward and westward. Should, however, a vessel drift too near the island, she could anchor close in, and await a wind to enable her to proceed. Keep close to the island ; the lead will be the best guide for approaching the shore. When clear of Wallis Shoal, "steer for Laredo Bay," or down the coast. Cape Negro is easily distinguished, forming a high black bluff on the north side of Laredo Bay. Laredo Bay and Shoal.— Laredo Bay is a safe and snug harbor with good holding ground. Off the south point, a "Flat" extends out to the eastward, as near as I could judge, about one and a half miles, with 3 fathoms on it. I sounded to within one-eighth of a mile from the shore, and 3 fathoms was the least water found. To enter Laredo Bay from the southward, keep Porpesse Point and the S. W. end of Elizabeth Island a little open (which will clear the shoal), until the centre of the bay bears W. S. W, when steer that course until well in, and anchor in 5, 6, or 7 fathoms. The north shore is bold close to, and one-fourth of a mile from the N. W. point is an excellent anchorage, with the bottom of tenacious clay. This place possesses no facilities for wooding or watering, but there is an abundance of game. On leaving, stand out E. N. E. till the above range is on, when the course to the southward is clear. (Jalilina Bay. — There is good anchorage in Catilina Bay from one-half to one mile from the shore, on 628 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. clay bottom ; the lead is the only guide for approaching the land. Five miles south of Laredo Bay the country is thickly wooded. Eather more than three miles north of the extreme end of Sandy Point (Punto Arenas), there is a small stream of most excellent water, which can be easily procured. By leading a hose from a small cas- cade to the boat, casks can be filled in a few minutes without the trouble of disembarking them. Wood is also easily obtained. About one-eighth of a mile south of the stream there is a small inlet, affording a good harbor and landing for boats. Sandy Point. — On passing Sandy Point, give it a berth of at least one and a half miles, for a shoal extends out to the eastward /mZ?^ one mile. A large pyramidal buoy will soon be placed on this shoal, in four fathoms water, at low tide. It will be painted black, with the depth of water, in fathoms, marked in white on each side. CJdli Settlement. — Chili Settlement, in the Territory of Magellan, and Province of Punto Arenas, is situated about three miles to the southward and westward of the extremity of Sandy Point, where the trend of the land turns suddenly to the southward. It consists of about eighteen buildings, including a church, storehouse, carpenter's and blacksmith's shops. The inhabitants number about one hundred and forty. Prom six to nine miles back in the country, there is an extensive coal mine, which, in a few years, will probably render this place an important station ; for the Strait of Magellan must, sooner or later, become the great thoroughfare for steamers from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, unless a canal is made across the Isthmus of Darien. The anchorage is exposed from east to S. S. W. ; the ground is good, and there is six fathoms water, to within one-fourth of a mile from the shore, with the flagstaff bearing N. W. On approaching or leaving the anchorage, care must be taken not to ground on the 'Spit,' which makes to the southward and eastward about one-fourth of a mile, and is formed by a river which disembogues at this place. The ' Spit' is about three-fourths of a mile to the eastward of the town. The anchorage to the north of the point is superior in every respect to the one on the south side ; it is more protected, wood and water are more easily procured, and there is no diificulty in their embarkation ; whereas, at the settlement, with south and southwesterly winds, there is much, and frequently, a dangerous surf. From Sandy Point to Port Famine. — Between these two places, keep well on the west shore, and watch the squalls which blow from the land close by. By keeping well out in the stream, there appears to be considerable northerly current, and the wind varies so frequently that it is difficult beating. Avoid Eocky Point. I have been informed that a shoal extends out about one mile. Port Famine. — For any class of vessels. Port Famine is a safe, convenient, and well protected harbor, with muddy bottom. There is no difficulty in entering or leaving, unless the wind fails. Kelp extends off about one hundred and fifty feet from Point Santa Anna, which should be avoided. I have been informed that there is a dangerous rock in it, near the point. THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAIC, 629 In the second cove to the northward and westward of Point Santa Anna, excellent water is easily procured, by digging wells at the edge of the bank. The beach is -strewn with drift-wood, which makes excellent fuel ; besides this, the facilities for wooding are not good, although there is plenty of it. Steamboat Cove is a snug little bay, which might be serviceable for small vessels, when unable to reach Port Famine; it would be better for them to anchor here, than to remain under way all night. There is no difficulty in recognizing Point Santa Anna. Of the clumps of trees on the point, men- tioned by Captain King, R. N"., a large number have been cut down; but enough remain to serve as a mark ; near them is a house conspicuously placed, and, on the higher lands, the cemetery and ruins of the settlement still remain, which alone are suflScient to indicate the place. Port Famine to St. Nicholas Bay. — In sailing from Port Famine to Cape Isidro, with a westerly wind the squalls are very severe. Mount Sam, of which Cape Isidro is the southeastern point of its base, has several deep gullies, where one is almost certain to meet with furious ' Willie Waus.' With westerly winds. Cape Isidro is difficult to pass, but when once round, a ship can work to windward very well as far as St. Nicholas Bay, by keeping on the north shore and taking advantage of the slants. The harbors in this vicinity are easily distinguished. St. Nicholas Bay. — The peak of Noadales and Nassau Island are sufficient marks for the locality of this bay. It is an excellent harbor, the ground good, and, to the eastward of the islet, from 6 to 8 fathoms, mud and sand, will be found until close in. Soundings will not be obtained until nearly between the islet and the eastern point of the harbor, when the depth changes suddenly from 50 to 7 fathoms. There is plenty of room on both sides of the islet, but less water than when the place was surveyed. Snug Bay. — A small green islet is the distinguishing mark for this bay. It is the first harbor to the westward of Cape Froward, and five miles from it. It is a fine capacious bay, with a sand beach — two rivulets emptying into it. To the eastward of the islet and ridge of rock.s, extending from it to the shore, in a northwesterly direction, there are from 6 to 8 fathoms all over the bay, until close in. The water shoals suddenly from 17 to 8 fathoms, and soundings will not be obtained with a hand lead till the islet bears about N. W. by W. i W. On entering Snug Bay, give the islet a berth of one-fourth to three-fourths of a mile, passing to the eastward of it ; from one-quarter to one-half of a mile is the best ; and when the rock to the northward and westward of the isles is in range with the centre of the mount which forms Cape Holland, there is 8J fathoms. When the above mount is between the rock and western point of the bay, or the former is closing with the latter, there is 7 fathoms, which is probably the best anchorage, as it is well protected from east round by north to southwest. When the southern point of Cape Holland is in range with the western point of the harbor, there are six fathoms, and about a cable's length further, four fathoms. The bottom is composed of clay, sand, and broken shells. Owing to the high precipitous mountains with which the bay is surrounded, it appears much smaller 680 THE WIND AND CURKENT CHARTS. than it really is ; which is the probable reason why navigators have passed it by so lightly. It is formed very much like the Bay of St. Nicholas. Wood^s Bay. — Wood's Bay is inferior to Snug Bay in size, and also as an anchorage. There is no difficulty in entering or leaving, and it is a good stopping place. Wood and water are easily procured. There is a large stream emptying into the bay, and a little to the eastward of it there is a small brook of good water. It is not advisable to go much inside of 8 fathoms, as the water near the shore shoals — sud- denly from six to four and one fathoms. By anchoring to the eastward of the river, and avoiding the kelp in front of the shore sufficiently to allow a vessel to veer, a good berth will be secured. Bottom, fine sand. On entering or leaving Wood's Bay, when the following points are in range with Cape Holland, the corresponding depths will be found : — The south point of Charles Island 8J fathoms. North " " " 12 " Monmouth Island 13J " Charles Island open about its length 15 " And when the south point of Charles III. Island is in range, there is deep water. Garde's Bay. — When unable to reach Fortescue Bay, Corde's Bay is a very good and convenient anchorage. Ten to six fathoms, with occasional kelp, will be found from one-half to one mile from the shore. Directions for Anchoring. — Stand in about half way between Muscle Island and the west point of the bay, off which there is a large mass of kelp ; and when between the island and point, or when the most southern point of land between Fortescue and Corde's Bays is in range with Monmouth Island, anchor in 7 fathoms, clay, sand, and shell, and there will be plenty of room to veer. I found 6 fathoms close to Muscle Island, and the rocks to the southward and eastward of it, and 5 fathoms in the edge of the kelp off the western point of the harbor. If the weather is mild, you can anchor outside as soon as you get six fathoms. The bottom is clay and pebbles under sand. Fortescue Bay. — Fortescue Bay is a good anchorage in every respect, and equal to any in the strait ; it is entirely devoid of danger, and the shore is bold close to. Good anchorage will be found wherever there are from 7 to 12 fathoms, giving the ship sufficient room to swing, and to veer cables if necessary. The bottom is composed of mud and sand. By bringing Wigwam Island to bear N. N. W., and steering for it until in 7 or 6 fathoms, the anchorage recommended by Captain King,' E. N., will be secured. About two or three cables' lengths from the shore in the northwestern part of the bay, in 7 fathoms, a ship will be in a very snug berth, and be well protected from the prevailing winds. If it is desirable to wood and water, the first anchorage is the most convenient, as it is near the river on the eastern shore, opposite to Wigwam Island, where most excellent water may be procured by pulling a short distance np the stream. THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN, 681 (hj)e Qallant to York Roads. — From Cape Gallant to within about one mile and a half of Passage Point, the shore is very steep and bold close to, and there is no appearance whatever of an anchorage ; but, between Passage Point and the above distance to the eastward of it, there are several beaches, composed of sand and shingle, and also two rivers. Abreast of the largest or western river, which disembogues near the middle of a long sand beach, there appears to be, and no doubt is, very good anchorage. Passage Point will be recognized by a rock a short distance from it. We did not enter Elizabeth Bay ; it appeared to be well protected and a good anchorage. When abreast of Rupert's Island, it cannot be mistaken. York Roads. — This anchorage is easily distinguished by Woody Point, and the great width of Batchelor River. A shoal makes out from the shore about one-fourth of a mile, and from Woody Point more than half a mile, which should be carefully avoided, as the water shoals suddenly from 6 to 3 fathoms. Although the bottom is fine coral,* and very bad holding ground, there appears to be little danger of a ship's dragging; as the Decatur rode out a heavy gale of nine days' duration, and most of the time with only one anchor down. It is an excellent stopping- place; and the shore abounds with wood, game, wild celery, and scurvy grass. When standing into York Roads for an anchorage, bring the mouth of Batchelor River to bear half way between two remarkable distant peaks beyond the valley ; steer in this range, and when in from 10 to 8 fathoms, anchor ; when this position is secured, the most southern point of land on the north shore, which can be seen beyond Passage Point, and the eastern point of the Roads will be open, apparently, from one to two ships' lengths. 'fides. — The tides between Cape Gallant and Cape Quod are very strong, and exceedingly so between Passage Point and the latter place; the success of a vessel beating to windward /ie?-e, depends almost entirely upon them. At York Roads, on the full and change days, it was high water at 2 P. M. Nineteen westerly, and eighteen easterly tides were observed, from which data the average duration of the westerly current is six hours and seven minutes, and the easterly six hours and thirty-four minutes. The tides are not regular, owing to the fresh prevailing winds which frequently cause them to vary from one to three hours. Byroris Shoal. Crooked Reach. — Near the eastern entrance of Crooked Reach, and about half a mile from the north shore, lies a shoal on which Commodore Byron anchored, in the Dolphin, in 15 fathoms water. A short distance to the eastward of the Dolphin's position, with Cape Quod bearing W. S. W., and Jerome Point N. by E. \ E., there is a large mass of anchored kelp, through which the Decatur passed sounding in 6 fathoms; the rock to which the kelp is attached, being frona one to two hundred feet to the eastward. Of the depth of water on this rock I have no idea, as we had no opportunity of examining it. A line drawn from the anchorage in York Roads to Cape Quod will pass about half a mile to the south- * Was thig coral liviug or tIeaJ? Spccimcne of it would have been very acceptable — M. 632 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. ward of the kelp, and when Jerome Point bears N. N. E, a vessel bound to tlie westward will be past the Shoal. Red Rock. — Excepting Byron's Shoals, this is the only danger in Crooked Eeach. It appears to have been first reported by Lieutenant Simpson, who was with Commodore Byron in 1764. Again, in 1848, it was examined by the ofiBcers of H. B. M. steamship Gorgon, and by them received its name. They found five feet water on it, and Lieut. Simpson and Capt. Paynter both represent it as being well buoyed out by kelps. Four bearings were taken on it, which do not agree, and its position remained uncertain. Two of the bearings which do cross, locate it rather more than half a mile from the south shore between El Morion and Big Ortiz Islands. We examined this vicinity very carefully in a boat, and could discover no appear- ance of kelp or the rock. We repeatedly crossed this part of the strait, both by day and night, and no rock or anchored kelp was found. About half way between Cape Quod and the most southern of the Ortiz Islands, and projecting some distance to the southward of a line drawn from the island to the cape, there is a large mass of kelp, under- neath which I feel certain is the rock in question. This weed is a little to the northward of the middle of the strait, but in consequence of the peculiar contour of the land, and the position of the Ortiz Islands, it appears to an observer on passing, to be well on the north shore. A vessel will avoid Eed Eock by paying attention to the following directions : — When the eastern point of Borja Bay bears N. by W., or the southern Ortiz north, the rock is to the westward; and when the north point of El Morion (a light gray perpendicular rock), bears S. S. E., the rock is to the eastward. When between the above bearings, do not go to the northward of the range of Cape Quod or with the southern point of the small island near the cape, and which lies a little to the south of west from it. Do not shut the island in, and you will be well clear of the danger. Should, however, the island be obscured by thick weather, do not bring Cape Quod to bear anything to the south of west, for the cape bears about south by west from the southern edge of the kelp. I am confident that there are no other dangers in Crooked Eeach. Borfa Bay. — Borja Bay is small, well protected from the prevailing winds, and entirely free of dangers. Two rivulets of good water empty into it, and its shores abound with wood. The best anchorage is in twelve fathoms near the head of the bay, and to the westward of the eastern rivulet ; without a leading wind it is difficult to reach this position, as there is not sufficient room for a ship to beat. Vessels standing into Borja Bay with a westerly wind, should lufi" close round the kelp off the eastern end of Big Ortiz (there are fourteen fathoms in the outer edge), and if the squalls from the " Gullies" are too strong and baiBing to work in, shoot over to the N. E. side of the bay, and anywhere to the westward of its eastern point ; from three-fourths to one and a half cables' length from the beach there is good anchorage, in from fifteen to twenty -five fathoms, yellow clay. There are from three and a half to five fathoms close to the shore in the kelp. The current on this side of the bay, close in, appears to set constantly to the southward and eastward. THE STKAITS OF MAGELIiAN. 633 Long Reach. — In the present unexplored state of Long Reach, the first harbor on which a ship of five hundred tons can depend for a safe anchorage, is Plaza Parda Cove, excepting, perhaps, Velena Cove, a short distance to the eastward of Guiron Bay. "We passed close to it, and it appeared to be a good stopping place. Barceola and Orsono Bays should be carefully examined; for, if there is good anchorage in them, they are very convenient and of easy access. Langary Bay, Lion Cove, Arce and Flores Bays, follow each other in quick succession ; they are uninviting and too contracted for anything but a small brig or schooner. Guiror and Glacier Bays are conveniently located, and appear to be good anchorages. On the south shore, Swallow Bay is the only one which seems to be a good and secure harbor. Kelp extends from the island half way across the entrance, and there is a rock, a little above water, near the northeastern point of the island. Plaza Parda Gove. — This excellent harbor will be easily recognized by its proximity to the deep Bay of Plaza Parda and Shelter Island. The depth of water varies from 4 to 7 fathoms. There are 7 fathoms alongside the steep shores of Middle Point, and in the thick kelp on either point of the entrance, 3 J fathoms. Kelp extends nearly half way across from the western shore, but it is anchored in 5 and 6 fathoms. The Decatur anchored in 6 fathoms, sticky bottom, with kelp all around her. The inner harbor, connected with the outer one by a channel about one hundred and fifty feet wide, is one o'f the most complete wet docks in the world. It is entirely sheltered from all winds, and several streams of excellent water empty into it, which can be procured without difficulty. This is an excellent harbor for a steamer or schooner. A vessel can go close alongside of Middle Point. Wood is very scarce. Directions for Anchoring. — Stand in about half way between the east and west points of the entrance, and, when between them, anchor. By keeping clear of the thick kelp off the Point, there is, I believe, no danger but what is above water. Near Cape L'Etoil, there is a fine bay extending to the northward nearly a mile, of which no mention is made in the Sailing Directions ; at its head there is a sand beach, and every appearance of an anchor- age. This would be a good harbor for a steamer, as it is convenient and well protected. Sea Reach. — With the exception of the Harbor of Mercy, I know nothing of the anchorages in Sea Eeach, as we did not visit any other. All the harbors are easily distinguished. Harbor of Mercy. — On approaching this harbor, it appears to be merely a slight indentation in the coast, but Observation Islands serve to point it out distinctly. It is a most excellent and convenient harbor, and well deserves its name. Abreast #f the islands, there are 11 and 12 fathoms, and kelp all the way across, with good holding ground. A vessel should anchor at or near the mouth of the cove in the southwestern point of the harbor ; by coming-to further out, she will be at too great a distance from the watering places, and exposed to a heavy swell. General Remarlcs. — I believe that there are no dangers in the Straits of Magellan, excepting those 80 634 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. ■which have at different periods been noticed, and directions, for most of them, are embodied in the works of Captains King and Fitzroy, E. N. We certainly have had an opportunity of testifying to the truth and accuracy of their Charts and Sailing Directions, on our long passage from Cape Virgins to the Pacific. Disregarding the wind and weather, I do not believe that there is a body of water in the world, of equal dimensions, so devoid of danger, or so easily or safely navigated. I must again repeat, that the strong westerly winds and rains in the Western Eeaches, form the sole objections to the passage of a sailing vessel from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean ; and I would advise no square-rigged merchant vessel to undertake it on that account. For a steamer, there is no difficulty ; and this is the route for them. Were a line of good tug-boats established here, few vessels would ever go round Cape Horn. The passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic is simple enough, as the winds are fair during eleven months of the year, in the difficult reaches. From Cape Virgins to Sandy Point, northerly and easterly winds are common, and there is but little rain ; but from the latter point to Cape Pillar, westerly winds blow almost constantly, and there is seldom a day but what either snow or rain falls, between Capes Gallant and Pillar. Between Cape Froward and Charles Islands, the Strait is from 5 to 7 miles wide, and there is plenty of room to work ship. English, Crooked and Long Eeaches are narrow and confined, varying in width from one and a quarter to two and a half miles; and in either of these, no one, unless forced by calms, should ever remain under way all night. We were obliged to pass several nights in the two latter Eeaches, and I can safely assert that no one who has ever tried the experiment will care to repeat it. Sea Eeach is from seven to fourteen miles wide, and, if caught out here at night, there need be no apprehension, as there is sufficient room to work ship, and the shores are bold and high. Nearly all the headlands in the Strait are easily distinguished. The tides between Cape Virgins and English Eeach are very regular, and it is important that a ship should take advantage of them. Between Capes Gallant and Quod they are exceedingly irregular, and it is difficult to know when it is flood or ebb in the stream. It is useless to attempt to beat against them in English Eeach. After passing Cape Quod, they are of little importance. There appears to be a current, governed by the winds, running to the eastward ; as a general thing, it will not materially affect a vessel's beating to windward. In the western Eeaches every one must be prepared for some very violent squalls, frequent rain, snow, hail, and thick weather, which, however, during the day, do not much impede navigation unless it is From Catilina Bay to Barja Bay, wood, water, game, muscles and limpets abound in nearly every THE BAROMETER OFF CAPE HORN. 635 harbor on tlie Patagonia shore. I know but little of the Faegian coast. To the westward of Cape Quod, the harbors will furnish plenty of water, but small supplies of wood. I cannot close this report without expressing my thanks and obligations to the captain of the French war steamer Catinat (I regret that I do not know his name), and to Captains Sweeney and "Waterman, of the American merchant service, for valuable information relating to the Straits of Magellan. Very respectfully. Your obedient servant, THOMAS S. PHELPS, Late Master of the Decatur." Isaac S. Sterett, Esq. Commanding U. S. Sloop of War Decatur. THE BAROMETER OFF CAPE HORN. In 1831, I doubled Cape Horn in the U. S. ship Falmouth. I was master of the ship, and it did not escape my attention that there were certain anomalies of the barometer in those regions. I found the barometric pressure off and about Cape Horn, not only much less than it is at the sea-level generally, but I observed that certain fluctuations of the barometric column off the Horn, did not, as in other parts of the sea, always indicate certain changes in the weather. I communicated a paper upon this subject to the American Journal of Arts and Sciences* which was published in that Journal in 1834, and from which the following extract is taken : — " The barometer has not been found to be of much practical utility off Cape Horn ; how useful soever it may be in middle latitudes, by indicating the approach of hurricanes, it is no index to the wind in the high latitudes to the south of Cape Horn. He who, in the Chinese seas, is warned by the barometer of the approaching typhoon, and can foretell the coming of a gale by the height of the mercury in it, finds that off Cape Horn the same indications are frequently followed by moderate breezes, and even by calms. Here, the mercury below the mean height of lower latitudes becomes very unsteady, falling and rising several inches in a few hours. During the strength of a gale, sometimes it is observed to rise; at other times, it falls, or remains in statu quo. Its mean height, south of the latitude of Cape Horn, is 29.03 in. " As the Pacific coast of Terra del Fuego and Patagonia is approached with the wind from the west- ward, the mercury in the barometer ascends. When the wind is strong, it rises above thirty inches, and close under the land, with fresh westerly gales, it frequently stands above 30.50 in. " From lat. 45°, embracing a region towards the south of twelve or thirteen degrees in breadth, the most prevalent winds are from the westward. Vessels entering this region from the south have a rise in * Vol. XXVI. p. 54. 636, THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. the barometer, when the wind is on the land. The rise is generally observed to commence about the latitude of the cape, continuing to increase as the land is neared ; and, when the winds are fresh, a greater accumulation of atmosphere is shown by a higher range of the mercury. " The result of my own barometrical observations, compared with others to which I have had access, shows that within this region the barometer stands higher, when the winds are from the westward, than it does, caeleris parilus, between the same parallels in the Atlantic. The difference is nearly as 29 to 30, and increases as the land is approached. This accumulation of atmosphere is caused from the obstruction which the mountains of Patagonia, and the highlands of Terra del Fuego afford to the winds in their pas- sage across the continent towards the Atlantic."* According to Erman, there is a low barometer also in the sea of Ochotsk. This observant traveller mentions also a district— the basin of Lake Baikal— remarkable for its barometric anomalies, in Asia ; where, in winter, there is a cloudless sky with a high barometer. This region of permanently dry and heavij air, is antipodal to the region of light and damp air off Cape Horn. But it is probably due to the influence of the desert and mountain ranges of Asia, which, after having extracted the moisture from it, and then withholding supplies of more, combines to disturb the general system of atmospherical circulation. Several years (1839) after I had called attention, in SilUmarCs Journal, to the low barometer off Cape Horn, the Eoyal Society of England alluded to the phenomenon in their report on the Instructions for Eoss' Expedition to the Antarctic Kegions. They point to a remark by Captain Foster, as the first sugges- tion of this anomalv. The Prussians claim it for their Admiral LUtke, who observed it when he doubled the cape in 1827. I am unable to decide as to priority. I lay no claim to it ; for the phenomenon was traditional among Cape Horn navigators, when I first doubled that cape. This was in the U. S. ship Brandy wine, 1826; and no observant navigator can perform that voyage, without noting the low range of his barometer in those stormy regions. My own opportunities, however, for investigating this subject in 1831, 1832, were not as good as they now are. I determined, therefore, with sea journals in abundance before me, to review the question of mean height, as well as to re-examine the opinions of navigators concerning the barometric indications as to the weather oflf the cape. I thereupon requested Mr. 0. C. Badger, P. M. U. S. Navy, to extract, from the first Cape Horn abstracts that he should take up, the opinions therein expressed with regard to the barometer. In a little while he brought me in a number, among which but three, viz : Capt. Hull, of the Charles Mallory, Capt. Littlefield, of the Alboni, and Capt. Scott, of the Adelaide Metcalf, spoke in favor of it. Capt. Hull says: " My barometer tells the weather here to a charm." Capt. Littlefield says: "Never, in one instance, has my barometer deceived me;" and Capt. Scott remarks: "Thus far, I think, the barometer has been an infallible guide as to the weather." 1 have also, since, received tlie following log of the ship Queen of- Clippers (John Zerega), from New York to San Francisco. " Sept. 2. Lat. 56° 08' S. ; long. 65° 27' W. Barometer at noon, 28.70 ; temperature of air, 36° ; of On the Navigation of Cape Horn, by M. F. Maury, P. Mid. U. S. Navy, Vol. XXVI. Am. Joum. Sciences. THE BAROMETER OFF CAPE HORN. 637 water, 40°. Winds: first part, W. N. W.; middle part, S. S. W.; latter part, "W. by S. Commences light winds and beautiful weather ; at 2 P. M. heavy tide rips, nearly turn the ship round with the wheel hard up. At 9 P. M. light wind from S. W., wore ship. At 10 P. M., calm, squall gathering from S. S. W. ; in royals, and clewed up everything except topsail and foresail ; but before we got through, it struck ua, and I was glad that I was so well prepared for it. It blew very hard for three hours ; close reefed fore and mizzen topsails, and doubled reefed main topsail and mainsail. Latter part, heavy gales and hail ; ship under the same sail. We seem to be pursued by contrary winds. (I see in your book of Directions, that some of the captains state that they do not consider the barometer as a guide in high southern latitudes ; but I diilfer from them, although I may not have had as much experience as some of them, having been 13 years at sea, of which time I have been captain six years). I think, if the glass falls three or four tenths in a few hours, it is almost positive that it will be succeeded by a gale or very heavy gust, which will last several hours, although the simple fact that the barometer falls does not, as a natural consequence, predict wind ; it only shows that there is a commotion in the atmosphere in your vicinity, which may be succeeded by wind or rain, but I think more likely by the former. If you would be so kind as to write me, on my next voyage, a particular track which I should follow, you would oblige me very much; also the mistake which I made on this voyage ; and, if you please, I should like to hear your opinions concerning the baro- meter." All the other opinions are adverse ; I quote a few of them : — " The barometer remains low all the time ; it appears to be of no use here." — D. C. Landis, ship F. W. Brum. " Barometer useless." — W. L. Phinney, ship Kentucky. "The mercury here appears to be very lively — will rise and fall from 30.10 to 29.16 rapidly; but it is to be observed that this variation is not attended with the same degree of increase and decrease of wind that we experience elsewhere. Consider the barometer here of very little use." — T. Dahlgren, barque Byron. "Barometer rising; but find it no guide whatever." — S. M. Hudgins, barque Hugh Birkhead. "Barometer, unsteady; squalls the same, without any apparent effect on the barometer. I do not trust to it." — Cliarles A. Banleli, ship Swprise. "The mercury fell this day 1.42 in., and no wind to speak of."— TT. E. Putnam, ship Empreaa of tlie Seas. " I watch the barometer closely ; but do not think it is to be depended on here as in the North Atlantic Ocean." — Samuel Harding, ship Robert Harding. "My barometer has been almost useless since I was in the latitude of the Eio de la Plata. The heaviest gales I had, it ranged from 29.15 to 29.40, and it has been as low as 28.35 with a whole sail breeze. It has, however, invariably fallen for a northerly wind, and risen for a southerly one. It has ranged during the last six weeks from 28.35 to 30." — Oliver H. Saunders, ship B. Howard. ggg THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. " I have never known tlie barometer to range so low, and know not what to make of it." — B. Buxton, ship Union. "A most extraordinary fluctuation in the barometer, from 30.03 in. to 29.3 in., the weather and appearance giving no indication of storm or rain." — Robert McGerran, ship Defiance. " The barometer continues to fall, although the wind is southwest. I have always seen it rise with the wind from that quarter."— W. B. Daniels, ship Seaman. " The barometer ranges the highest with the wind W. S. "W"., and lowest from the northward. It either accompanied or followed the change, never preceded it." — John Oillan, barque Delegate. " I do not see that it (the barometer) is a guide to be depended upon. Certainly, my experience, this passage, would show its fall followed by delightful weather."— i^. F. Coffin, ship Senator. These opinions fully sustain the opinion which my own observations and experience induced me to express twenty years ago. The anomalies, however, of a mean low pressure were well deserving of a close investigation. I therefore requested Mr. A. A.Semmes, Passed Midshipman of U. S. Navy, to arrange from the log-books of the office the following tables, to show the average height of the barometer off Cape Horn, and in the trade-wind region north and south, both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. With regard to these tables, I should remark that the barometer has been entered in the tables with- out any correction whatever ; and that the barometer to which the tables refer, is the common mercurial marine barometer. Though this instrument, as at present used and constructed for the sea, abounds with sources of error, there is but one of the errors arising from the many sources, for which the correction may be applied on board ships, and that is for temperature. Every navigator knows that mercury is one of the most expansible of metals, and that a column of this fluid, for instance, that is exactly thirty inches long at the temperature of 80° will not be exactly thirty inches long at any other temperature, say that of zero. Its absolute weight will be just as much at the one temperature as at the other ; and, therefore, the atmospheric pressure remaining the same, it is easily under- stood how the height of the barometer will change with every change of temperature. Since, then, the temperature of the trade-winds is higher than that of the gales off Cape Horn, the baro- meter in the open air ought to show a greater apparent pressure — i. e., a higher column — in the former than in the latter region. This difference would amount, on the average, only to the expansion of the mer- curial column due the change of temperature. This difference of column would probably not amount to as much as 0.2 inch (two-tenths of an inch), if the Cape Horn barometer were kept in the open air ; but gene- rally it is not so kept. It probably does not amount, in reality, to more than 0.05 inch, if so much ; for the usual place for the barometer is the captain's cabin, and there the temperature to which it is subjected is probably not more than a few degrees, at most, below that of the trade-winds. The stove in the cabin, the heat of the crew below, all tend to lessen, in the cabin, the difference of temperature between winter and summer. THE BAROMETER OFF CAPE HORN. 639 Nevertheless, if navigators would always require a thermometer to be attached to the barometer (or would not purchase a barometer without an attached thermometer), and would note it also whenever the barometer is recorded, the correction for temperature, be it much or little, might be applied. This correction cannot be applied here, because navigators are not in the habit of observing the attached thermometer. Now, here is a most important and interesting physical phenomenon, which cannot be properly or thoroughly investigated for the want of a marine barometer capable of giving correct absolute determina- tions. Nay, we are embarrassed and crippled in the investigation for the want of the readings of the attached thermometer. If we had these, we could show, from the observations we have, very nearly the exact diifer- ence between the mean height of the barometer in the trade-winds and off Cape Horn. T mention this to illustrate the importance of a nicer and more accurate system of observations, as recommended by the Brussels Conference.* Let us return to the tables. Now, as the barometers in these tables, which show the pressure in the trade-winds, are the identical barometers which show the pressure off Cape Horn also — they require no correction, save that of tempera- ture, to show the difference between the absolute barometric pressure in the trade-winds, and off Cape Horn. If the barometer have an error of 0.2 in., or an error of any other value too much or too little in the trade-winds, it carries precisely the same error off Cape Horn. These tables, therefore, though they do not show truly— because of the undetected errors of the common- marine barometer — the real pressure of the atmosphere, either in the trade-winds or off Cape Horn, yet they do show correctly, or very nearly so, the difference of pressure in those regions. The difference is truly remarkable, and is well worthy of farther investigation. * Good, accurate, and standard marine barometers are now furnished by James Green, of New York, upon a plan devised by myself. The price is $38. P. Adie, 395 Strand, London, also manufactures a standard marine barometer, after a pattern approved by the British Association for the advancement of Science. The price of these is £3 5s 6 ATLANTIC. PACIFIC. ATLANTIC. PACIFIC. NAME OF VESSEL. No. No. No. No. No. Month. Bar. of Month. Bar. of Month. Bar. of Month. Bar. of Month. Bar. of days days days 1 I days days April. Thomas B. Wales . . IV. 30.12 6 VII. 30.06 4 T. 29.81 5 IT. 30.05 6 VI. 30.06 5 Queen of the East IV. 29.95 4 VIII. 29.42 5 TI-VII. 28.90 5 V. 29.68 4 TII. 29.82 5 " " IV. 29.92 5 VIII. 29.42 6 VI. 29.40 4 V. 22.68 5 VII. 29.82 5 Harriet Iloxie . . IV. 29.87 4 VII. 30.74 4 V. 29.18 4 IV. 29.72 4 TII. 29.75 3 White Squall . IV. 30.41 4 VII. 30.02 4 VI. 29.58 4 V. 30.62 5 VI. 30.12 4 llorsburgh . . IV. 30.19 4 VII. 30.04 5 V. 29.46 4 IV. i 30.01 5 VI. 30.09 4 liaduga . . , IV. 29.92 4 VIII. 30.10 5 VI. 30.04 6 V. 29.92 5 VII. 30.00 5 Lion .... IV. 29.81 6 XII. 29.98 6 II. 29.05 4 III. '29 89 4 I. 29.96 5 R. C. Winthrop IT. 30.10 4 VII. 30.08 5 VI. 29.22 6 V. j 30.38 5 TII. 30.08 5 Competitor . . IV. 29.83 4 VII. 30.00 6 V. 29.43 3 IT. 29.92 5 VI. 30.00 4 Empress of the Seas IV. 29.90 4 TI. 30.10 6 V. 29.50 4 IV. 29.89 5 VI. 29.96 5 Parthian IV. 29.64 5 VII. 29.82 5 V. 29.05 4 IT. ,29.66 4 VI. 30.10 6 53 68 52 57 56 Means 29.98 29.93 29.35 29.94 29.98 Mat. Fenclon V. 29.90 5 XI. 30.02 4 VIII. 29.60 4 TI. 29.92 6 X. 30.37 4 N. B. Palmer .... V. 30.02 6 Tin. 30.16 6 VII. 28.84 5 TI. 29.88 6 VII. 30.16 4 StafFordbhire .... V. 29.86 6 VIII. 29.96 6 VII. *a 28.82 4 TI. 29.95 4 VI. '^SO.IO 4 Tartar V. 29.84 4 VIII. 29.90 5 VI. 29.08 5 T. 29.84 4 VII. 29.89 7 20 20 IS 19 19 Means 29.90 30.01 29.08 29.90 30.13 June. Witch of the AVavo . . VI. .30.16 4 VIII. 30.10 3 VII. 29.55 4 TI. 30.00 4 VIII. 30.09 5 Carioca .... VI. 30.01 6 IX. 29.85 4 VIII. 28.98 4 TI. 29.90 4 VIII. 29.65 5 F. Copeland & Co VI. 30.30 5 IX. 30.17 4 VIII. 29.50 5 TI. 30.25 4 IX. 30.14 5 Union . . . VI. 30.20 4 IX. 29.87 5 VIII. ta 28.50 4 TI. 29.73 4 Till. 29.95 4 Messenj!;er . . TI. 30.00 4 IX. 29.96 5 VII. 29.28 4 TI. 30.02 5 Till. 30.03 5 Samsset . . . TI. 30.42 4 IX. 30.10 4 VIII. 29.70 4 Til. 30.24 6 IX. 30.26 6 26 25 26 26 29 Means 30.18 30.01 29.25 30.03 30.00 Jui.y. Defiance VII. 29.82 5 XI. 30.05 4 IX. 29.00 4 Till. 30.00 4 Z. 29.88 6 Matilda VII. 30.61 4 XII. 30.47 6 X. ta 29.82 9 Till. 30.52 5 XI. 30.50 6 Raduga VII. 29.68 6 XII. 29.80 5 X. J6 29.38 4 Till. 29.58 5 X. 30.00 4 14 15 17 14 16 Means ■ 29.97 30.11 29.42 30.03 29.96 August. Raven vin. 29.80 4 XI. 29.90 5 IX. 29.60 4 IX. 29.96 4 X. 30.06 5 Fancy VIII-IX 30.00 4 II. 30.20 6 XI. §a 28.72 5 IX. 30.00 5 I. 30.10 6 Wessacumcon .... VIII. 30.05 5 I. 29.93 6 X. 28.78 6 IX. 30.07 5 I. 30.03 5 13 15 15 14 15 Means 29.95 30.01 29.06 30.01 30.06 * Gales for the most part. a. S. to W. % Gales for the most part. a. W. N. W. to W. S. W. b. S. W. to W. § Gales for the most part. a. S. S. W. to N. W. round by W. 81 f Gales for the most part. a. N. W. to W. S. W. 612 THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. Barometric Anomalies off Cape Horn and in the Trade Winds — Continued. N. E. TRADES. CAPE HORN. S. E. TRADES. ATLANTIC. PACIFIC. ATLANTIC. PACIFIC. KAME OF VESSEL. No. No. No. No. No. Month. Bar. of days Month. Bar. of days Month. Bar. of days .Month. Bar. of days Month. Bar. of days Septemuer. Delegate IX. 30.07 3 I. 30.02 5 XI. *a 29.11 5 X. 30.08 5 I. 30.02 6 Clias. Mallory . . , IX. 29.80 3 XII. 29.88 4 XI. 28.73 4 X. 29.87 4 XII. 29.97 4 Malay IX. 30.14 4 XII. 30.19 6 XI. 29.05 4 X. 30.16 4 XII. 30.17 4 Kobt. Pulsford . . IX. 29.91 4 I. 29.90 3 XI. 28.87 5 X. 29.90 5 XII. 30.00 5 U. S. S. Vandalia IX. 30.12 4 III. 29.98 5 XII. 29.27 4 X. 30.08 4 II. 29.89 4 18 23 22 22 23 Means 30.01 29.99 29.01 30.02 30.01 October. Comet X. 29.99 3 II. 29.90 4 XI. 29.45 5 XI. 29.90 3 I. 29.90 4 Golden City X. 29.78 3 XII. 29.67 5 XI. t6 28.53 4 X. 29.70 • 6 XII. 29.81 4 "Wild Pigeon X. 30.17 4 I. 30.30 5 XII. ta 29.05 4 IX. 30.17 4 I. 30.25 6 Ambassador X. 29.88 4 I. 30.00 5 XII. 29.17 5 X. 29.91 5 I. 29.95 4 Acasta . , X. 30.00 5 III. 30.00 5 I. 29.03 6 XI. 30.00 4 III. 30.00 4 Comet . . X. 30.17 4 I. 30.16 5 XI. 29 34 4 X. 30.05 5 XII. 30.07 5 Goneseo X. 30.03 3 III. 30.25 5 I. 29.75 4 XI. 29.96 4 II. 30.23 5 Tornado . . X. 29.77 3 VIII. 29.81 4 IX. 29.49 4 X. 29.77 4 VIII. 29.86 4 Senator . . . X. 29.97 5 I. 29.95 4 XI. 29.40 4 X. 29.95 4 XII. 30 20 4 Kealm .... X. 29.76 4 II. 29.65 5 XII. 29.33 4 XI. 29.65 4 I. 29.85 4 38 47 44 43 44 Means 29.95 29.97 29.25 29.91 30.01 November. rivingFLsh . . . . XI. 29.99 5 I. 29.80 4 XII. 29.52 4 XI. 30.00 3 I. 30.12 4 AVild Pigeon XI. 30.15 5 I. 30.02 4 XII. Ja 28.71 5 XI. 30.00 5 I. 30.21 ■5 Trade-Wind XI. 29.93 4 II. 30.01 6 I. 29.35 4 XII. 29.88 4 II. 29.95 4 Hazard . . XI. 29.89 4 II. 29.90 3 I. 29.39 5 XII. 29.90 4 II. 29.90 5 Newton . . XI. 29.87 4 III. 29.91 5 I. 29.43 5 XII. 29.93 5 II. 29.95 5 Flying Dutchman XI. 30.00 5 I. 29.93 5 XII. 29.07 5 XI. 30.01 5 I. 29.99 3 K. C. Wintlirop XI. 29.G5 4 III. 29.54 4 I. 29.35 5 XII. 29.63 5 11. 29.53 4 Sword Fish XI. 29.80 4 I. 29.96 5 XII. 28.95 4 XII. 29.75 4 I. 30.09 4 Imaum . . . XI. 30.04 5 III. 30.07 4 I. t6 29.08 5 XI. 29.96 5 40 II. 30.00 5 40 40 42 39 Means 29.92 29.91 29.10 29.90 29.97 December. Europe XII. 29.90 9 III-IV. 25.93 19 II. 28.92 14 XII-I. 29.87 III. 29.85 11 George Brown XII. 29.93 4 III. 29.80 5 II. 29.34 5 XII. 29.80 4 III. 29.83 5 Lucia Field XII. 29.74 5 III. 29.71 5 I. 29.43 5 XII. 29.74 5 III. 29.75 5 Southerner . XII. 29.88 4 IV. 29.84 5 II. §a 29.32 4 I. 29.95 5 III. 29.93 6 Uriel . . . XII. 29.84 5 IV. 29.70 6 II. §(£29.10 5 XII. 29.84 5 III. 29.80 9 Elsinore . . XII. 30.28 4 V. 30.30 5 III. 29.42 4 I. 30.05 4 IV. 30.21 4 Tingqua XII. 29.97 2 II. 30.00 4 I. 29.24 5 XII. 29.92 4 11. 29.95 4 Gray Feather XII. 29.89 5 11. 29.98 5 I. 29.27 4 XII. 29.91 4 II. 29.90 4 Golden Gate xn. 30.12 5 III. 30.00 5 I. 29.38 5 XII. 30.00 5 II. 30.06 5 Telegraph . XII. 29.85 4 II. 29.98 5 I. ?e 28.96 5 XII. 29.95 5 II. 30.83 5 Seaman . . XII. 30.12 6 II. 30.17 5 I. §6 29.57 4 XII. 30.09 5 n. 30.25 5 Surprise XII. 29.94 4 III. 30.06 5 I-II. |c 29.55 4 I. 29.95 5 II. 29.96 5 57 74 64 57 68 Means 29.96 29.96 29.29 29.91 30.02 Cleans of all . . . 29.97 29.99 29.20 29.95 30.01 Whole No. of days 473 517 490 482 509 * Gales for the most part. a. W. N. W. to W. S. W. - f Gales for the most part. a. W. to S. W. b. S. W. % Gales for the most part. a. N. to S. S. W. round by W. b. W. N. W. to W. S. W. I Gales for the most part. a. W. to W. S. W. A W. by S. to W. by N. c. S. W. to S. d. W. to S. W. e. S. W. to W. N. W. BAROMETRIC ANOMAIJES OFF CAPE HORN AND IN THE TRADE-WINDS. 643 Mean Monthly Height of the Barometer- - IN N. E. TRADES OF THE IN S. E. TRADES OF THE OFF CAPE HORN. ATLANTIC. PACIFIC. ATLANTIC. PACIHO. HONTH. Bar. Day sot oh- scrvation. Bar. Days of ob- servatioD. Bar. Days of ob- servation. Bar. Days of ob- servation. Bar. Days of ob- servation. January .... 29.90 49 30.00 50 29.34 64 29.96 22 30.04 55 February 30.00 64 29.98 42 29.24 43 29.88 74 30.03 60 March ,. 29.97 81 29.95 53 29.17 53 29.97 65 29.90 45 April 29.98 53 29.85 34 29.17 66 29.91 76 29.93 49 May . . 29.90 20 29.93 73 29.24 91 30.00 28 29.97 69 Juue . . 30.18 26 30.05 57 29.37 29 29.96 36 30.03 98 July . . . ' 29.97 14 30.07 91 29.12 17 30.24 5 29.94 40 August , . 1 29.95 13 29.84 47 29.26 21 30.03 14 29.88 32 September 30.01 18 29.94 26 29.38 12 30.01 14 30.20 10 October . 29.95 38 29.33 19 29.95 46 30.08 19 November 29.92 40 29.99 13 29.02 40 29.99 37 30.50 6 December . 29.96 57 30.00 31 29.13 35 29.88 65 30.04 26 Means . . . 29.97 473 29.96 517 29.23 490 29.98 482 30.05 509 One of the aims kept constantly in view during the preparation of these tables, was to follow the same ship with its barometer through the trade-winds of the Atlantic, around Cape Horn, and thence through the trade-winds of the Pacific, so that the barometric differences off Cape Horn might be true. If, therefore, the vessel passed through the N. E. trades of the Atlantic in January, for instance, it would be some months after before she would arrive with the same barometer in the N. E. trade-wiud region of the Pacific. Hence, the barometers are arranged by the months, in their order only, for the N. E. trades of the Atlantic. The months for the other regions are denoted by Komaa numerals — XII. fpr December , I. for January ; and so on in order of the months. The low state of the barometer in the trade- winds of the Atlantic, and especially in the N. E. trade- winds, will not escape attention. The S. E. trade-winds of the Pacific give the highest barometer. In the Atlantic, both systems of trade-winds, but the northern the most, are interfered with by the continent of Africa with its heated plains. These plains turn those winds back from their regular course, and therefore tend to lessen the pressure.* * While tlie proof of this signature is in hand, I receive a letter from Prof. Kiimtz, the celebrated meteorologist, from which the ^ ^.following is extracted: — "I have read your work with very great satisfaction and pleasure; but I must add, that it is one of those rare books that cannot bo read ; it must be attentively studied. So great is the number of important facts communicated in it, that great attention is necessary for not to overlook some observations that are made use of iu the subsequent theoretical investigations. Some remarks you have made on the westerly winds at the western coast of Africa, on the high temperature of the Indian Sea, have confirmed the conjectures I had more than twenty-five years ago, when I composed my treatise on meteorology. Romme, Dampier, aad others, said that there were here always tlie trade-winds; but, on the other hand, some observations made by Cook on his first voyage, and the opposition between the hent of the .\tlantic and the great desert of Africa, indicated that there were here westerly winds ; but having myself confined in that work to give the result of observations and not to accumulate new meteorological hypotheses to the great number of those existing at that time, I said nothing on my conjecture of westerly winds in this region. You are the first who has proved that my hypothesis was a right one. I have this not written for to diminish your merit; on the contrary, with pleasure I acknowledge yeur priority." — From a Letter of Prof . Kiimtz to Lieut. Maury, dated Dorpat, 11 th February, 1855. 644 THE WIND AND CUKKENT CHARTS. I know not how better to illustrate this than by referring to a canal which has a gentle current, and the water of which we will liken to the flow of the trade-winds. Now, suppose that, up stream from the observer, some agent, a pump, for example, be set to work upon the canal, and that it be pumping up vast quantities of water from the canal, as those heated plains of Africa pump up volumes of air from the trade-winds — for that those plains do cause vast columns of atmosphere to ascend there is no doubt, which ascending columns are, to a great extent, drawn from the trade- wind region — what would be the effect ? The level of the water in the canal would be changed ; Us barometric pressure would be diminished as it commenced to flow back, very much in the same way that the barometric pressure of the trade-winds is diminished when they are turned back, and become monsoons. The same sort of agent from the plains of Texas, New Mexico, &c., is at work upon the N. E. trade- winds of the Pacific, producing there the monsoons of Central America. Now there is no heated plain in the rear of the S. E. trades of the Western Pacific, no vis d tergo there •which is capable of converting those winds into a monsoon, or of changing their direction. Hence the normal barometrical status there — its excess in comparison with that of other trade-winds. "We may explain this in another way ; but it amounts to the same thing whether we say the effect is produced in the manner just explained, or whether we say it is produced by the greater amount of atmospherical rarefaction caused by the great extent of heating surface on the land in the northern hemisphere in comparison with that in the southern. But the Cape Horn anomaly — the difference of nearly an inch (0.8 inch), in the mean height of the barometer off Cape Horn and in the trade-winds — how is that to be accounted for ? The chapter on the " Barometric Anomalies of the Andes," p. 240, fifth edition of this work, treats of the converse of this anomaly, but alludes to the probability of an average low barometer on the western . side of those mountains. After much reflection, no new and complete explanation of this phenomenon suggests itself. The explanation which was proposed by me in SillimarCs Journal, 1834, seems, after a most careful review, to be the most plausible of any that I am prepared to suggest. From about 45° S. to the parallel of Cape Horn, lies the belt in which the westerly winds of the southern hemisphere prevail with such trade-wind like regularity. The Southern Andes stretch themselves perpendicularly across this belt. They obstruct these winds and cause a piling up of the atmosphere, not unlike the piling up of the water which is produced by a sunken rock in a strong tide way. I take Pot Eock, in Hurlgate, as an illustration, and because most American navigators will recollect it. Pot Eock was some feet below the surface, 8 or 10, yet such was the effect produced by it, in arresting the waters which the powerful tides caused to sweep over it, that there was always to be seen, when the tide was at its strength, an elevation or piling up of the water above — up stream from — the rock. It was a sort of recast or mould of the rock in the water. The greatest elevation in the water was not immediately over the rock, but it was a little up stream, BAROMETRIC ANOMALIES OFF CAPE HORN AND IN THE TRADE-WINDS. 94S t. e., to windward of it. Nor was tlie greatest depression in the water immediately over tlie rock; it was a little down stream, that is, to leeward of it. There was also another depression not so great as this, it is true, but it was a depression ; it was above, or up stream from, the piling up. Similar elevations and depressions, but on a scale much more grand, are, I suppose, created by the Andes, in the air, by reason of the obstructions afforded by these mountains to the great atmospherical currents. In considering the courses which combine to make this low barometric pressure off Cape Horn, the effect, however small, which is due increase of attraction on one hand, and a diminution of superincumbent atmosphere on the other, should not be forgotten. Owing to the figure of the earth, the flattening in at the poles, the navigator, with his barometer, is several miles nearer to the centre of attraction when he is off Cape Horn, than he is when at the equator. Being nearer to the centre, the force of attraction is greater ; and if it were possible to weigh the mercury in the tube of his barometer at the two places, he would find that 290 ounces, for instance, at the equator, would weigh 291 at Cape Horn ; in other words, that his mercury is heavier off Cape Horn than at the equator; here, then, is one of the causes, though it be a slight one, which may assist in keeping the barometer down, off Cape Horn. Another one arises from the decrease in the volume of superincumbent atmosphere, on account of those agents which make the earth flat at the poles. Suppose, for instance, that we were removed from the earth, and that, instead of seeing its shape, according to the outlines which the land and water present, we could see its shape with its aerial covering on ; we should find that the difference between the equatorial and polar diameters of this covering would be greater than the difference between the equatorial and polar diameters of the earth, as measured from the sea level. But these two causes — increase of attraction and oblateness — do not appear practically to affect, by any considerable quantity, the mean height of the barometer in corresponding latitudes north ; for instance, at St. Petersburg, in latitude 59° 56' N., the mean height of the barometer, reduced to the temperature of 62°, is 29.97. Upon a review of the whole subject, therefore, and without going into the question as to the precise effects due temperature, and the figure of the earth, we are still left to infer that the barometric anomalies about Cape Horn are owing, to a considerable extent, at least, to the effect of local agencies and causes. I hope navigators will not let this subject rest ; that they will continue to direct their attention to it, and to let me have the benefit of farther and careful observations touching the indications of the barometer off Cape Horn. That they may- the better be able to do this, they should bear in mind that the barometric pressure off Cape Horn at 29, is as common as the barometric pressure elsewhere, of 30; and that when they see the barometer off Cape Horn sink down to 28, it is no more significant of a gale than a barometer ^if THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. at 29 is ia the North Atlantic. Perhaps, if South Sea navigators will bear this fact in mind, and count the changes above and belovy 29, instead of 30, this instrument may redeem its lost character off Cape Horn. U. S. Ship St. Mary's, Valparaiso, January 20, 1854. Sir : You will receive by this steamer's mail an abstract of the run of this ship from St. Catherine's (Brazil) to this port, prepared and forwarded by the very intelligent Lieutenant, Mr. Frailey. My object in writing is to call your attention to the barometrical indications south of Staten Land and Terra del Fuego ; and to the regularity and certainty with which the mercury falls with a northerly wind and rises with a southerly. At this season — the summer — an easterly wind is rare, and, if it occurs, is of short duration. We found none. The north or northwest winds are usually accompanied by cloudy, rainy, or misty weather; soon after it sets in, the mercury begins to fall, and continues to sink as long as the wind has northing in it, when there is usually an interval of calm, or light variable winds, lasting two or three hours ; after which, it veers to the southward or southwestward, squally, precipitating the mists in the form of hail and sleet, and exposing (at the S. W.) clouds of the cumulus character. At this point the mercury begins to rise, and continues ascending as long as the wind has southing in it. A low barometer (say 28.50) will thus react with a southerly wind, and a high barometer (say 29.90) with a northerly. I inclose a copy of our barometrical tables for the purpose of clearly illustrating the law, and to which, with the excellent summary of Mr. Frailey, I direct your attention. It will be seen that, on the 10th of January, 1854, at about 4 A. M., latitude 57° 40' S., longitude 79° 10' W., wind northward and westward, we were standing on the starboard tack — all sail set — making our westing. The barometer had gradually fallen with the wind to 28.48, when the wind became light and hauled to the southward. After wearing ship, we had scarcely trimmed on the port tack when the wind freshened so suddenly that we were obliged to bear up to secure our sails. To reef was out of the question. Fortunately, we had made enough westing to run the ship clear of the land. With the foretopmast and fore storm staysails, and double reefed fore trysail set, fifteen knots were reported — afterwards fourteen. The barometer commenced rising soon after the gale set in, and, in about thirty -two hours, had reached 29.84 ; and, when the wind again veered to the northwest, commenced falling. This has been my experience, after three passages around Cape Horn, in which my attention has been directed to this phenomenon. And so fully convinced am I of the truth of my experience, that I would advise ships (after passing the Straits of Le Maire, which is free from all danger, saving thereby, at least one degree of westing) having a northerly wind and a falling barometer, to stand on a wind to the southward, confident of the wind's direction, so long as the mercury tends to fall. If it reaches a minimum somewhat below 29 inches, and a calm ensues, equally to be certain of a "south wester," and to be in a position if possible to profit by it. I state these facts to you, for the purpose of eliciting from you a speculation as to the cause of this BAROMETRIC ANOMALIES OFF CAPE HORN AND IN THE TRADE-WINDS. 647 conduct in the barometer. As well as I can ascertain, navigators but casually mention the fact that gales come on with a rising barometer, and do not allude to the regularity with which gales from the north and south move the mercury up and down. If you consult data which may be in your possession, relative to this fact, I think you will find my observations verified. At the same time that I solicit your attention to the demonstration of the cause of the phenomenon alluded to, I beg leave to suggest the following inquiries, believing them to have some near or ultimate relationship to the questions that I propound : — 1. Is not the northerly column of atmosphere lighter than the air it displaces at the south in conse- quence of the combined effects of the caloric it bears with it, and the greater centrifugal force of its particles, having performed a longer segment of rotation ; thereby permitting the column of mercury to fall? 2. May not the converse be true with regard to the greater density of a southern column of atmosphere, coming from points of comparatively less centrifugal tendency and markedly colder ; thereby elevating the column of mercury ? 3. May not the probable existence of an atmospheric tidal wave, in addition to the known laws of atmospheric pressure, affect the behavior' of the barometer, forming local causes which may modify its indications, and serve to explain any apparent discrepancy from the observed general law ? I submit my facts, my questions, and my suggestions with a wish to contribute my mite to the department of science to which you have so successfully directed your attention. If you will be so kind as to favor me with your views and speculations that may bear particularly on the question of the cause of these regular and constant changes in the barometer, you will oblige me by addressing your communica- tion to the care of the U. S. consul, Panama. I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, T. BAILEY, Commander. To Lieut. M. F. Maurt, Superintendent of National Observatory, Washington, D. C. 648 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Decembeb 31, 1853. January 1, 1854. Januar-s ' 2, 1854. Januar-s ' 3, 1854. Lat. I 52° 63' S. Lat. 54° 42^' S. Lat. 67 =* 16' S. Lat. 57 ° 26' S. Long. 64° 50J' W. At noon. Long. 64° 41' W. At noon. Long. 66°17'W. Long. 66° 26 W. At noon. Hour. Bar. Wind. Hour. Bar. Wind. Hour. Bar. Wind. Hour. Bar. Wind. 1 1 28.90 N.KW. 1 29.00 East 1 29.09 S.W.byW. 2 2 28.88 (1 2 28.97 K'd and E'd 2 29.11 11 8 3 28.86 KW. 3 28.96 W. by N. 3 29.12 11 4 4 28.85 Lt 4 28.94 West 4 29.12 11 5 5 28.85 Westward 5 28.96 KN.W. 5 29.15 W. by S. 6 6 28.87 W.S.W. 6 28.96 W.byN. 6 29.16 S.W.byW. 7 7 28.87 u 7 28.96 WJN. 7 29.19 S. W. 1 W. -8 8 28.90 W. by N. 8 28.96 11 8 29.18 S.W.b'yW. 9 9 28.93 i( 9 28.96 w. s. w. 9 29.19 Variable 10 10 28.94 Variable 10 28.96 W. by S. 10 29.20 11 11 11 28.96 S.S.E. 11 28.96 U 11 29.22 N.N.W. 12 29.15 West 12 28.97 11 12 28.96 li 12 29.23 11 1 29.14 (i 1 28.97 Calm 1 Variable 1 29.22 11 2 28.13 d 2 28.97 Variable 2 tt 2 29.22 E. N. E. 3 29.12 tl 3 28.97 North 3 29.00 W. by N. 3 29.23 Calm 4 29.12 (1 4 28.95 N.KE. 4 29.00 It 4 29.25 Variable 5 29.11 N. by W. 5 28.96 KW. 5 29.02 West 5 29.27 S.W. 6 29.09 (I 6 28.97 K N. W. 6 29.06 11 6 29.27 ii 7 29.07 i< 7 28.96 Variable 7 29.06 (1 7 29.33 S.W.iW. 8 29.07 K 8 28.86 S.E. 8 29.08 11 8 29.34 S.W.byW. 9 29.01 11 9 29.01 Variable 9 29.09 11 9 29.38 S.W. 10 28.99 Yariable 10 29.01 a 10 29.08 11 10 29.40 Southward 11 28.97 i( 11 29.01 11 11 29.08 11 11 29.44 S.W.byS. 12 28.94 KKW. 12 28.99 11 12 29.08 W.S.W. 12 29.44 S.S.W. January 4, 1854. Lat. 57° 11' S. Long. 68° 02' W. At noon. Hour. Bar. 1 29.46 2 29.50 3 29.51 4 29.53 5 29.51 6 29.52 ,7 29.52 8 29.52 9 29.52 10 29.53 . 11 29.54 12 29.54 1 29.50 2 29.53 3 29.50 4 29.50 5 29.44 6 29.41 7 29.38 8 29.35 9 29.30 10 29.27 11 29.27 12 29.27 Wind. S.W.byS. S. S. W. 11 S.W.byW. 11 (1 W.S.W. 11 S.W.byW.JW W.S.W. W.iS. (( Westward W.byN. W.N.W. 11 W.N.W. JW. W.|N. W.byN. January 5, 1854. Lat. 58° 20' S. Long. 72° 03' W. At noon. Hour. Bar. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 9 10 11 12 Wind. January 6, 1854. Lat. 57° 38' S. Long 72° 50' W. At noon. Hour. Bar. 29.28 29.25 29.24 29.24 29.24 29.20 29.16 29.10 29.09 29.04 29.03 29.02 29.01 28.97 28.99 29.00 29.05 29.07 29.06 29.10 29.19 29.14 29.13 29.13 W.bvN. W.N.W. 11 11 N'dandW'd II N.W.iW. II N. W. by W. W.N.W W.N.W, W.N.W.iW. West W.S.W . s. s. w. 11 South II II II N.N.W. N. W. i W. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 29.16 29.16 29.15 29.15 29.11 29.09 29.08 29.04 29.05 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.07 29.07 29.10 29.11 29.16 29.17 29.20 29.22 29.22 29.23 29.24 29.24 Wind. January 7, 1 854. Lat 56° 49' S. Long. 73° 03' W. Hour. Bar. W.S.W.1W W.byS. Westerly 11 W.S.W. S. W.byS. S.S.W. II II II II II II II II 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 29.12 29.20 29.21 29.21 29.21 29.22 29.22 29.20 29.21 29.28 29.28 29.29 29.16 29.15 29.15 29.17 29.17 29.17 29.17 29.18 29.18 Wind. S'dandW'd II S.W.byS. 11 S. S.W.iW. S.S.W. S. W.byS. w. s. w. W.S.W.iW. II S.W. S.S.W. « P..n>%oW.7 !^70 BAROMETRIC ANOMALIES OFF CAPE HORN AND IN THE TRADE-WINDS. Gi9 Januari ' 8, 1854. Jani'aby 9, 1854. Jancart 10, 1854. Jancart 11, 1854. Lat. 5t °31'S. Lat. 57° 38' S. Lat. 66° 46' S. Lat. 64° 02' S. Long. 73° 41' W. At noon. Long. 76° 04' W. At noon. Long. 80° 12' W. At noon. Long. 80° 00' W. At noon. Hour. Bar. Wind.* Hour. Bar. Wind.* Hour. Bar. Wind.* Hour. Bar. Wind.* 1 29.20 S.W. 1 29.00 West 1 28.61 N. N. W. 1 29.40 S'd and E'd 2 29.20 u 2 28.99 It 2 28.57 N'd and W'd 2 29.42 11 3 29.20 (1 3 28.98 a 3 28.53 Variable 3 29.42 II 4 29.18 11 4 28.97 u 4 28.48 South 4 29.42 II 5 II 5 28.96 ti 5 "l Heavy II 5 29.60 S.S.W. 6 II 6 28.94 W.byN. 6 { gale. r Loc slate II 6 29.62 It 7 II 7 28.93 W. N. W. Y 1 1 rubbed out II 7 29.68 II 8 29.18 II 8 28.88 II 8 28.50 Southward 8 29.71 S.W.byS. 9 29.21 II 9 II 9 ' II 9 29.74 11 10 29.21 S.W.JW. 10 28.90 N'd and W'd 10 Severe gale. II 10 ! 29.76 II 11 29.19 S.W. 11 28.89 if 11 " . Lor lilate II 11 29.80 S.W. 12 29.19 S.W.byW. 12 28.87 u 12 II 12 29.82 Westward 1 29.17 W. S. W. 1 28.80 W.N.W. 1 28.62 11 1 29.83 Variable 2 29.1G ({ 2 28.77 (1 2 28.70 11 2 29.84 W.N.W. 3 29.17 W. by S. 3 28.75 II 3 28.90 K 3 29.84 ;N.W.byW. 11 4 29.16 W.iN. 4 28.71 II 4 28.91 II 4 29.78 5 29.11 II 5 28.69 N.W.by W. 5 29.11 II 5 29.76 N.AV.iN. 6 29.10 II 6 28.68 W.N.W. . 6 29.11 11 6 29.74 N. W. 7 11 7 28.66 :KW. by W. 7 11 7 29.74 N.W.iN. 8 29.08 II 8 28.63 W.N.W. 8 29.30 11 8 29.70 N.W. 9 29.04 N. W. by W. 9 28.64 N. W. 1 N. 9 29.30 II 9 29.70 N.W.iN. 10 29.04 N.W. 10 28.65 II 10 29.36 II 10 29.66 11 11 29.01 II 11 28.65 II 11 29.41 II 11 29.61 N.byW.JW. 12 29.01 W.JN. 12 28.65 II 12 29.44 II 12 29.60 N.by W. January 12, 1854. Lat. 53° 18' S. Long. 81° 15' W. At noon. Hour. Bar. 29.57 29.55 29.54 29.54 29.54 29.54 Wind.* N. by W. W. N. W. W.byN. West W. by N. W.JN. Hour. 9 10 11 12 Bar. 29.54 29.54 29.53 29.53 29.54 29.54 Wind.* West 11 W.byN. Hour. Bar. Wind.* 29.55 29.56 29.56 29.56 29.58 29.57 W. by N. II West W.byS. Hour. 9 10 11 12 Bar. Wind.* 29.58 29.58 29.63 29.63 29.63 29.63 W.JS. II W.S.W. The discussion of unexplained physical phenomena, such as those of the barometer, is always profitable, for it serves to direct the attention of observant men to the subject, and to elicit both facts and thought. Bearing this in mind, and recollecting the character of the men who are collecting materials at sea for this work, I have made it a rule to invite, on every suitable occasion, opinions and suggestions as well aa observations from them, and have always in return derived profit, and frequently instruction, by the reference. Among the subjects so referred may be mentioned tide rips and colored patches of water at sea — pink, white, black, or red — as well as the anomalies in the pressure of the atmosphere. Tide rips were at first * The direction of the irind ia per oompasi. 82 650 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. ; to me very puzzling. They are commotions in the sea, resembling the motion of the water in a tide-way when the current is strong ; and though they have all the appearance of a rapid translation of waters, navio'ators find that a vessel seldom or never feels their influence as currents. They are most frequently and regularly met with in the tropics and near the equatorial doldrums, that region of copious and almost ceaseless precipitation. Now these tide rips, I take it, are the gutters in the sea through which the rain that falls there is carried off and spread out again over the regions of evaporation. They, no doubt, are for the most part shallow currents of fresh or not very salt water, which nature employs to carry off the droppings of the equatorial cloud-ring, and the heaps of water which, as has been explained in another place, are piled up in this belt of calms by the N. E. trade-winds on one hand, the S. E. on the other. While these "rips," therefore, do not extend deep enough to set a ship out of her course; they would, I imagine, drift a small boat or lighter maLter. The fresh water of the Mississippi is often found standing in pools on the surface a hundred miles out to sea from the mouth of the river ; and if fresh water may make basins for itself on the top of the .-.lit, and thus stand in pools on the surface of the sea, why may it not also make a trough for itself, and run along as the Gulf Stream in channels more or less regular. This explanation is suggested by the remarks contained in an abstract log received here some time ago. The Brussels Conference made special allusions to these curious patches of colored water which are sometitnes found at sea, and which — especially the white and dirty red patches off the South American coast — frequently alarm navigators by causing them to suppose that they are in the midst of danger when no danger is near. The following is a case in point: — Shi2> Magnolia (Thomas Patterson), from Chinca Islands to Hampton Eoads. Nov. 30, 1854. Lat. 85° S.; long. 39° 15' W. Barometer, 30; temperature of air, 66°; of water, 65°. Winds: N. N. E., calm, E. N. E. First part, light airs, from N. N. E.; middle, calm; latter, light, from N. N. E. Old song again. 30 miles per day. At daylight this morning we got into what appeared to be muddy water, extending for miles all around us; at the time, there was a school of whales blowing ill every direction. In passing through this muddy water, as I supposed it to be, I caught a bucketful of it, and found it to contain millions of small marine animals intermixed with a glutinous substance. The bucket of water contained more than a pint, a small bottle of which I saved, tind send you with this abstract. Had I been near the land, I should have been alarmed at it, as it appears very much like the water at the mouth of the Mississippi River.* * The following is received by this morning's mail: — "George Manning, Esq., New York, will please forward this bottle to Lieut. Maury, Washington, and oblige Caleb Sprague. The contents of this bottle was taken from the sea in latitude of 14° 33' S., longitude 111° OS' E., by Caleb Sprague, commander of ship Gravina, and is mentioned in my abstract log, sent to Lieut. Maury, as the water being of a milk color. CALEB SPRAGUE, Commander of Ship Gravina." I have sent the boRlc to my friend Prof Bailey, of West Point.— M. March 20, 1855. BAROMETEIC ANOMALIES OFF CAPE HORN AND IN THE TKAUE-WINDS. 651 Ehrenberg and other microscopists have examined similar specimens of coloring matter from the Red Sea, the Yellow Sea, and other places ; and it appears now to be generally conceded that these singular patches of colored water, found in various parts of the sea, and which are diiFerent from that water which derives its color from soundings on the bottom, derive their coloring matter, some from vegetable, some from animal organisms of various kinds. The Brussels Conference asked for specimens of the water, from such patches, and I have accordingly received specimens from several shipmasters, all of which were sent to Prof. Bailey, of West Point, who had the kindness to undertake the examination of them. He found them, on opening the bottle, to emit an exceedingly ofl'ensive odor, arising from the putrid fragments of-the animals which afforded the coloring matter to the sea. They were for the most part gelatinous; this was eminently the case with the specimens of the Magnolia, and those also of the Shooting Star, mentioned in another place. It is good, but it is rare, to have for fellow laborers a corps of observers to whom one may appeal for light and always receive information ; this has been eminently the case in these two instances. So too with the barometer off Cape Horn, and the barometric anomalies of the Andes. My corps of observers were too intelligent to let what was there said escape their attention, without observation ; and during the last year, many contributions have been made to the general store of barometric observations off Cape Horn, and more attention has generally been given to the barometer at sea. No less than three observers, each independent of the other, and all evidently ignorant of what philosophers on shore had discovered, have, within the year, called my attention to the barometric tides of the torrid zone. With each, and as far as he was concerned, the discovery, I have no doubt, was original. I quote the letter and the observa- tions of one of them. San Francisco, October 14, 1854. Sib: Herewith I send you some extracts from my abstract log which I think will interest you; they are barometrical observations taken during my voyage from Boston to this place. I am sorry they are not as complete as they ought to be; but I could not interest my officers sufficiently to induce them to make correct observations in the night; these I send are day observations mostly, and accurate; the few night observations there are, were made after I changed my offioers, and I think are correct also. I send them for the purpose of calling your attention to the barometrical tides, which I think they dis- tinctly indicate in the low latitudes ; in the high latitudes (in the observations which I have omitted here), they were not at all perceptible. You will perceive that when in latitudes low enough, the barometer begins to fall at about eleven A. M. and continues falling until about /o; 30.33 82 30.26 84'30.26 32 30.22 82 30.20 78 30.23178 6 43 34 45 " 22 30.30 82 50.30 82 30.26 84i30.22 34 30.22 82 30.22 82 30.24182 .30.26180 8 42 35 05 " 23 30.28 8(. 30.28 81 30.30 86 130.30 33 .30.28 80 30.25 81 30.28180 .30.34'80 11 43 36 82 " 24 .80.34 77 50 34 77 30.38 83 1.30. 34 34 30.32 80 30.30 ?8 .30.30177 30.30 76 15 28 87 20 " 25 30.38 78 50.38 78 50.36 79 30.35 30 30.80 80 30.30 80 30.34179 30.88,78 18 00 38 22 " 20 30.35 76 50.35 78 30.40 82 30.39 82 30.36 78 30 36 77 30 30 77 30.39177 20 32 38 12 " 27 30.34 8(i 50.34 80 30.34 87 30.34 82 30.34 80 30.29 80 30.28 79 80.80 78 23 08 38 15 " 28 30.28 7t 50 28 78 30 26 78 30.26 78 30.24 76 30.23 75 30.27 75i30.28:73 24 23 88 35 " 29 30.. 35 71 30.35 72 30.39 75 30.39 72 30.33 72 30.35 71 .30.. 35 70l30.8870 24 65 39 00 " 30 30.34 76 50.33 78 30.40 78 30.34 75 30.32 74 30.30 78 30.80 7313U.30I72 26 06 40 00 July 1 30.30 71 30.32 71 30.36 72 35.33 71 30.32 71 30.30 70 80,30;70!30.33:70 28 00 41 00 " 2 30.30 71 50.30 72 30.30 80 30.29 84 30.2ir 34 30.28 80 30.28:78(30.28|74 29 04 42 05 " 3 .30,28 71 30.28 72130.29 74 30.29 80 30.29 82 30.29 81 30.29:80130.29178 29 61 42 08 " 4 i30.30J7( 50.30|71 ,30.32 78 30.32 78 30.29 78 30.29 75 .30.29 741.30,29:72 .30 47 43 24 " 5 {30.2671 ■i0.20!71 '30.25172 30.19 77 30.16 73 30.12 70 .30.12l70'30.10:70 32 54 42 54 " f>t 29.90J71 Aug. 31 30.80i6.5 ■i9.89 70 29.89 68 2S.89 70 29.89 67 29.89 05 29.95,64129.95 64 35 55 46 10 30.30 65 1 30. 30 66 30.30 68 80.80 68 30 30 68:30.30 67 30.30 67 23 04 83 15 Sept. 1 30. 34 '67 30.34 67130.35I68 30.36 68 30.34!69l30.34 691.30.32:68 30.32 68 21 03 85 15 " 2 30.34:08 30.34 68; 30. 33! 09 30.32 70;30.32, 72 80.32 70:30.30'70 30.30 70 18 46 87 30 " 8 30.30 71 30. 30 72 '30. 30 72 30.30 74!30.30!76 30.80 74 30.29:72 30.29 71 16 31 89 57 " 4 30.28 70 30.28 70 30.27 75 30.26 77130.24,75 30.20 74 30. 20 172 30.20 72 14 10 92 50 " 5 30.22 70 30.22 7230.23 72 30.19 73'80.18|73 80.14 71 30.14 70 30.14 70 12 11 96 30 " 6 30.24 72 30.25 74;30.23 74 30.20 75 30.17 74 30.14 74 30.14 73 30.19 73 10 39 99 00 " 7 30.18 73 30.18 73;30.20 79 30.24 81:30.14 76 30.13 74i30.16 72 30.19 74 9 18 101 30 " 8 30.19 75 30.19 75 30.23 79 30.20 79 30.18 76 80 18 75:30.16 75 30.18 74 9 08 104 48 " 9 130.19 76 30.19 77130.19 77 30.19 77 80.16;77 30.14 78130.14 78 30.17 76 9 00 108 13 " 10 30.20 76 30.20 76130.24 78 30.22 78 30.14 77 30.14 77 30.14 76 30.16 75 8 80 111 40 " 11 30.14176 •30.14 77 130.17 78 30.17 78 39.14{78 30.06 77^30.08177 30.13 78 5 17 112 00 " 12 30.10:76 30.13 77 30.15 78 30.12 78 30.10'77 80.00:77i30.08 76 30.12:76 1 56 114 00 " 13 30.12:76 30.14 75 30.14 76 30.10 77 30.06:78 30.03l78t30.07 77'30.08:77 54 N. 115 10 " 14 30.08i77 30.11 77 30.13 79 30.08 79 30.04 80 30.03 80!30.07 80 30.10'79 4 08 115 25 " 16 30.081 79 30.11 79l30.ll 80 30.06 82:30.05182;30.03:82!30.05|82 30.07182 .30.10 8 2 30.07 82130.0718 2 30.00 32 6 68 115 52W. " 16 30.06 80 30.07 81|30.06 83 30.04 84 30.00 83 29.96 821.30.0282 80.02 82 80.02 8 2 30.04 82 80.00'8 30.00 50 9 48 116 00 " 17 30.02 81 30.02 81:30.02 82 29.98 82 29.97 83,29.95i82l29.98|82 30.05182 30.05 82 30.01 8 2 30.01 52 11 21 116 35 " 18 30.04 82 30.07 82 30.08 88 30.08 8380.05 83 30.04 82 30. 06 82 .30.09 83 30.10 8 8 30.05 82 30.01 8 2 30.01 52 12 06 117 03 " 19 30.08 81 30.11 81,30.14 82 30.12 82130.04 83;30.04!82 30.06:82 30.12 83 1 30.09 82 30.05 8 2 30.05 S2 13 00 117 35 " 20 30.06 82 30.09 82 30.11 86 30.08 86; 30. 04 84:30.02184 30.01'84 30.06'83:30.07 8 2 30.09 82 30.05 e 2 '30. 00 32 13 65 118 00 " 21 30.03 82 30.04 82 30.08 83 30.05 84;29.99 83:30.0283 30.04l83l30.08, 82130.08 8 2 30.09 82 ,30.07 f 2; 30. 05 32(13 37 121 10 " 22 30.04 81 30.04 82'30.13 83 30.10 84 30.06 83|30.06;83 30.07182 30.1082130.1018 2 30.10 82 ;.30.10 > 230.13 32I14 23 124 10 " 23 30.12 81S3O.I3 8030.17 82 30.16 83,30.12 83(30.14 82 80.13181 30.1681 30.17 8 30.17 80 30.14 - 830.13 78 15 50 127 00 " 24 30.14 79 30.14 79 30.16 81 30.18 81 30.13 80 80.10 79 30.12178 30.12178 17 57 129 40 " 25 30.14 74 30.14 74 30.13 77 30.13 77 80.09 77 30.09 76 30.1076 30.14,75 20 12 131 45 " 26 30.17 74 30.19i74 30.20 75 30.19 75 30.16 75 80.17 74 30.17:74 30.2074 30.26 7 3 30.23 78 30.20 78 22 40 133 45 " 27 30.22 72 30.25173 30.27 75 30.25 75 30.28 75:30.25175 30.24174 80.27 74 30.30 72 ,30.26 - •2 30.23 72I24 44 134 58 " 28 30.26 71 30.29171 130.30 72 30.28 7530.24 74130.24(78 30.26i73 30.28 72 30.30 7 2 30.29 72130.241" r2 30.24 72 26 16 136 30 " 29 30.26 72 30.27 72,30.27|74 30.26 76 30.23 76:30.20(76 30.21 175 80.25(76 1 30.28 78 30.21 ■ ■2130.27 72 27 12 138 00 " 30 30.30 71 30.34 7230.4074 30.38 75130.29 74i30.35|74 30.38 78 ,30.40 73 30.4317 3 30.42 72 130.37 72 28 08 138 24 Oct. 1 30.40 70 30.43 71 30.45:74 .30.44 76 80.42l73'30.42i72 30.42 72 30 45 72 30.44 71 30.42- •030.38 70130 50 140 45 " 2 30.41 71 30.42 71 30.39171 30.31 7230.3C 72'30.33|71 30.33 71 30.3571 30.38 7 2 30.36 72 130.33 70:32 12 141 56 " 3 30.38 70 30.33 71 30.35:71 30.33 72 30.3C 74180.28(72 30.28 71 30.29,72 30.26 69 30.21 39 30.19 69 32 27 140 42 " 4 30.18 69 30.17 69 30.17 69 30.15 7180.1C 72'30.07I72 30.06 71 30.04 73 29.95 72 :29.94 72 33 26 137 00 " 5 29.98 70 30.00 69 30.0C 09 29.99 09 29.98 69:29. 98,6S: 29.96 67 .30.02171 30.12 70 30.16 -0 30.09 70(34 10 132 55 " 6 30.12 69 30.12 69 30.17 70 30.17 7030.12 72:80.16:72 80. IC 75 30.20i73l30.20l- r3 30.20 72 30.20 ■2 30.20 72 33 55 130 30 " 7 30.19 71 30.18 70 30.2C 68 30.19 69 30.19 68(30.19 6f 30. If 69|30.19l68| 1 30.20 6S 30.18 J8.30.15 68 33 10 128 20 " 8 30.12 67 .30.12 67 30.12167 : .30.10 66 30.10j08 30.07.67 30.07 67 30.04,68 30.00j( 58 30.00 07 J29.98 67 38 28 129 40 * The astronomical day commences at noon. In this, I commence the day at six A. M. previous. f Ship on fire. I Fniin tlii= in the other side of tho Horn, no nppenrnnce of dries. I A gale on the 6th. ggji THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS, "If these tides in the preceding table are produced bj the heat of the sun, why do we have a night tide? If by attraction, why does not the mooii's influence change the hours of high and low (what shall I call it) mercury ? air ? as it does with the waterF" — F. C. These tides were first observed by Humboldt, I believe. There is an interesting paper upon them by Col. F. C. Sykes, F.R.S., in the Philosophical Tramactions for 1850, containing hourly observations for three years at Bombay ; three years at Madras ; and four years at Calcutta ; and during that time, these tides failed only once ; they were interfered with neither by storm nor calm, monsoon nor trade-wind ; but with the regularity of clock-work, the barometer was observed to rise and fall daily and at stated hours so very nearly, that the time of day within a few minutes might have been told by the movements of the mercury. The extreme rise and fall is about one-tenth of an inch, the highest tide occurring about 10 A. M. Then there is a fall and a turn of the tide between 4 and 5 P. M., and so on at intervals of 6 hours. To get the exact time for the turning of the tide, it is necessary to have a good barometer, reading at least to hundredths (0.01) of an inch, and to observe it at least every five minutes between the hours when the tide turns. No satisfactory explanation of this phenomenon appears as yet to have been suggested. It may per- haps be connected in some way with magnetism, for there is a tide, so to speak, in the diurnal variation of the needle, and in the intensity of the magnetic forces, which also occurs at stated hours, the year round. The extreme end of the arc of vibration during the great sun-swing of the needle is reached generally be- tween 8 and 9 A. M., and, therefore, precedes by a couple of hours or so the greatest diurnal rise of the barometer. Plate XXII. represents the diurnal march of the needle at Hobarton and St. Helena, and the march of the barometer at Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. The curves for the former are derived from the discussion by Col. Sabine of the Hobarton observations for 1841, and the St. Helena for 1840-45. The curves for the latter are simply a transfer from one of the plates which accompany Col. Sykes' paper, already alluded to in the Philosophical Transactions. The question whether the convolutions of those curves hold to each other the very striking relations they do by chance or by design involves a problem which is yet to be solved. ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. "We have now brought the great highway around Cape Horn to another turning off place, or fork of the road. At 50° south, in the Pacific, the South American bound traders part company with the California fleet. Here, or near by, they all, whether bound for Valparaiso, Callao, Guayaquil, or the Intermedios, turn off; they have sailed under our guide and in company with us so far, but now they all leave the great California trail to make the best of their way, each to the port of destination. With flowing sheets, and fair winds, the course for the rest of the way is plain. Not a word in addition to what ROUTE TO CALIFORMA. 655 the Pilot Charts contain, can be said to make the way plainer to them, except the oft-repeated caution, to go straight across the calm belt of Capricorn, turning neither to the east nor west until it is crossed, and the navigator finds himself fairly within the trade-wind region beyond. The Valparaiso bound vessel should hug the shore close enough to make the land to the southward of her port ; those for Callao, &c., keeping straight on. The California bound vessel should aim to enter the S. E. trade-wind region of the Pacific as far to the west, provided they keep this side of 115° or 120°, as they well can ; they should not fight with head winds, to make westing ; nor should they turn much from the direct course when the winds are fair. But when winds are dead ahead, stand oif to the westward, especially if you be south of the trade-wind region. Having crossed the parallel of 35° S., and taken the trades, the navigator, with the wind quartering and all sails drawing, should now make the best of his way to the equator, aiming to cross it between 105° and 125°, according to the season of the year, and the directions and the tables hereinafter given. I wish here to call the attention of navigators to the winds they are to expect between the parallel of 50° S., in the Pacific and the equator, especially as it regards their reliability. In the table of Cape Horn Crossings (p. 617), are given the times from the parallel of 7° S. to the parallel of 50° S., in the Atlantic. The distance between the two parallels there is about 2,900 miles ; the average time 27.6 days, and the mean daily run, 105 miles. The distance from 50° S., in the Pacific, to the usual crossing-place on the line — California track — is about 3,500 miles, the average time 27.8 days, and the mean daily run, 126 miles. The winds between 50° S. and the equator are so much more strong, steady, and reliable, as the baro- iiicter would lead us to expect, on the Pacific, than they are on the Atlantic side of the continent, that the ratio between them in these respects is as 2,900 to 3,500, for it is as easy to make 3,500 miles with them in one ocean, as it is 2,900 in the other. An examination of the mean monthly passages, from crossing to crossing, will also show a greater regularity, implying thereby more stable winds. The greatest monthly average on the east side is 32 days in August ; on the west, 24.8 in November— extreme difference, 7.2 days. The greatest monthly average on the west side is 31 days; the least 24 days— extreme diiJerence 7 days. But a comparison of the tables for a moment only, will show with how much more regularity as to time the passages are made on the one side than they are on the other. The following communication from Captain Frank Smith, of the Messenger, throws light on what I have already said, and has a bearing upon something that I have to say. "You will herewith receive my abstract logs of ships Messenger and Susquehanna, on voyages round the world. I am sorry neither of them have been kept as full as you have desired, neither of my ships being provided with hold cocks ; and I have noted none of my observations for variation of the compass ; as, although my attention was at all times directed to the subject, I have rarely found any difference from that marked on the late charts. In the observations noted, I have aimed at correctness and brevity. Should you take occasion to examine the Messenger's log, you will perceive I have had more than a 656 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. reasonable, or usual share, of unfavorable winds, ligbt airs, and calms, the round voyage, but more especially between New York and San Francisco. I aimed, by the aid of your Charts and Instructions, at maintain- ing good positions and improving all chances ; you will notice, being jammed by a northwester along the coast of Chili, forcing me 10° of long, to the eastward in 6 days, I entered the S. E. trades in 78|° W.; being so far to the eastward, I was induced to follow your proposed track across the equator, and crossed in 102J° W., but I think it too far east, as it is certainly within the influence of some cause producing a calm space at that season of the year (September) ; you will find my remarks at some length, noted in the log, and trust you will make proper allowance for my apparent petulance in complaining, and presumption in expressing an opinion differing from yours, when mine is founded on a limited personal observation, while yours is the result of a mass of information from a multitude of personal observations, each of which may be entitled to the same amount of credit as my own. But it requires more than Ituman powers of patient endurance, to be from 20 to 25 days becalmed, north of the equator, in the Pacific, on board of a clipper ship, bound to California, when your imagination paints all your competitors passing you to the westward with a breeze ; and when I arrived at San Francisco, I found ships in port that had crossed the equator to the westward, days after I did, one of which crossed to the westward of 120° W. Nothing would induce me again to attempt a passage to the eastward of 100° or 115° W. ; the very thought of my helpless situation there, still gives me the shuddering horrors. I think the last 7 or 8 months past must have been an extraordinary period of tranquillity in all the regions I have passed through. I heard many remarks and complaints of calm and light airs, both in California and China, and since I entered the S. E. trades above referred to, T have been over 6 months at sea, 'running down' nearly all the trade- winds that blow, together with the N. E. monsoons of the China Sea, in the season of their strength, and yet I have experienced, in all that time and space, but 14 days with wind sufficient to keep my canvas from slating against the mast, and only two days in which my skysails were furled throughout 24 hours. "I deem it but proper to say, ere I close, that I feel myself (in common with the great maritime interests of our country), greatly indebted to your invaluable researches, and the great skill you have developed in laying such a mass of information before us, in such an available form, as we have in your Charts ; and I trust your flattering success continues to animate you, and that you will make us in due time as familiar with the great Pacific and Indian Oceans as you have with the Atlantic. That old and beaten track has been brought out of darkness into marvellous light, and I expect many important errors have possession of our minds, with regard to the others, which your researches are destined to dispel ; and your beautiful theory on the circulation of the atmosphere gives a charm to its study, that cannot fail to excite such an interest on the subject as will make every thinking sailor more attentive and observant of the great laws of nature in action around him. Here I suppose I should close, as I have already written more, perhaps, than you will have leisure or disposition to read ; yet, if I felt free to ask questions, and time and place admitted of it, I should be a very teasing pupil, as, in the study of your important labors, many suggest themselves to me. For instance, in what latitude, at different seasons, should we look for the southern edge of the S. E. trades in the Pacific; and if they don't prevail farther to the southward, near ROUTK TO CALIFORNIA. 657 the coast of South America, than out to the westward iu the opea sea? As, ia the Susquehanna, in April, 1851, in long, from 87° to 92° W., I had a succession of northers for 7 or 8 days, between lat. 30° and 20° S., while ships to the eastward of me, in the same month, got the S. E. trades in 29° or 30° S. And again, what is the chance of a passage from the west coast of North America to China, in a high latitude, corresponding with packet route from the British Channel to the United States? The length of this admonishes me; but one thing more: what influence has the moon or its phases, on the wind? I have been and continue iu the habit of looking for and calculating upon its influence upon wind and weather, especially in the tropic, in trade-winds and near the land, during full and change ; and when studying your Track Chart, with the view of profiting by the experience of others, I alwa3's feel the want of some mark on each track by which the moon's age could be known ; as, for example, its quarterings so noted as to express the ship's position at the time of their occurrence; then the student, by counting backwards or forwards, could inform himself of the desired particular. Excuse my tediousness, and allow me to conclude, with the expression of my sincere hopes that your very laudable zeal in the pursuit of so useful and patriotic an object as your labors tend to advance, will meet a high and just reward." Shi2) Messenger (Frank Smith), New York to California. June 16, 1852. Lat. 11° 00' N.; long. 34° 39' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 79°; of surface, 78°. Winds: during the day, E. by N. First part, fine breezes; middle and latter parts, light winds. The sea has been heaving up in rips, and splashing to windward, very much like a weather tide or current. June 22. Lat. 1° 27' N.; long. 27° 53' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 80°; of surface, 79°. Winds : S. by W., S. by W., and S. by E. Begins moderate and clear ; middle, light airs and cloudy ; latter part, moderate and clear. At the beginning, I tacked and stood to the westward, in the hope of coming up on that tack before I reached the long. 30° W. As I found myself in 25° 43' W. and nearly 6° north, I was apprehensive if I stood farther to the eastward I might run out of the wind, and be baffled with calm and light airs ; and I prefer running for a change, to waiting a wind ; and I consider it better to beat to windward in short tacks to the west of 25°, than to risk the calms to the east. [A sound conclusion.] July 20. Lat. 42° 31' S.; long. 58° 21' W. Barometer, 29.75; temperature of air, 52°; of surface, 43°. Began with a breeze from the west, which gradually canted to N. W., and freshened to a ten-knot breeze; but before midnight it died away to a calm, and light airs from northward, northward and east- ward, and east. This wind, for three days, has drawn gradually around the compass against the sun, from N. E. and E. to S. and W., N. W., and N. E., which I take it is unusual weather. Since passing the parallel of St. Catharine's, have experienced more light and baffling weather than I have encountered for a long time ; and what makes it more strange, we have had a new moon during the interval. It is now four days old. [The moon has nothing to do with it.] August 2. Lat. 57° 28' S. ; long. 74° 05' W. Barometer, 28.60 ; temperature of air, 38° ; of surface, 83 658 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. 38°. "Winds : N., K W., and N. W. Began with northerly winds, which soon increased to a gale. Iran the ship to S. W., taking in sail as required ; at 4 P. M. found it necessary to heave the ship to under close- reefed maintopsail and foretopmast staysail ; from 3 until 8 P. M., and afterwards in squalls until mid- night, it blew a terrific gale ; its force seemed irresistible ; its sound was deafening, and to look upon it was bewildering. Its strength seemed broken at 8 P. M., or four hours after it commenced. But the squall which followed, when accompanied by hail, seemed ^sufficient to flay everything it met with. I found the barometer of signal advantage to me, as its indications prevented my making or carrying sail, as I should have done if I had not been influenced by it. I was just in time in getting sail off my ship. The barometer fell to 28.60, and there remained during the gale. At meridian, both gale and sea had moderated, when glass rose to 28.90. Aug. 16. Lat. 32° 48' S.; long. 80° 10' W. Barometer, 30.05; temperature of air, 59° ; of surface, 56°. Winds during the day, N. W. In looking back, I find this the seventieth day since we have had a wind with which the ship lay her course throughout the day ; and this is my seventy-sixth day out — under the circumstances, a short passage to Valparaiso. Aug. 18. Lat. 24° 01' S.; long. 80° 36' W. Barometer, 30.00; temperature of air, 61°; of surface, 60°. Winds : N. W. to W. N. W., W. N. W., S.E. Moderate, light winds throughout, with a floating fog drenching like a rain and flying very low, as the blue sky was always visible over head. The S. W. swell increased to such enormous magnitude as to attract my particular notice, and I endeavored to esti- mate its height and the distance between the ridges (or caps of the rollers), and I think they were 800 yards apart; and when between, in the trough, the next ridge beyond those forming the trough could not always be seen at an elevation of twenty-five feet above the sea. Aug. 29. Lat. 21° 09' S.; long. 83° 07' W. Barometer, 30.10; temperature of air, 64°; surface, 62°. Winds during the day, S. E. This has been the first day for seventy-three days that I have had the privilege of recording a fair wind throughout the 24 hours, and this has to be but a light one, but steady. The first 20 hours were overcast, but the last four beautiful and clear ; the heavy S. W. swell subsiding, from which I am flattered with the hope we are entering the trades. Between the equator and 10° or 12° N., according to the season of the year, the California-bound navigator may expect to lose the S. E. and to get the N. E. trade-winds. He will find these last nearest the equator in January, February, and March; but in July, August, and September, he will sometimes find himself to the north of the parallel of 15° N. before he gets fairly into the N.E. trades. And sometimes, especially in summer and fall, he will nbt get them at all, unless he keeps well out to the west. Having them, he should steer a good rap full at least, aiming, of course, to cross the parallel of 20° N., in about 125° W., or rather, not to the east of that, particularly from June to November. His course, after crossing 20° N., is necessarily to the northward and westward until he loses the N. E. trades. He should aim to reach tlie latitude of his port without going to the west of 130° W., if he can help it, or ROUTE TO CALIFORXIA. 659 approaching nearer than 250 or 300 miles to the land until he passes out of the belt of the N. E. trades and gets into the variables, the prevailing direction of which is westerly. " Where shall we take the S. E. and lose the N. E. trades on the passage to California?" is an important question for the navigator to have answered, who is striving for a short passage on the west coast of South America. From the parallel of Cape Horn up to the belt of light winds and calms, through which you generally pass before getting into the S. E. trades, the prevailing winds are westwardly winds, having northing more frequently than southing in them. Between the northwest coast and the meridian of 130° W., from 30° to 40° N., the prevailing direction of the wind in summer and fall is from the northward to the westward inclusive; whereas, to the west of 130°, and between the same parallels, the N. E. trades are the prevailing winds of these two seasons. There is a marked difference in the direction of the winds on the opposite sides of the meridian of 130° W. in the North Pacific. The cause of this difference has been completely unmasked by the researches connected with these Charts. The agent which produces it has its seat in the arid plains of New Jdexico, Northern Texas, and the regions round about. At this season of the year, the prevailing winds in the western part of the Gulf of Mexico are from the southward and eastward ; i. e., towards that great centre of rarefaction. At this season of the year, too, the prevailing winds in the Pacific, off" the coasts of Central America, are from the southward, and also towards the same centre of heated plains and ascending columns of air ; and we have seen that off" the coasts of California, between the parallels of 35° and 40° N., the prevailing winds of this season are from the northward and westward — also towards this great inland "blow hole." Tn it, is seated a monsoon agent, whose influence is felt for more than a thousand miles out to sea, drawing back the N. E. trades of the Pacific, and converting them into a southwardly monsoon for half the year ; deflecting the N. E. trades of the Gulf of Mexico, and converting them into a southeasterly monsoon, during the same season ; and so influencing the prevailing S. W. winds off" our Northwest Pacific coast, that they, too, are almost made to blow a northwesterly monsoon. Therefore, vessels bound to San Francisco should not, unless forced by adverse winds, go any farther beyond the meridian of 130° AY. than they can help. Supposing that vessels generally will be able to reach 30° N. without crossing the meridian of 130° W., the distance per great circle from Cape Horn to its point of intersection with that parallel is about 6,000 miles. And supposing, moreover, that California bound vessels will generally, after doubling Cape Horn, be able to cross the parallel of 50° S., between the meridians of 80° ajid 100° W., their shortest distance in miles thence to 30° N., at its intersection with the meridian of 130° "W., would be to cross 40° S. in about 100° W.; 30° S. in about 104°; 20° S. in about 109° ; the equator in 117° W.; and 30° N., about 130° "W. (126° if j'^ou can). By crossing the line 10° farther to the east, or 10° farther to the west of 117°, the great circle distance from Cape Horn to the intersection of 30° N. with 180° W., will be increased only about 150 miles. Navigators appear to think that the turning-point on a California voyage, is the place of crossing the 660 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. equator in tlie Pacific. But the crossing which may give the shortest run thence to California, may not be the crossing which it is most easy to make from the United States or Europe; and it is my wish to give, in these Sailing Directions, the routes which on the average will afford the shortest passages to vessels that have doubled Cape Horn and are bound direct to California. First, therefore, let us see which crossings of the equator in the Pacific give the shortest runs on the average thence to San Francisco ; then, let us find out which of these crossings it is most easy to reach from Cape Horn, and then, by comparing the two, we may be able to lay down the best route from Cape Horn to California. Independent of the information that has been elicited by these investigations connected with the Wind and Current Charts, but little was known by navigators as to the winds and currents after doubling Cape Horn, on the California route. Navigators knew, indeed, that on that route they had to cross the belt both of the S. E. and of the N. E. trade- winds. But in what longitude to cross them; between what meridians are these trade-winds most constant, steady, and fresh ; and between what meridians is it less difficult to cross the belt of equatorial calms which separate these two systems of trade- winds ; and when, at what distance from the coast, are the light airs and calms of the horse latitudes, which are found on the polar borders of the S. E. as well as of the N. E. trades, less vexatious? These are some of the questions to which definite answers had to be given before it could be asserted with confidence that this or that is certainly the best route to California. The Pilot Charts, the Track Charts, and proper attention to the tables I am about to give, will tell this to all who consult them diligently. Having exhausted my materials for Pilot Charts of this route, I have, with the assistance of Lieuts. George Minor and Kobert H. Wyman, overhauled the whole series of log-books in my possession, for California passages. From them are derived the following tables of California Crossings, giving the name of the vessel ; the year ; the number of days' passage from the place of departure in the North Atlantic to the equator in the Pacific ; the place and month of crossing the equator ; and the number of days thence to California. The crossings on the equator, and of various parallels of latitude, are also given. ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 661 Crossings in the Pacific, from 60° S, to the Equator. BAHE or VESSEL. Date of crossing parallel of 60° S. LONGITCDE OF CBOSSINO THE PARALLELS OF — Longitude of crossing I Date of crossing the equa- the equator, ■tor. Days from 50°, S. to the equator. Days from the equa- 50° S. 40° S. 35° S. 30° S. 25° S. tor to San Francisco. January. Long. W. o / Long. W. o / Long. W. o / Long. W. / Long. W. Long. W. | o / o / j Days. Days. Hazard .... 28, 1851 77 00 81 00 83 00 84 00 86 00 109 00 Feb. 21, 1851 24 .. 24 Helena .... 28, " 78 00 83 00 87 00 91 00 94 00 110 00 " 19, " 22 21 Russell .... 8, 1850 83 00 83 00 84 00 85 00 89 00 110 00 " 7, 1850 30 37 Cvgnet .... 27, " 84 00 83 00 79 00 81 00 87 00 111 00 " 26, " 80 29 E". C. Winthrop . 31, 1851 82 00 86 00 87 00 90 00 92 00| 110 00 Mar. 3,1851 31 29 Potomac . . . 31, " 80 00 79 00 79 00 83 00 88 00 111 00 " 3, " 31 82 Swordfish . . . 2, 1852 80 00 90 00 94 00 95 00 98 00 110 00 Jan. 21, 1852 19 20 Seaman .... 28, 1851 79 00 83 00 88 00 92 00 97 00 118 00 Feb. 20, 1851 23 18 Acasta .... 31, " 82 00 86 00 87 00 91 00 92 00 121 00 Mar. 10, " 38 28 Trade-AVind . . 13, 1853 81 00 87 00 95 00 96 00 99 00 112 00 Feb. 7,1853 25 16 Contest .... 19, " 81 00 82 00 84 00 88 00 91 00 111 00 " 9, " 21 16 Tingqua . . . 27, " 80 00 80 00 83 00 85 00 84 00 106 00 " 19, " 23 27 Gray Feather . . 26, " 79 00 81 00 84 00 89 00 89 00 110 00 " 18, " 23 25 Eealm .... 2, « 83 00 85 00 84 00 88 00 92 00 113 00 " 7, " 36 36 Capitol .... 4, " 81 00 77 00 75 00 73 00 77 00 113 00 " 7, " 34 20 Golden Gate . . 29, " 79 00 79 00 80 00 81 00 82 00 104 00 " 24, » 26 24 Telegraph . . . 25, " 81 00 83 00 85 00 88 00 90 OOJ 110 00 " 17; " 23 21 Samoset .... 10, 1851 78 00 81 00 82 00 86 00 86 OOj 108 00 " 18, 1851 39 27 Ann Maria . . . Dee. 24, '53 83 00 82 00 83 00 87 00 92 00, 110 00 Jan. 20,1854 26 23 Cyclone .... 14, 1854 82 00 85 00 87 00 94 00 99 00 115 00 Feb. 5, " 21 20 Sam'l Lawrence . Dec. 31, '53 78 00 80 00 86 00 90 00 95 00 111 00 Jan. 26, " 26 25 Golden City . . " 26, " 79 00 80 00 84 00 89 00 95 00 114 00; " 18, " 24 20 Eagle .... 7, 1854 82 00 82 00 87 00 95 00 98 00 112 00! " 28, " 21 19 Arthur .... 9, " 80 00 1 83 00 88 00 1 89 00 93 00 112 00 Feb. 9, " 31 30 Means . . . 80 35 82 06 84 45 88 00 90 35 110 57 27 24.4 662 THE WIND AND CUKHENT CHARTS. Crossings in the Pacific, from 50° S. to the Equator — Continued. Date of LONGITUDE OF CROSSING THE PARALLELS OF — Longitude Days Days from NAME OF VESSEL. crossing of crossing Date of crossing from 50° the equa- parallel of the equa- the equator. S. to the tor to San 60° S. 50° S. 40° S. 35° S. 30° s. 25° S. tor. equator. Francisco. Long. W. Long. AV. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Days. Days. FEBIHTAny. o / o / o / o / / o / Whiton* . . . 16, 1847 80 00' 77 00 79 00 80 00 82 00 93 00 Mar. 13, 1847 25 42 Geo. Brown . . 13, 1851 80 00, 86 00 88 00 89 00 91 00 105 00 ' ' 14, 1851 29 22 Whiton .... 11, 1819 84 00 76 00 74 00 78 00 87 00 109 00 ' 15, 1849 32 28 Samuel Appleton 26, 1851 79 00' 83 00 88 00 90 00 93 00 109 00 ' 23, 1851 25 18 Uriel* .... 28, " 78 OO; 82 00 85 00 86 00 90 00 110 00 ' 30, " 30 34 Surprise . . . 8, " 79 00 82 00 83 00 86 00 88 00 110 00 ' 3, " 23 17 Hannibal . . . 23, 1850 95 00 84 00 89 00 93 00 98 00 115 00 ' 22, 1850 27 29 Southerner . . . 27, 1851 80 00 85 00 90 00 87 00 88 00 117 00 ' 30, 1851 31 28 Newton .... 4, " 81 00, 80 00 79 00 79 00 85 00 117 00 ' 10, " 34 26 Canton .... 28, 1850 85 00 88 00 89 00 94 00 97 00 118 00 ' ' 28, 1850 28 29 Lucia Field . . 5, 1851 78 00' 83 00 87 00 91 00 95 00 119 00 ' ' 19, 1851 42 31 Europe .... 17, 1852 80 00, 78 00 76 00 77 00 81 00 100 00 ' ' 17, 1852 28 35 Lantao .... 23, 1851 81 00: 84 00 88 00 92 00 94 00 118 00 ' 21, 1851 26 20 A. F. Jenness* . 25, 1853 80 00 76 00 73 00 73 00 78 00 100 00 A pr. 12, 1853 46 54 Kentucky . . , 17, " 83 00 96 00 103 00 107 00110 00 113 00 M ar. 26, " 37 25 Golden West . . 24, " 81 00 77 00 79 00 84 00' 89 00 107 00 ' ' 24, " 28 23 John Bertram , , 17, 1852 84 00 89 00 94 00 95 00 96 00 110 00 ' 8, 1852 20 18 Danube .... 18, 1853 80 00 82 00 83 00 86 00, 91 00 110 00 ' 23, 1853 33 26 Anna Kimball 19, " 79 00 83 00 83 00 88 00 92 00 114 00 ' 22, " 31 22 Cygnet .... 6, " 85 00 84 00 83 00 88 OO; 91 00 109 00 ' 8, " 30 30 Thos. Church* . 18, " 78 00 79 00 76 00 79 00, 81 00 111 00 ' 30, " 48 46 Winged Racer 13, " 82 00 81 00 84 00 89 00 93 00 106 00 ' ' 7, " 22 21 Flying Childers . 19, " 81 00 83 00 83 00 86 OO' 92 00 117 00! ' ' 19, " 28 22 Living Age . . 8, " 79 00 81 00 82 00 87 00, 92 00 112 oo! ' ' 12, " 32 20 Bald Eagle . . . 23, " 85 00 95 00 99 00 97 00100 00 111 OOj ' ' 23, " 28 19 F. W. Brune . . 1, " 90 00 95 00 96 00 98 00100 00 107 OOj ' ' 2, " 2.9 29 Storm .... 20, " 79 00 82 00 83 00 88 OO; 91 00 110 00 ' ' 17, " 25 28 Alboni .... 1, " 85 00 94 00 96 00 98 00102 00 114 00;Fe b. 27, " 26 30 Sartelle* . . . 10, 1852 80 00 74 00 80 00 81 00, 84 00 107 00 M IV. 10, 1852 28 39 Eoman ... . 24, 1853 85 00 91 00 91 00 93 00 98 00 110 32 ' ' 23, 1853 26 25 Eagle Wing . . 19, 1854 78 00 77 00 79 00 83 00, 85 00 113 00 ' ' 12, 1854 21 23 Telegraph . . . 10, " 78 00 77 00 77 00 74 00 79 00 106 00 ' ' 23, " . 25 24 Means . . . 82 08 79 34 80 19 84 48 91 07 110 12 27.2 : 24.9 1 * Not included in the average. KOUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 663 Crossings in the Pacific, from 50° S. to the Equator — Continued. Date of LONGITUDE OF CROSSING THE PARALLELS OP — Longitnde Days I Days from NA.MK OF VKS8EL. crossing parallel of of crossing the equa- Date of crossing the equator. from 50° 8. to the the equa- tor to San 50° S. 50° S. 40° s. 35° S. 30° s. 25° S. tor. equator. Francisco. Makch. Long. W. / Long. W. o / Long. W. o / Long. W. o / Long. W. o / Long. W. o / Days. Days. Hurricane . . . 4, 1852 81 00 80 00 82 00 85 00 88 00 103 00 Mar. 22,1852 18 24 Great Britain . . 25, " 79 00 81 00 74 00 74 00' 78 00 104 00 Apr. 28, " 34 30 Sartelle .... 2, 1850 79 00 80 00 80 00 82 00 85 00 109 00 Mar. 28, 1850 26 34 Howard .... 5, 1852 80 00 80 00 80 00 83 00, 88 00 110 00, " 29, 1852 24 25 Wisconsin . . . 27, " 84 00 83 00 78 00 78 OO: 82 00 106 00 Apr. 22, " 26 30 Hermann . . . 27, 1850 81 00 76 00 76 00 82 001 87 00 109 OOlMay 11, 1850 45 37 Daniel .... 26, 1851 77 00 78 00 77 00 82 Oo! 87 00 113 00' Apr. 28, 1851 33 33 Isette .... 5, 1850 84 00 87 00 88 00 90 00 92 00 no 00>lay 10,1850 66 37 Stag Hound . . 30, 1851 79 00 77 00 74 00 75 00 81 00 113 OOi " 4, 1851 34 21 Isabelita Hyne . 26, " 83 00 81 00 83 00 84 00 88 00 116 00 Apr. 23, « 28 24 Maria .... 14, " 78 00 77 00 78 00 82 oo! 85 00 117 00 " 16, " 83 32 Samuel Eussell . 17, 1850 84 00 83 00 82 00 81 00 84 00 119 00 " 15, 1850 29 20 Estlier May . . 31, 1853 81 00 91 00 93 00 99 00|105 00 113 00 " 28, 1853 28 33 John Holland . . 15, " 79 00 84 00 83 00 82 00 84 00 102 00 " 16, " 32 24 liattler .... 18, " 82 00 90 00 90 00 94 oo', 97 00 114 00 " 16, " 29 23 Golden Eagle . . 30, « 79 00 90 00 97 00 98 00 103 00 113 00 " 20, " 21 19 Eagle .... 8, " 87 00 92 00 100 00 103 00 104 00 116 00 " 8, " 31 22 Tornado .... 13, " 84 00 91 00 99 00 96 00 98 00 118 00 " 10, " 28 22 John Stuart . . 14, " 82 00 94 00 99 00 102 00'103 00 112 00 " 10, " 27 24 Celestial .... 18, " 82 00 83 00 84 00 86 00 91 00 109 00 " 15, " 28 23 Phantom . . . 13, " 84 00 94 00 101 00 105 00106 00 113 00 " 6, " 24 15 Walter (schr.) . . 11, " 81 00 83 00 87 00 89 00| 94 00 108 00 9, « 29 25 Susquehanna . . 29, 1851 78 00 80 00 83 00 86 00 90 00 113 00 May 1, 1851 33 30 Elsinore .... 30, " 81 00 85 00 94 00 91 00 89 00 108 00 " 7, " 38 31 Courser .... 9, 1852 79 00 80 00 83 00 87 00 92 00 105 00 Mar. 28, 1852 19 31 Flying Cloud . . 17, 1854 80 00 88 00 89 00 91 00 94 00 110 00 Apr. 6, 1854 20 15 Game Cock . . 9, » 79 00 82 00 80 00 79 OOi 82 00 109 00 5, " 26 16 Herald of Morning 22, " 82 00 100 00 103 00 98 00111 oo: 119 00 " 16, " 24 20 Archer .... 18, " 79 00 88 00 91 00 93 00, 97 00, 112 00 20 22 North Carolina . 11, " 79 00 79 00 81 00 79 00 77 00 95 00 " 15, " 35 42 Means . . . 80 42 80 41 85.42 89 22 93 00 110 06, 1 1 28.8 1 26.1 664 THE WIND AND CUREKNT CHARTS. Crossings in the Pacific, from 50° S. to the Equ alor — Continued. Date of LONQITUDE OF CROSSING THE PARALLELS OF — Longitude] Days Days from najMe of vessel. crossing parallel of of crossing' Date of crossing equator. from 50° S. to the the equa- tlie equa- the tor to Sau 60° S. 50° S. 40° S. 35° S. 30° S. 25° S. tor. equator. Francisco. Long. W. Long. W, Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. Days. Days. April. o / o / 1 t / / Ocean Bird . , 17, 1849 81 00 76 00 78 00 79 00 78 00 99 00 May 23, 1849 . 36 38 Anonyma . . . 25, " 78 00 78 00 82 00 86 00 87 00 103 00 u 23, " 28 34 Aurora . . . . 18, " 81 00 79 00 73 00 75 00 75 00 110 00 11 30, " 42 31 New Castle* . . 28, " 79 00 78 00 74 00 77 00 80 00 109 00 June 11, " 44 54 F. Depau . . . 4, 1850 78 00 77 00 73 00 74 00 81 00 113 00 May 20, 1850 46 27 Diadem . . . . 7, " 81 00 74 00 74 00 89 00 82 00 116 00 U 22, " 45 36 Tornado . . . 24, 1852 83 00 80 00 81 00! 85 00 88 00 108 00 " 18, 1852 24 44 Kate Hays . . . 24, " 79 00 76 00 74 00 78 00 82 00 109 00 June 3, " 40 32 Sea Serpent . . 13, 1853 81 00 87 00 85 00 85 00 88 00 102 00 May 5, 1853 22 27 A. Cheseborough 1, " 78 00 85 00 88 00 91 00 95 00 114 00 Apr. 26, " 25 32 Simoom . . . . 12, " 88 00 97 00 94 00 91 00 92 OOl 106 00 May 5, " 23 27 Aldebaran . . . 1, " 85 00 90 00 92 00 98 00 103 00 110 00 Apr. 27, " 26 35 Lucknow . . . 2, " 88 00 99 OOIIO8 00 105 00 103 00 118 00 May 6, " 34 28 Star of the Union 14, " 84 00 98 00 87 00 86 00 88 OOl 106 00 It 5, " 21 27 Astrea . . . . 17, " 84 00 89 00 93 00 96 00 99 00: 114 00 11 19, " 32 37 Golden Rover . . ' 15, " 86 00 93 00' 92 00 90 00 91 00 109 00 ~ 100 32 83 34 J 34 28 ■ 89.5 31 41 40 ■ 117.5 40.5 26] 38 y 108 29 23 \ 29 22 95 25.5 26 100 26 141 140.5 149 112 120 157.5 137 120.5 126 CROSSINGS BETWEEN 105° AND 110° W. LONG. Eevere New York 111 Jan. 3, 1852 109 30 261 Wild Pigeon . . . (1 88 10, 1852 108 59 17 Golden Gate . . . (I 90 12, 1852:106 00 23 - 102.3 23 125.5 Manchester .... (I 139 5, 1853 107 00 26 Eingleader .... Boston 85 15, 1853110 00 25 Eureka Now York 102 15, 1853 110 00 21, 676 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. The Names of Vessels; their Passage f mm Atlantic Ports to the Line in the Pacific, d-c. — Continued. CROSSINGS BETWEEN 105° AND 110° w. LONG.— Continued. AVEBAGE PASSAGE. To the Date of crossing Long tude of From the KAME OF VESSEL. Port last fi-om. equator the equator in crossing the equator to To the From the From the in the the Pacific. equator. San Fran- line line to j U. S. to Pacific. cisco. from U.S. Califor- nia. Califor- nia. Days. Days. Days. Days. Days. Joliu Jay .... New Bedford 133 Feb. 6, 1850 105° lO'W. 371 Gray Feather . . . New York 100 17, 1852 109 27 26 Tingqua 11 87 19, 1852 106 25 28 - Ill 29 140 Hazard 11 107 21, 1851 109 30 24 Helena 11 113 19, 1851 110 00 21 Eussell 11 128 7, 1850 110 00 37 Y. W. Bruae . . . « 122 March 2, 1853 106 56 291 Winged Racer . . K 85 7, 1853 106 24 23 John Bertram . . . Boston 86 8, 1853 109 47 19 Cygnet i< 125 8, 1853 109 00 30 Sartelle New York 135 29, 1850 107 15 34 Whiton 11 112 15, 1848 109 05 28 - 108 26 130 Samuel Appleton 11 103 23, 109 30 18 Golden West . . . Boston 101 24, 1853 107 04 23 Uriel 11 86 30, 1851 109 45 34 Benjamin Howard* . 11 95 29, 1852 110 00 25 Telegraph .... 11 91 23, 1854 106 00 24 J Sch'r Walter {via Rio) New York 121 April 10, 1853 108 33 25" Wisconsin .... 11 94 22, 1852 106 00 30 113 27 143 Hermann .... Philadelphia 155 11, 1850 108 00 37 Game Cock .... New York 94 5, 1854 109 00 16 J Gray Feather . . . 11 108 May 1, 1851 109 45 281 Star of the Union 11 97 5, 1853 106 38 27 Golden Racer . . . Boston 96 6, 1853 108 45 34 Simoom Governor Morton New York 107 97 6, 1853 15, 1853 106 109 41 01 26 26^ - 104 30.6 134.8 Tornado u 84 17, 1852 107 07 44 Aurora Nantucket 140 30, 1849 110 00 31 Polynesian .... Philadelphia 105 18, 1854 110 00 29 J Kate Hays .... New York 122 June 3, 1852 109 16 31^ New York .... 11 103 3, 1853 107 30 35 Herculean .... 11 119 8, 1853 109 21 35 H. Birckhead . . . Baltimore 111 17, 1853 109 00 31 Lantao New York 94 23, 1853 105 55 30 Vandalia .... II 126 2, 1850 107 30 36 Mascouoma . . . (I 123 4, 18501108 00 45 . 123 39.4 147 Sherwood .... Boston 106 25, 1851 108 45 40 Climax II 88 24, 1853 106 30 27 Ino New York 99 19, 1851 109 30 34 Adirondack! . . . II 151 12, 1850 109 40 49 Home Baltimore 109 10, 1850 110 00 39 Roscoe New York 121 27, 1853 109 45 27 Cynthia New Orleans 128 8, 1854 110 00 53 * Capt. Shiueve to Lieut. Maubt: "I approve of the route laid down by you. I have had much experience at sea, as shipmaster, in all quarters of the globe, and heartily concur in your views respeoting passages. I also believe the day is not far distant when pas- sages to California will be made frequently in one hundred days. I have often been amazed in viewing tracks of different ships to tliis port, and those who have the longest passages have been broad off the riyht track. The Benjamin Howard is a medium clipper, seven hundred tons. You will notice I have beat the whole fleet that sailed about the time I did; experienced all sorts of weather on the passage; neither tore a sail nor lost a spar the whole passage." •)■ Not included in the average. ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 677 The Names of Vessels ; Iheiv Passage from Atlantic Ports to the Line in the Pacific, dr. — Continued. CROSSINGS BETWEEN 105° AND 110° w. LONG. — Continued. AVERAGE PASSAGE. Tn iho nnto ^f no'-^crolnn. Longitude of crossing the From the equator to NAME OF VESSEL. Port last from. equator the equator in To the From the From the in the the Pacific. | equator. Sau Fran- line line to U. S. to Pacific. cisco. from U.S. Califor- nia. Califor- nia. Days. 1 Days. Days. Days. Days. Gazelle New York July 9, 1849105° 30'W. 30^ Edgar . . 11 126 2, 1850108 15 39 Staffordshire Boston 83 24, 1852!l08 01 18 1- 108 33.5 132 Cohota . . C( 103 19, 1850109 45 23 Storm King 11 111 3, 1853:106 30 24 Ellen Noyes II 111 Aug. 6, 1852|l07 30 33-) Flying Cloud New York 95 17, 1852 105 20 19 I 100.6 24.7 127 White Squall Philadelphia 96 13, 1853 110 00 22] Mermaid Sept. 21, 1851 105 45 27^ Eliza Mallory !New York 115 10, 1852 108 42 37 I 128 30 158 Eureka . . 11 141 15, 1851 108 20 25) Butler . J Telegraph u 102 Oct. 22, 109 30 23) Ilorsburgh II 128 7, 1853 109 00 34 I 112 27 139 * Whistler Boston 107 31, 1853 109 00 24 j Seaman . New York 102 Nov. 13, 1852 109 41 2G' Boston . Eio de Janeiro 81 27, 1849 106 00 40 108 28 138 Kate Uays Philadelphia 156 6, 1853110 00 21 - Eaven New York 94 16, 1853 109 00 25 Ilorton , 11 151 Dec. 23, 1850109 15 33 151 33 184 CROSSINGS BETWEEN 110° AND 115° W. LONG. Wild Pigeon Flying-Fish Anstiss . . Sword-Fish . Ambassador Celestial . . George Raymond Golden City Ann Maria Sam'l Lawrence Eagle . . . N.B. Palmer Onward . . Bald Eagle . Parthenon . Franconian . Morning Light Trade-Wind Capitol . Eealm Contest . Telegraph Cygnet . Lawrence Alboni . Cyclone . Arthur . New York II Richmond, Ya. New York Boston . New York II Boston New York Boston II Philadelphia New York Richmond, Va. New York II Boston New York Boston New York 104 Jan. 14, 1853 74 13, 1853 116 22, 1853 71 21, 1852 127 16, 1849 84 23, 1852 102 23, 1852 87 18, 1854 131 20, 1854 99 26, 1854 85 28, 1854 96 1, 1854 130 4, 1854 93 4, 1854 117 8, 1854 123 20, 1854 113 17, 1854 85 Feb. 7, 1853 112 7, 1853 138 8, 1853 84 9, 1853 96 18, 1853 118 26, 1850 134 28,- 1850 99 28, 1853 98 5, 1854 135 9, 1854 112 20 112 00 110 00 110 15 112 35 113 30 114 34 114 00 110 00 HI 00 112 00 112 00 113 00 113 00 113 00 113 00 113 00 112 20 113 00 113 35 111 06 112 00 111 15 113 45 113 44 115 00 112 00 24-^ 18 25 20 32 23 25 20 23 \ 25 19 26 21 21 31 26 23 16 20 35 16 20 29 26 28 20 30 103 99 23.5 24 126.7 133.4 678 THE WIND AKD CURRENT CHARTS. TJie Names of Vessels; their Passage from Atlantic Ports to the Line in the Pacific, dc. — Continued. CROSSINGS BETWEEN 110° AND 115° w. LONG. — Continued. NAME OF VESSEL. Surprise . . Winthrop . Potomac Living Age Storm . . Anna Kimball Bald Eagle . Danube . . Bothnia . . Kentucky , Hannibal Roman . . Eagle Wing Phantom John Steward Eussell Glover Celestial . . Rattler . . Daniel . . Alhesdrough Aldebaran . Sea Serpent Esther May Flying Cloud Archer . . Huguenot . Susquehanna F. Depau . Stag Hound Masconoma Sword Fish M. Howes . Surprise . . Paragon . . Archibald Gracie Sirocco . . Delia . . . Morgan Dix Tigress . . Seaman's Bride Rose Standish Competitor . Parthian Emily Minor (via Juan Fernandez)* R. B. Forbes Santiago . . Surprise . . Port last from. New York Boston Portland New York II li i( It II Boston II New York Boston II New York II 11 II II Boston New York Philadelphia New York II Boston New York Boston New York II Boston New York II II Salem New York II Boston Richmond, Va. New York II To the equator in the Pacific. Date of crossing the equator in the Pacific. Days. 80 March 3, 116 3, 133 3, 108 12, 87 17, 110 22, 88 23, 130 23, 123 24, 122 26, 120 22, 103 23, 82 12, 90 111 April 6, 11, 115 14, 98 16, 98 16, 28, 104 26, 123 27, 22, 112 28, 74 6, 84 7, 98 19, 108 139 May 1, 20, 93 4, 122 7, 84 7, 115 8, 87 June 8, 120 8, 111 11, 117 12, 128 10, 107 13, 132 1, 92 19, 111 20, 89 24, 94 25, 170 27, 25, 104 26, 85 . 30, 1851 1851 Longitude of crossing the equator. 110° 110 18511111 1853,112 1853 110 1853 1853 114 111 1853 110 1851J112 1853113 1850114 1853lll0 1854113 1853 113 1853112 1850,113 1853 110 1853 114 1851113 1853113 1852110 1851114 1853113 1854110 1854'll2 1853113 185l|ll3 1850112 1851 1853 1853 113 110 114 1854114 1853|ll0 1853ill3 1850111 1853111 1851114 1853110 1850!ll4 1853114 1850113 1853114 1853111 SO'W 30 20 25 32 10 15 32 15 08 45 32 00 32 34 00 06 08 15 36 05 15 00 00 22 00 25 45 30 07 02 00 43 25 00 30 00 30 30 55 00 00 20 1854114 00 1853 113 00 1854112 00 From the equator to San Fran- ATEBAGE PASSAGE. To the line from U.S. Days 17 29 32 20 23 22 19 26 25 25 40 25 23 141 32 21 22 23 33 32 35 25 83 15 22 26 29 27 21 37 24 33 30 41 36 28 34 36 33 29 45 25 28 32 31 32 32 Days. Days From the From the line to Califor- nia. 107.8 100.6 110 106 25 U. S. to Califor- nia. Days. 132.9 25.6 28.5 32.8 125.6 138.6 139.5 * Not included in the average. ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 679 The Names of Vessels; their Passage from Atlantic Ports to the Line in the Pacific, &c. — Continued. CROSSINGS BETWEEN 110° AND 115° "W. LONG. — Continued. NAME OF VESSEL. Flying Eagle (via Eio) Ilornet . John Land Venice . Abbot . Amity . St. Patrick Isaac Allerton Caroline . . Sarah and Eliza* K B. Palmer Victory . . "Witch of the Wave Jas. H. Shepherd* Atalanta . . Avondale . N. B. Palmer Templeton . Southerner* Lady Arabella Virginia . . Witch of the Wave Belle of the West Eubicon . . E. C. Sronton* Ilarrisburg , West Wind Keindeer Golden State John Bertram Thomas Perkins Columbia Jamestown . Eaven . . Typhoon Eagle . . Carrington . Celestial . . Sandusky . Wild Duck . Hero . . . Winfield Scott Talbot . . Valparaiso . Winged Arrow Sea Witch Kate llays Sunbeam Witch of the Wave Trade- Wind . . Port last from. Boston New York Boston New York Bordeaux Boston New York II (1 II II Boston New York Baltimore New York Bucksport New York Boston II New York II II Boston New York II Boston New York Boston New York Boston New York II II II II Boston New York Philadelphia Boston II Philadelphia To the equator in the Pacific. Days. 109 87 94 107 126 132 118 127 180 88 103 89 122 119 101 126 141 138 90 104 135 141 123 99 123 99 91 100 133 103 85 87 101 103 83 137 108 127 140 139 138 95 91 131 138 91 91 Date th of crossing -c equator in the Pacific. July Auo 7, 23 25 14, 23 15 14 13 11 12, 2 2, 18: 1 28, 30, Sept. 6, lo: 16, 4! 2 21 5 12 17 20 24, 17, 4: 29: 25 12 20 29 30 20. 5 11 5. 21 27 29 12 2 4, 22 6, 3 14, 16 Oct. Nov. 1853 1853 1853 1850 1852 1850 1850 1850 1850 1849 1851 1853 1851 1853 1853 1853 1852 1850 1852 1850 Longitude of crossing the equator. 114° 112 114 114 113 115 110 111 113 113 114 112 115 114 115 112 113 112 112 113 1850;il4 1852 113 1853 1853 1853 112 114 112 1853112 1853 1854 1854 1853 112 113 112 114 1849110 1850111 18521 1851112 185l!ll4 1851|115 1850115 1850115 1853114 1853115 1853114 1853115 1850115 1851 115 1852114 1852114 1853 110 1853115 1853115 1853115 40'W 54 47 45 15 00 45 15 30 40 00 45 00 00 00 00 49 30 10 00 00 50 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 45 45 00 41 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 39 10 00 00 00 00 From the equator to San Fran- cisco. ^ Days. 34 20 31 30 88 81 841 34 36 36 19 32 32 43 40 29 24 27 33 33 33 25 24 32 39 39 34 38 24 24 26 35 25 20 19 28 26 21 34 24 29 28 311 30 22 17 21 24 26 24 1^ ATEBAOE PASSAGE. To the line from U.S. Days. 109 108 112.6 108.9 113.6 From the line to Califor- nia. Days. 31 30.7 29.4 26.2 24 From the U. S. to Califor- nia. Days. 140 141 140.9 135.1 137.6 * Not included in tlie aveiviKe. THE WIND AND CUERENT CHAETS, The Names of Vessels; their Passages from Atlantic Ports to the Line in the Pacific, Jbc. — Continued. CROSSINGS BETWEEN 110° AND 115° w. LONG. — Continued. AVERAGE PASSAGE. To the Date of crossing Longitude of From the NAME or VESSEL. Port last from. equator the equator in crossing the equator to To the From the From the in the the Pacific. equator. San Fran- line line to U. S. to Pacific. cisco. from U.S. Califor- nia. Califor- nia. Days. Days. Days. Days. Days. Mandarin . . , . New York 101 Nov. 19, 1853 112° OO'W. 22 Hurricane . . (1 102 18, 1853 114 00 22 North Wind . (( 116 21, 1853 115 00 22 Arab* . . . Boston 140 24, 1853 114 00 42 "Wisconsin . . New York 131 24, 1853 112 00 27 John Wade 11 94 Dec. 15, 1852 110 30 231 Thos. W. Sears i< 124 21,1852112 59 21 Senator . . . 11 105 26, 1852111 00 30 - 102 23.2 125.2 Unknown . . Boston 91 19, 1853 113 00 21 Skylark . . . New York 96 25,1853114 00 21 J CROSSINGS BETWEEN 115° AND 120° W. LONG. John Gilpin Flying Fish West war d-Ho Seaman . . Flying Childers Newton . . Lucia Field Lantao . . Canton . . Southerner . Eagle . . Tornado . . Amelia . . Isabelita Ilyne Maria . . . Samuel Eussell Herald of the Morning: Lucknow . . . Astrea .... Diadem .... Arcole .... Wisconsin . . . Valparaiso . . . Seaman's Bride . Stag Hound . . Archer .... Houqua .... Empress of the Seas St. Lawrence . . Eobert Harding . Houqua .... Sarah Boyd . . Eaduga .... Sheridan . . . Hermann . . . Eliza Thornton* . Benj. Howard New York Boston New York (1 Boston New York It II II 11 Boston Boston New York II Philadelphia New York 11 11 11 u II Boston New York Philadelphia New York New Bedford New York 78 Jan. 15, 77 22, 88 12, 89 Feb. 20, 91 March 19, 124 10, 120 19, 103 21, 136 28, 120 SO, 92 79 April 9, 10, 111 29, 101 23, 111 16, 90 15, 86 16, 111 138 May 6, 20, 22, 105 31, 100 31, 114 31, 99 2, 95 June 5, 108 8, 120 21, 89 10, 141 29, 126 28, 103 25, 129 116 July 15, 28, 103 2, 110 30, 145 9, 114 6, 1853 1852 1853 1850 1853 1851 1851 1851 1849 1851 1853 1853 1853 1851 1851 1850 1854 1853 1853 1850 116 119 120 118 117 117 119 118 118 117 115 118 116 116 117 118 119 117 115 116 1850117 1850118 1850119 1854117 1853116 1853115 1853115 1853115 1853116 1853116 1850115 1850115 1851118 1850118 1849120 1853116 1853 120 00 50 00 00 21 10 15 00 00 OO 30 10 41 00 00 30 00 50 49 00 00 45 00 00 03 08 11 30 15 36 15 15 00 30 00 53 00 16 ) 23 y 81 19.3 19^ 18 89 18 22^ 26 31 20 - 116 26 29 28 211 22 23 24 - 97.3 23.1 32 20 20 271 35 36 30 - 111 28.7 24 28 21 261 37 24 32 - 112 32 37 39 28 321 25 28 27 >• 114.4 29.2 42 34 J 100.3 107 142 119 138.6 144 143 * Not included in the average. EOUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 681 The Names of Vesseh; their Passage from Atlantic Ports to the Line in the Pacific, &c. — Continued. CROSSINGS BETWEEN 115° AND 120° w. LONG. — Continued. To the of From the AVEBAOE PASSAGE. KAME Of VESSEL. Port last from. equator the equator in crossing t he equator to To the From the From the in the the Pacific. equator San Fran- line line to U. S. to Pacific. CISC( ). from U.S. Califor- nia. Califor- I nia. Days. Days. Days. Days. Days. Finland* . . , . Philadelphia 133 Aug. 6, 1850 117° 15' W. 42^ Cbanning . New York 124 9, 1853 115 25 35 Oxnard . . II 116 8, 1853'115 40 34 Levanter II 125 26, 1853 117 30 32 119 37.4 150.6 Lin wood Baltimore 116 9, 1853 117 00 26 Mary Annah* New York 137 9, 1853 116 00 38 Highflyer . 4, 1853;117 00 29 Celestial Empire . . New York 114 21, 18531117 00 31 Flying Dutchman II 78 Sept. 8, 1853 119 00 281 Young America . . Cyaue II H. Roads 88 109 7, 1853 116 12, 1853116 00 00 22 32 - 100.7 27.2 128 Greenwich . , . . Boston 128 16, 1853 116 00 27 Gertrude . . . . New York 116 Oct. 8, 1850116 00 301 Sovereign of the Seas Windward . . . . II II 83 105 27, 1852 119 4, 1853116 47 00 20 29 - 101.3 26.3 127.6 F. P. Sage* . . . II 142 18, 1853116 00 34 J Comet II 102 Nov. 15, 1853'116 00 251 John Wade . . . Boston 95 27, 1853117 00 24 y 98 24.5 123 Wizard* (from Eio) . New York 27, 1853 116 00 22 j Comet II 88 Dec. 28, 1851 117 00 16) Winged Arrow . . Boston 108 27, 1853 118 00 18 I 94 18 112 Sam'l Russell . . . New York 86 31, 1853 117 00 20 J * CROSSINGS BETWEEN 120° AND 125° W. LONG. Westward-Ho Acasta . . Kensington Tartar . . Uncle Toby Flying Cloud Cleopatra . Amazon . . Anglo-Saxon Boston Sag Harbor New York Philadelphia Boston New York Boston New York 89 171 129 104 103 71 103 118 127 Jan. 13, March 10, June 24, July 24, 31, Aug. 12, 3, 4, Sept. 18, 1853122 1851il20 1851122 1851 121 1853 121 1851 124 1853 122 1853 1853 121 121 06 30 45 30 15 00 00 00 00 18 89 18 28 171 28 39 129 39 30) 103.5 30.5 19) 27 y 97.3 29.6 42 23 127 23 107 199 168 134 126.6 150 CROSSING WEST OF 125° W. LONG. Tagus New York * Not included in the average. 126 June 15, 1851 128 00 46 ]26 46 172 86 682 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Average Length of lest Passages of Galifomia-hound Vessels from the Atlantic Ports of the U. S. to the Equator in the Pacific, and from the Equator in the Pacific to San Francisco — arranged according to the Month and the Longitude of crossing the Equator. Month of crossing From U. S. No. of pas- Averages No. of pas- Place of crossing Average Average the equator in to the sages from from the sages from the equator in from U. S. passage of Shortest passage from the the Pacific. equator in which aver- equator which aver- the Pacific. to Cali- the whole U. S. for the month. the Pacific. ages are determined. to Cali- fornia. ages are determined. fornia. month from U. S. Days. Days. Between Days. Days. By the January . . . 103 6 25 6 105—110 125 103 17 23 17 110—115* 126 *Sword-Fish, 91 days. 88 3 19 3 115—120 100 122 89 1 18 1 120—125 107 February . . 112 2 29 2 100—105 141 111 6 29 6 105—110 140 99 10 24 10 110—115* 133 134 *Contest, 100 clays. 89 1 18 1 115—120 107 March . . . 107 1 42 1 90— 95 149 112 2 28 2 100—105 140 108 11 26 11 105—110 130 107 13 25 13 110—115* 132 134 *Surprise, 97 days. 115 6 26 6 115 120 141 171 1 28 1 • 120—125 199 April .... 135 1 42 1 95—100 187 122 2 . 27 • 3 100—105 149 113 4 27 4 105—110 143 100 13 25 13 110—115* 125 128 *Flying Cloud, 89 97 7 23 7 115—120 119 days. May .... 140 1 38 1 95—100 178 82 1 30 2 100—105* 112 *Sea Serpent, 108 104 8 30 8 105—110 134 135 days; and the % 110 6 28 6 110—115* 138 *Sword-Fish,108d'ys. 111 7 28 7 115 120 138 June .... 113 3 40 3 95—100 153 108 6 36 6 100—105* 144 *Sea Serpent, 113 123 14 39 14 105—110 147 144 days. 106 14 32 14 110 115 139 112 7 32 7 115—120 144 129 1 39 1 120—125 168 July .... 100 5 32 6 100—105 132 108 5 33 5 105—110* 132 ♦Staffordshire, 101 109 6 31 6 110—115 140 137 days. 114 5 29 5 115 120 143 103 2 30 2 120—125 134 August . . . 89 2 31 2 100—105 120 100 3 25 3 105 110 127 108 8 30 8 110—115 141 138 119 7 37 7 115—120 150 97 3 29 3 120—125* 126 *Flying Cloud, 90 September . . 130 1 39 1 95—100 169 days. 117 2 40 2 100—105 157 128 3 30 3 105—110 158 112 11 29 11 110—115 140 141 100 4 27 4 115—120* 127 *Flying Dutchman, 127 1 23 1 120—125 150 106 days. October . . . 108 3 29 3 100—155 137 112 3 27 3 105—110 139 134 108 12 26 12 110—115 135 ♦Sovereign of the 101 4 26 4 115—120* 127 Seas, 103 days. ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 683 Average Length of best Passages of Oalifor7iia-bou7id Vessek, etc. — Continued. Month of crossing From U. S. No. of pas- Averages No. of pas- Place of crossing Average Average the equator in to the sages from from the sages from the equator, in from U. S. passage of Shortest passage from the the Pacific. equator in which aver- equator which aver- the Pacific. to Cali- the whole U. S. for the month. the Pacific. ages are determined. to Cali- fornia. ages are determined. fornia. month from U. S. Days. Days. Between Days. Days. By the November . . 95 2 25 2 100—105 120 108 4 28 4 105 110 138 134 113 12 24 12 110—115* 137 *SeaWitcli, 108 days. 98 2 24 2 115—120 123 December . . 100 1 26 1 100—105 126 102 5 23 5 110—115 125 120 94 3 18 3 115—120* 112 *Comet, 104 days. Let us see what light the information, contained in these two tables, will throw upon the best Cali- fornia route, as well as upon the best season of the year for that voyage. The shortest monthly mean is 120 days, and that is for the vessels that crossed the equator in the Pacific, during the month of December. And to this crossing they had an average run of 99 days. Vessels that sail from the United States to California, in all of September and October, are the vessek which, upon an average, should have the fairest winds and make the best passages. The crossings that have given the shortest passage to San Francisco for each month are marked (p. 682) with an asterisk (*), and the name of the vessel quoted in the last column. It is of some consequence, in deciding as to the best crossing-place on the equator, that the navigator should have an idea as to the parallels near which he may expect to lose the S. E. trades ; for the equatorial limits of these winds change with the season. In March, you will occasionally carry them several degrees over into the northern hemisphere. But in this month they are generally near the verge of their extreme declination towards the south. When you lose them and get the N. E. trades, keep away with a good rap full, never aiming to cross the parallel of 20° north to the east of long. 125° west. Unless the winds force you off, aim to be in shore of the meridian of 130° W. when you lose the K E. trades. When you do lose them, if then you have to fight the calms and baffling winds of the horse latitudes, make the best of your way on a due north course, till you cross this belt of calms, or catch a good wind, or get into the variables beyond. I shall have more to say upon this subject at some other time. In April, you will carry these trades for a little farther, and so on farther and farther until October, when the northern edge of them becomes stationary and commences to return south. It reaches its farthest parallel of southern declination in March or April. It may be well here to make a general remark as to the influence of extensive arid plains which the navigator may find to the east of him as he sails, in any part of the ocean, across the belt of the N. E. or S. E. trade-winds. In the summer and fall, the influence of these winds is felt far out to sea. The monsoons of India 684 ' THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. aro due to such au influence ; so are the monsoons in the Atlantic; in the Gulf of Mexico; and in the Pacific off the coasts of Central America ; and so, indeed, are all monsoons produced. Why, then, not have a monsoon in the southeast trades of the Pacific, since South America and the pampas of Buenos Ayres are to windward of them ? In the first place, the Andes stand up as a screen between them and those plains ; and in the next place, those plains are neither so very extensive nor so arid when we come to compare them with the vast deserts of Africa and Asia. But, nevertheless, in order to keep away from the land, and clear of its influence, though feeble upon the winds of the South Pacific, navigators should, when wiuds are fair and opportunities favorable, endeavor to make, while they are well to the south, westing enough to keep clear even of the slight influence that the land in South America exerts upon the winds along its west coast. Therefore, after you have doubled Cape Horn, and gained an offing from the land, there is no necessity for running a thousand miles or more off from the South American coast, as from the coasts of Central America you have to do, in order to get better winds. The chief advantage of making, while south of the parallel of 35° or 40° S., the meridian near which you intend to cross the equator, is, that there the degrees of longitude are short, and therefore easy to run down ; and that when you have made your westing down there, you can spread the more canvas when you get the S. E. trades, which you will then have on the quarter. If you put off making westing until you get these winds, you will then have to stand away to the northward and westward through them, which course will bring them aft, and therefore make them less favorable. The Flying Cloud's track beautifully illustrates this view. On her celebrated passage, she passed along the west of South America, in the southern winter time, when the influence of the land there upon the winds is the least. She crossed the line in August, in 124°, far beyond the influence of the disturbing agents in North America. This passage, however, of the Flying Cloud should be alluded to, not as a rule, but rather as an excep- tion. Nevertheless, she does not so out-top all hope of reasonable expectations, that other ships may not strive to surpass her. For, though she has set a good example, that example will yet be more than followed. It appears from the summing up, that the average passage to California, for all classes of ships that use the Charts, is, the year round, 133* days. "When these investigations commenced, the average passage the year round, of all classes of ships from the Atlantic ports of the United States to California, was 18Q days. For that part of the route between New York and the line in the Atlantic, the average time saved is ten days to each ship; for the average passage to the equator in the Atlantic, was, by the old route, 41 days; it is now, by the new, 31. The following table may be interesting. It gives the crossing- places of the line in the Pacific, and the time from the United States, with the names of many of the vessels by which the shortest passage in each month was made. * Being a gain of three days within the last year. BOUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 685 Name of Ship and Place of crossing the Equator in the Pacific on the Shortest Passages for each Month. KAME OF VESSEL. To line in Place of crossing. Line to Cali- Total from U.S. Crossed the line iu Pacific. fornia. to California. the month of Days. Days. Days. Flying Fish 74 112° 00' W. 18 92 January. John Gilpin ........ 78 116 00 16 94 It Flying Fish 77 120 00 23 100 Wi June 12. At 8 A. M., wind E. N. E. to E. S. E. ; squally ; got under way and stood S. E. At 12 M, lat. 22°08'; long. 115° 03' E. June 13. Wind steady at E. ; squalls from E. N. E. to S. E., with heavy rain, some thunder and lightning; 3 A.M. got soundings in 23 fathoms; S. by E. from Lamrock reef; latter part, heavy squalls of wind and rain. Lat. 23° 22' N. ; long. 118° 18' 20" E. June 14. At 1 P. M., soundings on Western Earmosa Shoal, in 15 fathoms. Wind : light, E. S. E. ; thick and rainy ; latter part, gentle breezes S. S. W. ; all drawing sail set. Barometer, 29.55. Lat. 24° 54' 31"; long. 120° 10' E. June 15. First and middle parts, fine S. W. winds ; latter part, moderate, with appearance of N. W. winds. Barometer, 29.60. Lat. 26° 40' K; long. 122° 50' 13" E. June 16. Light winds and rain; variable; heavy clouds from N. W. to N. E. 1 A.M. wind from N. E. suddenly, with heavy squall ; latter part, calm, with rain ; drifted 12 miles in 6 hours, S. by E. Barometer, 29.60. Lat. 27° 25'; long. 125° 00' E. • June 17. First part, wind E. N. E.; middle part, same ; latter part, S. E. with rain. Barometer, 29.45. Lat. 27° 03' ; long. 126° 52' 07" E. June 18. First part, strong breezes from S. E., with heavy rain squalls; middle part, wind S. S. E. to S. S. W. in squalls, heavy ; latter part, same ; run through between the Tanajasami Islands, and the coast of Japan; took in light sail; bad sea, and heavy rip. Wind: S. W. Barometer, 29.30. Lat. 30° 55'; long. 131° 03' 27" E. June 19. Through this day wind from S. S. W. to W., with heavy squalls. Barometer, 29.35. Lat. 82° 20'; long. 135° 02' 12" E. June 20. First part, same; middle part, wind veered suddenly to N. W.; latter part, wind N. W. by W. ; heavy swell from N. N. E. ; fine weather ; passed between Brisseir and Prince Island. Barometer, 29.50. Lat. 34° 12'; long. 140° 00' E. June 21. First and middle parts, light winds N. N. W.; latter part, calm. Barometer, 29.70. Lat. 34° 50'; long. 142° 07' E. June 22. First part, calm and hot; middle part, gentle breezes S. E. ; latter part, same, and fine weather with N. W. swell ; southerly current. Barometer, 29.70. Lat. 36° 30'; long. 145° 18' 27" E. June 23. First part, strong breezes S. E. to S. ; middle and latter parts, from S. to S. W.; heavy squalls, and plenty of rain ; heavy swell from N. N. W. Barometer, 29.40. Lat. 28° 50' ; long. 150° 09' E. June 24. Throughout, strong gale S. W. to'W. S. W. ; heavy rain ; same swell. Barometer, 29.30. Lat. 40° 16'; long. 154° 53' 36" E. June 25. Still blowing heavy ; split maintopsail ; sent up new one. At 4 A. M. wind veered suddenly to N. W. ; clear and fine, with strong breeze. Barometer, 29.35. Lat. 41° 20' ; long. 159° 32' E. June 26. First part, strong breezes, and bad sea; decks full of water; took in both quarter boats ; at 4 P. M. wind veered suddenly to W. by S. ; heavy squalls. Barometer, 29.18. Put in 2 reefs. Latter 700 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. part, wind N. W., more moderate, with heavy squalls ; heavy strata of clouds in the north, and bad N. N. E. sea. Barometer, 29.15. Lat. 41° 12' ; long. 164° 06' E. June 27. Still same ; barometer, 29.25 ; swell N. ; latter part, same. Barometer, 29.30. Lat. 41° 18° ; long. 171° 28' E. June 28. Still same ; impossible to keep the sea from boarding ; heavy sea from N. N. E. ; another from S. W. ; everything calked and battened down ; no ordinary gale ; 8 A. M. more moderate ; still heavy squalls. Barometer, 29.40. Lat. 41°; long. 176° 05' E. June 29. First part, more moderate ; made all drawing sail ; clouds breaking ; wind N. N. W. to W. N. "W. ; middle part, same; latter part, heavy squalls from N. N. W. Barometer, 29.60. Lat. 41° 34'; long. 179° 54' 30" W. Crossed meridian. June 80. First part, light breeze N. N. E., with squalls from N. E.; middle and latter parts, calm. Barometer, 30.10. Lat. 41° 40' ; long. 178° 39' W. July 1. First part, light air N. E. ; middle and latter parts, calm, and thick fog. Barometer, 30.10. Lat. 41° 32'; long. 178° 07' W. July 2. Dead calm, with rain. July 3. Catpaws from E. N. E. to S. E. ; made nothing. July 5. Perfect calm, and fine. July 6. First part, light easterly airs, thick and rainy ; middle part, same ; latter part, wind E. S. E., light. Barometer, 30.05. Lat. 42° 03'; long. 178° 00' W. July 7. First part, gentle breezes S. E. ; thick fog, with rain squalls: standing N. E., with studding- sail set on starboard side; saw a barque standing east by the wind. Barometer, 29.95. Lat. 42° 30'; long. 177° 19' W. July 8. Light air from S. to E. S. E. ; thick fog; plenty of whales and birds. Barometer, 30.30. Lat. 42° 45' ; long. 175° 10' W. July 9. Throughout, light winds E. S. E. to S. S. E.; thick fog, sometimes drizzling rain. Baro- meter, 30.30. Lat. 42° 57' ; long. 172° 12' W. July 10. Throughout, light winds S. E. to S.; thick fog, drizzling rain, clear at noon. Barometer, 30.20. Lat. 43° 04' ; long. 168° 24' W. July 11. First part, gentle breezes S. ; middle part, calm ; latter part, light air N. N. W. ; saw plenty of whales and birds ; weather unsettled; no appearance of wind. Barometer, 30.15. Lat. 43° 02'; long. 165° 10' W. July 12. Light airs southwesterly, and cloudy ; swell from N. N. W. ; middle and latter parts, good breezes S. S. W. to S. S. E. ; fine and pleasant. Barometer, 30.05. Lat. 43° 00' ; long. 160° 30' W. • July 13. First part, light winds S. to S. S. E.; middle part, to S. E., thick fog; latter part, wind same ; fine weather. Barometer, 30.15. Lat. 43° 09' ; long. 156° 54' W. July 14. First part, light winds same, with rain ; middle part, same ; latter part, fine weather. Baro- meter, 30.30. Lat. 43° 17': long. 153° 24' W. BOUTKS BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND ASIA. 701' July 15. First part, light S. E. winds ; middle part, nearly calm, with rain ; latter part, S. E. to E. S. E., with fog and rain. Barometer, 30.35. Lat. 43° 32'; long. 149° 10' W. July 16. Throughout, light winds from S. E. to E. by S. ; long swell from N. N. "W. Barometer, 30.40. Lat. 44° 19' ; long. 144° 53' W. July 17. First part, light air E. by S. ; any quantity of Portuguese men-of-war ; middle and latter parts, light airs, with squally appearances easterly; swell from N. "W. Barometer, 30.40. Lat. 44° 50'; long. 142° 24' 30" W. July 18. First part, calm, and catpaws from E. N. E. ; latter part, squally, N. E. by N.; saw a schooner standing northwesterly. Barometer, 30.40. Lat. 43° 58' ; long. 142° 00' W. July 19. First part, gentle breezes N. N. E., with squalls N.; middle and latter parts, strong and heavy squalls, with bad sea N. N. W. Barometer, 30.20. Lat. 42° 12' ; long. 136° 40' W. July 20. First part, strong breezes and squally, bad sea N. to N. N". E. ; middle part, more steady ; latter part, moderate N. E. by N. Barometer, 30.00. Lat. 40° 35' ; long. 132° 03' W. July 21. First part, light airs and cloudy ; middle and latter parts, gentle breezes N. N. E. Baro- meter, 29.95. Lat. 38° 10' ; long. 127° 03' W. July 22. First and middle parts, light wind K, and misty; latter part, winds N. W., thick fog; at 12 M. Cape Rees bore, by estimation, S. E. f E., distant 54 miles. July 23. Thick fog ; lay in with maintopsail to mast ; at 10 A. M. cleared up ; Point Bonitta bore K E. by E. J E., distant 9 miles. So ends this abstract. Variation is not allowed in any of the compassed courses in this journal. You can see that I made a good run to the meridian, and I think that, if I had crossed it to the south of parallel of 40°, and not below 37°, I might have shortened the passage 10 or 12 days; but I crossed well north, expecting to find Lieut. M. F. Maury's strong N. "W. winds; and, on the contrary, found light S. E. winds. I have crossed the meridian twice before at that season — once in 38° 10', once in 37° 54' — and made the run to San Francisco in 12 days and 15 days. So, my advice is, do not cross the meridian north of 39° 30'; there will be mere westerly winds, with squally weather. Your obedient servant, REUBEN CALHOUN. It is possible that Capt. Calhoun might have shortened his passage, by crossing that arbitrary line called the lower meridian, between the parallels of 37° and 40° ; but it is probable he would" have gained more had he crossed it 10° farther to t^e north than he did. In the first place, he would have saved several days' sail by sticking to the great circle route, which vessels from China may follow pretty closely, and which crosses the meridian of 180° in about 50°. The reason why he found the light winds he speaks of, was because he was too near the horse'latitudes. The Trade-Wind Chart of the Atlantic, shows that the light airs of those latitudes frequently reach as far north as 37°, and farther, especially in summer, and at the very season he was making this voyage. On account of the great circle, the route from China to THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. California, is in distance from 800 to 1200 miles sborter than the route through the N. E. trades, via Sandwich Islands, &c.,/rom. California to China. It is well, especially in summer and fall, when the weather is mild, to bear this fact in mind. The great circle from the free porta of China and Japan to California and the Columbia Eiver, may- be followed by sailing vessels all the year, and with less inconvenience than attends vessels on the northern route between New York and Liverpool. The route in the Pacific is free from icebergs, and is not more foggy than that in the Atlantic. As to the relative fury and frequency of the gales, I cannot speak. ROUTES BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND AUSTRALIA. The great circle distance from South Australia to California, is about 7,000 miles, and vessels in the direct trade between Australia and the Pacific coasts of the United States, may have the choice of routes going as well as coming; going, the distance to be sailed, on account of detour for the sake of winds, is about 7,500 miles ; returning, that is, coming this way by the eastern route, the distance is eight or nine hundred miles greater. With the exception of the N. E. trades, on the passage from New South Wales, or Victoria to California, the winds are fair, or may conveniently be made fair both ways. A good N. E. course can be made through the S. E. trades ; and a N. N. W. course, on the average, through the N. E. trades. But these courses will not give easting enough for the California-bound trader, and it therefore becomes a question for him to decide, whether he will make up his easting in the variables south of S. E. trades, or in the variables north of the N. E. trades, for in both of those systems of variables westerly winds prevail. In coming out of the Victoria ports, go south of Van Dieman's Land, or through Bass's Straits, as you have the winds and find it expedient. Being south of Van Dieman's Land makes it convenient to pass south of New Zealand, if the wind be fair, as in the majority of cases it will be. Having passed south of New Zealand, steer for the parallel of 40° or 45° S., between the meridians of 150° and 140° W^ thence for the equator between 120° and 130° W., crossing by a north course, both the horse latitudes of the southern hemisphere and the equa- torial doldrums ; then run through the N. E. trades as best you may, keeping a "rap full" and running up into the variables beyond the horse latitude calms of the northern hemisphere, if need be, to complete your easting and make your port. If the winds be not fair for passing south of New Zealand, try Cook's Straits in preference to passing to the north of New Ulster. If you "pass through Cook's Straits, then stick her well to the eastward and take the eastern passage. On this passage, you should run down your easting pretty well before you get far enough north to be bothered by the baffling winds of the horse latitudes south. If these come as low down as 38° or 40° S., stand north the moment you feel them till you get the S. E. trades ; then cross these and the N. E. trades, both as obliquely to the eastward as they will permit, with foretopmast studding-sail set. ROUTES BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND AUSTBALIA. 708 On tbis passage, you will have finally to run down your easting when you get into the variables beyond the N. E. trades, and of course you will aim to reach the parallel of 38° or 40° N., or even a higher one north, to do this. How far you will go north depends somewhat upon the distance you may be west of California when you lose the N. E. trades. If you be only a degree or two from the land, you will steer straight for your port without caring to get to the northward of it ; but if you be ten or twenty degrees to the west of it, or even further, then of course the distance to be run makes it an object to turn out of your way and go north in search of good winds. Therefore, the choice of routes on this voyage resolves itself into the answer to this question : Is it best to make easting between the parallels of 40° and 50° S., or about the parallel of 40° N. ? If the former, then the eastern route is the route ; if the latter, then the preference should be given to the western route. I give preference to the eastern route, especially and decidedly when the winds at starting are favor- able for the east course. I have no doubt but that, as a general rule, the winds by the eastern route, both variables and S. E. trades, are much more steady and reliable than they are by the western route. More- over, the distance from the Victoria ports, via south side of Van Dieman's Land and New Zealand, is not more than three or four hundred miles greater than it is by the most direct route that is practicable, and the chances of good winds, by the eastern route, will, in my opinion, amply make up for this increased distance. It is proper for me to state here that I do not give these Australian sailing directions as directions that are founded on or derived from investigations into the routes actually pursued by vessels from Aus- tralia to California ; but I give them as deductions drawn from the knowledge which I have acquired touch- ing the general system of the winds and currents out upon the high seas. The most difficult and uncertain parts of this passage will be in the time required to cross the three belts of calms, and to clear the winter fogs of California. But for these, the eastern passage, from Victoria to California, would be one of the most certain passages in the world. The distance from Victoria to California cannot be accomplished under canvas, by the eastern route, much short of 8,700 miles. But driving captains, with clipper ships under them, may expect to average, one trip with another, along this route, not far from 200 miles per day. The clipper rate from Victoria to Cape Horn, will probably be upwards of 200 miles a day ; for I feel assured there is no part of the ocean in which the winds generally will admit of more heavy dragging and constant driving than they will in the extra-tropical regions generally of the South Pacific, say on the polar side of 40° S. Keturning from California to the gold fields of Australia, the route out of San Francisco should be down as soon as possible into the N. E. trades, as though you were.bound to China, India, or the Sandwich Islands, crossing the equator anywhere between the meridians of 140° and 150° west, according as you prefer to run down your westing principally in the N. E. or S. E. trades. I give the preference to the •latter generally, because they are more steady, reliable, and certain than are their congeners of the northern hemisphere— at least such is the rule. The distance by this route to Bass's Straits will be about 704 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. 7,500 miles ; and an increase upon this of the average distance to be sailed on the passage going, together with the distance returning, will not amount, as before stated, to more than six or eight hundred miles. Aim to cross 80° S., on the passage from California to Australia, in the neighborhood of 170° E. Thence, the course is between Australia and New Zealand direct for your port. In these passages, as on the California routes generally, navigators have to cross the calms of Cancer and of Capricorn, as well as those of the equator ; which last are found between the N. E. and S. E. trade- winds, but upon different parallels, according to the season of the year. It may, therefore, be remarked here, once for all — and which remark navigators bound either from the United States or from Panama to California are requested to bear in mind — that the barometer will often enable the navigator to tell when he has crossed these belts of calms, and entered the trades. In the belt of equatorial calms there is an ascending column of air. All the atmosphere which the N. E. and S. E. trades pour into this belt, rises up and flows off by counter currents in the upper regions. Of course, then, the mean height of the barometer in the equatorial calms, is less than its mean height in the trades on either side. This difference does not, probably, exceed one-tenth of an inch (0.1 inch). But close attention to the barometer in and about these calms, will often enable the navigator to decide whether the winds he may have be really trade-winds or not ; for after having been fighting these calms, if you get the wind from N. E. or S. E., as the case may be, and the barometer rises, then you may be sure that you have the trades. I have frequently, in the course of this work, had occasion to allude to the equatorial calms, and the rains which accompany them. At this day, it is not sufficient to tell the navigator that things are so. He depends more upon the lights of reason and the convictions of his understanding, less upon faith and the ipse dixit of philosophers than he used to do. And, therefore, when facts and phenomena are now stated to him, his first question generally is, for the explanation of them. I admire this spirit, and have frequently, in the pages of this work, turned aside to pay homage to it. (See the illustration afforded by Dewey's Meteorological Journal at Para, p. 467, 5th edition.) Where the two trade- winds meet, they and the vapors which they bring ascend, and it is then " the rainy season." The observations of Dewey on the land, show clearly enough that, as the belt of equatorial calms passes over Para, the mean height of the barometer is less than it is in the extra-tropical latitudes generally, or than it is when the trade-winds prevail at Para. There is no route on which close attention to the barometer, while crossing these calm belts, will be of more service to the navigator than on the California route from Panama. — See that Chapter, p. 689. In the calms of Cancer and of Capricorn, there is a descending instead of an ascending current of air ; therefore the barometer ranges higher, on the average, within those two calm belts than it does anywhere else. The difference, however, does not exceed the tenth of an inch (0.1). Close attention to this instru-_ ment will often enable the navigator to decide, when he has crossed this belt and got into the region of trades, even before he gets the wind from the trade quarter. He determines this by its fall. ROUTES BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND AUSTRALIA. 705 The passage between Australia and California should be made ordinarily in from 45 to 50 days ; — tbe passage to the east being rather the shorter ; of course, clipper ships will occasionally make the passage in 37 days. See the remarks about the Farallones, in the Sailing Directions for California from the United States, page 689. The log of the clipper schooner Heloise illustrates the western route from Australia to California. Abstract Log of the Schooner Heloise (Atkins Dyer). From New Castle, N, S. Wales, to San Francisco, 1855. Hours of Date. Latitude at noou. Longitude at noou. Therm, attached. Bar. Fog A. Rain B. Snow C. WINDS. Hail D. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Dec. 25,1854 33° 08' S. 152° 20' E. 07° 29.90 N.E.byN. N.E.byN. N.N.E. 26, " 34 09 155 16 68 30.00 N.N.E. N.byE. N. N. E. 27, " 34 15 159 00 ■ 68 29.98 N. N.E. N.N.E. . N.N.E. 28, " 34 42 163 02 68 30.00 'N. by B. N. by E. N. N. E. N.byE. N. jf. E. 29, " 34 36 166 18 68 30.05 N.byE. N. N. E. 30, " 35 36 168 55 68 30.10 N.byE. S.W. North 31, " 35 29 170 30 68 30.20 ' B AV.S.W. S.E. Jan. 1,1855 34 40 172 01 67 30.15 2 B S.B. E.S.E. E.S.E. 2, " 33 53 173 06 68 30.00 E.S.E. S.E. South 3, " 31 48 , 175 20 08 29.78 S.E. S.E. S.E. 4, " 30 11 177 34 70 29.85 East East East 5, " 28 00 179 51 71 29.80 E.byN. E. by N. E. N. E. 6, " 25 44 179 29 W. 73 29.80 E.N.E. E. by S. E. by S. 7, " 24 35 178 25 75 29.70 2 B Calm Calm Calm 8, " 24 20 178 13 80 29.60 B Calm E. by N. E. by N. 9. " 24 18 177 57 80 29.50 3 B East E.byS. E. by S. 10, " 25 01 178 00 78 29.20 3 B E. by S. E. by S. E.byS. 11, " 25 17 178 11 77 29.20 B E. S. E. S.E. S.S. 12 " 24 40 177 03 78 29.50 E.S.E. S.E. E. by S. 13,' " 23 02 175 51 78 29.60 E. by S. E.byS. East 14, " 19 58 172 40 80 29.78 E.S.E. E. S. E. E.S.E. 15, " 17 38 171 26 81 29.62 E.S.E. E.S.E. E. S. E. 16, " 14 33 1C9 00 82 29.58 2 B Calm N.byW. N.N.W. 17, " 13 52 167 01 83 29.52 2 B N. N. W. N. byW. North 18, " 12 40 165 29 83 29.50 B North N. N.W. N. E. by N. 19, " 12 27 163 21 82 29.63 B N.E.byN. N. E. by N. N. E. by N. 20, " 9 53 1G5 01 83 29.70 2 B North North N.byE. 21, " 8 30 106 19 83 29.70 N.E. N.E. N.E. 22, " 5 30 167 41 83 29.07 N.E.byE. N. E. by E. N.E.byE. 23, " 3 11 168 40 83 29.05 E.N.E. E. N. E. E.N.E. 24, " 12 N. 169 23 83 29.65 E.N.E. E. N. E. E.N.E. 25, " 3 34 169 40 83 29.72 E.N.E. E.N.E. E.N.E. 26, " 6 44 169 19 83 29.72 B East E.N.E. E. N. E. 27, " 9 02 169 47 83 29.76 N.E.byE. N.E. N.E. 28, " 12 11 170 30 80 29.78 6 B N.E. N.E. N.E. 29, " 14 25 171 58 80 29.76 N.E. N.E. N.E. 30, " 16 52 173 00 80 29.75 3 B N.E. N.E. N.E. 31, " 18 39 172 34 79 29.70 E. N. E. East S.E. Feb. 1, " 20 48 171 40 78 29.64 B S.W. West W.N.W. 2, " 22 40 168 34 78 29.60 2 B W.N.W. N.W. N.W. 3, " 24 03 165 15 76 29.58 N.AV. N.N.W. N.N.W. 4, " 24 51 162 03 75 29.52 B W. N. W. N. N. W. Calm 5, " 25 28 160 58 73 29.81 s.w. S.W. S.W. 6, " 26 27 158 37 70 29.96 w. s. w. W. N. W. W. N. W. 7, " 28 00 155 18 68 29.80 B W. N. W. West West 8, " 29 28 151 15 65 29.80 4 B West Calm W. S. w. 9. " 30 21 148 05 65 29.70 6 B w. s. w. N.W. N.W. 10, " 31 10 145 56 01 29.70 2 B N.W. AVest S.W. 11, " 31 57 143 12 60 29.78 B A s. s. w. South S. S. E. 12, " 33 35 139 00 62 29.98 2 A S. S. E. S. S. E. South 13, " 35 07 134 48 63 29.98 3 A South S. S. w. s. s. w. 14, " 36 14 131 28 63 29.98 2 A s.w. s.w. s.w. 15, " 36 53 128 40 63 29.98 A West N.W. North 16, " 37 12 123 05 62 29.98 N.W. 89 70)5 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Dec. 25, 1854. Sea times. At 1 P.M. the "Nobbies" Point bore per compass "W. N. W., distant 5 miles. Light, baffling airs. Jan. 1, 1855. At 3 A. M. made the "Three Kings," bearing K, distant 10 miles. Jan. 3. A heavy swell from E. N. E. all this day ; proportion of sky clear, ^^g. Jan. 4. Noon, proportion of sky clear, y^g. 4 A. M., overcast. Jan. 5. Noon, overcast. Jan. 6. A heavy swell from S. E., overcast. Jan. 7. Perfectly calm, with a heavy swell from S. E. ; overcast. Jan. 8. Heavy gales; overcast. Jan. 9. Increasing gales ; very heavy sea. Ship lying-to under a storm staysail. Overcast. Jan. 11. Blowing a very heavy gale. Ship still lying-to under staysail; the fore-royal blew out of the gaskets. At 7 P. M., shipped a heavy sea, washing away binnacle and both compasses, staving in the after-cabin windows and doors, and disabling two men. At 6 P. M., while putting extra gaskets on the foresail, one of the men was blown from the yards, and fell upon deck, badly hurting himself. Thus we have three hands disabled out of a crew of seven. , Jan. 15. Overcast. Jan. 16. At 4 P. M. made the island of Marnoons, bearing per compass AV. by N., distant about 30 miles. Overcast. Jan. 20. Overcast. Jan. 26. Proportion of sky clear, /g. Jan. 27. Proportion of sky clear, ^^g. 9 A. M., overcast. ^ Feb. 2. Proportion of sky clear, /g. Feb. 4. Overcast. Feb. 17. At 4 A. M., made the South Farallone, bearing N. W.; distance 3 miles. At 10 A. M., took a pilot. (53 days.) ROUTES FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. YOt FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. The best route from California to Callao is an interesting subject to almost all vessels in the California trade, for many of them go in ballast from San Francisco to the Chincha Islands for guano. These islands also supply cargoes to many homeward bound Australian traders. But from Australia, the way is plain and the voyage sure ; whereas, from California it is difficult and tedious. It is of uncertain duration, and the best route is still undecided. Many very clever navigators give a decided preference to the eastern passage from California ; but while they judge, for the most part, each by his own individual experience, I have the experience of them all to guide me in my judgment. I think it not at all unlikely that the opinion expressed by Capt. Samuel Shreve, of the Cleopatra, may be found, on farther investigation, to hold good for a part of the year. He says : — " I would advise all captains leaving San Francisco for Callao in the months of August, September, and October, to take the inner passage ; that is, being in the long, of 110° west, lat. 8° north, steer along the equator by the wind, passing either side, or between the Galapagos Islands, as the wind will permit. Had I taken this route instead of crossing the S. E. trades, it would have shortened my passage one month, which has been proved by the ' West Wind' and several other ships, the above months. I inquired of several disinterested captains as regards the passage to Callao; all advised crossing the S. E. trades. It may do when the sun is far north. This passage is little understood as yet ; and as the guano trade has become of so much importance, I feel in duty bound to throw in my mite for future navigators' benefit, and to aid you in your noble pursuit. I had no difficulty with my ship (steady trades) in beating from Callao to the Chincha Islands in three days. What difficulty can exist in beating from the equator to Callao? See what a glorious run I had round the Horn this time homeward. I turned the corners short. I had the S. E. trade very light, and far north, until I reached 7° lat. See westerly currents, &c., and ships I spoke, in my abstract inclosed." Individual cases may be cited in favor of each route, but upon the whole, and with such lights as I have, I am inclined to give the preference to the western or off-shore route as the one which, for most of the year and on the long run, will give the shortest average passage, and which average, when the route comes to be properly understood and followed, will probably be brought down as low as 50-2 days the year round. Most vessels on this voyage make a mistake, especially in summer and fall, in the passage across the belt of N. E. trades. Being anxious to get to the east, they edge along, aiming to lose these winds in 90° or 100°, as the case may be. There they encounter the southwardly monsoons that are found at this season of the year between the system of trade winds' in the Pacific off the American coast, as they are along the African coast in the Atlantic. The vessels taking this course, and being so baffled, have now 708 THE WIND AND CUEEENT CHARTS. to make a sharp elbow and run off 8° or 10°, or even more degrees, to the westward, before they clear this belt of calms and monsoons and get the S. E. trades. Of course the voyage is greatly prolonged by this. The route which, as at present advised, I would recommend, is, that navigators steer the same course from California that they would if bound to the United States, until they pass through the S. E. trades and clear the calms of Capricorn. Therefore, I say to the Chincha bound trader, when you get your offing from the "Heads," steer south, aiming to cross the line not to the east of 115°, for the rule is, the farther east the harder it is to cross the equatorial doldrums in the Pacific, as well as it is in the Atlantic. When you get the S. E. trades, crack on with topmast studding-sails set until you get the " brave west winds" on the polar side of the calms of Capricorn. Now turn sharp off" from the route around Cape Horn, and run west until you bring your port to bear to the northward of N. E., when you may " stick her away." Now by this rule the China bound navigator may sometimes, before he gets these westerly winds, find himself as far south as 40° or 45°, and as far west as 120° or 125°. Let him not fear, but stand on until he gets the winds that will enable him to steer east, or until he intercepts the route from Australia to Callao, when he may, without fear of not fetching, take that. In the summer and fall of the northern hemisphere — June to November — the calm belt of Capricorn will be cleared generally on the equatorial side of the parallel of 30° south; at the other seasons, you will have frequently to go 6° or 8° further. On this voyage, navigators, as soon as they leave the S. E. trades, are often tempted by puffs and " spirts" of westerly winds to stand east; and thus time is lost by running east with a 4 or 5 knot breeze in the calm belt of Capricorn. They should stand south until they clear it, preferring as a rule to take the chances of better winds and the certainty — which is some compensation — of shorter degrees of longi- tude beyond. It is scarcely necessary to remark that navigators, in order to understand these routes, so as to profit by them fully, must first make themselves acquainted with all that has been said in previous parts of this work about atmospherical circulation, the trade-winds and monsoons at different seasons of the year, the limits of these bands of winds, and the influence of deserts and distant lands upon them. In other words, the navigator who has taken the Charts and Sailing Directions for his guide from Europe or Atlantic America to the Pacific, will necessarily have acquired the information which will enable him properly to understand and rightly to comprehend the Sailing Directions between California, China, Australia, and the various parts of the world mentioned in connection with them. To go south, along the coast of Central America, is very much like going south in the Atlantic along the coast of Africa. The conditions as to ■winds, calms, and rains, are very much the same ; consequently, I should regard it as tedious repetition to go over here, for this part of the route to Callao, all that I have said about the winds, &c., on the route to Rio. With the assistance of Lieut. Minor, T am enabled to present, for the satisfaction of those interested in the navigation between California and Peru, a table of crossings by the two routes. The eastern route ROUTES FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. 709 is the shortest in distance, and therefore, as it might be expected, the quickest runs are to be made now and then by the eastern route. Distance is generally in its favor, and a good run of luc' in getting across the calm belts and in turning corners, will enable a vessel now and then to go very quick. But when that run of luck is to occur, no man can tell; and while the route well fulfils all the conditions of the shortest passage in individual cases, it also fulfils the conditions of the longest on the average. Captain Knapp, of the Hornet, had such a run of luck, and made the quickest passage that has been made. It will be diflicult to make by the western route or to beat it by the eastern ; and I quote his abstract for the benefit of those who are disposed to try their luck in the same way. Ship Hornet (W. Knapp), San Francisco to Callao. Sept. 4, 1853. Lat. 33° 30' K; long. 123° 16' W. Current, } knot, S. E. Barometer, 29.80; tem- perature of air, 64° ; of water, 63°. Winds : W. N. W., N. W., N. N. W. At 1 P. M., on the bar; cast off steam tug, and made all sail, with light westerly breeze, and flood tide. At 4 P. M., fine breezes, Forolong bearing N. W. by N., distant 25 miles. Middle and latter parts, fine breezes and clear. I intend to take the in-shore route, if practicable on trial. Sept. 5. Lat. 30° 13' N. ; long. 122° 45' W. Current, J knot, E. by K Barometer, 29.78; tempera- ture of air, 68° ; of water, 68°. Winds : N. N. W., N. N. W., N. by W. Light and moderate breezes and pleasant throughout. Sept. 6. Lat. 28° N.; long. 121° 21' W. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 72°; of water, 71°. Wind: N. throughout. Light breezes and pleasant throughout. Sept. 7. Lat. 26° 14' N". ; long. 119° 54' W. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 74° ; of water, 72°, Wind : N. by W. throughout. Light breezes, and pleasant throughout ; smooth sea. Sept. 8. Lat. 24° 17' N. ; long. 119° 05' W. Variation observed I W. Barometer, 29.75 ; tempera- ture of air, 74° ; of water, 75°. Winds : N. N. W., N. by W., N. by W. Light baflling airs and pleasant throughout ; smooth sea. Sept. 9. Lat. 21° 55' K; long. 117° 57' W. Current, I knot, E. Barometer, 29.78; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 78°. Winds : N. W. by N., N. IST. W., N. to N. W. Light variables from northward, and pleasant ; smooth sea. Sept. 10. Lat. 19° 57' K; long. 116° 58' W. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 79°; of water, 80°. Winds: N. to K N. E., K K E. to N., K, and variable. Light airs, variable, and hazy ; ends pleasant. Sept. 11. Lat. 18° 44' N.; long. 116° 28' W. Barometer, 29.77; temperature of air, 82° ; of water, 83°. Winds: N. N. W., IST. by W., N. by W. variable. Light variable airs, and calms throughout; S. E. swell. Sept. 12. Lat. 17° 09' N. ; long. 115° 37' W. Current, J knot southwardly. Barometer, 29.78 ; temperature of air, 83° ; of water, 85°. AVinds : N. N. W., N. by E., N. E. by N. Light airs and calms ; ends light but steady breezes, and pleasant. Sept. 13. Lat. 15° 24' N. (D. R.); long. 113° 58' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.68 ; temperature of air, 710 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. 84°; of water, 84°. Winds: N. E., N". E., variable, N. N. E. and variable. Commences light breezes; middle part, cloudy, baffling; latter part, squally and baffling, with heavy rain squalls. Sept. 14. Lat. 13° 57' N. (D. E.); long. 112° 34' W. (D.E.). Barometer, 29.65 ; temperature of air 82° ; of water, 86°. Winds : E. N. E. to W. S. W., N. K B. and variable, W. N. W. and variable. Com- mences with hard rain squalls and variables ; middle and latter parts, variable, calm, with rain. Sept. 15. Lat. 11° 52' N.; long. 109° 06' W. Current, J knot, N. Barometer, 29.60, 29.82; tem- perature of air, 82° ; of water, 86°. Winds : W. S. W. to S. W., W. by S. to S. S. W., S. W. to S. S. W. Commences moderate breezes and squally ; at 5 P. M. in studding sails and royals and skysails. Middle part, fresh squalls of wind and rain ; in fore and mizzen-topgallant sails. Latter part, moderate, with fresh squalls at intervals ; main-topgallant sails set throughout. Sept. 16. Lat. 10° 02' N. ; long. 106° 12' W. Current, J knot, eastwardly. Barometer, 29.80 ; tem- perature of air, 85° ; of water, 88°. Winds : southwardly, S. by W., S. W. by S. Commences fresh breezes and squally ; middle and latter parts, moderate breezes and fine weather, and baffling throughout, with rough cross sea and strong tide rips. Sept. 17. Lat. 8° 06' N. (D. E.); long. 104° 10' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 80° ; of water, 82°. AVinds : S. W., S. W. and variable, S. W. and variable. Commences moderate breezes and pleasant weather ; set studding-sails ; middle and latter parts, cloudy and rainy, and variable through- out ; southerly swell and tide rips. Sept. 18. Lat. 7° 02' N.; long. 101° 10' W. (Indifferent observation.) Current, 48 miles, E.KE., in 48 hours. Barometer, 29.76 ; temperature of air, 81° ; of water, 82°. Winds : S. S. W., S. by W., S. by W. and S. First and middle parts, moderate breezes and much rain, royals in ; latter part, squally, southerly sea with strong tide rips and indication of currents. Sept. 19. Lat. 5° 44' N. ; long. 98° W. (Indifferent observation.) Current, 1 knot, N. E. by E. Barometer, 29.77; temperature of air, 78°; of water, 82°. Winds: S., S. by W., S. Moderate breezes and baffling ; cloudy and squally throughout. Sept. 20. Lat. 04° 9' N.; long. 94° 19' W. (Indifferent observation.) Current, \ knot, N. E. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 74°; of water, 80°. Winds: S. by W., S., S. Fresh breezes, with frequent squalls throughout ; head sea , royals in. Sept. 21. Lat. 3° 11' N. ; long. 90° 56' W. Current, J knot, N. E. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. by E., S., S. by E. First and middle parts, moderate breezes with light rain squalls; latter part, moderate with passing clouds; all light sails set by the wind. Sept. 22. Lat. 2° 22' N. ; long. 87° 32' W. Current, 1 knot, north. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 76° ; of water, 80°. Winds : S. by E., S., S. by E. Moderate and baffling breezes throughout, with rain squalls; at 8 P.M., in skysails. Sept. 23. Lat. 1° 28' N.; long. 84° 24' W. Current, 1 knot, KE. by N. Barometer, 29.77 ; tem- perature of air, 75°; of water, 79°. Winds: S.S. E. to S.,by E., S., S. Moderate breezes, baffling, with light rain squalls throughout; all studding-sails set. ROUTES FKOM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. 711 Sept. 24. Lat. 0° 28' S. ; long. 81° 57' W. Current, } knot, N. N. W. Barometer, 29.80 ; tempera- ture of air, 72° ; of water, 74°. Winds : S., S. by W. to S. S. W., S. by W. Moderate and baffling breezes S. to S. S. W., with light rain squalls throughout. Twenty days to the equator in long. 82° west. Sept. 25. Lat. 2° 1' S.; long. 81° 05' W. Current, J knot, S. E. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 68° ; of water, 76°. "Winds : S. by "W. throughout. Moderate and baffling winds from S. to S. S. "W., with clouds throughout. At 8 P. M. tacked to the westward ; at 4 A. M. tacked to S. E. ; at meridian, made Point St. Eleana, Gulf of Guayaquil, E. by S., distant 12 miles. 21 days and 22 hours from San Francisco bar. Sept. 26. Lat. 3° 36' S. ; long. 80° 50' W. Current, 1 knot, E. N. E. Barometer, 29.70, 29.80 ; tem- perature of air, 64° ; of water, 62°. Winds : S. W. by S., S. W. by S., S. S. W. and variable. Fresh breezes and variable, with strong sea breezes. At 1 P. M., Point St. Eleana E. by N. ; at 8 P. M. tacked to westward ; at 4 P, M. tacked to S. E. At meridian. Point de Sal bore south, 15 miles ; Point Picoz E. by N. 10 miles. Sept. 27. Lat. 4° 51' S. ; long. 82° 44' W. Current, J knot, N. E. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 62° ; of water, 62°. Winds : S. W, variable, S. W. to S. S. E., S. S. E. Moderate breezes, and very baffling throughout ; ship tacking to windward to best advantage ; P. M., passed two coasters working to windward. At 6 P. M., Cape Blanco or White Cape bearing S. by W., distant 12 miles ; tacked to west- ward ; observed many schools of whales and blackfish. Sept. 28. Lat. 6° 15' S. ; long. 83° 43' W. Current, | knot, northwardly. Barometer, 29.80 ; tem- perature of air, 66° ; of water, 67°. Winds : S. S. E., S. S. E., S. E. by S. Light breezes and hazy weather ; tacked ship as occasion required; southerly swell; winds baffling; noticed sperm whales, porpoises, albatrosses, &c. Sept. 29. Lat. 7° 16' S.; long. 83° 20' W. Current, | knot northwestwardly. Barometer, 29.80; temperature of air, 69°; of water, 66°. Winds: S. S.E. throughout. Light and variable winds through- out, with hazy weather and passing clouds ; noticed two schools of whales ; tacked and stood to eastward fourteen hours. Sept. 30. Lat. 8° 34' S.; long. 83° 17' W. Current, | knot N.N. W. Barometer, 29.83 ; tempera- ture of air, 66° ; of water, 66°. Winds : S. S. E., S.E. by S., S. E. Moderate breezes and passing clouds throughout. At 9 P. M. tacked to westward ; noticed whales, blackfish, albatrosses, &c. Oct. 1. Lat. 11° 30' S.; long. 84° 41' W. Current, f knot, N. W. Barometer, 29.86; temperature of air, 67° ; of water, 67°. Winds : S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. by E. and S. E. by E. ^ E. First part, breezes and head sea, and squally; middle and latter parts, squally; in skysails; light rain squalls, with head sea. Oct. 2. Lat. 14° 32' S. ; long. 85° 38' W. Current, | knot, N. W. Barometer, 29.90 ; temperature of air, 66° ; of water, 67°. Winds : S. E. by E., E. S. E., E. S. E. Fresh breezes and squally throughout, with light rain ; middle part, royals furled ; head sea. Oct. 3. Lat. 13° 45' S. (D. R.) ; long. 83° 27' W. (D. E.). Barometer, 29.85 ; temperature of air, 66° ; 712 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. of water, 65°. Winds : E. S. E., S. E. by E., S. E. by E. Moderate breezes and cloudy throughout ; middle and latter parts, baffling. At 5 P. M., tacked to N. E. ; 29 days 4 hours from San Francisco. Judge myself far enough to southward to lay up for Callao with the regular trades. Oct. 4. Lat. 12° 11' S.; long. 80° 37' W. Current, 40 miles N. W. in last 48 hours. Barometer, 29.83 ; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 67°. Wind : S. E. by E. throughout. Moderate breezes and cloudy weather ; all sail set to the wind. Oct. 5. Lat. 11° 52' S.; long. 79° W. Current, J knot, K W. Barometer, 29.12 ; temperature of air, 65°; of water, 64°. Wind: S. E. throughout. Moderate baffling winds, calms, &c.; cloudy throughout; water discolored ; tacked six hours to S. W. Oct. 6. Lat. 11° 40' S. ; long. 77° 53' W. Current, 1 knot, N. W. Barometer, 29.80 ; temperature of air, 65° ; of water, 64°. Winds : S. E. by S., S. E. I S., S. E. Light breezes and cloudy throughout ; tacked to S. W. eight hours. Oct. 7. Lat. 12° S.; long. 77° 30' W. Barometer, 29.80. Winds: S.E. by S. and calm, S.E. by S., S. E. by S. and calm. Light airs and calms throughout. At 4 P. M., tacked ship eight miles north of Callao ; at meridian, San Lorenzo bore E. by S. five miles ; ends calm. At 4 P. M. anchored in Callao Eoads ; 34 days from anchorage to anchorage, viz : from San Francisco to Callao. The passage of 48 hours from Callao to the Chincha Islands, being of a uniform nature, I omitted recording particulars, and have but one remark to make from the little experience I have on this coast : that is, to keep out of the influence of the land breezes, and calms appertaining; preferring the trades off shore, and more steady breezes, to being delayed in vain, by baffling airs and calms in shore, for at least twelve out of the twenty-four hours per day ; as I am of the opinion that the land breezes cannot be depended upon, on this coast, in the autumnal months at least. In working clear from Callao to the Chinchas, I made but one tack, standing off 26 hours and in 22 hours, which brought me up with San Gallon, 15 miles to windward of the Chinchas, in 48 hours from Callao. The same rule I have observed in working down from Cape Blanco to Callao, that is, to keep a few degrees off shore, say, three or four, in preference to being becalmed in shore half of the time, which was my case while working from Point St. Eleana down to Cape Blanco. In preferring the in-shore route, and shortening my passage from California to Callao, I feel indebted to Lieut. Maury, for his remarks upon a system of S. W. monsoons, between the limits of the coast winds of Central America and Lower California, and the eastern limits of the N. E. trades, similar to that experi- enced in the North Atlantic, near the equator, and to the westward of the doldrums. This opinion of Lieut. Maury appeared reasonable enough to induce me to make the trial, and having only 20 days to the equator in long. 82° W., consequently, have no reason to regret the experiment, believing it shortened my passage ten to fifteen days ; and if again bound, in a sharp ship, during the months of August, September, October, and November, from California to the coast of Peru, I should again try it. Very respectfully yours, W. KNAPP. BODTES FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. 713 I treat the routes on the average. Perhaps when log-books shall be received in sufficient numbers, the eastern route may prove the best at certain seasons ; but now, those who take the western route appear to have in their favor, the year round, an average of about nine per cent, of time. But it has not been at all understood or properly followed, and, I think that the results to be obtained in the course of the next year or two after these remarks meet the eye of navigators, will exhibit a more decided contrast, than that between 58 and 63 days, for these are the averages shown by such data as I have, and are herewith exhibited. 90 714 THE WIND AND CURBENT CHARTS. PROM CALIFORNIA Names of Vessels; Crossings in the Pacific south of the Equator; and Length NAME OF VESSEL. Days from California to the equator. Date of crossing the equator. LONGITUDE OF CROSSING PAKALLEL8 OF — 0°. 10° S. 15° S. 20° S. 25° S. 30° S. 35° S. Janet ART. Western Passages — Firebrand . . , Hurricane . . . Hero . . . . North Wind . . Sabine . . . . Wini3eld Scott , Sunbeam . . , 32 18 20 19 21 19 20 Jan. 8, 1851 " 19, 1854 " 7, " 17, " 1, " 10, " 10, Long. W. 114.0 118.0 ■ 114.0 118.0 116.0 113.0 116.0 Means of western passages 21. 115.6 Long. W. 117.0 123.0 119.0 122.0 120.0 120.0 122.0 Long. W. 117.0 128.0 119.0 122.0 122.0 119.0 122.0 Long. W. 117.0 123.0 121.0 122.0 121.0 120.0 121.0 Long. W. 115.0 121.0 115.0 121.0 120.0 116.0 117.0 Long. W. 116.0 110.0 117.0 112.0 112.0 112.0 120.4 120.6 120.7 117.8 113.1 Long. W. 114.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 Eastern Passages- E. C. Sronton . Sandusky . . 43 40 Jan. 5, 1854 9, " 98.0 94.0 Means of eastern passages 41.5 98.5 February. Western Passages — Arcole . . . . Comet . . . . Flying Dutchman Arab . . . . Boston . . . , Wisconsin . . . Means of western passages March. Western Passages — Boston . . , Senator . . . Wessacumcon Bald Eagle . Indianola . . Morning Light 27 12 12 21 24 17 Feb. 27, 1853 24, " 23, " 7, 1854 13, " 5, " 98.0 122.0 119.0 115.0 106.0 121.0 105.0 124.0 123.0 116.0 118.0 125.0 106.0 124.0 124.0 116.0 114.0 123.0 105.0 123.0 124.0 116.0 115.0 122.0 122.0 124.0 115.0 113.0 120.0 121.0 121.0 110.0 112.0 116.0 18.8 23 17 24 12 12 12 Mar. 23, 1850 7, 1853 " 4, " " 13, 1854 " 8, " " 8, " 113.5 117.6 117.8 117.5 118.8 116.0 113.0 109.0 114.0 114.0 112.0 109.0 116.0 114.0 121.0 119.0 117.0 115.0 117.0 114.0 124.0 120.0 120.0 117.0 117.0 114.0 123.0 121.0 120.0 117.0 119.0 113.0 123.0 121.0 119.0 116.0 118.0 128.0 119.0 109.0 110.0 108.0 108.0 102.0 94.0 103.0 119.0 120.0 104.0 Means of western passages 16.6 111.8 117.0 118.6 118.8 118.5 115.8 114.3 KOUTES FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. 715 TO CALLAO. of Passages to the Equator and to Callao— arranged according to the Month, 3ay3 from equator ;o highest S. lat. )F — ) Days rrom Ca- 1 125° W. 115° W. 110° w. 106° w. 100° w. 95° W. 90° W. 85° W. 80° W. t lifornia Callao. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. January. Western Passages — Firebrand 12 25.0 25.0 24.0 23.0 18.0 14.0 12.0 75 Ilurricane 15 13 22.0 25.0 37.0 31.0- 35.0 85.0 34.0 30.0 22.0 17.0 55 North Wind .... 17 31.0 34.0 34.0 35.0 86.0 35.0 31.0 24.0 48 SoKlTip ... 18 15.0 30.0 31.0 32.0 32.0 31.0 28.0 23.0 20.0 54 Wiufield Scott .... 16 26.0 33.0 36.0 85.0 35.0 84.0 26.0 17.0 47 Sunbeam 14 27.0 33.0 34.0 33.0 29.0 28.0 21.0 15.0 56 Means of western passages 15 18.5 27.8 82.0 32.6 32.3 81.8 28.8 22.8 17.5 55.8 Eastern Passages — 7Q E. C. Sronton 84 Sandusk Means of eastern passages 81.5 February. Western Passages — Arcole 11 17.0 23.0 22.0 19.0 15.0 18.0 57 Comet 13 43.0 Flying Dutchman . . . Arab 12 20 25.0 30.0 40.0 33.0 35.0 36.0 85.0 31.0 26.0 52 15 21.0 33.0 31.0 31.0 31.0 32.0 28.0 17.0 65 25 31.0 32.0 34.0 84.0 35.0 34.0 26.0 22.0 55 Means of western passages 16 25.6 31.7 33.0 80.7 31.0 30.0 25.0 19.5 57.2 March. Western Passages — 16 28.0 30.0 80.0 28.0 25.0 22.0 21.0 17.0 63 15 14.0 25.0 26.0 26.0 24.0 22.0 16.0 14.0 49 Wessacumcon . . . . 15 27.0 35.0 34.0 34.0 85.0 85.0 84.0 27.0 81.0 78 Bald Eagle TnrlinTioln, . . . . 13 23 43.0 28.0 29.0 31.0 32.0 33.0 81.0 26.0 21.0 47 Morning Light . . . . 18 27.0 30.0 34.0 83.0 83.0 83.0 33.0 82.0 46 Means of western passages 15 35.0 26.4 29.6 31.0 30.8 30.0 28.4 24.6 28.0 56.6 718 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. FROM CALIFORNIA Names of Vessels ; Crossings in the Pacific south of the Equator ; and Length of DAME OF VESSEL. April. Western Passages — Salem Capitol Samuel Lawrence . . . Morning Light .... Means of western passages Eastern Passage — Arthur Means of eastern passage May. Western Passage — Manchester Means of western passage Eastern Passages — Gray Feather Helen McGaw .... Eealm Means of eastern passages June. Western Passages — Golden Eagle Kentucky Means of western passages Eastern Passages — Danube Hannah Thornton . . . Adelaide Means of eastern passages Days from California Date of crossing to the equator. the equator. LONGITUDE OF CE08SING PAKALLEL8 OF- 0°. 25 24 30 23 Apr, 14, 1853 " 18, " " 20, 1854 " 2, " Long. W 113.0 117.0 107.0 110.0 25.5 22 22 26 26 28 29 36 Apr. 20, 1854 111.7 May 30,1853 123.0 May 2, 1853 " 26, " " 26, " 31 19 26 June 27, 1853 7, " 22.5 31.3 27 June 2, 1853 35 11 1 It 32 " 16, " 123.0 81.0 83.0 91.0 85.0 103.0 103.0 103.0 81.0 82.0 84.0 82.8 10° s. Long. W. 119.0 121.0 109.0 113.0 115.5 125.0 125.0 106.0 107.0 106.5 15° S. Long. W. 119.0 123.0 111.0 115.0 20° S. Long. W. 119.0 124.0 110.0 115.0 117.0 117.0 125.0 125.0 108.0 107.0 107.5 125.0 125.0 109.0 110.0 109.5 25° S. Long. W. 118.0 125.0 103.0 112.0 Long. W. Long. W. 114.5 107.0 107.0 101.0 106.0 103.5 30° S. 35° S. 117.0 126.0 116.0 ROUTES FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. 717 [TO CALLAO. JPassages to the Equator and to Callao — arranged according to the Month — Continued. N\ME OP YESSEIi> Days from equator to highest S. lat. LATITUDE OF CEOSSINO MEBIDIANS OF — Days from Ca- 125° W. 115" W. new. 105° W. 100° w. 95° W. 90° W. 85° W. 80° W. lifornia to Callao. April. Western Passages — Salem 15 12 23 12 Lat. S. 29.0 Lat. S. 35.0 20.0 Lat. S. 32.0 36.0 27.0 Lat. S. 32.0 35.0 23.0 28.0 Lat. S. 32.0 34.0 26.0 28.0 Lat. S. 31.0 31.0 27.0 28.0 Lat. S. 31.0 29.0 27.0 27.0 Lat. S. 28.0 27.0 25.0 25.0 Lat. S. 20.0 21.0 20.0 19.0 53 Capitol Samuel Lawrence Morning Light . . 54 61 51 Means of western passages 15.5 29.0 27.5 31.6 29.5 30.0 29.2 28.5 26.2 20.0 54.7 Eastern Passage — Arthur j 89 Means of eastern passage 89 May. Western Passage — Manchester 15 17.0 21.0 21.0 26.0 28.0 28.0 27.0 26.0 19.0 61 Means of western passage 15 17.0 21.0 21.0 26.0 28.0 28.0 27.0 26.0 19.0 61 Eastern Passages — Gray Feather Helen McGaw .... Realm 58 70 70 Means of eastern passages 66 June. Western Passages — Golden Eagle Kentucky 10 16 22.0 24.0 26.0 25.0 27.0 27.0 27.0 27.0 26.0 26.0 23.0 18.0 17.0 43 58 Means of western passages 13 22.0 25.0 26.0 27.0 26,5 24.5 17.5 50.5 Eastern Passages — Danube Adelaide 49 77 61 Means of eastern passages 1 62.3 71» THE WIND AND CUKKENT CHARTS. FROM CALIFORNIA Names of Vessels ; Crossings in the Pacific south of the Equator ; and Lesngth of SAME or VESSEL. July. Western Passages — Golden Eacer Esther May Huguenot . . Princess Alice Lucknow . . Harriet . . . Days from California to the equator. Means of western passages Eastern Passages — Lucy Elizabeth Simoom . . . Alhesdrough . Means of eastern passages August. Western Passages — • Alert Parthian New York Governor Morton . . . A. F. Jenness* .... Golden Eagle Means of western passages Eastern Passage — Magnolia Means of eastern passage 27 24 23 30 24 26 25.6 80 27 30 29 Date of crossing the equator. July 20, 1853 " 10, " " 3,' " " 19 " " 4 1854 July 26, 1853 " 16, " " 14, " 30 26 25 26 37 21 Aug. 2, 1853 " 31, " " 27, " " 3, " " 27 " " 27^ 1854 25.6 33 LONGITUDE OF CROSSINO PARALLELS OP — Long. W. Long. W. Long. W. 98.0 111.0 112.0 112.0 103.0 98.0 105.7 98.0 85.0 81.0 88.0 109.0 107.0 110.0 118.0 96.0 111.0 111.0 Aug. 16, 1854 83.0 10° s. 107.0 114.0 119.0 117.0 109.0 103.0 111.5 114.0 112.0 114.0 120.0 104.0 115.0 115.0 15° S. 20° S. Long. W. Long. W. 108.0 117.0 118.0 109.0 110.0 105.0 111.2 114.0 111.0 116.0 121.0 105.0 114.0 115.2 109.0 117.0 94.0 110.0 110.0 104.0 107.3 115.0 111.0 116.0 122.0 107.0 113.0 115.4 25° S. 111.0 116.0 89.0 110.0 111.0 105.0 107.0 30° S. Long. W, 103.0 114.0 103.0 104.0 106.0 115.0 110.0 109.0 121.0 107.0 109.0 112.8 112.0 110.0 102.0 110.0 108.0 Long. W 33 September. Western Passages — Wallacef Sirocco Empress of the Seas . . Climax Eoscoe Albers Means of western passages Eastern Passages — Hornet C. L. Bevan Means of eastern passages 30 26 24 21 28 27 Sept. 11, 1853 " 2 " " le', " " 2, " " 30, " " 26, " 83.0 86.0 103.0 115.0 108.0 112.0 104.0 86.0 108.0 119.0 115.0 115.0 107.0 88.0 109.0 120.0 116.0 117.0 108.0 88.0 108.0 121.0 117.0 120.0 106.0 90.0 112.0 120.0 119.0 120.0 105.0 85.0 114.0 120.0 120.0 25.2 108.4 112.8 114.0 114.4 115.2 118.0 20 26 Sept. 24, 1853 " 12, " 82.0 87.0 23 84.5 * Not iucladed in the average. f Old and leaky ; not included in the average. ROUTES PROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. 719 TO CALLAO. Passages to the Equator and to Oallao — arranged according to the Month — Continued. Days from LATITUDE OP CROSSING MERIDIANS OF — Days NAMB OF VBSSEL. equator to highest from Ca- • lifornia S. lat. 125° W. 115° W. 110° w. 105° W. 100° w. 95° W. 90° W. 85° W. 80° W. toCallao. July. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Western Passages — ■ Golden Racer 14 22.0 29.0 31.0 31.0 82.0 30.0 24.0 53 Esther May 14 28.0 32.0 35.0 85.0 37.0 88.0 82.0 26.0 60 Huguenot 11 18.0 21.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 24.0 24.0 16.0 48 Princess Alice .... 10 14.0 21.0 28.0 28.0 29.0 27.0 24.0 18.0 74 Lucknow 14 28.0 31.0 32.0 32.0 33.0 35.0 25.0 51 Harriet 14 26.0 27.0 24.0 23.0 27.0 24.0 56 Means of western passages 13 20.0 25.8 28.1 28.8 29.0 29.5 28.7 22.1 57 Eastern Passages — Lucy Elizabeth .... 87 Simoom 46 Alhesdrough 60 Means of eastern passages 48 August. Western Passages — Alert 11 27.0 82.0 32.0 32.0 33.0 85.0 38.0 28.0 66 Parthian 12 29.0 28.0 29.0 31.0 24.0 20.0 17.0 58 New York 10 21.0 26.0 26.0 27.0 28.0 28.0 27.0 25.0 56 Governor Morton . . . 11 29.0 29.0 30.0 29.0 19.0 28.0 27.0 20.0 68 A. F. Jenness* .... 18 30.0 30.0 33.0 34.0 33.0 33.0 28.0 84 Golden Eagle 13 13.0 24.0 27.0 28.0 28.0 27.0 22.0 15.0 40 Means of western passages 11.4 22.5 28.0 28.6 29.0 28.0 28.4 25.8 21.0 57.6 Eastern Passage — Magnolia 57 Means of eastern passages 57 September. Western Passages — Wallacet 21 26.0 80.0 29.0 75 13 33.0 33.0 84.0 34.0 38.0 32.0 28.0 19.0 60 Empress of the Seas . . 9 33.0 33.0 82.0 31.0 29.0 29.0 28.0 18.0 48 Climax 14 35.0 34.0 35.0 84.0 83.0 31.0 28.0 21.0 60 Eoscoe 13 28.0 29.0 29.0 27.0 26.0 24.0 20.0 14.0 61 Albers 27 16.0 21.0 23.0 23.0 21.0 17.0 65 Means of western passages 15.2 32.2 32.2 32.5 31.5 80.2 27.5 24.0 17.8 58.8 Eastern Passages — Hornet 84 L. C. Bevan 63 Means of eastern passages 48.5 Not included in the average. f Old and leaky ; not included in the average. 720 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. FROM CALirORNIA Names of Vessels ; Crossings in the Pacific south of the Equator; and Length of MAME OF VESSEL October. Western Passage — ■ Cleopatra , Means of ■western passage Eastern Passages — • Chenango Amazon Eobert Harding . . . , Flying Eagle Mary Annah Means of eastern passages November. Western Passages — Louisa Bliss* . . Queen of Clippers Belle of the West Mary Spring . . Atalanta . . . Means of western passages Eastern Passages — Levanter . . J. H. Shepherd West Wind . Avondale . . Means of eastern passages December. Western Passages — Wild Eanger White Swallow . . . . Western Star Reindeer Corinne Greenwichf Windward Means of western passages Dnys from California to the equator. Date of crossing the equator. 27 27 Oct. 23,1853 31 30 82 23 25 28.2 42 28 26 25 28 Oct. 12, 1850 " 27, 1853 " 2, " (I 1 II " 27| " LONGITUDE OF CROSSING PARALLELS OF — Long. W. 117.0 117.0 81.0 82.0 80.0 81.0 85.0 81.8 26.7 29 83 80 29 80.2 20 26 21 23 25 81 23 23 Nov. 4,1850 " 28, 1853 " 22, " " 3, " " 25, " 80.0 102.0 105.0 108.0 111.0 106.5 Nov. 15, 1853 " 15, " " 15, " « 17 .< 81.0 81.0 82.0 104.0 87.0 Dec. (I It II 11 2, 1858 8, 27, 2, 26, 3, 16, 107.0 104.0 104.0 115.0 110.0 105.0 113.0 109.0 10° s. Long. W. 123.0 123.0 15° S. Long. W. 125.0 125.0 20° S. Long. W. 128.0 128.0 98.0 106.0 107.0 112.0 115.0 110.0 111.0 110.0 112.0 118.0 116.0 118.0 117.0 114.0 101.0 107.0 107.0 112.0 115.0 110.2 110.0 110.0 113.0 118.0 117.0 113.0 116.0 104.0 107.0 104.0 112.0 117.0 110.0 25° S. 80° S. Long. W. Long. Vf 127.0 127.0 104.0 108.0 103.0 112.0 118.0 110.2 110.0 110.0 114.0 118.0 119.0 114.0 117.0 114.0 ! 114.7 109.0 109.0 113.0 115.0 118.0 114.0 117.0 113.5 124.0 124.0 101.0 107.0 101.0 102.0 118.0 107.0 203.0 102.0 110.0 105.0 112.0 106.0 109.0 106.8 35? S. Long. W. 122.0 122.0 89.0 111.0 100.0 107.0 94.0 95.0 95.0 * Attempted the eastern passage first; not included in the arerage. ■\ Not included in the means. BOUTES FROM CALIFORNIA TO CALLAO. TO CALLAO. Passages to the Equator and to Callao — arranged according to the Month — Continued. 721 Days from LATITUDE OF CROSSINO MERIDIANS OF — Days NAME OP VESSE L. equator to highest S. lat. from Ca- 125° w. 115° W. 110° W. 105° W. 100° w. 95° W. 90° W. 85° W. 80° W. lifornia to Callao. October. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Lat. S. Western Passage — Cleopatra . . . . . . 17 30.0 41.0 39.0 39.0 40.0 39.0 38.0 38.0 31.0 71 Means of western passage 17 30.0 41.0 39.0 39.0 40.0 89.0 38.0 83.0 31.0 71 Eastern Passages — Chenango . . 59 Amazon . . 65 Eobert Harding 56 Flying Eagle . Mary Annah . 44 61 Means of eastern passages 57 NOVEMBEB • Western Passages — • Louisa Bliss* . . . . . 18 27.0 31.0 33.0 32.0 32.0 31.0 87 Queen of Clipper. 3 . . . 12 32.0 33.0 34.0 35.0 30.0 24.0 58 Belle of the Wes b . . . 17 29.0 81.0 32.0 30.0 28.0 16.0 54 Mary Spring . . . . . 12 26.0 29.0 30.0 24.0 19.0 13.0 10.0 57 Atalanta . . . . . . 15 82.0 35.0 35.0 34.0 84.0 88.0 32.0 23.0 53 Means of western passages 14 32.0 30.5 31.2 82.0 31.0 29.2 24.5 18.2 55.5 Eastern Passages — Levanter . . 49 J. H. Shepherd West Wind . . . . . 62 51 Avondale . . . . . 60 Means of eastern passages 55.5 December Western Passages — Wild Eanger . ... 12 24.0 29.0 31.0 81.0 27.0 23.0 17.0 48 W bite Swallow ... 13 29.0 30.0 25.0 18.0 14.0 18.0 51 Western Star . ... 15 23.0 31.0 35.0 36.0 86.0 36.0 29.0 24.0 52 Eeindeer . . ... 27 26.0 28.0 30.0 80.0 34.0 36.0 33.0 27.0 69 Corinne . . ... 18 28.0 32.0 34.0 35.0 35.0 31.0 24.0 19.0 61 Greenwichf ... 25 22.0 29.0 81.0 81.0 84.0 35.0 32.0 28.0 71 Windward ... 18 28.0 30.0 32.0 22.0 22.0 16.0 18.0 60 Means of western passages 17.1 26.2 30.2 31.5 30.7 30.5 27.3 24.8 20.0 56.8 * Attempted the eastern passage first ; not included in the average. f Not included in the means. 91 r22 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. JAPAN EXPEDITION. The ports of Japan have been opened for such a short time, that the port regulations, established through Commodore Perry, are quite as important to the trader as Sailing Directions. I therefore give such of them as have been received. Sailing Directions for Yedo. By Lieut. Wm. L. Maury, U. S. Navy. [Japan Expedition Press?^ U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, Hong-Kong, September 4, 1854. Vessels from the southward, bound to this bay, should pass up to the westward of the chain of islands lying off the Gulf of Yedo, and are cautioned against mistaking the deep bight of Kawatsu Bay for the entrance of Uraga Channel; for, on the N". E. side of this bay, there is a ledge of rocks several miles from the shore, bearing from Cape Sagami about W. N. "W. distant ten miles, upon which one of the vessels of our squadron grounded. A stranger without a correct chart would naturally make this mistake, as the opening of the channel is not seen at a distance from this quarter, the shore appearing as an unbroken line. The entrance to the channel bears from the centre of Oho Sima N. E. by N. distant about twenty miles. Stand in upon this line, and the Saddle Hill to the northward of Cape Sagailii will be readily recognized, as well as the round black knob on the eastern side of the channel. On approaching Uraga, the Plymouth Eocks will be plainly seen ; give these a berth of half a mile to clear the Ingersoll Patch, a sunken rock with but one fathom on it, and which is the only known danger in the channel. Between Plymouth Eocks and Cape Kami Saki, the ground is clear, and the anchorage good, if care be taken to get pretty well in, so as to avoid the strong tides which sweep round the latter with great rapidity. A spit makes out a short distance to the southward of Kami Saki, but to the northward of the cape the shore is bold and the water very deep. On rounding Cape Kami Saki, if bound for the city of Yedo, steer N. W. by N. until Perry Island bears S. by W. f W. so as to clear Saratoga Spit, which extends well out from the eastern shore ; then haul up, keeping Perry Island upon this bearing, until the beacon on the low point to the southward of Yedo, bears W. N. W. This clears the shoal off the point, and here there is good anchorage in about ten fathoms water, in full view of the city of Yedo. At this paint our survey terminated ; the boats, however, found a clear channel, with plenty of water for the largest vessels, several miles further to the northward, and within a few miles of the city. If bound to the American anchorage, from Cape Kami Saki steer N. W., and anchor in 8 or 10 fatlioms water, with Perry Island bearing S. S. E., and Webster Island S. W. by S. To the southward of Webster Island there is also good anchorage in G and 7 fathoms. Near this anchorage there are two snug coves, very accessible, in which vessels may conveniently repair and refit. JAPAN EXPEDITION. 723 Susquehanna Bay, three miles W. N. W. from Cape Kami Saki, is well sheltered, but it contains a number of reefs and rocks, and is, therefore, not recommended as an anchorage. Mississippi Bay is four miles north of the American anchorage ; it is well sheltered from the prevail- ing winds. Upon anchoring, it is necessary to give the shore a good berth, to avoid a shoal which extends out from a half to three-quarters of a mile. The conspicuous headland, or long yellow bluff on the north side of this bay is called Treaty Point ; a shoal surrounds the point from two-thirds of a mile to a mile distant. Between the American anchorage and Treaty Point the soundings are irregular, shoaling suddenly from 12 to 5 fathoms on a bank of hard sand. To the northward of Treaty Point, and N. N. W. from Cape Kami Saki, distant 14 miles, is Yokohama Bay. To reach this anchorage, bring the wooded bluff which terminates the high land on the north side of the Bay to bear N. by W. J W., and steer for it until Treaty Point bears S. W. by S. ; this clears the spit off the point ; then haul up about N. W. by N. for the bluff over the town of Kanagawa, and anchor in 5 1-2 or 6 fathoms, with the Haycock just open to the eastward of Mandarin Bluff. Mandarin is the steep bluff a mile to the northward of Treaty Point. A flat extends out from the northern shore of this bay, between Kanagawa and Beacon Point, from one to two miles; off Mandarin Bluff there is also a shoal extending a mile to the northward. The Bay of Yedo is about 12 miles wide, and thirty deep, with excellent holding ground, and capable of sheltering the fleets of the world. Our survey embraced the western shore only, from Cape Kami Saki to Beacon Point. We had no opportunity of examining the eastern side. The soundings from Treaty Point across, in an E. S. E. direc- tion are regular, and 3 fathoms were found about a mile and a half from the opposite shore. Of Uraga Channel, a reconnoissance was made of the western shore only. During our stay in the bay, from the 17th of February to the 18th of April, the weather was generally fine, being occasionally interrupted by strong winds and heavy rain. The gales came up suddenly from the southward and westward with a low barometer, and continued for a short time, when the wind hauled round to the northward and westward, and moderated. "We had no easterly blows ; in fact, the wind was rarely from this quarter, except when hauling round from the northward (as it invariably did) by east to the southward and westward. The tide is quite strong out in the bay ; and off the tail of Saratoga Spit, Perry Island, and Cape Kami Saki, its velocity is much increased. But at the anchorage in the Bay of Yokohama it was scarcely felt. At Yokohama, the Japanese authorities supplied us with wood and water, and a few vegetables, fowls, eggs, oysters and clams. Latitude of Cape Sagami, 35° 06' 30" Longitude " " 139° 40' 00" Latitude of Webster Island 35° 18' 30" Longitude " " 139° 40' 34" 724 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Latitude of Treaty Building, north end of Yokohama ... 35° 26' 44" Longitude " " """.... 139° 40' 23" Variation 25' Westerly. High water F. and C VI. Kise and fall at Yokohama 6 ft. By order of Commodore M. C. Perry. SILAS BENT, Flag Lieutenant. Sailing Directions for the Harbor of Simoda. By Lieut. Wm. L. Maury, U. S. N. U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, Honolulu, Octoher 26, 1854. Vessels bound to the harbor of Simoda, from the southward and westward, should make Cape Idzu, from which Eock Island bears E. S. E. \ E., distant about 5 miles ; and if the weather is at all clear, the chain of islands at the entrance of the Gulf of Yedo will at the same time be plainly visible. Between Eock Island and the main land there are a number of rocks awash and above water, among which the Japanese junks freely pass; but a ship should not attempt a passage inside of Eock Island, unless in case of urgent necessity, particularly as the northeasterly current, which sweeps along this coast, seems to be, at this point, capricious, both in direction and velocity. Giving Eock Island a berth of a mile, the harbor of Simoda will be in full view, bearing N. J W., distant 5 miles. Vandalia Bluff, on the east side of the entrance, may be recognized by a grove of pine trees on the summit of the bluft) and the village of Susaski, which lies about one-third of the way between it and Cape Diamond. Cape Diamond is a sharp point, making out to the eastward of the entrance of the harbor. Standing in from Eock Island, you will probably pass through a number of tide rips, but not get soundings with the hand-lead until near the entrance of the harbor, when you will be in from 14 to 27 fathoms. Should the wind be from the northward and fresh, a vessel should anchor at the mouth of the harbor until it lulls or shifts, or until she can conveniently warp in, as it is usually flawy and always baffling. Approaching from the northward and eastward, a vessel can pass' on either side of Oho Sima, from the centre of which Cape Diamond bears W. S. W. | W., distant about 20 miles. Between Oho Sima and Simoda no dangers are known to exist ; but the northeasterly current must be borne constantly in mind, particularly at night and in thick weather. Its general strength is from two to three miles per hour; but as this, as well as its direction, is much influenced by the local winds, head- lands, islands, &c., neither can be relied upon. Should Oho Sima be obscured by thick weather, before reaching Cape Diamond, endeavor to sight JAPAN EXPEDITION, 725 Eock Island, for there are no very conspicuous objects on the main land by which a stranger can recognize the harbor at a distance, and the shore appears as one unbroken line. To the westward of the harbor there are several sand beaches, and three or four sand banks. These can be plainly discerned when within six or eight miles, and are good landmarks. A vessel from the southward and eastward should pass to the westward of the Island of Kozu Si ma,* which may be known by a remarkable snow-white cliff on its western side. There is also a white patch on its summit, to the northward of the cliff. From this island the harbor bears N. by W. J W., distant about 28 miles. There are but two hidden dangers in the harbor. The first is the Souihavipton Eock, which lies in mid channel, bearing N. \ W. from Vandalia Bluff, about three-fourths of the way between it and Centre Island. This rock is about 25 feet in diameter, and has 2 fathoms water upon it. It is marked by a white spar-buoy. The second is the Supply Bock, bearing S. by W., a short distance from Buisako Islet, and is a sharp rock, with 11 feet water upon it. Its position is designated by a red spar-buoy. Both of these buoys are securely moored, and the authorities of Simoda have promised to replace them, should they by any cause be removed. Centre Island, which receives its name from being the point from which the treaty limits are measured, is high, conical, and covered with trees. A cave passes entirely through it. In the outer roads, or mouth of the harbor, a disagreeble swell is sometimes experienced ; but inside of the Southampton Eock and Centre Island vessels are well sheltered, and the water comparatively smooth. Moor with an open hawse to the southward and westward. There are good landings for boats in Simoda Creek, and at the village of Kakisaki. A harbor master and three pilots have been appointed; wood, water, fish, fowls and eggs, also sweet potatoes and other vegetables may be procured from the authorities. It is necessary to supply them with casks to bring the water off. Latitude of Centre Island 34° 39' 49" K Longitude " " Variation H. Water, F. and C. Extreme rise of tide Mean 138° 57' 50" E. 52' westerly. V. hr. 5 ft. 7 in. 3 ft. To make the foregoing directions more easily comprehended, they have been rendered as concise as possible; but to furnish further information to navigators bound to, or passing the port, the following remarks are appended: — * This is the most southwestern island of the chain of islands l;ing off the Gulf of Yedo. 726 THE VPIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. The harbor of Simoda is near the southeastern extremity of the peninsula of Idzu, which terminates at the cape of that name. To the northward of the harbor, a high ridge intersects the peninsula, and south of this, all the way to the cape, it is broken by innumerable peaks of less elevation. The harbor bears S. W. by W. from Cape Sagami, at the entrance of Yedo Bay, distant about 45 miles. Kock Island is about 120 feet high, and a third of a mile in length, with precipitous shores and uneven outlines. It has a thick matting of grass, weeds, moss, &c., on the top. From the summit of this island overfalls were seen, bearing N. J W., distant a mile or a mile and a half. These may have been caused by a rock or reef. An attempt was made to find it ; but the strong current and fresh wind prevented a satisfactory examination. The Japanese fishermen, however, deny the existence of any such danger. N. by W. from Eock Island, distant 2 miles, are the Ukona Eocks. These are two rocks, though they generally appear as one. The largest is about 70 feet high. Between these and Eock Island, the current was found setting B. N. easterly, fully four miles an hour. Centre Island bears from Eock Island N. | E., distant 5 1-2 miles, and from Ukona Eocks IST. by E. ^ E., distant 3 1-2 miles. Buisako Islet lies N. N. E. from Centre Island. It is about 40 feet high, and covered with trees and shrubs. Should the buoy on Southampton Eock be removed, the east end of Centre Island on with the west end of Buisako, will clear the rock to the westward. Off the village of Susaki, and distant one-third of a mile from the shore, is a ledge of rocks, upon which the surf is always breaking ; give them a berth of two cables in passing. Approaching from the eastward, the harbor will not open until you get well inside of Cape Diamond. To the northward of Cape Diamond is the bay of Sirahama, which is quite deep, and as it has also several sand beaches, it may be mistaken for Simoda ; but as you approach this bay. Cape Diamond will shut in the Ukona rocks and Eock Island to the southward ; whilst in the Simoda roads they are visible from all points. Cape Idzu, latitude 34° 36' 03" K " longitude 138° 52' 32" E. Eock Island, latitude . 34° 34' 20" K " longitude 138° 57' 10" B. S. W. J W. from Kozu Sima, distant about 20 miles, and south a little westerly from Cape Idzu, distant about 40 miles, there are two patches of dangerous rocks, 15 or 20 feet high, which have been named Eedfield Eocks. They are in Lat. 83° 56' 13" K; long. 138° 48' 31" E.; and lat. 33° 57' 31" K ; long. 138° 49' 13" E. These positions may not be strictly correct, but it is believed they are not much out of the way. By order of Commodore M. C. Perry, U. S. N. SILAS BENT, Flag Lieutenant. JAPAN EXPEDITIOIT. 727 {.Japan Expedition Pressi] U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, at Sea, June 27, 1854. This is to certify, that Yohatsi, Hikoyemon and Dshirobe, have been appointed pilots for American vessels entering or departing from the port of Simoda, and that the following rates for pilotage have been established by proper authorities ; viz :-r For vessels drawing over eighteen American feet $15.00 For vessels drawing over thirteen and less than eighteen feet 10.00 For vessels drawing under thirteen feet . • 6.00 These rates shall be paid in gold or silver coin, or its equivalent in goods ; and the same shall be paid for piloting vessels out, as well as into port. "When vessels anchor in the outer roads and do not enter the inner harbor, only half the above rates of compensation shall be paid to the pilots. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. Signed, SILAS BENT, Flag Lieutenant. Approved. M. C. Perky, Commander-i-nrChief of the U. S. Naval Forces in the Fast India, China, and Japan Seas. U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, Simoda, Island of Niphok, Japan, June 24, 1854. \Japan Expedition Press^ U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, at Sea, June 28, 1854. Eegulations Respecting Pilots, and the Supplying of American Vessels Entering the Port of Simoda. A lookout place shall be established at some convenient point, from which vessels appearing in the offing can be seen and reported, and when one is discovered, making apparently for the harbor, a boat shall be sent to her with a pilot. And in order to carry this regulation into full effect, boats of suitable size and quality shall always be kept in readiness by the harbor-master, which, if necessary, shall proceed beyond Rock Island, to ascertain whether the vessel in sight intends entering the harbor or not. If it be the desire of the master of said vessel to enter port, the pilot shall conduct her to safe anchorage, and during her stay shall render every assistance in his power in facilitating the procurement of all the supplies she may require. The rates of pilotage shall be : for vessels drawing over 18 American feet, fifteen dollars ; for all vessels drawing over 13 feet, and less than 18 feet, ten dollars; and for all vessels under 13 feet, five dollars. 728 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. These rates shall be paid in gold or silver coin, or its equivalent in goods ; and the same shall be paid for piloting a vessel out, as well as into port. When vessels anchor in the outer harbor, and do not enter the inner port, only half the above rates of compensation shall be paid to the pilot. The prices for supplying water to American vessels at Simoda, shall be fourteen hundred cash, per boat load (the casks to be furnished by the vessel). And for wood delivered on board, about seven thousand two hundred cash, per cube of five American feet. SILAS BENT, Flag Lieutenant. tM^mSc Signed, KUKA-KAWA-KAHEI, Lieutenant- Governor, Approved. M. C. Perry, Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Forces in the East India, China, and Japan Seas. U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, Simoda, Japan, June, 23, 185i. \Japan Expedition Press^ U. S. Steam Frigate Powhatan, IIarbor of Hakodadi, Island of Yesso, Japan, May 27, 1854. Sailing Directions for Kapha, Island Great Lew Chew. By Silas Bent, Lieut. TJ. S. N. This is the principal seaport of the island, and perhaps the only one possessing the privileges of a port of entry. Its inner, or "Junk Harbor," has a depth of water of from two to three fathoms, and, though small, is sufficiently large to accommodate with ease the fifteen or twenty moderate-sized junks which are usually found moored in it. These are mostly Japanese, with a few Chinese and some small coasting craft, which seem to carry on a sluggish trade with the neighboring islands. The outer harbor is protected to the eastward and southward by the main land, whilst in other direc- tions, it is surrounded by merely a chain of coral reefs, which answer as a tolerable breakwater against a swell from the northward or westward, but afford, of course, no shelter from the wind. The holding ground is so good, however, that a well found ship could ride out here almost any gale in safety. The clearest approach to Kapha from the westward, is by passing to the northward of the Amakarima Islands and sighting Agenhu Island, from whence steer a S. E. course for the harbor, passing on either side JAPAN KXPEDITION. 72f of Eeef Islands, being careful, however, not to approach them too near ou the western and southern sides, as the reefs below water, in these directions, are said to be more extensive than is shown by the Charts. After clearing Eeef Islands, bring "Wood Hill to bear S. S. E., when stand down for it, until getting upon the line of bearing for South Channel. This will carry you well clear of Blossom Eeef, yet not so far off but that the White Tomb and clump of trees or bushes to the southward of Tumai Head (see View- No. 3, on Chart) can be easily distinguished. An E. N. E. J E., or E. N. E. course will now take you in clear of all dangers, and give you a good anchorage on or near the seven fathom bank, about half a mile to the northward and westward of False Capstan Head. This channel being perfectly straight, is more desirable for a stranger entering the harbor than Oar Channel, which, though wider, has the disadvantage of its being necessary for a vessel to alter her course some four or five points, just when she is in the midst of reefs which are nearly all below the surface of the water. To enter ly Oar Channel. — Bring the centre of the island in Junk Harbor (known by the deep verdure of its vegetation), to fill the gap between the forts at the entrance of Junk Harbor (see View No. 2, on Chart), and steer a S. E. | E. course, until Capstan Head bears east, when haul up to E. N. E., and anchor as before directed. The North Channel. — Is very much contracted by a range of detached rocks making out from the reef on the west side, and should not under ordinary circumstances be attempted by a stranger; as at high water the reefs are almost entirely covered, and it is difficult to judge of your exact position, unless familiar with the various localities and landmarks. To enter by this (north) channel, bring a remarkable notch in the southern range of hills in line with a small hillock just to the eastward of False Capstan Head (see View No. 1, on Chart), and stand in on this range S. by E. J E., until Sumai Head bears E. ' N., when open a little to the southward, so as to give the reef to the eastward a berth, and select your anchorage. There is a black spar-buoy anchored on Blossom Eeef, halfway betioeen its eastern and western extremities, a red spar-buoy on the point of reef to the W. N. W. of Abbey Point, and a white spar-buoy on the S. E. extremity of Oar Eeef. Flags of corresponding colors are attached to all these buoys, and they afford good guides for the South and Oar Channels. There are two large stakes on the reefs to the eastward and west- ward of North Channel, planted there by the natives, this being the channel mostly used by the junks trading to the northward. An abundance of fresh water can always be obtained at the fountains in Junk Eiver, where there is excellQnt landing for boats. There is a good spring near the Tombs in Tumai Bluff, but unless the water is perfectly smooth, the landing is impracticable, and under any circumstances it is inconvenient from the want of sufficient depth, except at high tide. It is directed by the commander-in-chief, that the vessels of the squadron under his command shall heave to on approaching Napha, and make signal for a pilot, when an officer familiar with the localities and landmarks will be sent off from the vessel in port to pilot her in, or point out to her commander the posi- tion of the dangers to be avoided. 92 730 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Should there, however, be no vessel in port, then boats are to be sent ahead, and anchored npon the extremities of the reefs between which the vessel intends to pass. By order of Commodore M. C. Perry. SILAS BENT, Lieut. U. S. Navy. Macao, October 1, 1853. Note. — The spar-buoys above described, were securely moored at the time they were placed in their respective positions, but may be displaced, or entirely removed by the heave of the sea, or by the natives, and should therefore not be entirely relied upon, S. BENT. Oanting, or Port Mellville, Island Great Lew Chew. — Oonting Harbor is on the N. W. side of Lew Chew, and distant about thirty-five miles from Napha. Sugar-loaf Island, an excellant landmark, lies about twelve miles to the W. N. W. of the entrance. The island is low and flat, with the exception of a sharp conical peak near its eastern extremity, which rises to a height of several hundred feet. Passing to the northward of Sugar-loaf Island, an B. southeasterly course will bring you to the mouth of the harbor, and to the northward and westward of Kooi Island. It is advisable to heave to here, or anchor in twenty or twenty-five fathoms water, until boats or buoys can be placed along the edges of the reefs bordering the channel ; for, without some such guides, it is difficult for a vessel of large draft to find her way in between the reefs, which contract, in places, to within a cable's length of each other, and are at all times covered with water. The ranges and courses for the channel are : first, Hele Rock in range with Double-topped Mountain (see View on Chart), bearing south 87° east. Steer this course, keeping the range on until Chimney Eock bears S. J E. ; then for Chimney Rock, till Point Conde bears S. 49° E. ; then for Point Conde, until entering the basin of Oonting, when anchor ; giving your ship room to swing clear of the reef making out to the northward of Point Conde, and you will be as snug as if lying in dock ; with good holding ground, com- pletely land-locked and sheltered almost entirely from every wind. Good water is to be had at the village of Oonting. By order of Commodore M. C. Perry. SILAS BENT, Lieut. U. S. Navy. Sailing Directions and Observations upon Lloyd's Harbor, Bonin Islands, from Reports of Acting Masters Madigan and Bennett, of the U. S. ships Saratoga and Susquehanna. "The entrance to the harbor of Port Lloyd, on the western side of Peel Island, one of the Bonin group, is well defined; so that it can scarcely be mistaken. JAPAN EXPEDITIOIf. 781 "A ship bound in, would do well to place a boat on the shoal that makes ofif south from the eastern point of Square Eock, as it is called on Beechy's Harbor Chart. This shoal can easily be seen from aloft, however, even when there is no swell on. It extends full two cables' length from Square Eock to the southward, and is steep. The centre of the shoal is awash with a smooth sea. The tide rises about three feet. There is a coral rock about one cable's length north from the northern point of Southern Ilead, on which I found eight feet water. But a ship entering the harbor would not be likely to approach Southern Head so near as to get upon it. This island, as well as those surrounding it, is chiefly visited by whale ships, and its products, therefore, are such as to suit their wants. "Potatoes, yams, and other vegetables, fruits of various kinds, together with wild hogs and goats, can be procured from the few whites and Sandwich Islanders — thirty-five in all — settled there. Wood is good and plentiful, and water can be had, though in limited quantities, and slightly tainted by the coral rocks from which it springs. "The anchorage is fair, though open to the south and west. The reconnoissance, made by order of the commander-in-chief, proved the accuracy of Capt. Beechy's chart." Mr. Bennett, acting master of the Susquehanna, says in his report : "Assuming the position of Napha, in Great Loo Choo Island, as established by Beechy, to be correct, I find, by the mean of my chronometers, that he has placed Ten-fathom Hole, in Port Lloyd, five miles too far to the westward, and consequently the whole group is placed that much to the westward of its true position." By order of Commodore M. C. Pebry. SILAS BENT, Macao, Oct. 1, 1858. Lieut. U. S. Navy. {Japan Expedition Press^^ U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, at Sea, July 20, 1854. Sailing Directions fob Hakodadi. By Lieut. "Wm. L. Maury, U. S. K This spacious and beautiful bay, which for accessibility and safety is one of the finest in the world, lies on the north side of the Straits of Sangar, which separate the Japanese Islands of Niphon and Yesso, and about midway between Cape Sirija Saki* (the N. E. point of Niphon) and the city of Matsmai. It bears from the cape N. "W. J "W., distant about 45 miles, and is about 4 miles wide at the entrance and five miles deep. The harbor is the southeastern arm of the bay, and is completely sheltered, with regular soundings and excellent holding ground. It is formed by a bold-peaked promontory, standing well out from the high land of the main, with which it is connected by a low sandy isthmus, and, appearing in the distance as an island, may be readily recognized. * Saki in the Japanese language means Cape, consequently it should be more properly called Cape Sirija; but, to prevent mistakes, it has been thought advisable to adopt the Japanese names. 732 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. The town is situated on the N. E. slope of this promontory, facing the harbor, and contains about 6,000 inhabitants. Approaching from the eastward, after passing Cape Survo Kubo, named on our chart Cape Blunt, which is a conspicuous headland 12 miles E. by S., from the town, the junks at anchor in the harbor will be visible over the low isthmus. For entering the Harhor. — Eounding the promontory of Ilakodadi, and giving it a berth of a mile, to avoid tbe calms under the high land, steer for the sharp peak of Komaga-daki, bearing about north until the east peak of the Saddle, bearing about N. E. by N., opens to the westward of the round knob on the side of the mountain, then haul up to the northward and eastward, keeping them open until the centre of the Sand Hills on the isthmus bears S. E. by E. | E. (these may be recognized by the dark knolls upon them). This will clear a spit which makes out from the northwestern point of the town in a N. north- westerly direction two-thirds of a mile ; then bring the Sand Hills a point on the port bow, and stand in till the northwestern point of the town bears S. W. \ W., when you will have the best berth, with five and a half or six fathoms water. If it is desirable to get nearer in, haul up a little to the eastward of south, for the low rocky peak which will be just visible over the sloping ridge to the southward and eastward of the town. A vessel of moderate draught may approach within a quarter of a mile of Tsuki point, where there is a building yard for junks. This portion of the harbor, however, is generally crowded with vessels of this description ; and unless the want of repairs, or some other cause, renders a close berth necessary, it is better to remain outside. If the Peak or Saddle is obscured by clouds or fog, after doubling the promontory steer K by E. | E. until the Sand Hills are brought upon the bearing above given, when proceed as there directed. A short distance from the tail of the spit, is a detached sandbank with 3J fathoms on it, the outer edge of which is marked by a white spar-buoy. Between this and the spit there is a narrow channel with 4J fathoms water. Vessels may pass on either side of the buoy, but it is most prudent to go to the northward of it. Should the wind fail before reaching the harbor, there is a good anchorage in the outer roads in from 25 to 10 fathoms. Excellent wood and water may be procured from the authorities of the town, or, if preferred, water can easily be obtained from Kamida Creek, which enters the harbor to the northward and eastward of the town. The season, at the time of our visit, was unfavorable for procuring supplies ; a few sweet and Irish potatoes, eggs and fowls, however, were obtained; and these articles, at a more favorable period of the year, will no doubt be furnished in sufficient quantities to supply any vessel that may in future visit the port. Our seine supplied us with fine salmon and a quantity of other fish, and the shores of the bay abound with excellent shell-fish. During our stay in this harbor, from May 17 to June 3, the weather was generally pleasant, until JAPAN EXPEDITION. 788 June 1, when the fog set in. It was usually calm in the morning, but towards the middle of the day a brisk breeze from S. W. sprung up.> Latitude, mouth of Kamida Creek 41° 49' 22" N. Longitude " " " 140° 47' 45" E. Variation . . . . . . 4° 80' 0" W. nigh water, full and change V. hours. Extreme rise and fall of tide 3 feet. Our chronometers were rated at Napa Kiang, Lew Chew, from the position of that place as given by Captain Beechy, E. N. By order of Commodore M. C. Perry, U. S. N. SILAS BENT, Flag Lieutenant. [Japan Expedition Press^ U. S. Steam Frigate Mississippi, at Sea, July 21, 1854. Additional Eegulations. Agreed to lelween Commodore Matthew C. Perry, Special Envoy to Japan, from the United States of America, and Hayashi Daigahu no-hami; Ido, Prince of Tsus-sima ; Izawa, Prince of Mima-sahi; Tsudzuki, Prince of Suruga ; TIdono, Member of the Board of Revenue; Take no uchi Sheitaro, and Matsusaki, Michitaro; Commissioners of the Emperor of Japan, on behalf of their respective Oovemments. Article I. — The Imperial Governors of Simoda will place watch stations wherever they deem best to designate the limits of their jurisdiction ; but Americans are at liberty to go through them unrestricted, within the limits of seven Japanese Ri, or miles ; and those who are found transgressing Japanese laws, may be apprehended by the police, and taken on board their ships. Article II. — Three landing places shall be constructed for the boats of merchant ships and whale ships resorting to this port ; one at Simoda, one at Kakizaki, and the third, at the brook lying S. E. of Centre Island. The citizens of the United States will, of course, treat the Japanese officers with proper respect. Article III. — Americans, when on shore, are not allowed access to military establishments, or private houses, without leave ; but they can enter shops and visit tenjples as they please. Article IV. — Two temples, the Rioshen at Simoda, and Yokushen at Kakizaki, are assigned as resting places for persons in their walks, until public houses and inns are erected for their convenience. Article V. — Near the Temple Yokushen, at Kakizaki, a burial-ground has been set apart for Ameri- cans, where their graves and tombs shall not be molested. Article VI. — It is stipulated in the treaty of Kanagawa, that coal will be furnished at Hakodadi; but, as it is very difficult for the Japanese to supply it at that port. Commodore Perry promises to mention this to his government, in order that the Japanese government may be relieved from the obligation of making that port a coal depot. 784 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Article VII. — It is agreed, that tenceforth. the Chinese language shall not be employed in official communications between the two governments, except when there is mo Dutch interpreter. Article VIII. — A harbor master and three skilful pilots have been appointed for the port of Simoda. Article IX. — Whenever goods are selected in the shops, they shall be marked with the name of the purchaser and the price agreed upon, and then be sent to the Goyoshi, or government office, where the money is to be paid to Japanese officers, and the articles delivered by them. Article X. — The shooting of birds and animals is generally forbidden in Japan, and this law is, there- fore, to be observed by all Americans. Article XI. — It is hereby agreed that five Japanese Ei, or miles, be the limit allowed to Americans at Hakodadi ; and the requirements contained in Article I. of these regulations are hereby made also ap- plicable to that port, within that distance. Article XII. — His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, is at liberty to appoint whoever he pleases, to receive the ratification of the treaty of Kanagawa, and give an acknowledgment on his part. It is agreed that nothing herein contained shall, in any way, affect or modify the stipulations of the treaty of Kanagawa, should that be found to be contrary to these regulations. In witness whereof, copies of these additional regulations have been signed and sealed in the English and Japanese languages by the respective parties, and a certified translation in the Dutch language, and exchanged by the Commissioners of the United States and Japan. (Signed) M. C. PERRY, Commander-in-chief of the U. S. Naval Forces in the East India, Chinese, and Japan Seas; and Special Envoy to Japan. Simoda, Japan, June 17, 1854. From Captain George A. Potter, of Ship Architect. February 17, 1854. Vessels departing from Hong-Kong, bound to Shanghai, in the northeast monsoon, should be in good condition to contend with rough weather, and to carry sail. Upon leaving, the Lyemoon or Lammat Channel can be taken, the latter being preferable in a large vessel. When clear of the islands, the wind will be found to be about E. N. E. generally, or as the line of coast trends, and when the monsoon is not heavy, periodical changes of wind occur. At such times, vessels should be close in with the land early in the morning, and tack off shore at about 8 o'clock, standing off till about 2 P. M., and on the in-shore tack standing boldly in to the coast, making such arrangements during the night as will bring the vessel in a position in shore again in the morning. When the monsoon is moderate, vessels should not stand far into the bays, as they will, by so doing, experience light winds, and oftentimes calms ; and, on the contrary, when the monsoon is strong, they should stand as far as possible into the bays, and not stand further off than is actually necessary, especially as the changes of wind above alluded to seldom occur at such times. It would be well to add here, that vessels almost always go faster in shore than they do off, as there is a ground swell heaving after them when in with the land. JAPAN EXPEDITION. 735 During the severe monsoon gales, whicli last about three days, vessels should seek shelter in one of the numerous good anchorages to the westward of Breaker Point, when, upon the breaking up of the gale, they can make a fresh start, and perhaps get round Formosa before encountering another, especially after the month of November. Having reached Breaker Point, vessels should then stretch over for the south end of Formosa, and upon getting to the eastward, the wind will be found to veer northerly, or more, as the coast of Formosa trends ; and a good sailing vessel will be almost sure to fetch the South Cape or Lamay Island to windward. Upon getting in with the land, light variable winds and calms are often met with, but the strong current to the S. W. will very soon drift the vessel down, when she will find the breeze coming on fresh again. In passing the South Cape in the daytime, vessels should keep close in to the land, and the nearer the shore the stronger the favorable current, there being no hidden dangers. In passing round in the night, however, and when there is no moon, it will be advisable to pass to the southward of the Vela Eete Eocks, and tacking to the N. "W. when nearly in the longitude of Gadd's Eeef, or sooner if it is daylight, as the South Cape of Formosa is very low, and rather unsafe to approach in a dark night ; and again, when a gale comes on, and a vessel, being to the westward of the cape and near it, is obliged to heave to, a strict lookout should be kept during the night, as several vessels, under these circumstances, have found themselves to the eastward of the cape in the morning, having been drifted to windward during the night, and passed, probably, within a dangerous proximity of the Vela Eete Eocks. The current sets sometimes with incredible velocity round the cape, and then up northward along the coast, and the stronger the northerly gale, the stronger the weather current, gradually diminishing in strength towards the north end of Formosa. After rounding the cape, vessels should work short tacks along the east coast of Formosa, keeping close in shore to get the benefit of the current. Having reached the northeast cape of Formosa, and the wind does not veer to the eastward, which is sometimes the case, vessels should keep between the meridians of the Barren Islands and the islands off the north end of Formosa, and not stretch in for the coast of China until able to make a lead in for Video or Leuconna. Thence to Shanghai, they may follow the Sailing Directions given by Captain Collinson, E. N"., which will be found in Horsburgh, or the direc- tions given in a pamphlet entitled Practical Instructions for Navigating the Yantze Kiang, by Walter Macfar- lane, Esq., which are more explicit, and written by a gentleman of long experience in those localities. Eegarding the passage to or from Shanghai in a fair monsoon, little can be said excepting that coasting vessels, when without observations, are in the habit of sighting the land to verify their reckoning. In the northeast monsoon there is a constant current down the coast, running with more or less velocity according to the strength of the wind; and the wind generally blows along the line of coast, that is, E. N. E. from Hong-Kong to Breaker Point, N. E. in the Formosa Channel, and N. N. E. from Formosa north. The first part of the monsoon is very strong, and frequently in the month of October it is almost an incessant gale ; in the latter stage, from January to May, S. B. winds are not uncommon, and the more frequent as the season advances ; there is considerable thick weather in the latter part of the monsoon, and a S. E. wind to the northward of Formosa almost invariably brings a dense fog with it. The passage from Shanghai to Hong-Kong in the S. W. monsoon is very tedious, from the frequent calms and squalls, and constant strong current up ; and coasting vessels generally use their kedge when there is not sufficient wind to make any 736 THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. progress. In working down, it is well to keep in with the coast, stretching into bays and by- headlands to get out of the current, if there is sufficient wind to preclude the probability of getting becalmed. From the month of July to the latter part of September, and sometimes October, is considered the typhoon season ; and at this season of the year a barometer cannot be watched too closely. Typhoons have happened in May and June, but very seldom. These storms appear to originate to the eastward, in the Pacific Ocean; and, passing the Bashee Islands, travelling to the southward of west, their centres pass nearly over the parallels of Hong-Kong and Macao. A falling barometer, with a northerly wind, is almost a sure symptom of the approach of a cyclone in this vicinity^ These storms, coming from the eastward, are sometimes probably turned off from their usual course by the high land of Formosa intervening between them and the China coast, and at such times they travel up north, curving again to the westward. This inference somewhat accounts for the fact that Amoy is seldom visited by these storms, and they are never felt there with such a degree of severity as at the other ports to the northward and southward of Formosa. These storms are also generally preceded by a heavy swell from N. E. to E. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. The gold ports of Australia, whether the distance be measured via Cape Horn, or by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, are between 12,000 and 13,000 miles from the Atlantic ports of the United States or Europe. The best way for vessels in the Australian trade, from Europe or the Atlantic ports of America, to go, is by doubling the Cape of Good Hope; and the best way to come, is via Cape Horn ; and for this reason, viz : The prevailing winds in the extra-tropical regions of the southern hemisphere are from the N. W., which of course makes fair winds for the outward bound around the Cape of Good Hope, and fair winds for the homeward bound around Cape Horn. Here, all is plain sailing ; vessels homeward bound should steer by the shortest cut for Cape Horn, and the outward bound, after clearing the calms of Capricorn in the Atlantic, should shape their course as direct for the port of destination as the land and ice and the winds will permit them. Eeturning by the way of Cape Horn homeward, the best route is to get south of the parallel of 45° or 50° S., as soon as you can by a S. E. course. Do not hesitate, if the winds favor, to pass south of New Zealand. But whether you pass south of these islands or not, as soon as you get clear of them, let the course be shaped direct for Cape Horn ; recollecting that the further you keep south of the middle of the straight line on your chart from Van Dieman's Land to Cape Horn, the nearer you are to the great circle route, and the shorter the distance. The difference by the great circle, and by the straight course on the Charts, being upwards of 1,000 miles. In the passage from Australia to Cape Horn, by keeping between the parallels of 45° and 60° all the way, you will, I am of the opinion, feel more or less the warmth and set of a current that passes south of Australia from the Indian Ocean. "Whether the boisterous weather, to which a warm current in such latitudes would give rise, will compensate for the advantages to be gained in other respects, must be left ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 737 for experience to determine. For my own part, I do not suppose this current to be as strongly marked as is our Gulf Stream in the Atlantic. It is represented on Plate XIX. The passage from the Capes of the Delaware to Liverpool may be considered as affording us the means of judging pretty accurately as to this passage from Australia; the chief diiference being in the climate and the gales, and the rolling sea and a greater prevalence of westwardly winds. The climate in the Pacific along this route will be found not quite so mild as is that along the European route in the Atlantic. But the gales in the Atlantic are probably more frequent and violent than they are in the South Pacific ; at any rate, I suppose that such will be found to be the case, until you reach the regions of Cape Horn. The Australian routes present frequent opportunities for fine runs. In the South Indian and Pacific Ocean, below the parallel of 40° S. — particularly between 45° and 50° lat. — and away from the influence of the land — as along this route, especially from New Zealand to Cape Horn — the westerly winds blow almost with the regularity of the trades ; and a fast vessel, taking a westerly gale as she clears the New Zealand Islands, may now and then run along with it pretty nearly to Cape Horn ; or taking it on the outward passage after clearing the southeast trades of the Atlantic, may, by keeping well south, run along with it to Van Dieman's Land. The United States and Australia are nearly antipodal. A diameter of the earth having one end in the Atlantic upon the parallel of 38° N. at its intersection with the meridian of 35° W. would have the other near Port Philip, New South Wales. It will therefore be perceived how that the meridians of many places in America being followed to the south pole, and thence onward, would guide one to various places in New Holland. Thus, the same meridian line which passes through Eastport, in Maine, being continued on the other side of the world, will be found to pass near the Swan Kiver settlement of the great Gold Continent. This meridian is a great circle; and the intercepted arc of it, therefore, represents the shortest distance between any two places that are situated upon it. Hence, it will be perceived that the great circle from New York to Australia passes very nearly through the axis of South America, thence south through the antarctic regions, and so on northwardly again, till it reaches .this modern Ophir. But this route is impracticable to the navigator, and it is therefore useless to give him sailing directions for it. Let us, however, look for one, which, being practicable,. will be found to deviate as little as possible from the great circle, and which, moreover, all things being considered, offers to vessels in the Australian trade from Europe, as well as from the United States, the fairest prospect of the most speedy passages. Having found such a route, I propose to give those navigators, whether American or European, who are co-operating with me in collecting data for my researches, the benefit of additional sailing directions for Australia, or at least such farther suggestions with regard to the passage, as I at present feel prepared to make. As the great circle from New York to Port Philip passes through South America, and as the laud blocks the way so that ships cannot go west of that meridian, we must look to the eastward of it for the 93 78S THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. most practicable route. We must pass east of Cape St. Eoque; it and Port Philip may be considered for all our present purposes to be actually, as in reality they nearly are, on the same meridian. To find the great circle distance between two such places, we have but to add the co-latitude of one to the co-latitude of the other, and their sum gives what is sought. Thus, the co-latitude of the St. Eoque is 84° 32', and of Port Philip 51° 41', the sum of which is 136° 13' of co-latitude. It will suit the purposes of illustration better, to count from the equator in the Atlantic at its inter- section with the meridian of St. Eoque (35° 24'), from which point the great circle distance to Australia is 8,500 miles. Now, all ships, whether from North America or Europe, that are bound into the southern hemisphere, are advised to cross the line to the eastward of this meridian. Therefore, the great circle from St. Eoque is not yet far enough to the eastward for the navigator. Suppose, then, the average crossing-place of the line in the Atlantic to be, as it really is, in 30° west; let us project the great circle from this point. From this crossing to Port Philip, the most remote parallel touched by the great circle, is about 84° S. near its intersection with the meridian of 60° E., and the distance to Australia is 8,480 miles. It will be as well for the navigator who is aiming for a quick passage — and who in these times is not ? — to notice how this great circle from the line in 30° W. runs. It crosses the parallel of 10° S. near 28° 50' W. ; of 20°, near 27° 30' W. ; of 30°, near 26° 00' W. ; of 40°, near 24° 20' W. ; and of 50°, near 21° 50' W., &c. This route is also impracticable, for it takes one too far south. But it will serve as a guide to another, which Mr. Towson, of Liverpool, has designated the " composite," which will enable the navigator to take the nearest route that is practicable. Vessels that are bound southeastwardly, after crossing the line in 30° W., can generally reach, without being pinched by the way, 30° S. between 30° and 20° W. The great circle distance thence to Port Philip is, if it could be followed, about 6,700 miles ; but it crosses the barriers of perpetual ice which forbid the passage through the antarctic regions. But, if a vessel do not go south of 55°, she cannot accomplish the distance to Port Philip, from the parallel and meridian of 30°, in less than 7,300 miles. It will be observed that, since a vessel cannot make easting in the S. E. trades, vessels crossing the line in 30°, or indeed on any other meridian, will find themselves generally forced a little to the westward of the great circle to Port Philip from the point of equatorial crossing, be that upon what meridian it may. The majority of vessels bound around the Cape of Good Hope, cross the meridian of 20° "W. between the parallels of 30° and 35° S. Here, they generally aim to make a course a little to the south of east. But the great circle route to Australia would, were it practicable, require them to pass the parallel of 70° S. before crossing this meridian of 20° W. That route is the nearest which, being practicable, deviates the least from the great circle. Therefore the course of the Australian-bound vessel when she clears the calm belt of Capricorn, between the meridians of 20° and 30° W., which we will suppose she generally does by the time she reaches the parallel of 30° S., is tangential to the parallel of the highest degree of latitude that she intends to reach. The distance and " composite" routes are subjoined for the parallels as " vertices" of 45°, 50° and 55°, S. from 30° S., and from the meridians of 30° and of 20° W. respectively : ROUTES PROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 739 From 30° S. and 30° W. to 45° S. ia 20° E., thence E. to 120° E., and thence by tangent to Port Philip 8,000 miles. Ditto by tangent to 50° S. in 30° E., then to 100° E., and thence to Port Philip, 7,700. From 30° S. and 20° W., by tangent to 45° S. in 30° E., and thence, as upon the parallel of 45° from 30° W. to Port Philip, 7,600. From ditto, to 50° S., long. 40° E., and thence to Port Philip as before from 30° W., 7,300. From 30° S., long. 25° W. by tangent to the parallel of 55° in long. 40° E., and thence along this parallel to 90° E., and thence by tangent to Port Philip, the distance is 7,300 miles. These tangential curves are arcs of great circles ; and the navigator who will not take the trouble to get out these curves so that he may follow them to and from the parallel or "vertex" upon which he proposes to "run down his longitude," but prefers the rhumb-line course, must make up his mind to the loss to be incurred, for even in the cases quoted above, he will lose by the rhumb-line course from a few hours' to a day's sail, according to circumstances.* At any rate, when he comes to view the route to Australia as here described, he will perceive that the route to the Cape of Good Hope turns off from it about the parallel of 30° S., and that therefore Australian bound vessels do not care to make so much easting in the trades as do those vessels that desire either to touch at or double close around the cape ; consequently, it is no object with them to hug the trades as close as the cape-bound vessels do. Here, then, as you clear the belt of S. E. trade-winds, there is a fork in the road. The vessel bound to the cape going to the east ; but she whose destination is for the gold fields south, should stand on to the southward, not thinking of hauling up to the eastward until she clears the calms of Capricorn, and finds herself well within the region of the trade-like westerly winds of the southern hemisphere. She may then begin to edge away and to haul up gradually to the eastward, crossing 10° W. between the parallels of 40° and 50° according to the season, and reaching her extreme southern parallel in our winter months near the meridian of 20° E. Upon this parallel (unless experience shall prove that she may, without inconvenience as to ice and weather, go farther south 56°, and the farther south the shorter the distance), she should run along her vertex till she crosses the meridian of 90° or 100° east, when she * In 1847, Jlr. J. T. Towson, of Liverpool, computed a set of tables to " facilitate the practice of great circle sailing," which are published by the Admiralty. By these tables Mr. Towson has won the credit of having systemizcd and introduced regularly into the art or science of practical navigation, a new branch which is now known as "composite sailing." That is, when a navigator makes up his mind to " run down his longitude" upon a certain parallel, the nearest way for kirn to get on that parallel is by arc of great circle which passing through the place of his ship is tangent to that parallel. Likewise, in quitting that parallel, called the "vertex," the nearest way is again by arc of tangential great circle which passes through his place of destination. Mr. Towson's tables afford the navigator simple rules and methods for finding his courses and distance by such arcs. More recently, Professor Chauvenet, of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, has invented a " Great Circle Protractor," by which the navigator can lay off exactly and with great facility the arc of a great circle, however short, which he wishes to follow. In finding the arc, the protractor shows also the courses and distance. The contrivance is exceedingly simple and beautiful, making "composite sailing" very easy. The navigator, therefore, who wishes to " cut off all the corners" and save every mile possible, should, instead of taking the rhumb-line courses above suggested, to and from his "vertex," supply himself with one of these works, that he may get off and on his vertex by great-circle arcs. 740 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. may begin gradually to edge up for her port, but still keeping to tte right of the rhumb-line on her chart, that leads to it. Hence, it will be perceived that Australian-bound vessels have nothing to do with the Cape of Good Hope ; they do not wish to go within scarcely a thousand miles of it. The best crossing-place of 25° or 30° south, that the S.E. trades will generally allow for the Austra- lian route, is about 30° W., a few degrees more or less. Here, the winds being fair, the great circle from this crossing to Port Philip will give the navigator a very correct idea as to the best course for him to pursue after reaching 25° or 30° S., at the crossing above mentioned. The distance from it to Port Philip is about 6,500 miles, the arc of the great circle crossing the prime meridian between the parallels of 70° and 75° S., the meridian of 55° east between the parallels of 80° and 82° S. Here it reaches its greatest southern declination, and begins then to incline northwardly. Australian-bound vessels, therefore, are advised, after crossing the equator near the meridian of 80° W., say between 25° and 32°, as the case may be, to run down through the S. E. trades, with topmast- studding-sails set, if they have sea room, aiming to cross 25° or 80° south, as the winds will allow, which will be generally somewhere about 28° or 30° W., and so on, shaping their course, after they get the winds steadily from the westward, more and more to the eastward, until they cross the meridian of 20° E., in about lat. 45°, reaching 55° south, if at all, in about 40° east. Of the " fleet of a thousand sail," that is co-operating with me, the Nightingale, that has made the quickest run yet from the parallel of St. Eoque, went to 57° S. Thence the best course — if ice, &c., will allow — is onward still to the southward of east, not caring to get to the northward again of your greatest southern latitude, before reaching 90° east. The highest latitude should be reached between the meridians of 50° and 80° east. The course then is north of east, gradually hauling up more and more to the north as you approach Van Dieman's Land. Such is the best route to Australia — the highest degree of south latitude (and, as a rule, the farther you go south, the shorter the distance) which it may be prudent to touch, depending mainly on the season of the year and the winds, the state of the ship, and the well-being of the passengers and crew. If the winds are not good and strong, bear south to look for them. In our summer, one will not have to go so far south to look for these winds as he will in our winter. The shortest passages, therefore, will probably be made in the southern spring and early summer, when daylight, the winds, the state of the weather and all except ice, are most favorable for reaching high southern latitudes. The Pilot Charts in process of construction for the South Pacific, seem to indicate that there is a belt of westerly winds between 45° and 50° S., which are most constant and steady. If this should prove to be so, the discovery will be of great importance. I have had occasions several times to acknowledge obligations to Lieut. Marin Jansen, of the Dutch Navy, for valuable suggestions. It is rare to find a better thinker, or a more efficient co-laborer, than he is. Yesterday I received a letter from him, dated at Delft, March 2, 1855, in which he calls my attention to a remarkable peculiarity of the winds in the South Atlantic, and which bears directly upon the passage to the Cape, India, and Australia, from the United States as well as from Europe. "Now," says he, "a few words about the S. E. trade- wind in the South Atlantic. I have remarked that, in February, nearly all the ships coming round the Cape of Good Hope find S. E. winds in the Atlantic; ROUTES FEOM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 741 they lose them only wheu they turn too sharp round the cape and cross 30° S. east of 10° E., and 25° S. east of 5° E., probably through the influence of the land, by which the S. E. is turned to S. W. and W., according to the position of the ship in regard to the land. " We can say in general, ships coming round the Cape of Good Hope find the S. E. trade-wind in the South Atlantic in February, after rounding the cape, in 34° S. But ships going from the equator to the cape generally lose the S. E. trade-wind in February, on the meridian of 30° W., near 23° S. ; on the meri- dian of 25° W., near 27° S.; on the meridian of 20° W., near 30° S.; on the meridian of 15° W., near 33° S. And when I say lose the S. E. trade, I mean that the wind comes north of east. The S. E. trade blows easterly in 10° S. when west of 28° W. Farther eastward we find the S. E. trade more southerly. From the equator in the track of the outward bound ships in February, the wind at first S. E. by S. (true) becomes soon S.E. and E.S.E., when west of 28° W., and slower to the eastward. When the wind is east it goes generally north of east when ships stand to the south, and then from north to northwest. But when ships, with the wind from north, go too far east, then the wind turns from N. W. quickly to S. W. and S. E., and they are obliged to tack and run out of the S. E. ; wherefore its limits invariably commence to be E. S. E. and E., and N. E. and N. to N. W. (See the arrows on the diagram.) 742 - THK WIND AND CUBKENT CHARTS. " Of course, ships must try to avoid running again in the S. E. trade after losing it. Ships bound to the East Indies have thus no advantage in crossing the equator so far to the east ; they are compelled, by the wind, to run out of the S. E. ; and because the S. E. is more easterly west of 25° W., and more southerly east of it. I think this is the best illustration why they should cross the equator west of 25° W. with great advantage, and why ships bound to Australia do better to avoid the proximity of the limit of the S. E. trade-wind, and steer clear of those turning winds generally accompanied with calms. " In another letter I'll give you the S. E. in August, with the demonstration that the S. W. monsoon is not the N. E. trade, as was supposed, but a continuation of the S. E. trade." Another fact in illustration of not crossing the line, on the route from Europe, to the east of 25° W., is afforded by the following statement: — "Jan. 23d, '54. Lat. 30° 05' ; long. 41° 37'. "Moderate and fine throughout. 1 P.M., spoke British ship Lord Dufferin, 68 days from Cardiff, for San Francisco. Eeports crossing the line in long. 24°, and being becalmed there twenty-one days, in com- pany with many vessels. His long, is 40° 20', which cannot be correct,* being thirty miles to the west of ours, and if right we should have passed close to shore, in clearing St. Augustine, although he says he compared with several on the line. Many birds about." — {Abstract Log, ship John Haven, Richer, from New York to San Francisco) - The arrows of the diagram are Jansen's ; the wind-vanes or brushes have been added, at my request, by Professor Flye. The data for them are afforded by the Pilot Charts of the South Atlantic. These brushes are only for February, and they merely indicate the direction of the prevalent winds, the heaviest shading denoting the most prevalent quarter. February is the southern summer; and how beautifully does this little diagram unmask the effects of the Pampas of Buenos Ayres on one hand, and the Deserts of Africa on the other, upon the winds at sea ! The calm belt of Capricorn, here, at this season, instead of being between parallels, stretches off in the direction from Eio towards the Cape of Good Hope ; so that, in this month especially, vessels bound towards the Cape of Good Hope, so far from gaining, actually lose — as suggested by Jansen, and proved by Capt. Eicker — by crossing the line east of 25° "W. We have here also revealed to us the cause of the difficulty which homeward bound vessels from Eio frequently find in getting an offing. It is because this calm belt is there, and it is placed there by the con- flict in the air between the plains of South America and South Africa ; one drawing the trade- wind east, the other west from its regular course. Then on the polar side of the region of the S. E. trades there seems to be a sort of neutral ground, which is shaded on the diagram, in which neither Africa nor America has anything to do with the winds. There appears to be here a sort of reflection, or mould in the air, of the tongue of cold water (Plate XIX.), from the antarctic regions. Now, besides this new and very singular feature in the summer (pur winter) winds of the South Atlantic, the first thing that will probably strike the navigator who has not been accustomed to measure * On making the land, we proved to be correct, and his long. 80 miles wrong. EOUTE3 FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA.^ 743 on a terrestrial globe the distance between places, will be the fact that the Cape of Good Hope, instead of being a sort of half-way station on the road-side between Europe or the United States and New Holland, is some thousand miles or more to the northward of the shortest and best route. And the next thing will be, that the best crossing on the equator for Australian-bound vessels from the United States is not to the eastward, but it is on the same meridian which affords the best crossing for the Eio or Cape Horn bound vessels. Vessels, therefore, bound to Australia from the United States, or Europe, should take the Rio route as far as the equator. Indeed, the route around Cape Horn to Australia, to the Cape of Good Hope and to India, may be considered as one and the same until the belt of S. E. trades in the Atlantic be passed. Vessels bound from Europe, should aim to cross the equator between 25° and 30° W. Farther east would take them where the equatorial doldrums will prove troublesome, and when the S. E. trades will be more difficult to him ; farther west, too far out of the way. Having crossed the equator, with sea room and a good offing from the shores of Brazil, the best course for all, whether European or American, is, as before stated, to crack on through the S. E. trades with topmast studding-sails set, or at any rate with a clean rap-full. When these winds fail, as they will do, from 25° S. in our summer and fall, to 35° or even 40° in our winter and spring — especially on the African side — and the Australian trader finds himself in the horse latitudes of the southern hemisphere, his course is then nearly due south until he gets beyond them, and well into the strong westerly winds of that region. These winds will be found on the American side, or W. of 20° W., between 35° and 40° S. ; but in east longitude they will be found between the parallels of 45° and 55°, according to the season of the year, to prevail with great regularity and force ; moreover, they are accompanied by that long rolling swell which will of itself help a vessel along many miles a day. All the abstracts which I have as yet received from Australian-bound traders, go to confirm and illustrate, in the most beautiful manner, everything that I have previously said with regard to the westerly trades of the extra tropical south, and the advantages of the southern route to Australia. I have endea- vored to impress navigators with a sense of the mistake they commit in considering the Cape of Good Hope on the way-side of their best route to Australia. It is not only a long way out of the best and most direct track for them, but the winds also, to the north of the fortieth parallel of south latitude, are much less favorable for Australia than they are to the south of this parallel. Sailing Directions* issued by the British Admiralty, I am aware, recommend the Cape of Good Hope route, and the parallel of 39° south, as the best upon which to run down easting for Australia. I quote from these Sailhig Directions : — " Ships from the Cape of Good Hope, bound to the south coast of Australia, should run down their longitude on the parallel of 39° south, where the wind blows almost constantly from some western point, and generally not with so much strength as to prevent sail being carried to it. In a higher latitude, the Aveather is frequently more boisterous and stormy, and sudden changes of wind, with squally, wet weather, * 1853. 744 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. are almost constantly to be expected ; especially in the winter season, and after passing the island of St. Paul and Amsterdam. Islands of ice have also been encountered in those regions, as was almost fatally proved by H. M. ship Guardian striking against one in 46° or 47° south, in the beginning of summer, and nearly foundering."* In a note to this paragraph of the Australia Directory, it is added: "In summer, however, a route on the principle of great circle sailing, termed 'composite route,' may be advantageously adopted. See Tables to Facilitate the Practice of Great Circle Sailing. By J. T. Towson. Fourth edition, page 49 ; published at the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty." It is in the fall and winter months, when the sea is most free from icebergs — not in the summer, for every one knows that icebergs are often seen in the North Atlantic in June, and not unfrequently in July. December and January are probably the worst months for ice along the Australian route. By March, all that the summer heat could set adrift have been borne north and melted ; the southern winter is the time when the icebergs are held fast, for then they are forming for the heat of the next spring and summer to break out and set adrift. The maximum latitude, or the " vertex," to be used, must, as before said, depend upon the season of the year ; and what that " vertex" is to be for any season, is one of the objects of present inquiry, and of these investigations touching the Australian route ; it will depend upon winds, weather, ice, &c. I hope the abstract logs from vessels in that trade will, ere long, enable me to make a satisfactory and proper decision upon this point. For, by ascertaining that point, I expect to be able to fix definitely upon a route which shall bring Australia ^ermaneni??/ on the average some thirty days or more nearer to the United States and Europe, than by the admiralty route, along the parallel of 39°, it is, ever has been, or can be. In recommending this new route, and a route which difiers so widely from the favorite route of the admiralty, I should remark that I do it, not because it is an approach to the great circle route, nor because it has anything to do with the composite track, but because the winds, and the sea, and the distance, are all such as to make this route the quickest. I say the sea, because I suppose there is no more danger from icebergs if a proper lookout be kept, than there is on the voyage between New York and Liverpool. Three ships have reported, in their abstract logs, ice on the Australian voyage, viz : The Malay, Capt. Ilutcherson, 21st of December, 1853, lat. 48° 25' S., long. 35° 24' E.; the Oriental, Capt. Heard, 11th of December, 1853, lat. 46° 25', long. 125° E.; and the Auckland, Capt. Nelson, 25th of October, 1853, lat. 53° 12', long. 21° 23' E. Horsburgh, in his Director^/, mentions, at pages 89-90, ice as4iaving been seen 24th of December, 1789, by H. B. M. S. Guardian, lat. 44° i S., long. 44° J E. ; by the French ship Harmonic in April, 1828, lat. 35° 50', long. 18° E. It is, however, very rare for ice to be seen in such a place! Under these circumstances, and until navigators will furnish a sufficient number of journals, we cannot advise navigators exactly how far south to go without incurring risks from icebergs. They certainly may venture farther to the southward in some months than in others ; but how far in each month, and with what profit, remains for future investigations,. based on more ample materials than have yet come to my * The Australia Directory, vol. i. Edited by John Burdwood, Master, K. N. Fourth edition, printed for the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, Dec. 1, 1853; Chapter I. page 1. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 745 hands, to determine. These reports about icebergs seem to place them near the meridian of the Cape on one side, and the longitude of Australia on the other. It therefore may, in the present state of our know- ledge upon the subject, be well to caution navigators not to cross the prime meridian to the south of 45° ; and then, if they intend to go as far south as 55°, to aim from this crossing to strike that parallel, or the highest they intend to reach, near the meridian of 40° E. I do not venture lightly or without reflection to differ with the Hydrographic Office of England, in matters of this sort. That is high authority, I am aware. I know the distinguished officer who has presided over it with such signal ability for so many years. Navigation owes him much, and I have the highest admi- ration and respect for him, both as an officer and a man. I therefore allude to the work of his office, upon which he has conferred well-earned renown, and to the opinions uttered by it, with the utmost respect. The object that I, and those who co-operate with me, have in view, is the object for which the great Hydro- graphic Office of the world — that of the British Admiralty — was established and is maintained, viz: the improvement of navigation, the benefit of commerce, and the good of the seafaring community. Our objects being the same, therefore, when my investigations, which have so far been carried on through a separate and independent system of observations, lead me to results which differ from conclu- sions by others, I may surely be permitted to announce these results ; and if they differ from admiralty authorities, I may also be permitted, without offence, to allude to that difference, and to show, by facts and observations, not which side is entirely right — for that is not always the case with either — but which is the less wrong. The following is directly to the point : — " Before sailing," Captain Albert Bowen, in the abstract log of the barque Gem of the Sea, from New York to Australia, in 1853, says : " I obtained an English Directory for the Indian Ocean and Australia published in 1843, which recommended crossing in the latitude of 39° south, which I followed, and which I think greatly prolonged my passage. I would advise going as far south as 48°, where they will get a strong, steady wind from the westward. By crossing in 89°, I very unexpectedly got a great deal of northerly and easterly wind, with more calms and light winds than I ever experienced before. I have crossed the Indian Ocean both in summer and winter, but never experienced half so much easterly winds in all before." In further proof that the route recommended in the Sailing Directions of the Admiralty is too far to the north, and as an illustration of the advantages of the route which I advise, I have prepared the following tables. It appears from them that there is no longer room for difference of opinion as to the advantages of going farther south than 39°-40°. How much farther, though, still remains to be decided. But, so far as the facts before us go, they justify the assertion that, for every degree you go south of the admiralty route, you gain three days on the average, until you reach the parallel of 45°-6°, for the averages of the table are not below this parallel ; and I believe it will turn out that the best streak of wind, on the long run, is to be found between 45° and 50° S. It seems to be almost as steady, between these parallels, from the westward, as it is anywhere from the east, between the trade-wind parallels of 15° and 20°. 94 746 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Crossings to Australia, South NAME OF VESSEL. Scotia . . . Maria . . . Helena . . . Nightingale . Leontine . . Miltiades . . Audubon . . Tarolinta . . Seargo . . . Magnolia . . Lady Arabella Angelique Humboldt Auckland . . Siri .... Nimrod . . Helena . . Fly-Away Lady Franklin Eed Jacket . Oriental* . . Iconium . . Parana . . . Malay . . . Europa . . Averages . Whence. London Eio New York Boston Bremen Liverpool New York N. Y. via Eio New York Boston New York Eio New York Liverpool Boston Eichmond,ya, New York u II Days from parallel of St. Boque to the vari- able winds. 16 12 12 13 9 9 12 8 17 14 15 22 18 21 20 18 13 15 10 13 14 14 14 10 Date of crossing the parallel of St. lloque. Nov. Feb. July Nov. June Aug. Aug. July Jan. Nov. Jan. Sept. Nov. 6, 1850 25, 1853 8, 1852 27, " 18, 1849 21, 1852 8, 1853 23, " 21, " 4, " 15, " 28, " 2, 1854 21, 1853 3, " Sept. 20, " " 25, " Oct. 18, " May 31, 1854 Oct. 11, 1853 Mar. 8, 1854 Dec. 10, 1853 Nov. 22, " July 18, 1852 LATITUDE OF CEOSSINQ MERIDIANS WEST. 30°. 32.0 29.0 14.0 33.0 23.0 33.0 41.0 16.0 26.0 20.0 16.0 25.0 34.0 34.0 35.0 10.0 27.0 16.0 21.0 18.0 32.0 23.0 20°. 37.0 35.0 22.0 36.0 23.0 38.0 42.0 31.0 39.0 30.0 37.0 42.0 41.0 40.0 37.0 30.0 25.0 32.0 38.0 34.0 27.0 39.0 30.0 10°. 37.0 89.0 35.0 36.0 36.0 35.0 40.0 43.0 34.0 40.0 34.0 40.0 44.0 49.0 41.0 38.0 38.0 29.0 31.0 42.0 40.0 38.0 44.0 34.0 Latitude of crossing the meridian of Greenwich. 38.0 39.0 37.0 39.0 36.0 39.0 41.0 44.0 36.0 40.0 36.0 41.0 45.0 53.0 42.0 41.0 37.0 35.0 34.0 47.0 41.0 40.0 45.0 36.0 14.3 26.14 34.08 38.11 40.05 * On the 25th of November, 1853, in lat. 53° 10' S., long. 74° 15' to 74° 40' E., Capt. Heard, in the Oriental, reports the discovery of an island, which he named "Heard's Island." i^ ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 747 of the Parallel of ^Q ° S. LATITUDE OF CB0S8INO HEBLDIAN8 EAST. Days from Days from St. Roqae port to to Australia. Australia. 10°. 20°. 30°. 40°. 50°. 60°. 70°. 80°. 90°. 100°. 110°. 120°. 130°. 40.0 41.0 43.0 44.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 46.0 47.0 47.0 47.0 48.0 49.0 65 101 39.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 41.0 41.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 61* 38.0 38.0 40.0 40.0 41.0 42.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 39.0 40.0 40.0 41.0 52 80 40.0 40.0 42.0 44.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 44.0 43.0 42.0 42.0 51 90 38.0 39.0 41.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 88.0 53 87 43.0 44.0 45.0 45.0 46.0 46.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 43.0 44.0 44.0 43.0 56 100 41.0 40.0 42.0 43.0 43.0 43.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 41.0 43.0 40.0 69 105 42.0 43.0 45.0 46.0 46.0 47.0 47.0 47.0 47.0 47.0 47.0 45.0 41.0 59* 39.0 40.0 41.0 43.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 45.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 42.0 41.0 59 96 41.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 40.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 40.0 40.0 64 107 38.0 39.0 39.0 42.0 43.0 44.0 45.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 42.0 69 115 41.0 42.0 42.0 43.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 43.0 43.0 43.0 43.0 42.0 41.0 65 106 46.0 47.0 48.0 49.0 50.0 50.0 51.0 51.0 50.0 49.0 48.0 47.0 43.0 57 96 53.0 53.0 51.0 52.0 52.0 53.0 53.0 52.0 52.0 53.0 54.0 49.0 44.0 64 101 42.0 42.0 42.0 41.0 41.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 42.0 41.0 41.0 65 115 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 49.0 44.0 44* 42.0 41.0 43.0 43.0 44.0 45.0 45.0 46.0 47.0 46.0 45.0 45.0 42.0 48 95 38.0 37.0 43.0 43.0 43.0 43.0 43.0 42.0 42.0 48.0 43.0 41.0 39.0 46 80 39.0 40.0 43.0 44.0 45.0 46.0 46.0 45.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 42.0 61 107 40.0 45.0 46.0 50.0 51.0 52.0 52.0 50.0 49.0 49.0 47.0 47.0 42.0 42 69 50.0 52.0 51.0 51.0 51.0 54.0 53.0 53.0 53.0 50.0 48.0 48.0 44.0 72 131 43.0 43.0 42.0 44.0 46.0 47.0 46.0 45.0 44.0 44.0 44.0 48.0 41.0 67 97 41.0 43.0 44.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 48.0 46.0 46.0 47.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 57 89 46.0 48.0 49.0 49.0 49.0 48.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 46.0 45.0 51 99 39.0 40.0 41.0 42.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 41.0 40.0 40.0 41.0 43.0 61 107 41.37 42.45 43.48 44.41 45.02 45.19 45.26 45.10 44.55 44.38 44.24 43.40 42.10 54.0 98.3 * From Rio de Janeiro. 748 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS, Crossings to Australia, Days fr om LATITUDE OP OBOSSINO Latitude of parallel of Date of crossing MERIDIANS WEST. crossing the NAME OF YE8SZL. Whence. St. Roque the parallel of to the vari- St. Roque. meridian of Greenwich. able win ds. 30°. 20°. 10°. Thomas Arbuthnot .... Plymouth 12 Nov. 1, 1848 10.0 30.0 35.0 38.0 Thomas Strickland London 9 Apr. 29, 1849 26.0 30.0 34.0 Leon tine .... Bremen 12 May 19,1848 32.0 34.0 34.0 34.0 Gem of the Sea . New York 28 May 21, 1853 30.0 34.0 37.0 37.0 Yarmouth . . 11 18 " 8, " 23.0 30.0 33.0 86.0 Pride of the Sea (1 , 10 Aug. 7, " 25.0 32.0 34.0 36.0 Candace . . . (( 15 Mar. 7, " 32.0 34.0 37.0 37.0 Oregon . . . 11 24 Apr. 23, " 25.0 31.0 34.0 37.0 Sartelle . . . N. Y. via Rio 9 11 1^ II 33.0 34.0 35.0 ' 36.0 Aura .... New York 13 Aug. 24, " 34.0 38.0 39.0 37.0 Texas .... 11 37 June 17, " 37.0 37.0 37.0 37.0 Vandalia . . . Baltimore 19 Apr. 27, " 15.0 23.0 32.0 37.0 Daniel Webster New York 20 Mar. 19, " 18.0 28.0 31.0 31.0 Robertina . . Glasgow 17 Nov. 5, " 25.0 31.0 35.0 38.0 Retriever . . . St. Johns, N.B. 28 Jan. 31, 1854 31.0 33.0 36.0 Rockland . . . New York 17 May 27, 1853 31.0 29.0 30.0 36.0 Europa . . . II 9 " 6, 1851 24.0 31.0 34.0 37.0 Imaum . . . 11 14 Feb. 5, 1853 19.0 27.0 28.0 37.0 Averages 17.^ J 25.8 31.1 33.2 36.2 * This table includes only those vessels that have taken the admiralty route with the Wind and Current Charts on board ; conse- fore, resolves itself purely into a question of route — i. e., winds, currents, and distance. The difference is IGJ days (28 percent.), in the admiralty route, with those that went the admiralty route blind, without any of the knowledge which these Charts give, we shall by the latter, or a saving of 5 days (GJ per cent.) in consequence of the knowledge derived from the Charts alone. Add to this the half the way to Australia. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 749 hy the AdmiraUy Boule* LATITUDE OF CBOSSINQ MEBIDIAliS EAST. Days from St. Roque to Australia. Days from port to Australia. 10°. 20°. 30°. 40°. 50°. 60°. 70°. 80°. 90°. 100°. 110°. 120°. 130°. 37.0 38.0 36.0 37.0 37.0 37.0 38.0 37.0 37.0 40.0 37.0 38.0 34.0 38.0 37.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 37.0 37.0 38.0 38.0 38.0 38.0 38.0 39.0 37.0 39.0 37.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 38.0 38.0 40.0 38.0 37.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 38.0 40.0 38.0 40.0 40.0 39.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 38.0 39.0 38.0 37.0 38.0 39.0 37.0 38.0 41.0 38.0 40.0 40.0 37.0 41.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 40.0 39.0 37.0 38.0 40.0 41.0 40.0 40.0 38.0 40.0 40.0 37.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 41.0 38.0 38.0 40.0 39.0 38.0 37.0 41.0 42.0 40.0 41.0 39.0 40.0 40.0 38.0 37.0 87.0 39.0 40.0 89.0 38.0 40.0 39.0 38.0 36.0 40.0 42.0 40.0 42.0 39.0 40.0 39.0 38.0 38.0 87.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 88.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 40.0 41.0 38.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 38.0 37.0 39.0 40.0 40.0 37.0 37.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 41.0 39.0 41.0 89.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 40.0 37.0 40.0 41.0 39.0 37.0 88.0 40.0 39.0 41.0 39.0 41.0 38.0 41.0 39.0 39.0 88.0 39.0 40.0 38.0 40.0 43.0 89.0 37.0 89.0 40.0 39.0 41.0 37.0 41.0 39.0 41.0 88.0 39.0 40.0 39.0 38.0 39.0 40.0 45.0 37.0 39.0 40.0 40.0 89.0 41.0 89.0 40.0 88.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 41.0 47.0 36.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 39.0 39.0 39.0 41.0 89.0 39.0 40.0 40.0 39.0 40.0 41.0 40.0 67 71 64 72 89 55 85 70 82 1 77 68 80 74 78 99 75 74 79 103 108 107 105 132 86 101 108 110 105 128 109 133 153 113 119 109 37.4 38.4 38.8 38.7 39.0 39.2 39.1 38.8 39.1 39.3 89.4 39.7 40.0 75.1 113 quently, they had before them all the information as to winds, &o., which those who went further south had, and the comparison, there- favor of the new route, from the parallel of St. Roque alona. Now, if we compare those vessels that had the Charts, and still preferred have— supposing the two sets of vessels to be equal in all other respects — an average of 75 days for the former, against about 80 saving effected by the route as above, and we have a gain of 34 or 35 per cent, of the time usually occupied on a little more than one j- From Rio de Janeiro. 750 THE WIND AND CUKEENT CHAKTS. There is still room for improvement; and that those interested in ships, commerce, and navigation, may conceive how rich with good results, and with the promise of more, this field is, they should not forget what has been done for that part of the route which lies in the North Atlantic. To give this route to Australia a fair trial, vessels should not only take the "Wind and Current Charts for their guide along that part of the route which lies between the meridians of the Cape of Good Hope and Melbourne, but they should take them for their guide all the way. I make this caution because only a few of the vessels of the table have done this. They either did not take the new route to the equator, and thence to the parallel of St. Eoque ; or, having followed it thus far, they did not continue to follow it for the rest of the voyage. The abstract logs of 365 vessels, taken at random, that have followed the new route through the North Atlantic to the fair way of St. Eoque, have been discussed, pp. 456-67. The mean gives 34 days as the average passage from the United States to the parallel of St. Eoque. The present average from the Channel and the western coast of England to the same parallel, is about 42 days; there is reason to believe that this may be reduced five or six days at least. This reduction, if it takes place, will apply directly to the Australia route from Europe, for that part of it which lies north of the parallel of St. Eoque, is common alike to all vessels, whether bound to Australia, India, Eio, or California. Now, with the view of illustrating the advantages of going to the southward of the admiralty route, let us take from the table, as per new route, the passage from the parallel of St. Eoque to Australia, made by those vessels that have gone south of 45°. There are 11 of them only, and their average time is 58 days ; so that we are, judging from the results so far, entitled to say that, when the prevailing winds and currents to be encountered on the voyage from England or the English Channel to Australia shall come to be understood, and when the routes recommended according to such knowledge shall be properly followed all the way, the average duration of the voyage, so far from being 124 days, as it now appears to be by the admiralty route, or 98 days, as it now appears to be by the vessels that have the Wind and Current Charts on board, will probably be less than 95 days from America, and not more than 91 or 92 from England or the Channel. And now comes the striking feature of this contrast. All the vessels that had the Charts, but still preferred the admiralty route, had, on the average, from the parallel of St. Eoque to Australia, a longer passage than the longest of those that took the Charts for their guide, and went south of 45°. That is, those that kept to the north of 41° had, counting only from the parallel of St. Eoque, passages varying from 55 to 99 days, but averaging 75. Whereas, those that went south of 45°, and took the Charts for their guide, had, from the same parallel, passages varying from 42 to 72 days only, and averaging 58. I do not mean to imply that vessels going south of 45° will never have long passages— I do not pretend to say that for any route. It should be recollected that, in laying down rules of conduct in Sailing Directions, the rules laid down are intended to suit the majority of cases. The exceptions may be many ; but, when compared with the whole, they will be neither numerous nor glaring enough to alter the rule. BOUTES FBOM EUKOPK AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 751 Abstract Log of the Ship Humboldt (G . B. Cook). From off St. Roque to Port Philip, 1854. THEE. 9 A. H. WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Currents. (Knots per hour. ) Varia- tion ob- Bar. served. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Jan. 3 8°50'S. 33°30'W. 1, s.s.w. 7°W. 29.65 82° 80° S.E. S.E. E.S.E. 4 11 26 34 00 None 8 29.65 82 80 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 5 14 41 34 00 1, W.N.W. 8 29.65 82 80 E.S.E. East East 6 17 28 34 00 1, W.N.W. 8 29.70 82 80 E.S.E. East E. N. E. 7 19 54 33 24 0.8, W.N. W. 8 29.75 82 80 E. N. E. E. N. E. E. N. E. 8 21 26 33 16 None 8 29.75 82 80 E. N. E. N.E. N.E. 9 21 50 33 17 None 7 29.75 82 80 S.W. Calm N.W. 10 22 21 33 17 None 9 29.61 80 80 Calm N.W.toE. Calm 11 24 13 33 00 .5, N.N.E. 9 29.51 77 78 North North W.S.W. 12 25 13 29 10 None 9 29.51 77 78 S.W. S.S.W. South 13 26 00 29 00 None 9 29.51 76 77 S.S.E. S.S.W. Calm 14 28 24 28 24 None 10 29.70 76 71 E.S.E. East E. N. E. 15 31 00 27 35 .5, W. 10 29.80 76 72 N.N.E. N.N.E. North 16 83 38 27 00 None 10 29.80 72 67 North S.byW. N.N.W. 17 34 14 25 43 None 10 29.80 65 67 N.W. South Calm 18 35 17 25 16 None 10 29.90 69 67 Calm S.E. East 19 38 16 24 30 1, W.N.W. 10 29.40 69 64 N.E. North North 20 40 06 24 00 .5, S.E. 10 29.20 69 60 N. to W. Calm N.W. 21 42 17 21 10 None 11 29.20 59 54 North N.W. N.W. 22 43 31 17 00 1.6,N.W.byW. 11 29.60 60 50 N.W. N.W. N.W. . 23 44 17 13 45 1.6, W.N.W. 14 29.75 54 47 N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 24 44 46 9 30 .5, W. by N. 17 29.80 52 48 N.W. N.W.byN. N.N.W. 25 44 49 5 00 1, N.E.byE. 21 26.80 54 50 N.W. N.W. N.W. 26 44 59 1 00 .5, W.N.W. 23 29.60 54 46 N.W. N.W. N.N.W. 27 44 59 17 E. ) E.S.E. 29.50 54 46 N.N.E. Calm S.S.E. 28 44 32 54 y 178 in 29.50 52 46 S.E. Calm S.E. 29 45 20 6 09 j 3 days 23 29.70 52 46 S.S.W. S.W. N.W. 30 45 51 7 01 None 28 29.80 50 46 S.W. Baffling North 31 46 15 14 00 .5, E. S. B. 30 29.90 48 45 N.W. N.N.W. North Feb. 1 46 45 16 40 .5, E.S.E. 30 29.85 48 43 North Calm North 2 47 00 18 40 1, E.S.E. 31 29.90 48 43 Calm N.W. N.W. 3 47 20 23 10 1, W.N.W. 32 29.50 48 41 N.N.W. N.W. S.W. 4 47 30 27 33 1.5, W.N.W. 35 29.50 42 42 S.W. W.S.W. W.N.W. 5 47 50 32 15 1, W.N.W. 40 29.50 44 44 W.S.W. W.N.W. West 6 48 11 36 40 None 41 29.50 44 41 W. N. W. N.W. N.W. 7 48 56 41 38 .8, E.S.E. 41 29.60 46 40 N.W. N.W.byN. N.W.byN. 8 49 30 47 20 1.5, E.S.E. 41 29.50 44 38 N.W. N.W.byN. N.W.byN. 9 50 03 53 00 None 42 29.30 44 38 N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. 10 50 27 59 00 D.R. 42 29.80 44 39 N.W. S. W. by S. N.W. 11 50 37 63 00 D.R. 42 29.60 40 38 N.W.byN. N.W.byN. N.W. 12 50 43 66 40 40, W. in 3 days 41 29.80 40 39 N.W. N.W. N.W. 13 50 51 72 23 D.R. 41 29.70 41 38 N.W. N.N.W. N.W. 14 50 53 76 38 1, W. 40 29.60 40 37 N.W. N.W. North 15 50 47 81 29 D.R. 40 29.70 40 39 North N.E. East 16 49 47 86 14 D.R. 40 28.31 40 39 S.E.toS. W.S.W. West 17 49 07 92 00 None 37 28.90 38 43 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 18 48 23 97 36 5, E.N.E. 35 28.70 38 42 W. N. W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 19 47 45 102 50 None 29.20 44 43 W.S.W. W.S.W. West 20 47 12 108 23 D.R. 25 29.40 48 44 W.N.W. N.W. N.W. 21 47 45 113 41 \28 miles in 2 1 days. D.R. 17 29.20 50 49 N.W. N.N.W. W.N.W. 22 46 55 119 00 17 28.81 50 49 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.byW. 23 45 25 123 32 None 11 29.20 24 44 15 128 00 None None 29.50 52 53 W.N.W. North N.N.W. 25 42 40 132 00 D.R. None 29.61 52 49 N.W. N.W. N.W. 26 40 46 136 29 1.5, E.N.E. 7 E. 29.80 52 56 W.S.W. S.S.W. S.S.W. 27 39 18 140 15 1, W. 9 29.80 52 59 S.S.W. South S.S.E. 28 Off Cape 1.5, W. 9 29.80 52 59 S.S.K S.S.W. S.S.W. 752 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHAETS. Jan. 3. Good weather; fine breeze. Jan. 4. Good weather ; fine breeze. Jan. 5. Good weather ; fine breeze. Jan. 6. Good weather ; fine breeze. Jan. 7. First, good breeze ; middle and latter parts, light winds. Jan. 8. Light airs and pleasant. Jan. 9. Light airs and pleasant. Jan. 10. Light airs with rain squalls. Jan. 11. Commences light airs with rain ; ends good breezes. Jan. 12. Strong winds and head sea ; pleasant. Jan. 13. Light variable winds, calms, and heavy rain ; swell from N. W. Jan. 14. Moderate and pleasant ; smooth water. Jan. 15. Moderate and pleasant ; smooth water. Jan. 16. Moderate and cloudy. Jan. 17. Wind hauled suddenly to south; thick fog; rain. Jan. 18. Light airs and pleasant. Jan. 19. Commences airs; ends strong breezes and cloudy ; rain. Jan. 20. Commences strong breezes ; ends light winds. Jan. 21. Strong winds and pleasant weather. Jan. 22. Strong squalls and good breezes ; swell from N. "W. Jan. 23. Moderate and cloudy. Jan. 24. Moderate and pleasant ; smooth water. Jan. 25. Moderate and pleasant ; ends cloudy. Jan. 26. Moderate and foggy ; smooth. Jan. 27. Light airs and rainy ; saw whales. Jan. 28. Light airs and rainy. Jan. 29. Moderate breezes and cloudy. Jan. 30. Moderate breezes and cloudy. Jan. 31. Light airs and calms. Feb. 1. Light airs ; middle part, foggy. Feb. 2. Light airs and calms ; foggy. Feb. 3. Increased to a strong breeze in the morning ; in light sails. Barque Storm came up and passed us at 7 P. M., having left New York 20 days after us. She kindly threw us some newspapers on board en passant. Feb. 4. Fresh breeze and passing squalls. Barque Storm in sight till 4 P. M., on the starboard bow. Feb. 5. Good breeze and passing squalls. Passed a ship on port beam going the same way. Feb. 6. Fresh breeze and cloudy ; rolling sea after us. ROUTES FROM KUROl'K AND THK UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 753 Feb. 7. Fresh breeze and cloudy ; rolling sea ; two whales. Feb. 8. Fresh breeze and cloudy ; rolling sea. Feb. 9. Strong steady winds and hazy weather. Feb. 10. Commences rainy ; good breezes throughout ; ends clear. Feb. 11. Strong steady breeze and cloudy. Feb. 12. Moderate breeze and cloudy ; at 2 A. M., smell of guano. Feb. 13. Commences moderate breeze ; middle and latter parts, strong winds. Feb. 14. First and latter parts, good breezes ; middle, light, Feb. 15. Moderate and foggy ; ends light rain ; saw kelp. Jeb. 16. Commences rainy, increases to a gale, and backs to westward; scud under double reefed fore and main topsails and foresail ; ends in a gale with a very heavy sea, squalls of hail and snow; saw patches of kelp ; Aurora Australis visible in the southern heavens. Feb. 17. Continues the same, under single reefed fore and main topsails, foresail and main topgallant sail ; patches of kelp. Feb. 18. Continues the same heavy sea. Feb. 19. Moderates gradually down ; made all sail. Feb. 20. Fine breezes and cloudy; all sail set. Feb. 21. Increases to a gale, and moderates to a strong breeze. Feb. 22. Commences moderate, increasing to a gale in the morning with squalls and rain ; uncertain. Feb. 23. Commences moderate, increased to a gale in the morning. Feb. 24. Commences moderate ; middle and latter part, strong winds. Feb. 25. Good breeze with passing squalls. Feb. 26. Strong breeze and squally ; ends pleasant. Feb. 27. Moderate breezes and passing squalls. Feb. 28. Moderate breezes and passing squalls. At 8 P. M. civil account, anchored inside the Heads, ofl' the Shortland-bluff Lighthouse, not being able to procure a pilot. This ship is 689 tons, and carries about 1,500 measurement. She has now on board 600 in feet of lumber, and 90 in bricks. I have given much attention to observations for variations, whenever the weather was sufficiently clear. I find it quite different from what we find in charts and books. Eespectfally, your obedient servant, (Signed) GEORGE B. COOKE. Port Philip, February 28, 1854. 95 754 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of tlie Ship Miltiades (John Henry). From off St. Roqu e to Melbourne, 1852. 1 TIIEK. 9 A. M. ■WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Aug. 22! 8° 36' S. 26° 20' W. 30.00 79° 64° S.S.E. S.E.byS. S.E. 23 11 27 28 15 29.96 76 64 S.S.B. S.E.byS. S.S.E. 24 14 16 29 44 29.90 75 63 S.E.byS. S.E.byS. S.S.E. 25 16 44 31 00 29.86 73 64 S.E.byE. S.E.byS. S.S.E. 26 18 46 31 52 29.80 70 66 S.E. S.E.byS. S.E.byE. 27 20 07 32 06 29.93 72 65 E.S.E. East East 28 20 44 31 56 29.94 73 64 S.E.toE. East S.E.toE. 29 22 57 30 15 29.88 76 63 N.E. East N.E. 30 24 49 28 18 29.90 79 62 KN.E. N.byW. N. N. W. 31 26 50 26 14 29.88 78 64 N.N.W. N. N. W. N.N.W. Sept. 1 29 03 23 08 29.84 76 63 N.N.W. N.N.W. W.N.W. 2 29 21 19 11 29.92 72 66 W.N.W. W.S.W. S.W. 8 29 45 17 20 29.90 71 65 w.s.w. s.w. s.w. 4 31 00 15 85 29.88 73 62 Westward Westward North 5 33 07 12 39 29.87 72 64 N.N.W. N.N.W. S.W. 6 35 00 9 56 29.91 68 61 S.W.byS. S.W.byS. S.W.byS. 7 86 26 6 19 29.74 60 59 W.S.W. W.S.W. W.S.W. 8 37 34 2 35 29.70 59 59 W.S.W. S.W. s.w. 9 38 59 54 E. 29.74 58 59 KW. 10 40 54 4 30 29.76 59 59 W.N.W. N.W. N.W. 11 42 05 7 52 29.74 61 N.W. N.W. N.W. 12 43 26 12 07 29.78 60 N.W. N.W. N.W. 13 43 24 14 85 29.74 58 KW.byW. Calm Westward 14 4^ 48 18 20 29.72 56 s.w. S.W. S.W. 15 43 42 21 00 29.70 46 s.w. S.W. S.W. 16 44 13 23 15 29.68 45 Westward Westward S.W. 17 44 37 27 87 29.54 44 W.S.W. W.S.W. Westward 18 44 38 32 55 29.54 44 w. s. w. W.S.W. W.S.W. 19 44 28 37 02 29.50 43 W.byK W.byN. W.S.W. 20 45 05 41 27 29.57 46 KW.byW. N.W. W.S.W. 21 45 50 46 06 29.62 47 KN.W. . N.N.W. N.W. 22 46 05 50 07 29.47 45 W.N.W. N.W. N.N.W. 23 46 88 54 12 29.13 40 KbyW. North N.W. 24 46 .32 57 00 29.13 42 N.W. Calm W. N. W. 25 46 05 61 37 29.13 40 West West W.S.W. 26 45 06 66 40 29.10 39 S.W. S.W. S.W.byW. 27 43 59 70 26. 29.20 39 S.W. S.W. S.W. 28 44 00 74 17 29.19 40 W.S.W. West N.W. 29 44 00 78 51 29.20 40 N.W. N.W. N.W. 30 44 27 83 47 29.20 89 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. Oct. 1 43 52 88 14 29.18 41 W.N.W. to N.W. N.W. 2 43 45 93 11 29.20 40 N.W. N.W. N.W. 3 42 44 96 42 29.15 89 W.'S.W. W. S. W. W.S.W. 4 42 55D.E. 101 OOD.E. 29.17 39 W."S. W. W.S.W. W.S.W. 5 42 24 105 39 29.20 41 West AYest West 6 43 35 109 30 29.50 44 W.N.W. W.N.W. AV.N.W. 7 43 27 114 21 29.74 43 W. S. W. W.S.W. .W.S.W. 8 43 22 118 30 29.70 41 W.S.W. to S. by W. S.byW. 9 43 46 122 50 29.80 43 S.W. S.W. S.W. 10 43 59 127 30 29.80 45 S.W. S.W. S.W. 11 42 55 131 53 29.76 46 s.s.w. S.S.W. South 12 41 59 136 04 29.80 48 Soutli s.w. W. by N. 18 40 36 140 30 29.87 50 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 14 39 48 143 52 29.90 49 N.W. N.W. N.W. 15 142 ,55 W.S.W. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 755 Aug. 22. First part, strong; middle part, light; latter part, fresh. A boy, named Frater, belonging to a passenger, died; committed his body to the deep. Aug. 23. First part, strong : middle part, squally ; latter part, strong. Aug. 24. First part, squally ; middle part, strong and squally ; latter part, strong. Very squally ; carried away jib-boom, cleared the wreck, and run out another. Aug. 25. First part, squally; middle part, squally; latter part, squally. I do not recollect having ever experienced such squally weather in these latitudes. Aug. 26. First part, squally ; middle part, squally; latter part, fresh. Aug. 27. First part, light; middle part, light; latter part, light. I think we are about to lose the trades, Aug. 28. First part, light ; middle part, light ; latter part, light. Twelve children unwell. Aug. 29. First part, light ; middle part, light ; latter part, light. Aug. 30. First part, fresh; middle part, ; latter part, ; sultry weather. Aug. 31. Wind steady, and clear sky. Sept. 1. Strong; exchanged signals with British barque Statesman, 56 days out, Shields to Aden. Heavy lightning at 7 P. M. Latter part, strong gale. Sept. 2. Latter part, strong ; shortened sail. Sept. 3. First part, ; middle part, ; latter part, . Sept. 4. First part, light winds; latter part, winds falling, light and hauling to northward. Sept. 5. First part, strong; middle part, strong ; latter part, at 6 A. M., wind shifted to S.W. suddenly ; rain at intervals. Sept. 6. First, middle, and latter parts, strong; passengers all well. Sept. 7. First part, strong, with hail ; middle part, do. Sept. 8. First part, strong gale ; middle and latter parts, hail at intervals. A heavy rolling sea over from S. W. Ship rolling badly ; broke the marine thermometer. Sept. 9. First part, wind hauling. Sept. 10. First part, fresh ; middle and latter parts, fresh ; heavy rolling swell from S. W. Sept. 11. Fii'st and middle parts, strong ; latter part, moderate ; at 7 P. M. carried away F. T. mast studding-sail boom. Sept. 12. First part, moderate ; middle, freshening ; latter part, strong ; damp, cold weather. Sept. 13. First part, fresh and rainy ; middle part, calm ; latter part, light, and rain ; damp, cold weather. Sept, 14. Cold, disagreeable weather. Sept. 15. First, middle, and latter parts, light. Very cold. Sept. 16. Wind veering to westward. Very cold, damp weather. Sept. 17. A dreadful heavy sea from W. S. W. Sept. 18. First, middle, and latter parts, strong gale; double-reefed the topsails. Sept. 19. First and middle parts, strong gale; passing showers of rain and sleet. Sept. 20. First, middle, and latter parts, strong gales; squally weather throiighoi\t. 756 THE WIND AND CURRKNT CHARTS, Sept. 21. Middle and latter parts, strong; squally, disagreeable weather. Sept. 22. First, middle, and latter parts, strong gales ; cold weather, with small snow. Sept. 23. First part, strong; middle part, hard, heavy snow squalls; at 8 P.M., made the Island of Croretes or Marion, bearing N. E. about three miles; the position given by Norie is lat. 46° 45' south, long. 48° 00' E. That given by Eoper, 46° 9' S., long. 50° 28' E.; by lunars and chronometers, I make the longitude 50° 40' E., and latitude, carried on from noon, about 46° 12' S. Sept. 24. First part, light winds; middle part, calm ; latter part, strong snow showers at intervals. Sept. 25. First, middle, and latter parts, strong gales; showers of hail; heavy rolling sea in all directions. Sept. 26. First and middle parts, strong breezes; latter part, gale ; bitter cold ; snow and hail; several cape pigeons flying about. Sept. 27. First, middle, and latter parts, strong gales ; ship rolling fearfully ; snow and hail. Sept. 28. Moderating. Cold, damp weather ; slight hail. Sept. 29. First part, light ; middle part, increasing ; latter part, moderate ; very disagreeable weather ; snow and hail at intervals. Sept. 30. Moderate. Eain at intervals. Oct. 1. Squally, with showers of hail. Oct. 2. Heavy rolling sea from S. S. W. Oct. 3. Heavy sea, with rain and snow ; weather very cold. Oct. 4. Strong gales and hazy ; very cold. Oct. 5. Strong gales, with small rain at intervals. Oct. 6. Heavy rain and squalls. Oct. 7. Heavy snow squalls. Oct. 8. Heavy snow and hail showers alternately. , . Oct. 9. Strong breezes; weather more mild. Oct. 10. "Weather mild. Oct. 11. Strong breezes; fair, clear weather. Oct. 12. Fresh breezes ; weather clear and mild. Oct. 13. Strong breezes; weather, first part, clear ; latter part, squally. Oct. 14. First, middle, and latter part, strong breezes; weather hazy and squally. Observations taken by chronometer. Oct. 15. At 4 P. M., made King's Island, Bass's Straits, Cape Otway, N. by E. ; the wind came from N. E. ; beat up for the land at daylight ; made the land north of Cape Otway ; wind hauled to S. W. ; ran up the coast; at 2 P. M., ran into and passed the anchorage off Shortland's Bluff; no pilot offering, I kept right on ; at 5 P. M., clear of all danger, and safely into Port Philip ; wind came down from north ; employed beating up. Longitude to-day taken by lunar observation. Oct. 16. Saturday morning, at 9 A. M., came to anchor in Hobson's Bay, after a passage of 100 days 4 hours exactly, from the Mersey, with 308 government emigrants on board; twelve children, under one year of age, died during the voyage; thirteen were born — thus landing one more alive than we took on board. (Signed) JOHN HENRY. holjtk.s fi!om eukope and the united states to austuama. 757 Abstract Log of the Bremen Ship Leontine (W. T. Ariaans). Bremen to Port Adelaide, South Australia, 1848. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Ttni> rHEB 9 A. H. WINDS. iJaT, Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. REMARKS. 1848 1 June 9;25°42'S. 41°06'W. 30.0 69° 69° N.E. N. N. Brisk and cloudy. 10'27 54 37 41 29.9 68 69 N.E. N.E. N.E. Brisk and cloudy. 1129 49 34 50 29.9 68 69 N.N.E. N.N.E. N.E. Brisk and cloudy. 12 31 44 31 16 29.9 68 69 N. N. N. Brisk and cloudy. 13 33 05 27 09 30.0 ;68 68 N. N. N. Brisk and cloudy. 1434 18 22 57 30.0 68 68 N. N. N. Very brisk and pleasant. 15lNo obs. No obs. 29.8 68 68 N. N.N.W. N.N.W. Very brisk witb rain. 16 No obs. No obs. 30.0 ;68 68 N.N.W. N.W. N.W. Very brisk with rain. 17134 22 9 19 30.0 ;68 68 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. Very brisk and clear. 18^34 16 4 39 30.0 68 68 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. Very brisk and clear. 19^34 22 35 30.0 69 68 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. Moderate; fine weather. 2034 36 1 19 E. 30.0 69 68 N.W. N.W. N.W. Moderate; fine weather. 2135 18 4 30 30.0 69 68 N.W. N.W. N.W. Moderate; fine weather. 22|36 06 8 11 30.0 67 67 N.W. N.W. N.W. Moderate; fine weather. 23 36 43 12 30 30.0 67 67 N.W. N.W. N.W. Brisk and cloudy. 24 No obs. No obs. 29.8 67 67 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. Commences moderate; increas- ing wind. Unsteady and bafiiing. 25 35 44 17 55 39.9 67 67 W. S. S. 26 36 40 19 46 30.0 65 68 S.E. S.S.E. S.E. Moderate. 27 37 48 19 48 64 68 Variable Variable Variable Variable; light and calm; heavy swell from eastward. 28 38 14 23 55 29.7 64 68 S.W. S.W. S.W. Brisk. 29 37 18 27 49 29.9 66 66 W.S.W. S. S.S.E. Brisk with heavy squalls. 30 37 02 28 01 30.0 66 66 S.S.E. S.S.E. S.S.E. Brisk with heavy squalls. July 1 38 20 32 00 30.0 65 66 S. S. S. Moderate; fine weather. 2 38 31 34 50 30.0 66 66 S.W. S.W. s. Moderate; fine weather. 3 38 38 36 27 29.9 67 66 S.W. N.W. W.N.W. Light and baffling. 4 38 26 41 28 30.0 65 65 N.W. N.W. N.E. Brisk and cloudy. 5 38 50 45 54 30.0 61 60 N.N.W. N. N.W. Brisk and cloudy. 6 38 49 49 02 30.0 60 60 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. Brisk and cloudy. 7 38 18 51 58 30.0 60 60 N.N.W. N.W. N. Brisk and clear. 8 No obs. No obs. 30.0 65 64 N.N.W. N.W. N.W. Moderate with rain. 9 37 56 60 38 30.0 65 65 N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. Brisk and clear. 10 No obs. No obs. 29.8 65 65 N.W. W. W. Squally with rain. 11 38 38 68 38 29.8 65 64 W. W.byN. W.byN. Squally with rain. 12 39 09 71 56 30.0 66 66 W.N.W. N.W. N.W. Fine breeze and cloudy. 13 39 41 No obs. 30.0 66 66 N.W. W. S.W. Squally with thunder and light- 14 39 41 80 00 30.0 67 66 W.S.W. w. S.W. ning. Very brisk ; clear. 15 89 57 85 21 29.8 66 66 w. w. w. Very brisk; occasional rain. 16 40 08 89 59 29.5 66 66 N.W. w. N.W. Unsteady, blowing hard at times. 17 39 08 94 37 29.6 66 66 w. w. W. Brisk and cloudy. 18 38 57 98 14 30.0 66 66 w. N.W. N.AV. Fine breeze and clear. 19 No obs. No obs. 30.0 65 66 N.N.W. N. N.W. Fine breeze and cloudy. 20 39 12 107 07 30.2 64 66 N.N.E. N.N.E. N.N.E. Fine breeze and clear. 21 39 03 111 02 30.2 '67 66 N.N.E.' N. N. Fine breeze and clear. 22 38 18 115 20 30.0 66 66 N. N.W. N. Fine breeze; drizzling rain. 23 37 22 119 17 29.9 66 66 N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W.^Fine breeze; drizzling rain. 24 36 16 123 30 29.9 68 67 W.S.W. W.S.W. W. S. W.jPleasant breeze. 25 36 04 126 42 30.0 167 67 S.S.W. S.W. W. S. W.IPleasant fine weather. 26 36 00 131 02 30.0 67 67 S.W. W.S.W. S.W. Pleasant fine weather. 27 35 31 133 25 30.1 68 67 W.S.W, S.W. W.S.W. Pleasant fine weather. 28 25 35 134 25 30.0 68 67 W.S.W. s. W.S.W. Moderate, with rain. 29 No obs. 135 14 30.0 '68 65 S.E. E.S.E. S.E. Light airs, with rain. 30 No obs. No obs. 30.0 ^68 64 N.E. N. E.N.E. 31 No obs. No obs. 30.0 68 64 N.E. N.E. N.E. Aug. 1 No obs. No obs. N.E. N.E. N.E. Arrived at Port Adelaide. 768 THE WIND AND CUEEKNT CHARTS. Captain Ariaans tried this route again at the same season of the year in 1850. "With experience now to guide him, he ventured farther to the south, and though he only went about two degrees and a half farther south, he gained by it nearly a week. From the time when he lost the S. E. trades, June 24, lat. 24° S., to Adelaide, she had 47 days ; thus gaining, by edging away only two or three degrees south of the admiralty route, five days. By this deviation he shortened his route and gained better winds, and this is another illustration of the correctness of the remark (p. 745 line 31) suggested by the tables, i. e., you shorten the passage about three days on the average, for every degree you go south of the admiralty route, till you reach the parallel of 46° south. ROUTES FBOM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 759 Abstract Log of the Ship Fly-Away (M. Sewall). From off St. Roque to Melbourne, Australia, 1853. Latitude Longitude Currents. Bar. THEBHOMETEK 9 A. H. -WINDS. Date. WATER. at noon. at noon. (Knots per hour.) Air. First part. Middle part. Latter part Surface. Depth. Sept. 25 8°G0'S. 80°16'W. 29.7 80° 80.3° 80.3 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 26 10 13 29 80 29.6 80.3 80.8 80.3 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 27 12 55 27 20 fofamileS.E. 29.7 79 79 79 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 28 13 59 26 15 29.8 79 79 78.3 KE. S.W. N.E. 29 15 17 25 08 |k.E. 29.8 79 78 78 N.E. N.E. N.E. 30 16 37 25 06 Jk. E. 29.9 77 76 76.3 N.E. N.E. E.N.E. Oct. 1 19 13 22 59 I k. E. 29.9 75 74.3 74.3 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.N.E. 2 20 01 21 08 80.0 78 72 72 E.N.E. E.N.E. N.E. 3 23 29 20 36 80.0 72 70 70 E. E. E.S.E. 4 27 36 20 24 * 30.0 71 66.3 68 S.E.byE. E.S.E. E.S.E. 5 30 15 20 36 80.1 67 66 67 S.E.byE. S.E.byE. S.E.byE. 6 32 00 19 82 30.1 68 64 67 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.N.E. 7 34 31 14 45 29.9 64 61 62 N.N.E. N. N. 8 38 03 10 19 29.0 64 61 62 N". N. N. 9 39 05 5 17 29.4 58 55 W.N.W. W.N.W. W. 10 36 35 52 E. 29.0 54 53 55 W. S. W. W.S.W. S.W. by W. 11 37 22 6 20 29.3 54 53 55 S.W. S.W. S.W. 12 38 04 12 00 29.3 55 53 55 W.S.W. w. s. w. W.S.W. 13 37 38 17 88 29.5 55 59 S.W. S.W. S.W. "14 36 38 21 00 30.3 56 60 60.3 s. S. S.S.E. 15 36 06 22 40 30.1 59 64 65 S.S.E. S. S. E. S.E. 16 39 54 23 50 30.0 58 60 60.3 E.S.E. E.S.E. S.E.byE. 17 43 06 27 58 29.6 54 52 53 N. E. by E. N.E.byE. N.E.byE. 18 43 57 83 62 29.0 52 47 47 N.N.E. N.N.E. Northerly 19 43 12 39 16 29.4 45 44 45 N. N.N.W. W.S.W. 20 42 39 46 44 29.9 41 41 41.8 W.S.W. S.W. S.W.byS. 21 42 46 50 51 29.9 41.3 41 40.3 s.s.w. s. N.N.E. 22 43 46 56 07 28.8 49 44 45 N.KW. W.N.W. W. 23 42 52 62 17 29.1 46 54 54.8 W. W. W. 24 42 45 68 00 29.8 47 51.3 51.8 S.W. s.w. W.S.W. 25 42 45 74 02 29.4 53 53.3 58.8 w. W. w. 26 42 45 79 56 29.2 53 51.3 51.3 W.N.W. N.W. N.W. 27 42 21 82 40 29.4 55 52 52.3 W. S.W. N.W. 28 42 30 90 00 29.1 56 51 51.3 W.N.W. N.W. W.N.W. 29 42 39 96 26 29.4 58.3 52.3 53 N.W. N.W. S.W. 30 42 45 100 07 29.4 49 50.3 51 W. S.W. W.N.W. 31 48 01 105 40 29.5 54 51.3 52 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. Nov. 1 42 51 112 07 29.4 51.3 50 50 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. 2 41 52 117 58 29.0 52 52 52.8 N.N.W. N.N.W. S.W. 3 40 40 123 26 29.2 50 51 51.3 S. S. s. 4 88 33 125 44 29,2 53.3 53 53.3 S.S.E. S.E. E.S.E. 5 39 00 129 04 29.4 53 53 53 S.E. S.S.E. S.W. 6 88 48 188 15 29.9 53 53.3 54 S.W. S.W. W. by S. 7 38 59 185 48 29.9 '54 55 55.3 S.W. S.W. N.W. 8 39 00 137 55 J 29.9 54 56 56 w. w. W. 9 39 09 141 32 |,N.E. 29.8 54 56 56 w. w. S.W. 10 29.9 53 55 55 s. S.S.W. 760 THE WIND AND CUBBENT CHABTS. .Sept. 25. Continues light winds and very fine weather; a large swell coming from the south. Sept. 26. Moderate winds and fine weather; a large swell still coming from the south. Sept. 27. Begins with a fine breeze and ends with a very light breeze from the northeast ; dark heavy appearances in the south ; also a heavy swell coming from same quarter. Found a current setting to the south and east | of a mile per hour by lunar and chronometer. Sept. 28. Begins fine; wind northeast and light; through the night wind southwest and squally with rain ; ends fine, wind northeast. Saw several vessels steering northward. Sept. 29. Commences and ends with light northeasterly airs and fine weather; saw a vessel steering north and westward by the wind ; have had no southeast trade-winds yet. Sept. 30. Very light airs, weather fine ; ends with passing clouds ; dark heavy appearances in the southeast. Oct. 1. Commences light winds and cloudy ; ends fresh breezes and squally ; a large sea from the south. Oct. 2. Strong winds and squally with rain ; a very large sea coming from southward ; at 11.30 carried away mizzen yard, took in topgallant sails &c. ; wind suddenly veered to the southwest at the time. Oct. 3. Strong winds and squally with rain ; took in topgallant sails, fished and sent up crossjack yard ; still continues a heavy sea from southward. Oct. 4. Commences with fresh breezes and squally ; ends moderate winds and fine weather with a smooth sea. Oct. 5. Moderate winds and pleasant weather all these 24 hours ; saw a ship steering southward by the wind. Oct. 6. Commences with light winds from E. S. E. and pleasant weather ; ends fresh breezes from E. N. E. and fine. Exchange signals with an English barque steering southward by the wind. Sea very smooth. Oct. 7. Strong winds and pleasant weather throughout the 24 hours ; saw quantities of birds. Oct. 8. Strong gales and dark rainy weather with a rough sea ; double-reefed topsails, furled mainsail, spanker, jib, &c. At meridian, wind veered to westward; strong gales and rainy weather. Passed a ship lying to under a close-reefed main-topsail. Oct. 9. Fresh winds and squally ; sea more smooth ; out all reefs and set all sail. Saw quantities of kelp and birds. Oct. 10. Strong gales and squally weather, at times rain and hail ; were obliged to run off our course on account of heavy squalls from southwest ; sea quite smooth. Oct. 11. Commences strong gales and squally, accompanied with hail and rain ; ends moderate and fine weather ; a heavy swell coming from southwest. Oct. 12. Commences moderate winds and light squalls of rain, all sails set ; at 6 P. M. commenced breezing and squally appearances, took in studding-sails and all light sails ; wind increasing, took in top- gallant sails. Wind blowing very heavy accompanied with heavy squalls of rain and hail; a very heavy cross sea running, shipping much water on deck. At 10.30 A. M. triced up the mainsail, wind still ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UJTITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 761 increasing, also the sea ; ship laboring heavily and shipping much water on deck. At 10.30 A. M. shipped a large sea to leeward, filling the main deck full of water and taking overboard two men, together with other things; ship at the time running before the wind under double-reefed mizzen topsail, whole fore and mainsails, at the rate of 14 knots per hour ; ends hard gales and violent squalls from the southwest. Oct. 13. Still continues heavy gales and squally with rain ; at midnight, more moderate, sea going down ; at 6 A. M. wind veered to southward, braced up by the wind, strong breezes and squally with rain. At 8 A. M. double-reefed topsails, set reefed mainsail, jib, (Sec. At meridian, hard gales and squally. Oct. 14. Commences strong gales and squally, ends fresh gales and passing clouds ; out all reefs and set topgallant-sail. At 10 A. M. water discolored, suppose we are on Lagullas Bank ; saw two ships this day from topsail yards. Oct. 15. Moderate winds and passing clouds ; at 8 saw the land ; tacked ship to southward ; wind southeast ; saw several vessels bound westward ; ends fresh breezes and cloudy. Oct. 16. Fresh breezes and cloudy, a heavy sea coming from southeast all this day ; no observation this day, sun obscured. Oct. 17. Fine breezes and cloudy weather; first part of this day, a rough head sea; latter part, smooth. Oct. 18. Fine breezes and dark foggy weather most of this day; sea smooth, no obscuration. Oct. 19. Commences moderate and thick foggy rainy weather ; ends fresh winds and cloudy. A rough sea making from the southwest. Oct. 20. Commences strong winds and squally with a rough sea ; ends moderate and passing clouds ; sea more regular. Oct. 21. Begins moderate winds and passing clouds with a heavj-^ sea from S. W.; ends with N. N. E. winds and cloudy ; sea still coming from S. AV. Oct. 22. Commences fresh gales and squally with much rain ; took in all light sails. At 8 P. M. wind increasing, double-reefed topsails, reefed main course ; and at 7.30 A. M. took in spanker, furled main course. At 9 A. M. wind increasing, reefed fore course, took in mizzen-topsail, split jib ; sea very large and irregular; saw patches of rock-weed and kelp, Crozct's Islands bearing southwesterly about 180 miles distant. Oct. 23. Begins and ends with strong gales and squally ; let reefs out of main-topsail, set topgallant sail, mizzen-topsail ; sea very large and irregular : noticed quite a change in the water this A. M. Oct. 24. Commences fresh gales and squally ; during night moderating ; ends fine ; sea smooth, wind veei'ing to westward. Oct. 25. Comes in with moderate winds and cloudy ; midnight, fine breezes and cloudy ; ends fresh gales and dark cloudy weather ; a heavy swell from westward. Oct. 26. Fresh breezes and thick, foggy, rainy weather; saw quantities of rock-weed and kelp; no observation at meridian. Oct. 27. Commences moderate winds and thick foggy weatlier ; through the night quite moderate ; ends fine winds and cloudy; saw patches of rock-weed. 96 762 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Oct. 28. Begins and ends with strong winds and a rough sea ; at times misty damp weather ; a part of the time, all possible sail set. Oct. 29. Commences with strong gales and thick rainy weather ; midnight, wind hauled to the southwest ; ends southwest winds and cloudy ; moderate. Oct. 30. Begins and ends with moderate winds and dark cloudy weather ; nothing worthy of note occurred this day. Oct. 31. Throughout the 24 hours moderate winds and cloudy weather ; a very heavy swell coming from the southwest. Nov. 1. Commences and ends with N". N. westerly winds and cloudy weather; sea quite smooth. Nov. 2. Commences with winds fiom N.N. W. and cloudy; at 10 A. M. wind hauled suddenly into the southwest; ends strong gales and squally. Nov. 3. Strong gales and squally with rain; ends strong gales and passing clouds; under double reefs. Nov. 4. Begins with fresh gales and dark cloudy weather ; ends more moderate ; dark rainy weather ; ship under double reefs. Nov. 5. Moderate winds from S. E. with dark heavy appearances ; through the night, wind veering to the south ; ends strong southwesterly gales and dark rainy weather ; passed a ship steering same course ; weather threatening. Nov. 6. Moderate and pleasant with a heavy S. W. swell ; found a northerly current this day of | knot per hour, the first we have experienced since we have been on the coast of Australia. Nov. 7. Moderate and very fine weather ; at meridian, wind hauling to the westward ; a heavy southwesterly swell; this day we have steered E. byS. by compass 120 miles distance, and have made only 11 miles difference of latitude. I find by two good observations this morning by chronometer, that we have had a northeasterly current of one mile per hour, setting us in towards the Great Australian Bight ; 79 days out. Nov. 8. Very moderate and fine throughout the day ; a heavy southwesterly swell from a north- easterly current. Nov. 9. Moderate winds and fine weather ; a heavy southwesterly swell ; ends moderate and cloudy, wind being to southward. Nov. 10. Comes in with cloudy rainy weather ; at midnight, dark and rainy ; sounded in 58 fathoms water. At 12.30 saw Cape Otway light bearing N. E., distance 12 miles. At 8 A. M. off entrance of Port Philip ; at 10 came to anchor in Hobson's Bay, 80 days from New York. If we had been favored with a moderate share of favorable winds through the trades or tropics, we probably might have made a somewhat quicker passage. Winds and weather during the whole passage have been very unsettled and changeable. After having crossed the goutheast trade-winds, I endeavored to get as far south as 50° and 55° and in that parallel run down my easting; but owing to strong southerly and southwesterly gales was prevented from doing so. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 763 Abstract Log of the Barque Oriental (J. J. Heard). From off St. Roque to Melbourne, Australia, 1853. Date. Oct. Lntitude at noon. Nov. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 9° 11 13 14 16 17 19 22 24 26 28 28 31 32 35 37 38 38 40 41 42 43 44 46 46 47 49 50 51 52 52 52 51 15i 51 16 51 17! 50 18 51 19 51 20^ 53 21j 53 22 53 23 53 24 53 Dec. 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 53 53 53 53 53 54 54 23' S. 19 22 52 05 42 38 06 11 21 07 37 02 52 07 07 04 36 21 51 35 36 41 06 D. E. 46 D. E. 51D.E. 23D.E. 13 obs. 05 D. E. 26D.E. 16D.E. 20D.E. 03D.E. 20D.E. 15D.E. 09D.E. 02D.E. 57 D. E. 17D.E. 41 D. E. 45 D. E. 22 obs. 29 26 26D.E. 46D.E. 51 obs. 21 23 D. E. 09 Longitude at noon. 26= 27 28 29 29 29 29 28 28 27 27 27 15' W. 40 43 30 44 25 06 33 21 35 •18 24 No obs. 26 06 24 23 20 17 14 11 9 6 3 1 1 4 7 11 14 19 22 27 32 37 41 45 49 52 56 58 61 66 l70 74 178 83 86 92 92 92 37 12 01 03 08 20 31 48 51 44 D.E. 03E.D.E. 02 D.E. 52 21 chro. 57 42 43 47 D.E. 21 D.E. 06 D.E. 40 D.E. 53 D.E. 23 D.E. 17 D.E. D.E. obs. D.E. obs. obs. 03 07 22 38 19 32 D.E. D.E. obs. 55 40 17 38 D.E. 57 THER . 9 a. M. wiNns. Bar. Air. Wat«r. First part. Middle part. Latter part. 29.95 80° 78° S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 29.95 80 78 S.E. S.S.E. S. S. E. 30.00 78 78 S. S. E. S.E. E.S.E. 30.00 76 1 78 S.S.E. S.E. E. by S. 30.00 78 1 78 S.E. S.E. E.byS. 30.00 80 78 East E.N.E. E.N.E. 30.00.78 74 E.N.E. N.E. N.E. 29.95 76 1 74 N.E. N.byE. N.byE. 29.95 '72 72 North N.W. W.N.W. 29.95 72 72 N. W. W.byN. W.byN. 29.95 68 68 W.byN. W.byN. W.byS. 30.00 70 67 W.byS. Calm North 29.50 66 66 North N.E. N.W.toW. 29.70 68 63 West N.W. N.W.toW. 29.70 62 60 W.N.W.toN. W.N.W.toN. W.N.W.toN. 29.50 56 58 N.W.toN. N.W.toN. N.toW. 29.85 54 56 "West S.W. S.W. 30.10 54 55 West W.to W.N.W. 29.70 54 55 W.N.W. W.N.W. N.N.W. 29.60 50 1 50 N. N. W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 30.05 48 45 N.W. N.W. N. to N.E. 30.00 54 50 N.W. N.W. N.W. 29.90 50 42 N.W. N.W. N.W. 29.30 46 41 N.W. N.N.E. N.W. •29.80 38 39 N.W. South E.N.E. 29.40 44 40 E.N.E. E.N.E. N.W. 29.20 40 35 N.W. N.W. N.N.AV. 29.60 34 33 N.W. W.N.W. West 29.60 37 33 West W. and N.W. North 29.10 34 31 N.N.E. N.W. N.W. 29.10 31 31 N.W. West S. S. W. 29.20 32 34 West W.N.W. W.N.W. ! 29.60 32 32 W.N.W. W.N.W. West 29.20 35 34 W. to N.W. W.to N.W. W.to N.W. 29.00 34 33 N.W. N.W. N.W. ' 29.60 34 33 N. W. N.W. West 29.60 38 36 N.W. N.W. N.W. 29.50 37 34 N.W. N.N.W. N.E. 28.95 35 ! 33 N.E. North N.N.E. 29.30 137 1 34 N.E. Cahn S.W. 29.20 34 34 AVest N.W. N.E. 29.20 37 34 N.E. N.W. W.N.W. 29.10 34 34 W.N.W. N.W. N.E. 29.05 37 34 N.E. N.W. N. W. 28.90 34 33 N.W. N.W. N.E. 28.45 34 32 N.E. N.E. North 28.70 34 33 North North North j 28.95 36 35 North N.W. N.E. ; 28.70 36 35 N.E. E.N.E. East 1 28.65 36 35 E.N.E. S.E. S.S.E. 764 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of the Barque Oriental — Continued. THEK. 9 A. M. WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Dec. 2 52° 57' S. 95° 20' E. 28.70 135 35 S.S.E. S. to s.w. 3 51 20 obs. 98 13 obs. 29.10 135 35 s.w. S.W. to w. s. w. 4 50 17D.K. 99 09D.E. 28.60 |38 38 w. s. w. Calm East 5 49 13 obs. 104 12D.E. 28.70 44 42 N.KW. to N.W. 6 48 18 107 47 obs. 29.35 48 44 N.W. KN.W. N.N.W. 7 47 52D.E. 109 34D.E. 29.60 46 46 KN.W. North E.N.E. 8 47 31D.E. 114 02D.E. 29.70 50 48 North N.N.W. N.N.W. 9 48 12D.E. 117 43D.E. 29.15 50 48 N.KE. N.N.E. N.N.E. 10 47 42 obs. 121 13 obs. 29.00 49 48 N.N.E. N.byW. N.byW.toN.W.byN. 11 46 37 124 53 29.50 N.W.byK N.W.byN. N.W.byN. 12 45 28 127 46 29.50 53 51 N. by W. N.N.W. N.byW. 13 44 07 131 18 29.40 54 52 N.KW. W.N.W. W.S.W. to S.W. 14 42 41 134 16 29.80 56 52 w.s.w. W. S. W. W.S.W. 15 41 30 D. E. 136 47D.E. 29.90 55 54 w.s.w. West N.W. 16 39 33 obs. 139 43 obs. 29.85 '62 60 N.W. to S.W. 17 38 44 142 32 29.90 !56 56 S.S.W. South S.E. 18 38 40 142 13 29.85 l59 61 S. E. to E.to S.E. 19 39 11 142 29 29.60 !64 60 S. E. to E. and E.N.E. 20 38 52 142 38 29.70 i68 60 Calm Calm Calm 21 39 17 143 47 29.65 j62 62 East S.E.toE. E.to E.N.E. 22 29.60 68 64 East E. N. E. Calm and W.S.W. Oct. 13. Fresh breez;es; pleasant weather; head sea. Saw a sail in the distance bound N. W. Cur- rent, I, E. by S. Oct. 14. Pleasant weather ; fine breezes ; head sea. No current. Oct. 15. Pleasant breezes ; head sea. Current, 1 knot, S. E. J E. Oct. 16. Pleasant breezes ; very little head sea. Saw a whale. No current. Oct. 17. Very light airs and pleasant. Saw two barques, one to the eastward, the other ta the west- ward, bound northward. Oct. 18. Pleasant breezes. First and middle parts, light rain squalls. Latter part, pleasant ; larboard studding-sails set. Two barques in company, one English, the other too distant. Oct. 19. Pleasant breezes; fine weather. Oct 20. Fresh breezes. At 3 P.M. made the island of Trinidad; at 4.30, made Martin Yas; at 10 P. M. Martin Vas, N. E. by E., distant 8 miles. Passed between the islands. At 7 P. M. Trinidad bearing S. W. by W. ; light swell of the sea after us. Current, | knot, N. E. J E. Oct. 21. Fresh breezes and passing rain squalls ; light swell from the westward. Current, 1 knot, N. N. E. Oct. 22. Fresh breezes ; very heavy swell from westward. Thus I allow one knot per hour to the eastward for heave of the sea. Have seen several birds called fish-hawks. Current, 1 knot, N. E. J E. Oct. 23. Pleasant weather ; light swells from westward. Saw a cape pigeon ; first seen. ROUTES FROM EUBOPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 765 Oct. 24. Light airs and calms. First part, weather clear ; middle and latter part, hazy. Current, i knot, S. W. i S. Oct. 25. From midnight to 2 A.M., the barometer fell from 30.00 to 29.50, and heavy squalls, attended with rain from N. E., which brought us down to double-reefed topsails ; mainsail, outer jib, and spanker stowed. From 8 A. M. to noon, the wind veering by north to west; first time we have been obliged to take in the main-topgallant-sail and to reef topsails. 74 days from Boston. Oct. 26. Fresh breezes and passing squalls; swell from N. W. Took in and made sail as required. Oct. 27. Fresh breezes with westerly swell. At 4.30 A.M. passed over colored water, dark green ; an hour and a half going over ; I should judge, from the color of it, not more than 60 fathoms deep, with a heavy ground swell ; weather pleasant. Oct. 28. At 7 P. M., heavy thunder squall from W. to N. W., attended with lightning, rain, and hail; took in all light sails and reefed topsails ; strong breezes and heavy sea from W. to N. W., attended with squalls, and so ends. Oct. 29. Strong breezes, attended with squalls and heavy sea running. Many birds about. Oct. 30. First part, strong breezes ; middle and latter parts, light. Saw two grampuses. Oct. 31. Strong breezes and pleasant weather ; heavy sea on. Saw two whales. Nov. 1. Strong breezes and heavy sea. Middle part, rainy ; latter part, cloudy. Nov. 2. Fresh breezes. Middle and latter part, light airs ; weather cloudy. Heavy swell. Nov. 3. Light airs and pleasant weather ; heavy swell from west. Saw flocks of penguins going north. Nov. 4. Pleasant breezes ; fog set in at midnight with occasional breaks ; observations quite indif- ferent. From the great change in the weather, I should judge there were icebergs not far from us ; there is also a great chilliness in the atmosphere, and has been for several days. There is a great number of whale birds about to day, a few cape pigeons ; the larger birds all disappeared. Nov. 5. First and middle part, light airs and foggy ; latter part, strong breezes and heavy sea run- ning. Took in Ijght sails and double-reefed topsails. Nov. 6. First part, strong breezes and tremendous sea ; midnight, moderated. Let out reefs and made sail; cloudy weather; no observation ; very chilly. Nov. 7. First and middle part, fresh breezes with fog and drizzling rain ; latter part, cloudy. Nov. 8. Fresh breezes all these 24 hours. First part, dense fog ; middle part, clear ; latter part, thick fog. I cannot account for the fog here unless there be ice near us. Nov. 9. Strong breezes and heavy sea. First and middle part, foggy ; latter part, passing snow squalls. Nov. 10. Strong breezes. First and middle part, clear ; latter part, cloudy. Ice made on deck last night. Nov. 11. Heavy breezes, attended with heavy sea. Latter part, more moderate with frequent snow squalls. At 5 A. M. saw an iceberg north of us ; I should think it was J of a mile in length, and about 60 768 THE WIKD AND CURRENT CHARTS. feet above the water. There are many birds about, both large and small. Last night, and the night before, a cape pigeon alighted on the deck. Nov. 12. Fresh breezes. Middle and latter part, moderate ; wind veering from N. W. to S., and back to S. "W. ; 6 A. M. snow storm till 8 A. M. Barometer, 28.90. Ends with light flurry of snow. Large number of birds about, cape pigeons, whale birds, and goneys. Nov. 13. Commences with strong breezes ; middle and latter part, blowing a gale, with frequent snow squalls and a very heavy sea running. From 5 to 6.30 P. M. saw three icebergs, two at the south and one north of us. Several patches of kelp have been seen during the past week. This day ends with tremen- dous sea and strong gales. At midnight, barometer, 28.90. Nov. 14. Commences with a gale from "W. to W. N. W., very heavy sea; middle and latter part, more moderate, wind and sea going down. Passed four icebergs. Snow squalls and cloudy. Imperfect obser- vations. Nov. 15. Strong breezes and uncertain weather, with snow, hail, and rain squalls; winds baffling from W. to W. to W. N. W., and N. W. ; ends same with barometer falling. At 3 P. M. saw an iceberg north of us. I should not recommend any one's coming down here this month; for, when it snows, one can see but a very short distance, and icebergs are too plenty to run with safety. Nov. 16. All these 24 hours a gale from N. "W. ; very heavy sea running. Barometer, through the night, 28.90. Weather hazy ; sun broke through the clouds a very few moments this morning. Observa- tions very indifferent. Ends with snow squalls and tremendous sea. Nov. 17. First and middle parts, gale, attended with heavy sea ; latter part, more moderate. Nov. 18. Fresh breezes. Latter part, more moderate. Very dense fog. Nov. 19. Moderate breezes and thick fog. No observation. Barometer falling. Saw four whales. Nov. 20. Variable breezes and squally. Large number of whale birds about. Nov. 21. First part, fresh breezes and snow storm ; middle, calm ; latter part, light breezes. Nov. 22. First part, light breezes and snow squalls, with an occasional break in the clouds. , At 7 A.M. thick fog; wind hauled from N. W. to N. E.; ends with snow storm. Barometer falling. Nov. 23. Strong breezes and snow squalls. During middle part, barometer fell to 29.00. Yesterday saw sperm whales. Nov. 24. Fresh breezes and snow squalls. Tide rip setting N. E. Barometer falling. Nov. 25. Pleasant breezes and passing snow squalls ; latter part, clear. The first clear weather we have had for 20 days. At 8.30 A. M. made land ; at first took it for icebergs, as no island is laid down on my chart, nor in the epitome. At 11 A.M., the clouds cleared away, showing it to be an island ; at noon, the eastern end bore, per compass, N. N. E. 20 miles ; the western end bore, per compass, N. by W. about 20 miles. I make the west end of the island 74° 15' E. long.; east end 74° 40' ; lat. 58° 10'. Near the centre of the island a high peak, 5,000 feet high. Large number of birds. Nov. 26. Fresh breezes and passing snow squalls. Latter part, cloudy and misty. Nov. 27. Fresh breezes and thick weather. At 9 P. M. barometer commenced falling; and at 8 A. M. ROUTES FROM KUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 767 stood at 28.40. Took in all light sails and close-reefed topsails. I do not understand the low state of the barometer, with the appearance of the weather, which looks like a whole topsail breeze. Nov. 28. Commences with thick foggy weather, with passing snow squalls ; latter part, pleasant. At 10 A. M. hail squall. The barometer has not got above 28.70, though the weather looks fine. At 4 A. M. let reefs out ; at 3.30 and at 5 P. M. passed icebergs, one north and the other south of us ; latter part of the night and early part of the morning, passed over colored water, I should judge about 150 fathoms deep. At 3 P. M. saw seven right whales. Unusual number of whale birds about to-day. Nov. 29. Fresh breezes and light snow squalls. Nov. 30. Commences with strong breezes. At 4-P. M. commencing to blow in gusts ; took in light sails. At 5.30 double-reefed topsails. At 11 P.M. gale increasing. Barometer, ^8.50 ; close-reefed topsails and stowed foresail. At 8 A. M. calm. Barometer, 28.60. At 10 A.M. light air from east; made all sail by the wind ; ends cloudy. No observation. Tacked ship to the north. Dec. 1. Moderate breezes, attended with snow squalls. At 6 P. M. tacked ship to south ; at 4 A. M, tacked to the north and east ; cross seas on ; ship laboring much. Dec. 2. Moderate breezes and thick fog most of the time, with snow squalls; wind veering from S.S. E. to S. W. and back to S. S. E. Saw a large iceberg south of us. From 7 A. M. to meridian passed over colored water. Dec. 3. First and middle parts, fresh breezes and snow squalls ; latter part, stiff breezes and clear. Between midnight and 1 A.M. the Aurora Australis made a very brilliant appearance from S. toS.W., shooting up with a white light, illuminating the whole heavens, and making everything about deck per- fectly distinct. Dec. 4. First part, light breezes; middle, calm; latter part, fresh breezes. At 11 A. M. wind hauled suddenly from E. to N. N. W. ; ends stiff breezes. It is the second time the wind has hauled with the sun, since we have been S. of 30°. This morning saw a very large sperm whale; an ugly cross sea on and swell from W. From meridian to 6 P. M. passed over colored water. Dec. 5. Commences with strong breezes. At midnight increasing, took in light sails; at 7 A.M. wind increasing, coming in heavy squalls and gusts with rain. Fore-topgallant sail and flying-jib split. At mid- night, stowed main-topgallant sail, spanker, and mainsail, and double reefed the topsails; inner jib split in pieces ; ends with a heavy gale from N. W., and tremendous sea on. During the past 24 hours passed over several patches of kelp. The Aurora Australis was again seen between midnight and 1 A.M.; had the same appearance as on the previous night, but only seen in the W. and S. "W. Dec. 6. All these 24 hours strong breezes. First and latter parts, pleasant; middle part, thick driz- zling rain. Heavy sea running. Cape pigeons have left us. Dec. 7. First part, fresh breezes ; middle and latter parts, very light airs with drizzling rain. Dec. 8. All these 24 hours fresh brefifees. First part, weather pleasant ; middle and latter parts, cloudy. Passed several small patches of kelp. Dec. 9. Fresh breezes and cloudy. From 8 P. M. to midnight, took in light sails and topgallant-sails. 788 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. At 7 A.M. wind increasing, coming in gusts witli drizzling rain. Double-reefed the topsails and reefed the mainsail ; cross sea on ; ends with drizzling rain. Passed kelp. Nearly all the birds have left us. Dec. 10. Commences with strong breeze and heavy sea on. At 6 P. M. moderiiting ; let one reef out of each topsail ; set inner jib, main-topsail, staysail, and main-topgallant sail. At 4 A. M. wind increasing ; took in main-topgallant sail, maintopmast staysail, and inner jib. At 7.30 wind increased to a gale; double- reefed the topsails ; wind then hauled from N. by W. to N. W. by N ; heavy head sea on and ship laboring hard ; ends with a gale and clear weather. Saw detached pieces of kelp. Dec. 11. First and middle parts, strong breezes. At 4.30 A.M. moderating; let reefs out and set light sails ; ends pleasant weather. Dec. 12. All these 24 hours pleasant breezes and pleasant weather. Dec. 13. Commences with fresh breezes, gradually increasing through the night; and at 7 A. M. brought down to double-reefed topsails ; ends strong breezes and passing clouds. Saw two large sperm whales. Heavy sea on. Dec. 14. Fresh breezes and pleasant weather. At 6 P. M. saw sperm whale. Dec. 15. First and middle parts, pleasant ; latter, fresh breezes and cloudy. Dec. 16. Pleasant weather and fine breezes. Two sail in company. * Dec. 17. Pleasant weather and fine breezes. Dec. 18. Pleasant weather and fine breezes. At 8.30, tacked to S. and W. ; midnight, tacked again to N. and E. ; at 4 A. M. to S. and E. ; at 7.30 A. M. again tacked to N. Made Bald Head bearing N. N. E., distant about 12 miles. Dec. 19. Pleasant weather and light breeze. At 3.30 P. M. tacked off the land in Portland Bay; at 8 A. M. tacked to north. Dec. 20. Light airs and calms all these 24 hours. Land in sight. Dec. 21. Pleasant breezes; by spells, foggy. At 9 P.M. tacked to the eastward; at 8 A.M. tacked offshore. Cape Otway light, bearing W. by N. per compass, distant 16 miles. Dec. 22. First part, light airs ; middle part, light airs and puffy. At 8.30 A.M. a fresh breeze sprung up from W. ; cloudy. No observation. Dec. 22. Civil account. At 4 P.M. took pilot off the Heads; at 4.30, took bay pilot ; and at 9.30 P.M. anchored in Hobson's Bay. ROUTES FKOM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 769 Abstract Log of the Barque Duchess, of Boston (Ernest Lane). From off St . Hoque to Australia, 1858. • THER. 9 a.m. WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Lon at jitude noon. Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter port. Nov. 9 8° 34' S. 33° 28' W. 30.20 82° 81° S.E. S.E. S.E.byE. 10 11 09 32 20 30.02 81 81 S.E.byE. E.S.E. E.byS. 11 13 38 33 30 30.22 81 80 E.S.E. S.E.byE. E.S.E. 12 15 55 33 12 30.02 80 80 S.E.byE. E.S.E. E.S.E. 13 17 44 32 50 30.25 79 78 Calm E.byS. E.byN. 14 20 10 32 24 30.28 79 77 E.byN. East E.S.E. 15 21 57 32 02 30.32 78 75 Calm E.N.E. East 16 24 12 31 45 30.36 75 73 East E.S.E. E.S.E. 17 26 42 31 23 30.38 71 73 E.S.E. E. by S. E.byS. 18 28 52 30 45 30.25 73 71 East E.N.E. N. E.byN. 19 30 34 29 42 30.14 73 69 N.N.E. N.N.W. N. by W. 20 32 40 28 40 30.05 66 65 N.N.W. N.W. N.W. 21 33 35 28 04 30.01 69 66 N.W. N.N.W. N.E. 22 36 00 27 25 29.60 69 63 North North North 23 36 19 25 38 29.85 58 59 N.N.W. N.W. w. s. w. 24 37 33 23 02 29.85 64 60 W.KW. N.W. N.W. 25 38 26 21 10 30.08 52 58 F.W. S.W. S.S.W. 26 38 35 18 50 30.53 52 57 S.S.W. West W.N.W. 27 39 39 16 10 30.28 58 55 W.N.W. N.W. N.W. 28 41 10 13 29 30.20 58 53 N.W. N. W. N.W. 29 42 18 10 29 30.27 55 51 N.W. N.W. N.W. 30 42 58 7 30 30.22 66 51 KW. N.N.W. North Dec. 1 43 26 4 15 29.88 51 47 North N.N.E. N.E. 2 43 20 00 31" 30.07 51 48 North N.N.W. N.W. 3 43 32 2 23 E. 29.75 48 48 N.N.W. W.N.W. West 4 43 35 5 26 29.90 53 48 West W.N.W. N.W. 5 53 40 8 11 29.85 45 48 N.W. West S.W. 6 43 38 11 53 30.11 45 47 S.S.W. S.W. S.W. 7 43 26 15 50 30.10 48 47 s.w. W.S.W. s.w. 8 43 01 19 18 30.25 46 49 S.S.W. S. S. W. s.w. 9 42 09 22 08 30.45 46 55 s.w. S. S. W. South 10 42 00 24 32 30.35 52 55 South South S.S.W. 11 41 42 26 08 30.35 52 52 South South S.byW. 12 41 54 28 42 30.15 60 53 Calm North N.W. 13 42 07 31 42 30.10 62 56 W.N.W. West W.N.W. 14 42 30 34 40 29.82 62 54 N.W. North N.N.E. 15 42 42 38 44 29.50 52 50 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.W. 16 42 52 42 02 29.73 53 48 N.W. N.N.W. North 17 43 14 46 03 29.60 52 44 N.N.E. N.N.W. N.W. 18 43 33 48 50 29.48 47 42 N.N.W. North 19 43 11 52 22 30.10 47 43 N.N.W. W.N.W. West 20 43 13 56 04 30.10 51 46 W.N.W. North N.N.W. 21 43 17 59 32 29.63 58 54 N.N.W. North North 22 43 21 64 20 29.60 55 60 North N.W. N.W. 23 43 04 67 00 29.80 51 57 N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 24 42 41 70 19 30.10 52 57 W. by N. W.N.W. W.N.W. 25 42 24 73 43 30.10 57 55 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 26 42 06 77 00 30.00 57 51 West W.N.W. W.N.W. 27 42 00 80 30 29.70 51 53 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.S.W. 28 42 01 84 25 29.80 56 53 West W.N.W. West 29 42 03 87 16 29.82 60 53 W.N.W. W.N.W. W. N. W. 97 770 THE WIND AND CUEKENT CHAKT3. Abstract Log of the Barque Duchess, of Boston — Continued. THEB. 9 a.m. WINDS. Date. Latitude at uoon. Longitude at noon. Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Dec. 30 42° OS'S. 91° 20' E. 29.60 57° 54° N.W. North N.W. 31 42 02 94 27 30.02 57 53 W.N.W. West W.N.W. 1854 54 Jan. 1 42 02 97 58 29.92 59 51 N.N.W. N.N.W. W.N.W. 2 41 32 100 30 30.13 54 56 West N.W. North 3 41 44 103 35 30.00 58 54 North N.W. W.N.W. 4 41 59 107 12 30.10 57 64 N.N.W. N.W. N.W. 6 41 58 109 51 30.15 54 55 W.N.W. West West 6 42 05 112 07 30 23 60 65 West West N.W. 7 42 00 115 08 30.25 61 56 W.N.W. West West 8 42 00 118 17 30.10 64 56 West N.N.W.. N.N.W. 9 41 45 121 25 29.78 59 57 N.N.W. N.N.E. N.N.W. 10 41 45 124 39 29.82 52 56 N.N.W. S.W. S.W. 11 41 13 127 44 30.08 57 59 s.w. S.W. S.W. 12 40 42 130 52 30.10 57 59 West N.W. W.N.W. 13 40 13 134 04 30.05 59 69 N.W. W.N.W. West 14 39 56 136 30 29.93 62 61 West N.N.W. N.N.W. 16 39 34 139 16 29.93 60 62 N.N.W. N.N.W. West 16 39 03 142 34 29.93 61 63 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 17 38 55 143 14 30.15 61 64 W.N.W. Calm N.W. 18 30.10 68 Nov. 9. Brisk trades and pleasant weather. Nov. 10. Fresh trades and cloudy weather. Nov. 11. Fresh trades and magnificent weather. Nov. 12. Brisk trade-winds ; ends fine ; all sail set. Nov. 13. Calm weather, and fine breeze again from E. Nov. 14. Commences pleasant weather and brisk trades. Nov. 15. Calm weather ; ends pleasant, and brisk breeze. Nov. 16. Pleasant trades, with long rolling sea from S. W. Nov. 17. Fresh breezes and passing clouds. Nov. 18. Fine breezes, and weather clear. Nov. 19. Fine breezes, and pleasant, smooth sea ; ends pleasant and hazy. Nov. 20. Fresh breezes and hazy ; at 4 P. M., thick fog, with fine rain ; ends misty and moderate. Nov. 21. Moderate, and thick fog, with large sea from S. Several cape pigeons and albatrosses about ship ; through middle part, moderate and calm, and thick fog ; ends moderate and foggy. Nov. 22. Thick fog and fine rain ; through night, fresh breezes and the same. Nov. 23. Heavy gale from N. W., with a large sea; water very green; ends brisk breeze from W. S. W. Nov. 24. Brisk breezes with passing fog ; water very green ; ends dry weather, with passing clouds and strong breeze. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 771 Nov. 25. Cloudy and threatening ; hauled in the studding-sails, handed topgallant sails, spanker and mainsail, double-reefed the fore and main-topsails ; raining and blowing a gale ; large sea running. 9 A. M. heavy squall, with rain ; split spanker, unbent it ; in mainsail ; large sea and cold weather. Nov. 26. Strong breezes and squally ; an ugly sea running ; barque laboring heavy. Ends brisk west winds, and cloudy. Nov. 27. Fresh breezes and cloudy ; ends much the same ; heavy sea from west, and cloudy. Nov. 28. Strong N. W. winds, and quite pleasant ; large sea from west ; vessel rolling very deep and heavy. Through night, fresh breezes ; barque rolling very heavy. Ends thick fog and brisk breeze. Nov. 29. Brisk breeze and foggy weather ; through night, strong breeze and misty ; ends thick fog, with large, long sea, frequently from S. S. W., making the barque roll heavy. Nov. 30. Fresh breezes and foggy weather ; ends much fog, and lightning. Dec. 1. Pleasant weather. At 3 A. M. wind hauling to N. E. by E., with rain, and very cold ; handed royals, flying jib, gaff-topsails, and staysails. 7 A. M. strong breeze with rain ; handed fore-topgallant sail. Ends same, rainy, strong breeze. Dec. 2. Fresh breezes and fine rain ; largo sea; ship making considerable water ; handed spanker and main-topsail. At 8 P.M. fresh gale and large sea; double-reefed fore and main- topsails, furled jib; running E. S. E., in the trough, rolling and laboring heavily. Dec. 8. Moderate airs and large sea, with thick fog ; ends passing fog and brisk breeze. Dec. 4. Moderate airs and pleasant weather ; at midnight, clear and moderate ; latter part, brisk breeze and cloudy. Dec. 5. Moderate airs and cloudy ; through the night, fine rain and moderate winds ; ends same, thick rain, and cold weather. Dec. 6. Pleasant and cloudy; through the night, strong breezes, cloudy and cold ; ends same, strono- breezes and cloudy, with large sea from S. AV. Dec. 7. Commences fresh breeze from S. W., and cloudy ; through the night, strong breezes • ends cloudy, large sea from S. W. Dec. 8. Fresh winds ; at 8 P. M. strong gales and squally, some hail and snow ; ends the same. Dec. 9. Commences fresh breezes, and large sea (water green). At 6 P. M., blowing a heavy gale, with fierce squalls, hail, and snow ; furled mainsail and jib. At 10 P. M., blowing heavy, vessel laboring heavy and shipping large quantities of water ; kept her off east to ease her. At 4 A. M., moderates ; large sea ; wind south. Ends the same. Dec. 10. Commences pleasant, wind south, water very green ; through the night, south winds and clear weather ; ends cloudy and brisk breeze. Dec. 11. Moderate and pleasant weather; middle, same, small clouds; ends pleasant and smooth. Dec. 12. Fine, pleasant, and calm ; middle, pleasant ; ends same. Dec. 13. Moderate breeze and cloudy, sea smooth ; ends same. 772 THE WIND AND CUKRENT CHARTS. Dec. 14. Moderate breeze ; at 8 P. M. hauled to north, brisk breezes ; middle, brisk breezes and heavy dew ; ends brisk breeze and cloudy. Dec. 15. Fresh breeze and cloudy, circle round the sun ; middle, fine rain, bright circle around the moon ; 4 A. M., more moderate, made all plain, drawing sails ; ends rain and strong gale. Dec. 16. Strong gale, large sea ; middle, more moderate, rolling very heavily ; ends strong breezes and cloudy. Dec. 17. Fresh gales ; middle, heavy gale, and large sea ; ends fresh gale, heavy sea, and fog. Dec. 18. Commences fresh breezes ; ends cloudy. Dec. 19. Strong breeze ; ends cloudy. Dec. 20. Moderate and clear ; ends strong breeze and clear. Dec. 21. Begins with strong breeze, clear weather ; ends much rain and wind. Dec. 22. Strong breeze. Through the night, fresh gales, rainy, and fog ; large sea ; shipping consider- able water. Ends fresh gales, large sea. Dec. 23. Strong breeze, large sea ; middle, squally, with rain and hail ; ends strong breezes and passing clouds. Dec. 24. Strong breeze, with frequent squalls ; at 9 P. M., a very heavy squall, with cutting rain and hail ; ends very cloudy, with an occasional squall. Dec. 25. Thick rain and strong breezes. Dec. 26. Fine, pleasant day, nice breezes, &c. Dec. 27. Brisk breezes; at midnight, thick rain and ugly sea; ends same. Dec. 28. Brisk breeze ; middle, squally, with rain and hail ; latter part, fresh breeze and large sea. Dec. 29. Fine weather ; ends same. Dec. 30. Fine weather ; middle, strong breeze, thick weather ; ends strong breeze. Dec. 31. Pleasant and moderate; ends same. January 1, 1854. Moderate and pleasant; through the night, thick and rainy; ends fresh breezes. Jan. 2. Pleasant and moderate ; middle, moderate and foggy ; N. N. E. current. Jan. 3. Moderate breeze, and foggy, misty weather ; ends moderate and misty. Jan. 4. Moderate and thick fog, smooth ; night clear and pleasant ; 6 A. M., thick fog and brisk breeze. Jan. 5. Moderate and thick fog ; middle, clear and pleasant ; ends moderate. Jan. 6. Pleasant ; through the night, clear and pleasant. Jan. 7. Moderate and fine ; ends moderate and cloudy. Jan. 8. Very moderate ; latter part, brisk breeze and cloudy. Jan. 9. Brisk breezes and cloudy ; ends foggy. Jan. 10. Fine rain, and moderate ; ends fresh breeze, with frequent hail squalls. Jan. 11. Fine breezes and puffy ; ends fine and passing clouds. Jan. 12. Fine breeze and cloudy; middle, fresh breezes; ends strong breezes. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 773 Jan. 13. Fine, strong breeze, and cloudy; ends moderate. Jan. 14. Commences moderate and pleasant; ends squally. Jan. 15. Fresh breeze ; middle, moderate and pleasant ; ends pleasant and smooth. Jan. 16. Commences fine breeze and cloudy ; ends pleasant. Jan. 17. Commences pleasant; ends moderate. Jan. 18. Commences moderate breezes from west; 2 P.M., made Cape Otway, bearing east. 18 miles; 8 P. M., the light bearing N. E. 14 miles ; calm all night. Jan. 19. Pleasant ; tacking to windward all night ; at 5 P. M. came to anchor off Hobson's Bay. Thus ends a passage of 122 days. 774 THE WIND AND CUREENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of the Ship Malay (Sam'l HUTCHINSON, Jr.). From off St. Roque to Hobart Town, 1853. THER. 9 A. M. WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Currents. (Knots per hour.) Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Nov. 22 6°06' S. 33°17' W. 23, S. W. I W. 29.88 82° 79° S.E.JS. to S.E.byE.JE. 23 8 42 32 57 10, Westerly 29.90 82 80 S.E.byE. E.S.E. E.|S. 24 11 34 33 12 29.92 81 791 E.S.E. S.E. S.E.byE. 25 14 39 33 31 5, N W. f W. 29.95 79J 79* S.E. to E.S.E. 26;i8 08 33 25 13,S.byE.iE. 28.96 80 77 S.E.byE. E.S.E. E.S.E.iE. 27 20 27 33 12 N.N.E.byN.iE. 29.95 81 77 E.S.E. E.iS. E.iS. 28 22 05 32 52 15, K. by E. 29.98 82 77 E.iS. E. by N. E.byN. 29 23 44 32 34 10, N. by E. 29.98 82 76 E.N.E. E.N.E. E.N.E. 80 25 52D.E. 32 16 29.88 731 73 E.N.E. E. by S. E.JS. Dec. 1 28 57 32 19 - 29.98 71 69 East S. E. by E. E.S.E. IE. 2 31 10 32 29 3, S.W.JW. 29.93 66 66 S.E. S.E.byE. j E.S.E. to \ S.byW. 3132 06 32 14 12, North 29.78 67 66 E.S.E. East Calm 4:32 28 30 27 24, N. by E. i E. 29.80 73 67 South S.S.E. N.N.E. 5 33 26 29 30 5, East 29.85 75 65 Calm N.E. N.N.E. 6 36 08 26 00 29.47 58 61 N.N.E. N. by W. j N.N.W., \ S.W.byW. 7 38 02 23 36 ( 79, N.N. E., 1 in 2 days 33, N.byE. 29.63 54 59 S.W. S.W. S.W. 8 39 14 20 47 29.90 54 58 S.S.W. S. by W. S.W.byS. 9 40 33 17 57 16, N.E.I E. 29.80 55j 53J w.s.w. W. N. W. N.N.E. 10 42 45D.E. 13 36D.E. 29.16 55 52 ( N.N.E. 1 toN.E. N. N. E. to N.E. N.N.E. 11 44 21D.E. 9 47D.E. ( 29.20 1 28.96 28.92 48 46 N.W.byW. N.N.W. North 12 45 06D.K. 7 02D.E. 46 48 N. by W. N.N.W. Calm 13 45 88D.K. 2 58D.E. j 28.92 1 29.28 44 45 W.N.W. S.W.byW. W.S.W. 14 45 38 1 07 E. 33,N.N.W.|W. 29.48 46 44| W.S.W. .W.N.W. N.W. 15 46 27D.E. 5 30D.E. 29.28 39 43 N. W. to ■, N.N.E. w. s. w. N.W.,S.W. W.S.W, 16 46 24 10 57 1 55, N.N. E., 1 in 2 days 29.30 29.12 47 45 ( W.byN., 1 W.N.W. N.N.W. to N. W. 17 46 50 15 43 23, N. W. j 28.96 1 29.18 29.38 43 42 N.W.byW. West W.S.W. 18 47 31 19 59 8, N. E. 1 E. 44 42 ( W.S.W., 1 S.W. W.S.W., N.W. N.W. to N.N.E. 19 48 12D.E. 25 08 28.37 40 39 N.N.E.,N.E. N.N.E. j N. W., 1 W.N.W. 20 48 49 30 20 27,W.JS.,2dy's 29.20 38 37 w.,w.s.w. W.S.W. W.S.W. 21 48 45 35 24 3,W.S.W.iW. 29.40 38 36J w.s.w. j W. S. w. 1 to W. W.toS.W. 22 48 57 41 28 5, S.W.JW. 29.52 34 38 j W.S.W., 1 S.W. W.S.W. W.S.W. 23 49 06 46 34 29.49 38 37 w. s. w. w.s.w.,w. ■ N.W. by N. 24 48 59 52 09 12, S.byW. j 29.28 1 29.60 39J 37 North N.W.byW. W.N.W, to W. 25 48 08D.E. 57 41D.E. 29.39 43| 40J W.toN. N. to N.W. N.W.byW. 26 47 27 62 16 J 40,3W.byW. ) I W.. in 2 dVs 29.24 43 40 N.W.byW. W. by N. W. by N. KOUTES FROM KUROl'E AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 775 Abstract Log of the Ship Malay- -Continued. Da to. Latitude at noon. Longitudc at noon. Currents. (Knots per hour.) Bar. THEE. 9 A. M. WINDg. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Dec. 27 46°33'S. 2846 06 29 45 37D.R. 30*45 51D.R. 68°12' E. 73 39 79 14D.R. 84 20D.R. 29.30 29.49 29.00 ( 2.8.98 \ 29.25 46° 44 49 48 40° 42 45 49 West West W.toN.W. j W.N.W., 1 N.W. W. by S. West N". W. to N. N.W.byW. W. by S. W.S.W. N. to N.W. West 3145 41D.R. 88 20D.R. j 29.60 1 29.50 j 29.33 1 29.62 j 29.73 1 29.67 49 47 W.byS. W.N.W. N.W.toN. 1854 Jan. 1 2 45 41 45 35 94 00 98 05 9, N.byKJE. 48 50 46 481 North w. s. w. j N.W., 1 W.N.W. j W.S.W., 1 W.N.W. W. by S. North 3 45 42D.R. 103 28D.R. j 29.50 1 29.52 29.70 55 49 KN.E. N. by W. N. W. by W. 4 45 41D.R. 108 33D.R. 54 49 KW. W.N.W. W.N.W. 5 45 43 112 41 20, E'ly, in 3 d'ys 29.97 57 48J West (W.byS., ^ jW.byN.I ^^^* 6 45 49 118 34 29.85 56 52 W.KW. j W.N.W., \ N.W. West N.W. N. by E. W.N.W. 7 8 9 10 45 07 44 3.2 44 16 44 01 124 32 128 44 133 18 138 59 13,KE.byE.p. 5, South 29.70 53 29.95 52 29.98 55 29.66 57 52 52 53 54 W. by N. W.S.W. West N.byE. W. by S. W. by S. North N. by E. 11 43 48D.R. 142 46 29.38 58 55J KN.E. N. by E. j W.N.W. t toW. W. to S. W. 12 S.W. S.W. Nov. 22. Light breezes ; passed about 12 miles west of Fernando de Noronha. Nov. 28. Light breezes ; passed about 12 miles west of Fernando de Noronha. Nov. 24. Light breezes first part ; afterwards, fresh breezes. Nov. 25. Latter part, puffy weather, with smart squalls; split flying jib and mizzen royal. Nov. 26. Moderate and pleasant. Nov. 27. Middle and latter parts, very light. Nov. 28. Yery light breezes ; heavy S. S. E. swell ; lost the trades. Nov. 29. Very light breezes. Nov. 30. Very light breezes ; latter part, fresh, with squally, rainy weather. Dec. 1. Fresh gales, with rain ; under double-reefed topsails for three hours. Dec. 2. Light breezes, cloudy ; heavy swell southeastward. Dec. 3. Very light airs, cloudy weather ; latter, pleasant. Dec. 4. Rolling southwesterly swell. Dec. 5. Latter part, a light breeze, with fine weather. Dec. 6. At. 4 A. M., squally, rainy weather, with strong wind; in light sails; single-reefed topsails. At 9, wind hauled quickly to W.S. W., and stopped raining. Ends with strong S. W. winds, cloudy weather. 776 THE WIND AND CUBRENT CHARTS. Dec. 7. Daring this day, strong gales, with very hard squalls, and a heavy cross sea from N. W. to S. W. ; double-reefed topsails, and reefed mainsail. Dec. 8. 4 P. M., made all sail ; heavy, long swell from W. S. W. Dec. 9. First and middle parts, light airs; latter part, strong winds; water, at noon, 52°. Dec. 10. At 8 P. M., took in light sails; at midnight, double-reefed topsails ; at 2 h. 30 min., took in mainsail ; at 5, close-reefed, blowing a very hard gale, cutting rain, considerable sea. Dec. 11. Commences with moderate winds; at sunset, all light sails set; 8 A. M., in light sails; noon, close reefed. Weather squally and threatening, a strong northerly wind. Dec. 12. Commences fresh N. E. gales ; thick, rainy weather ; latter part, very light air. Dec. 13. First, light airs; middle, fresh, with squalls; latter, fresh, with foggy weather; cloudy throughout. Saw kelp. Dec. 14. Light breezes and foggy weather. Longitude and latitude taken indifferently. Dec. 15. First and middle, moderate breeze and foggy; latter, fresh and rainy, wind rising. Longi- tude taken indifferently. Dec. 16. IP. M., double-reefed ; 8 P. M., light sails set; latter part, light airs and clear. Dec. 17. During this day, moderate breezes, with fresh squalls; also fog and rain. Latitude taken indifferently. Dec. 18. During this day, light breezes and cloudy. Saw sperm whales. Dec. 19. 8 P. M., double-reefed topsails ; at 12, reefed foresail ; at 9 A. M., close-reefed topsails ; ends with a furious gale, heavy swell. Saw right whales. Dec. 20. Commences with a severe gale ; at 6 P. M., let reefs out to avoid the sea ; ends with fresh winds, heavy westerly swell. Dec. 21. Light breezes, with frequent snow squalls. Passed an iceberg ; air, 1° colder ; no change in water. Shall go no further south, as my crew are not suitably provided. Dec. 22. Fresh breezes, with frequent snow squalls. Put a man in irons for refusing duty. Dec. 23. First and middle parts, light breezes, with snow squalls ; ends fresh winds, cloudy, blowing weather. Latitude taken indifferently. Dec. 24. Strong winds and rain ; middle, fresh breezes and foggy ; latter part, light breezes and foggy. Passed kelp — also a kind of diving water-fowl. Dec. 25. Moderate and foggy ; middle and latter parts, fresh breezes, thick fog ; ends rain. Dec. 26. Fresh breezes, with very thick, heavy fog ; latter part, light. Dec. 27. Strong breezes ; fine weather ; squalls occasionally ; considerable sea. Dec. 28. Fresh breezes, with squalls ; middle and latter parts, more moderate, with cloudy weather. Dec. 29. Light and cloudy ; middle and latter parts, strong winds, and rainy weather ; at noon, wind moderated down at once, and stopped raining. Dec. 30. Light breezes, and pleasant; middle part, moderate and rainy, with fresh squalls; latter part, fresh gales, with squalls, heavy sea running. ROUTES FROM EUROPK AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 777 Dec. 31. First part, fresh breezes and squally; middle and latter parts, very light and cloudy. At 10 A. M. more albatrosses around than in all the two weeks before. January 1, 1854. Strong winds, and rainy ; middle, moderate and foggy ; latter part, fresh breezes and cloudy. Jan. 2. First and middle, very light breezes ; cloudy weather ; saw kelp ; also several whales. Latter part, fresh winds and cloudy weather. Jan. 3. Moderate breezes and fine rain for first and middle parts ; latter, thick fog. Jan. 4. First and middle, fresh breezes and fog ; latter part, very light breezes, with thick fog. Kelp. Jan. 5. First part, calm ; middle and latter parts, moderate breezes, fine weather. Saw much kelp. Jan. 6. Moderate and pleasant ; middle and latter, strong winds and cloudy, considerable sea. Spoke ship Wilson, 98 days from England for Melbourne. Saw kelp. Jan. 7. Fii-st and middle, strong winds and cloudy ; latter part, moderate breezes and fine weather; •heavy westerly swell. Considerable kelp. Jan. 8. First and middle, moderate breezes and hazy weather ; latter part, light breezes with fine weather. Saw much broken kelp. Jan. 9. Light breezes and fine weather ; middle, light breezes, with cloudy weather ; latter part, strong winds and cloudy. Broken kelp. Jan. 10. During this day, strong winds, with hazy weather. Saw broken kelp. Jan. 11. First and middle parts, strong winds, with very hazy weather; single-reefed topsails; wind suddenly died away, and hauled to "W. N. W. ; in less than an hour, was back to north, very light ; heavy swell ; cloudy weather ; out all reefs. Jan. 12. In a thick rain the wind hauled suddenly to S. "W. ; commenced blowing fresh ; at 4 A. M., S. W. Cape bearing about N. E. by N. ; at noon, Three Hillock Point W. } N., Tasman's Head N. E., Pedro Blanco S. by E. ; at 6 P. M. took a pilot; at 7\, anchored in Hobart Town. • Ship Nightingale (J. B. Fisk), from off St. Eoque to Australia. Nov. 27, 1852. Lat. 7° 24' S. ; long. 32° 08' W. Wind: S. E. ; weather pleasant. Nov. 28. Lat. 10° 55' S.; long. 3i° 30' W. Winds : S. E. to E. ; made sail as required ; pleasant. Nov. 29. Lat. 13° 19' S. ; long. 30° 00' W. Winds : S. E. to E. ; pleasant; all sail set. Nov. 30. Lat. 14° 49' S. ; long. 29° 44' W. Winds : S. E. to E. N. E. ; light winds, and baffling. Dec. 1. No observation ; 156 miles distance ; course, S. E. Winds : E. N. E. to N. E. Dec. 2. Lat. 18° 05' ; long. 25° 42', Winds : E. N. E. to N. E. ; first part, pleasant ; latter, squally. Dec. 3. Lat. 19° 48' ; long. 22° 54'. Winds : E. N. E. to N. E.; weather in general, good. Dec. 4, No observation ; distance, 246 miles. Wind : N. E. ; strong winds, thick and cloudy, and rain at intervals. Dec. 5. Lat. 23° 12'; long. 15° 17'. Wind: N. E. ; strong winds; at times squally and rainy. ■98 778 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Dec. 6. No observation ; distance, 180 miles ; course, S. E. by S. | S. "Winds : N. E. to E. Com- mences strong N. E. ; latter part, calm. Wind : N. N. "W. Dec. 7. No observation ; distance, 142 miles, S. S. E. Winds : S. S. W. to S. E. ; variable, squally, and rainy. Dec. 8. Lat. 30° 41' S. ; long. 12° 39' W. Wind : S. E. mostly ; strong gales ; one reef in topsails, standing southerly. Dec. 9. Lat. 33° 52'; long. 12° 12' W. Winds: S.E. to E.S. E. Commences strong breezes; ends light. Dec. 10. Lat. 35° 49' S.; long. 10° 01' W. Winds: E. by S. to E.; gentle and pleasant. Dec. 11. Lat. 37" 55' S. ; long. 6° W W. Winds : N. E. to N. N. E. ; gentle and pleasant. Dec. 12. Lat. 39° 40' S. ; long. 1° 07' W. Winds: N. N. E. to N. ; at times, squally ; distance, 263 miles. Dec. 13. No observation ; 186 miles distance ; course, S. E. by E. Winds : N. W. to W. S. W. ; weather generally good. Dec. 14. Lat. 39° 57' S. ; long. 5° 00' E. Winds : S. W. to W, S. W.; weather, generally good. Dec. 15. Lat. 40° 13' S. ; long. 8° 32' E. Winds : W. S. W. to W. N. W. ; winds light ; all sail set. Dec. 16. Lat. 40° 00' S. ; long. 13° 15' E. Winds: N. W. and W. N. W. ; generally good weather. Dec. 17. No observation ; 278 miles distance ; course, S. E. J E., N. W. by W. to S. S. W. From royals to double reefs ; ends strong gales. Dec. 18. Lat. 40° 36' S. ; long. 23° 45' E. Winds : S. S. W. and N. W. Commences strong gales ; ends light winds, S. S. W. Dec. 19. Lat. 41° 07' S. ; long. 27° 38' E. Winds : W. to N. E. Commences westerly ; ends N. E., all sail set. Dec. 20. Lat. 42° 14' S. ; long. 32° 18' E. Wind : N. by E. ; all these 24 hours fresh breezes and pleasant. Dec. 21. No observation; distance, 120 miles, S.E. Winds* N. N. E. to N. W. Commences cloudy; latter part, foggy, very thick. Dec. 22. No observation ; distance, 140 miles S. E. Wind : N. E. by E. ; all these 24 hours, light winds. Dec. 23. No observation; distance, 169 miles S. E. by S. Winds: E. N. E. to N. W. Commences thick fog ; latter part, strong N. W. gales. Dec. 24. Lat. 44° 58' S. ; long. 47° 00' E. Wind:N.W. From royals to double reefs; rolling heavy. Dec. 25. No observation. Wind : N. W. ; strong gales ; took in and made sail as required. . Dec. 26. No observation. Long. 57° 17' E. (D. E.), 220 miles distance. Wind: N.W. to N.; all these 24 hours, weather more moderate, thick. Dec. 27. Lat. 44° 58' S. ; long. 62° 30' E. Wind : north. Commences gentle ; ends strong. Dec. 28. Lat. 45° 17' S.; long. 68° 13' E. Wind: N. N. E. mostly; latter part, wind canted to southerly board. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. TTST Dec. 29. Lat. 4q# 19' S.; long. 71° 58' E. Wind: S. W.toKE.; wind from S.W. first part; latter part, N. E. Dec. 30. Lat. 45° 29' S.; long. 76° 54' E. Wind: K W. mostly. Commences light and variable; latter part, strong northerly. Dec. 31. Lat. 45° 31' S. ; long. 83° 40' E. Wind : north ; strong northerly winds; distance, 290 miles. Jan. 1. No observation. Long. 89° 10' E. (D. E.). Wind : K J W. ; all these 24 hours, fresh northerly winds. Jan. 2. Lat. 44° 31' S. ; long. 94° 15' E. Winds: K to N.W. Commences strong ; ends light. Jan. 3. Lat. 44° 03' S. ; long. 100° 03< E. Wind: N. W. Commences gentle ; ends strong. Jan. 4. Lat. 44° 20' S. ; long. 105° 18' E. Winds : N. N. W. to W. N. W. Commences strong ; ends more moderate. Jan. 5. Lat. 43° 06' S. ; long. 110° 37' E. Winds : W. to N. W. mostly ; strong gales all these 24 hours. Jan. 6. Lat. 42° 20' S. ; long. 115° 16' E. Winds : W. to W. N. W. ; mostly strong gales and hazy. Jan. 7. Lat. 41° 56' S. ; long. 121° 02' E. Winds : W. N. W. to K N. W.; all these 24 hours, strong gales. Jan. 8. Lat. 41° 30' S.; long. 126° 55' E. Winds: K W. to K Commences strong gales and clear; ends rainy. Jan. 9. Lat. 41° 54' S.; long. 130° 06' E. Winds: N. to S; Commences strong; ends light, wind south. Jan. 10. Lat. 40° 44' S. ; long. 131° 40' E. Winds: S.toK Commences light southerly ; ends light northerly. Jan. 11. Lat. 40° 56' S. ; long. 135° 10' E. Winds : N. to N". W. ; all these 24 hours, light winds. Jan. 12. Lat. 41° 55' S. ; long. 138° 00' E. Winds : N. E. to E. ; winds variable from eastward. Jan. 13. Lat. 44° 04' S. ; long. 142° 00' E. Winds : N. N. E. to N. ; squally weather ; heavy sea. Jan. 14. Lat. 44° 36' S. ; long. 147° 00' E. Winds : N. to K W. ; wind variable ; making good head way, 220 miles distance. Jan. 15. Lat. 44° 01' S. ; long. 148° 45' E. Winds : N. N. W. to W. ; baffling and light. Jan. 16. Lat. 41° 34' S. ; long. 151° 13' E. Winds : W. S. W. to N. W. by W. [On her last trip, the abstract of which has not yet come to hand, this ship went as far south as 57°, and made the best run that has, as far as I know, been yet made between the parallel of St, Eoque and Australia.] A correspondent has sent me the following account of the Flying-Scud's passage from New York to Australia, said to be copied from the Melbourne Argus. I have not yet received her abstract log, and, there- fore, cannot certify as to the correctness of her surgeon's statements. I have no doubt that those " brave west winds" of the extra-tropical south are capable of giving a speed to canvas, for days together, that has never yet been attained, out upon the ocean and for an equal length of time, by steam. But there seems to be a mistake as to the incredible run of 6,420 nautical miles, of Mr. Stratford, in 16 days. According to 780 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. him, the ship went, in 16 days, from lat. 45° 47' S. and long. 32° 6' E. to lat. 42° 30' S. and long. 139° E. The distance between these two positions is about 4,620 miles, which was probably made 6,420 by a slip of the pen. I have not the log, and therefore cannot speak as to the distance actually run, for I know nothing as to the detour which the track of the ship may make from a rhumb-line on the chart ; but, with fair winds a detour of 1,800 miles in 4,620 — 38 per cent. — would be very extraordinary. But, admitting a mistake here, the other statements are interesting, for they are another practical illustration as to the time which vessels save on this voyage by going south of the Admiralty route : — Copied from Melbourne Argus, Dec. 2, 1853. Arrival of the Flying-Scud.— The clipper ship Flying-Scud, Captain W. H. Bearse, one of E. W. Came- ron's celebrated Pioneer Line of Australia Packets, sailed from New York with one hundred and forty passengers, on Thursday, September 28, crossing the Gulf Stream with a strong northerly breeze on the 30th of September. At 8 P. M. the ship was struck with lightning. The first flash struck the ship forward, knocking down several men ; one man was brought into the cabin incapable of standing from the shock, from which, however, he recovered in a short time. All felt their legs go from under them, and their nerves were greatly influenced by the electricity. The second flash struck the ship abaft the main and mizzen- mast ; this also knocked down most of the hands on deck, and, curious to observe, it had a great effect upon the compass. When first observed, the needle revolved with great velocity, and this continued for some time ; when it ceased, the compasses were found to be considerably changed, and it was afterwards dis- covered that they varied five points to the eastward of their true bearing, which, after a lapse of five or six days, diminished to three points. These facts were clearly proved by the position of the sun and the bear- ing of the north star. Iq consequence of this derangement of the compasses (five in number), it was neces- sary to lay the ship to under close-reefed topsails for eighteen hours, although the wind was perfectly fair, and the ship might have run one hundred and fifty miles at least. It would appear that the lightning struck the mizzenmast and descended by the lightning-rod to the channels. The wind appeared to blow the copper wire of the rod against the chains, and here it was conducted through the bolt into the interior of the ship, where it magnetized a large quantity of iron and steel implements which were in the afterhold. To prove that these were the seat of attraction, Captain Bearse placed a compass in all parts of the ship. The influence varied in different places. On the topgallant-forecastle, the compass seemed somewhat to return to its proper bearing ; abaft the mainmast, the influence was much stronger ; and in the after part of the ship it was most potent. Placed upon the cabin floor, the compass still revolved with considerable velocity. On a board placed ten feet out upon the larboard side of the ship, the compass was found to become nearly correct ; by this means the true course of the ship was found. The influence above men- tioned prevailed during most of the passage, until the 7th December, in lat. 43° 45' S. and long. 110° 15' E., where the compasses seemed to become more correct, being found to vary but | of a point to the eastward. It is also worthy of notice, that in this region several claps of thunder and lightning were observed, and that these were followed by thick foggy weather, which precluded the possibility of any observation for four ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 781 days. When this was obtained, the ship was found to be 150 miles to the southward of her true course in consequence of steering by the compass, supposing it to possess the same variation which has just been mentioned ; but, when observation was obtained, the compass was found to have returned to its true bearing, and thus was the course of the ship deranged, and her voyage unnecessarily protracted. On the first of October, after the true bearing of the compasses had been discovered, sail was made with a northerly wind, and the ship reached the region of the northeast trades on the 12th October, but found only light airs and baffling winds from southward and eastward. The southeast trades, however, were reached on the 23d of October, in lat. 5° 18' N. and long, 30° 27' W.; there found strong whole-sail breezes, and kept with the ship until Sunday, November 5, in lat. 27° 41' S. and long. 29° 80' W. The ship was then steered east- ward with strong northerly and westerly breezes, the ship often going fifteen or sixteen knots in the hour. On Monday, the 6th of Kovember, the ship ran the very large amount of 449 nautical miles in the twenty- four hours. After some calms and occasional gales from the eastward, which continued until the ship arrived on the 12th November in lat. 43° 48' S., long. 5° 8' E., she again obtained strong gales from the westward (this was evidently the westerly passage wind laid down in Lieutenant Maury's Sailing Direc- tions), which continued with the ship, with but slight intermissions, until she arrived in lat. 43° 3' S., long. 189° E., on the 10th December. On the 24th November, the ship was in lat. 45° 47' S., and long. 32° 6' E., and arrived, as before stated, on the 10th December, in long. 139° E., running the immense amount of 6,420 nautical miles in sixteen continuous days, thus averaging upwards of 400 miles per day. Taken as a whole, this voyage of the Flying-Scud appears to have been one of the most successful attempts at speedy naviga- tion accomplished by any vessel out of New York going eastward, since a due appreciation has been had of circular sailing, so beautifully and elaborately detailed by Lieut. Maury, United States Hydrographer. It was accomplished by the Flying-Scud under very considerable disadvantages, viz : she being two feet out of trim, having a very heavy deck load, and being extremely crank upon a side wind, which precluded the possibility of carrying the amount of sail that she was otherwise able to do. It should have "been noticed, that the Flying-Scud crossed the equator on Tuesday, 26th of October, in long. 32° 41' W. ; at the same time it should be remarked, that notwithstanding the compass appeared to have a true bearing in long. 139° E., lat. 42° 30' S., it again became deranged in long. 143°, lat. 41° 3' S. This time the varia- tion was 2 J points to the westward; and this variation has continued, and may still be observed on board the ship by any person desirous of observing the same. "Passage, 80 days." Signed, D. J. STEATFORD, Surgeon. im THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of the Ship Parana (F. B. Langston). From off St. Roque to Sydney, Australia. THER. 9 A. M. WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Currents. (Knots per liour.) Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. 1853 Dec. 10 7°16'S. 33°12'W. None 29.83 ;82° 81° E.S.E. E. by S. E. by S. 1110 05 83 41 None 29.84 82 . 81 S.E. bvE. E.S.E. E. S. E. 1212 31 33 01 None 29.84 81 81 E.S.E. East E. and E.N.E. 1315 22 31 33 None 29.87 83 81 E. by N. E.N.E. E.N.E. 1417 42 29 46 None 29.84 81 79 ■ E.N.E. N.E.byE. N.E. 1520 30 28 31 No observation 2^.80 79 78 North North North 1622 80 26 22 No observation ^29.77 78 77 N.N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. 17123 47 25 02 No observation 29.90 78 76 N. by W. North N.toW.S.W. 1823 55 24 06 None 29.94 78 77 S. W. & Calm Calm N.E. 1925 18 22 16 N. 24, E. 18 29.90 76 75 North N.N.W. N.N.W. 20 27 03 20 39 N. 10 29.80 74 78 N.N.W. j N.N.W. & ■ N.byE. N.N.W.& ■ s.s.w. N. by E. 21 _ 28 27 18 13 No observation 29.80 70 72 N. & N. by W. S. by W. 22 27 09 15 41 None 29.90 71 72 S.S.E. S.S.E.&Baffl. S.S.E. 23 28 40 16 18 None 80.04 71 73 S. E. by S. S.E. S.S.E. 24 31 41 15 16 None 29.90 70 66 E.S.E. &E. E.& E.N.E. j E.N.E. to 1 N.N.E. N.W. 25 34 30 13 48 None 29.80 78 64 North N.& N.N.W. 2636 51 12 29 None 29.65 64 61 N.W. West N.W.&N.N.W. 2738 16 9 08 None 29.84 57 55 AV.N.W. N.W. N. W. by W. 28'89 14 6 06 No observation 29.93 58 55 N. W. by W. North N.& N.N.E. 29 40 00 1 38 No observation 29.90 ;58 56 North North N. & N. by W. 80 40 12 2 43 E. None 29.82 56 53 N. by W. N. N. W. N. W. by N. .31 40 44 6 30 No observation 29.78 57 54 ■ N.W. W.N.W. N.W. 1854 Jan. 1 41 05 10 54 N. 40, in 2 days 29.54 57 59 N.W. N.N.W. N.W. 2 41 42 15 38 N.22,last24hrs. 29.52 54 58 / W. N.W. to \ W.S.W. West W.S.W. West 3 42 31 20 35 N. 19 29.54 50 55 West W.&W.N.W. 4 43 28 24 58 W. 9, in 24 hrs. 29.52 48 51 N.W. by N. N.W. W.N.W.&W. 5 44 18 29 45 N. 49, E. 14 29.46 153 49 W.&W.N.W. N.W.&N. North 6:45 06 84 16 None 29.02 49 45 N. by E. N.bvE.&N. N. W. & N. 745 06 38 52 N. 45, W. 17 29.08 46 48 North N.W. N.W. 8:44 36 43 80 N. 45, W. 22 29.35 42 43 N.W. W.N.W. West 9 44 58 48 36 No observation 29.43 46 41 West W. by S. N.W. 10 45 09 52 53 None 29.58 47 44 N.W. N.W. N. W. by N. 11 45 57 57 43 None 29.50 48 44 N.N. &N. N.N.E. N.N.E. 12 46 50 62 29 No observation 29.15 52 46 N. by E. N.N.E.&N.E. N.E.byE. 13 46 31 66 09 None 29.20 44 41 N. E. by E. N.N.E.&N. N. & N. by W. 14 46 41 79 53 None 29.36 44 42 N. &N.N.E. N.E.byN. N.W. 15 46 21 75 82 None 29.76 48 45 N.W. j N. W. & 1 N.N.W. N.& N.N.E. 16 46 29 80 38 None 29.76 49 45 N.& N.N.W. j N.N.W. \ &N.W. North N.W. 17 46 30 85 50 No observation 29.58 51 50 N. W. & N. North 18 46 23 90 07 None 29.66 49 46 North j N.N.W. \ &N.AV. North W.^S. w. 19 46 30 95 07 No observation 29.57 49 46 W. & N. W. N. N. W. 20 46 33 100 58 No observation 29.50 53 46 N. N. W. N. N. W. N. N. W. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 783 Ahstract Log of the Ship Parana — Continued. • THEB. 9 A. M. WI.NDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at uoon. Currents. (Knots per hour.) Bar. Air. Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Jan. 2146°36'S. 105°24'E. None 29.42 46° 46° / N. N. W. t & N. W. W. by S. W.byN. W. S. W. 2246 08 110 51 None 29.64 45 45 w.s.w. West 23 46 20 116 12 No observation'29.60 60 49 West W.&W.N.W. N.W. 2446 15 121 26 N.21,in48hrs.;29.50 50 49 N. W. by W. West West 25 46 32 126 23 None 29.41 '49 51 West West West 2646 30 131 17 No observation 29.25 151 51 West West N.W. 2746 25 136 44 None 29.32 52 51 W. by N. W. by N. W.byN. 2845 48 1 142 08 S. 54, W. 15 29.53 55 53 W.byk j W.N.W. 1 &N.W. N.W. 29 45 31 146 48 None 29.22 58 54 f N. W. & \ N.N.W. N. by W. N.byW. 80 48 31 150 21 None 29.50 59 62 N.N.W.&W. W.byN. j W.byN.& 1 W.N.W. N.W. 8142 46 152 19 None 29.20 64 62 North N. & N. W. Feb. 140 05 152 36 None 29.70 60 64 N.W. S.S.W. W.S.W. 238 19 152 32 None 29.84 65 65 West West W.&N.W. 3i37 26 153 01 None 29.80 69 69 N.W. N.N.W. N.N.W. 4 35 45 151 53 None 29.78 69 69 N.N.W. S. S. E. Baffl.S.&S.S.E. 5 S. S. E. S. S. E. S.S.E. Deo. 10. Commences with light wind and light passing cirro-cumulus clouds. 8 P. M. a fine breeze and cloudless sky. Midaight, a light breeze and light clouds. Ends with a moderate trade and light passing clouds. Dec. 11. Commences with a moderate breeze and light passing clouds. Midnight, weather the same, breeze freshening a little. Ends with a moderate breeze, a light squall gathering in eastern horizon. Deo. 12. Commences with light breeze and fine weather. 1 P. M. had a fresh asquall. 3.30 P. M. wind died away nearly calm, after a fresh squall with rain. 7 P. M. had a fresh squall with rain. 8 P. M. the breeze freshened at east, sky overhead perfectly clear, some cirro cumulus clouds in eastern horizon. Midnight, a light breeze and light passing cirro-cumulus clouds. 4 A. M. a few light squalls. Ends with a light breeze and light cin-o-cumulus clouds. Dec. 13. Commences with a light wind and light passing clouds. 1.30 P. M. spoke the barque Victory, of Baltimore, 46 days from Baltimore, bound to Monte Video ; the captain told me he had the winds from E. S. E. all throughout the region of the N. E. trades ; that he had to beat all the way to the line ; that he had to cross in 80° W., not being able to get as far east as he wanted. He has had the winds as I have had thfein, two or three voyages that I sailed in October. Middle and latter parts, a fresh breeze and light passing clouds. ■ Dec. 14. Commences with a fresh breeze and light passing clouds. Midnight, a fresh breeze and hazy weather. Ends with light breeze and hazy weather. Dec. 15. Commences with moderate breeze and slightly smoky weather. Midnight, a moderate breeze 784 THE WIND AND CDKBENT CHARTS. and hazy weather. Daylight, a fresh breeze and smoky weather ; clouds gathering to the westward. 10 A. M. squally with spits of rain. Ends with a strong breeze and squalls with rain. Dec. 16. Commences with fresh gale, squalls and heavy rain ; saw large numbers of birds. 6 P. M. heavy rain. 8 P. M. clouds breaking away and breeze freshening, clouds passing from various directions. Midnight, a fresh breeze and cloudy weather. 4 A. M. a light breeze and misty showers. Ends with a light wind and misty showers with overcast weather. Dec. 17. Commences with light breeze, squalls and thick of rain. Sundown, clear to the west, with heavy nimbus clouds to the eastward, and misty rain over the ship. 7 P. M. lightning to the north, with two or three claps of thunder, appearance of heavy squall; took in all the light sails; the cloud rose up overhead and then dispersed, leaving us with very little wind. 10 P. M. had all sail on the ship again. Midnight, a light wind with passing showers of rain ; \ipper clouds passing rapidly from the west. Sunrise, wind light and variable with heavy showers of rain. 10 A. M. wind hauled to W. S. "W. Ends with a light breeze and rain. Dec. 18. Commences with light breeze and rain. Middle part, calm and overcast. 4 A. M. took a light air from the N. E. Ends with a light air and hazy. There must be more variation to the west here than laid down on charts, or else my compasses vary more ; overhauled all around the binnacle, but can find nothing to attract them ; my binnacle is a single one ; but having tried another compass farther forward, and the tell-tale in the skylight, all agree. Dec. 19. Commences with light winds and light passing clouds. Sundown, a light breeze and light smoky clouds to the "W. and S. W. Midnight, a light breeze and light clouds. Daylight, breeze freshened. Ends with a moderate breeze and light clouds. Dec. 20. Commences with light breeze and light passing smoky clouds. 8 P. M. not a cloud above the horizon ; sea very smooth. 11 P. M. the wind hauled to N. by E. and freshened. Midnight, a moderate breeze and light passing clouds. Ends with a fresh breeze, and weather slightly smoky. Dec. 21. Commences with fresh breeze and overcast weather; rain clouds gathering to the S. W. 4 P. M. commenced raining and wind hauled to the west of north ; furled the skysail. 5.30 P. M. jibed ship. 8 P. M. squally with rain ; furled royals, took in topgallant studding-sails. 10 P. M. had two flashes of lightning to the southward, after which the wind hauled to S. S. W.; took in the topmast studding- sail and braced up. Midnight, a moderate breeze and overcast cloudy weather. Dec. 22. Commences with a moderate breeze and overcast weather. This evening noticed the first long westerly swell we have had this passage S. of equator. .Sundown, wind blowing in varying puffs as a northerly wind on the coast of the United States ; clear to westward and eastward. Midnight, a moderate, variable breeze and cloudy; all sail set by the wind. Ends with a light baffling wind and light cirrus clouds; a long southwesterly swell. In comparing, find I have been on the wrong tack; but it has been one of those winds that a ship can do nothing on one tack and less on the other, and I have happened to hit the worst one ; I am likewise now confident that either the variation is greater or my compasses show EOUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 785 more. The ship was heading up E. by S. part of the time, and off in flaws to E. J N. I judged she would have made at least an east course by compass good, instead of which she has made N.E. by E. true. Dec. 23. Commences with light breeze and light cirro-cumulus clouds; tacked to southward. Midnight, light airs and light clouds. Daylight, breeze freshening a little. Ends with a light breeze and light cirrus clouds coming from the west. Dec. 24. Commences with moderate breeze hauling to eastward, and light passing clouds. At 4 P. M. set the larboard foretopmast studding-sail. Sundown, clouds gathering to the S. W. ; some of those small mackerel rain clouds to the south. Midnight, a fresh breeze and overcast with a kind of smoky clouds. 2 A. M , wind hauling more north, set all the larboard studding-sails. 4 A. M. a fresh breeze and hazy weather. Ends with a fresh breeze and overcast misty weather ; a ship on our lee bow, steering the same way. Dec. 25. Commences with a fresh breeze and overcast misty weather. 2.30 P. M. came up with and spoke British ship Lydia, of and from Liverpool bound to Ceylon, 45 days out. Sundown, the fog cleared off to the westward, sky through the fog looking mild. 7.30 P. M. water, 65° ; air, 68° ; water having the appearance of being on deep soundings. Midnight, a strong breeze and dark overcast misty weather, jibed ship and took in all but the foretopmast studding-sails. 2 A. M. had a heavy shower of rain. 4 A. M. thick fog. 6 A. M. cleared off some, made all sail before the wind. During the forenoon sometimes foggy, at others, the sun shone through. Ends with a fresh breeze and some fog clouds to southward and westward. Dec. 26. Commences with a fine breeze and some fog clouds to southward and westward, some cirro- stratus clouds aloft. 4 P. M. wind died away and set in thick fog. 8 P. M. light wind and thick fog with misty rain. Midnight, the same. 4 A. M. the breeze freshening with thick fog. 10 A. M. sua broke through the fog, got a sight for chronometer. From 11.30 to noon sun broke through the fog ; got the latitude, after which it set in thick fog. Ends with a fresh breeze and thick fog. Dec. 27. Commences with a fresh breeze and thick fog. 1 P. M. the fog lifted; made the island of Tristan D'Acunha, bearing S. S. E., the west end; passed to the northward and eastward of it; find my chronometer true ; passed several patches of kelp to the east of the island. 7 P. M. passed two barques and one ship on the wind, whalers. Midnight, a fresh breeze and clear. 11.30 A. M. saw two right whales. Ends with a fresh breeze and perfectly clear, not a cloud above the horizon. Dec. 28. Commences with moderate breeze and clear weather ; all sail set; some long westerly swell. Sundown, a light wind and some smoky stratus clouds to the westward, 8 P, M. wind light and hauling to the northward; jibed ship, took in the starboard studding sails; fresh breeze and cloudy. 7 A. M. canting to eastward ; took in the lower and maintopmast studding sails. During the forenoon saw great numbers of small gray gulls. Ends with a thick fog and misty rain ; breeze fresh. Dec. 29. Commences with a fresh breeze and thick fog with misty rain. 1.30 P. M. fresh flaws ; furled the skysail and took in fore-topgallant studding-sail ; passed considerable kelpj some large bunches and a great deal of detached particles. 4 P. M. wind hauling more north; set the lower and main topmast stud- ding-sails. 8 P. M. a fresh breeze and thick of rain. Midnight, a fresh breeze, thick fog with misty rain. 4 A. M. weather the same; set the skysail and royal studding-sail. Ends with thick fog and motlerate breeze. 99 786 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Dec. 30. Commences with moderate breeze and thick fog, all sail set. 7.30 P. M. fog cleared off from the water. 10 P. M. water very phosphoric ; took in the royal studding-sail and skysail. Midnight, a fresh breeze and thick fog. 4 A. M. weather the same. 10 A. M. fog lifted a little so that I got a sight of the sun. At noon the fog cleared a little, got an indifferent observation for latitude. Dec. 31. Commences with fresh breeze and thick fog, all sail set. 8 P. M. thick foggy weather; took in the royal studding-sail. 10 P. M. jibed ship, took in the larboard and set the starboard studding-sails. Midnight, a moderate breeze and thick foggy weather. 2 A. M. wind hauled to N. W. again ; jibed and set the starboard studding-sails. 4 A. M. thick fog and moderate breeze. Ends with moderate breeze, thick foggy weather and smooth sea. So ends 1853 in these parts. Jan. 1, 1854. Commences with a moderate breeze, thick fog and a smooth sea. At 1 P. M. the fog cleared away, giving us a glimpse of a most splendid blue sky. 4 P. M. set in thick fog again ; air, 57° ; water, 54°. 8 A. M. air, 57° ; water, 55°. Midnight, a fresh breeze and fog. 3 P. M. breeze freshening; took in the royals and main topmast studding-sail. 4 A. M. air, 57° ; water, 56°. 8.80 A. M. breeze increasing and hauling more west ; took in fore and mizzen royal, spanker and crossjack. Ends with a fresh gale and passing clouds ; took in main royals and all studding-sails. Jan. 2. Commences with a fresh gale and overcast cloudy weather. 3 P. M. heavy squalls ; took in all the light sails and double-reefed the topsails. 4 P. M. air, 58° ; water, 48°. 7 P. M. more moderate; set topgallant sails and shook out all reefs, set jib and mainsail. 8 P. M. air, 56° ; water, 50°. Midnight, a strong breeze and overcast cloudy weather. 4 A. M. squally ; put a single reef in ; air, 52° ; water, 58°. 8 A. M. more moderate ; shook out all reefs ; set main royal. Ends with a strong breeze and flaws ; furled the royals and spanker; air, 55°; water, 55°. Jan. 3. Commences with a strong breeze and passing clouds; saw great numbers of small birds somewhat similar to the small birds seen along the northeastern edge of the Gulf Stream. 2 P. M. water, 54°. 4 P.M. set the main royal, lower studding-sail and spanker; air, 52°; water, 50°. Sundown, had a few light squalls. 8 P. M. a strong breeze and passing clouds ; air, 49° ; water, 50°. Midnight, a strong breeze and fresh squalls. Daylight, weather the same, with spits of rain. 4 A. M. air, 49° ; water, 53°. 8 A. M. set fore and mizzen royal and topgallant studding-sails. At noon, had some light rain squalls which hauled the wind to westward a little ; saw some black winged gulls, same as seen near the islands in South Atlantic ; air, 50° ; water, 58°. Jan. 4. Commences with a fresh breeze and squalls with showers of rain. 2 P. M. air, 52° ; water, 59°. 4 P. M. air, 52° ; water, 59° ; had a fresh squall with rain ; furled fore and mizzen royals ; after the squall the mercury dropped fast, say 29.50 and falling. 6 P. M. barometer, 29.48. 7.30 P. M. had a violent squall from N. W. with rain ; took in all the light sails and single-reefed the topsails ; barometer, 29.44; air, 50°; water, 58°. Midnight, a strong breeze and squalls. 4 A. M. hard squalls; air, 51°; water, 53°. 6 A. M. more moderate; shook out the reefs, set main royal, fore topmast and lower studding-sails. Ends with a strong breeze and squalls ; at noon, got the southern edge of a heavy hail squall ; air, 46° ; water, 49°. ROUTES FROM KUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 787 Jan. 5. Commences witli a fresh breeze and squalls. 2 P. M. light squall, after which cleared off beautifully ; made all sail. 4 P. M. air, 52° ; water, 49°. 8 P. M. light winds hauling to the northward ; a bank of clouds up from the westward ; air, 46° ; water, 48°. Midnight, overcast rainy weather. 4 A. M. weather cleared off a little ; barometer, 29.42 ; air, 49° ; water, 48°. 10 A. M. fresh squalls, overcast weather. Ends with a fresh breeze ; more dear overhead, but still heavy and angry appearance to the W. S. W.; barometer, 29.37 ; air, 53° ; water, 49°. Jan. 6. Commences with a fresh gale and passing clouds with smoky weather. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.28, falling ; air, 54° ; water, 46°. 7 P. M. passed a piece of kelp, longer and larger leaf than seen before ; saw several small birds of the clerice [?] species; saw a whale; the water having much the appearance of being on soundings. 8 P. M. air, 52° ; water, 46°. Midnight, fresh gale and rain ; reefed topsails and furled mainsail ; barometer, 29.15, falling. 2 A. M. wind hauled to N. W. and moderate with squally appearance. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.05 ; air, 52° ; water, 45°. 7 A. M. wind hauled to W. again and freshened a little, with rain. 10 A. M. began to clear off to the west. Ends moderate, with blue streak to the west ; cloudy to the eastward; barometer, 29.00; air, 48° ; water, 45°. Jan. 7. Moderate breeze, clear to westward, cloudy to northward. 3 P. M. light squalls, after which weather cleared off some. 4 P. M. air, 50° ; water, 44°. 8 P. M. barometer, 28.95 ; air, 46° ; water, 44° ; furled mainsail, took in fore-topmast studding-sail. 9 P. M. bad looking squall from the westward. Mid- night, strong gale with hail squalls ; furled topgallant sails ; barometer, 28.95. 4 A. M. 29.00, rising ; air, 46° ; water, 53° ; squalls less violent. 6 A. M. set main topgallant sail. Ends fresh gale and passing clouds; saw a great many albatrosses and those small slate colored birds; passed three small bunches of kelp; barometer, 29.12 ; air, 48°; water, 48°. Jan 8. Moderate gale and smoky clouds ; light sails set ; passed kelp. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.15, rising; air, 46°; water, 44°. 7 P. M. wind hauling a little to westward in squalls. 8. P. M. fresh squall with rain ; in light sails and mainsail. IIP. M. breeze more steady. Midnight, fresh breeze and clear atmosphere ; squalls occasional. Sunrise, frequent hard squalls with hail and snow ; between squalls air remarkably clear and dry; everything turning white from drought. 4 A. M. air, 45° ; water, 43°. 11 A. M. fresh squall with hail. Ends fresh breeze and light passing clouds; squalls to the southwestward; kelp; air, 43° ; water, 43°. Jan. 9. Strong breeze and light squalls ; all light sail set. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.48 ; air, 44° ; water, 43° ; passed kelp. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.48 ; air, 44° ; water, 43° ; hard squall, with hail and rain ; after- wards, wind continued steady at its old quarter, with cloudy sky. Midnight, moderate and overcast. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.48 ; air, 44° ; water, 42° ; wind hauling to northward ; overcast and misty. 9 A. M. breezes freshening ; shortened sail to it. Ends fresh gale ; misty fog ; barometer, 29.43 ; air, 46° ; water, 42°. Jan. 10. Fresh gale ; overcast, misty weather. 1 P. M. single-reefed topsails ; passed much kelp in long, narrow, ribbon-like pieces. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.48 ; air, 46° ; water, 42°; moderating, out reefs and made sail. Middle, moderate and overcast. 4 A.M. made all sail; barometer, 29.55; air, 44°; water, 42°. 6 A. M. wind inclining more northward. 9 A. M. clear, blue sky ; passed quantities of kelp. Ends moderate and hazy ; passing clouds ; barometer, 29.62 ; air, 48° ; water, 43°. 788 THE WIND AND (JUKKENT ClIAKTS. Jan. 11. Moderate; slightly foggy; steady fog clouds around the horizon; sky rather overcast. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.62 ; air, 46° ; water, 40° ; passed kelp ; birds very few. 6 P. M. raining. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.62; air, 46° ; water, 40°; thick rain; passed kelp like tufts of Brah [?] grass, all but color; wind hauling to eastward. Midnight, strong breeze and thick rain. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.55° ; air, 48° ; water, 43° ; thick rain. 7 A. M. cleared off. Ends strong breeze, and a few cirro-stratus clouds overhead; fog bank to the eastward and westward ; barometer, 29.50 ; air, 50° ; water, 44°. Jan. 12. Strong breeze ; smoky weather ; fog bank in the eastward cleared off. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.50 ; air, 52° ; water, 46° ; bank in west came up in a series of light, smoky cirrus clouds ; passed kelp of a new kind, like leaves of cactus. At sundown the light cirrus closed overhead, leaving a clear place to the N. N. E. ; breeze died away. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.50 ; air, 50° ; water, 46°. 10 P. M. wind hauled to N. E., and freshened. Midnight, strong breezes, and overcast. 4 A. M. wind hauled more E. ; barometer, 29.34 ; air, 49° ; water, 45°. 8 A. M. barometer, 29.24, falling fast ; a fresh gale; double-reefed topsails. Ends with a hard gale; thick fog; barometer, 29.08; air, 52° ; water, 46°. Jan. 13. Fresh gale ; thick fog. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.00, falling ; air, 52° ; water, 45° ; wind dying away, with thick, foggy weather ; one reef out of maintopsail, and set main topgallant sail. 8 P. M. barometer, 28.98 ; air, 50° ; water, 44°. 11 P. M. wind hauling westerly ; moderates ; make sail. Midnight, light breezes; overcast. 3 A. M. fog cleared ofi". 4 A. M. barometer, 29.00 ; air, 44°; water, 40°. During morning, weather variable, sea smooth. At noon, clear and moderate ; few cirrus clouds overhead ; clear, blue sky to south westward ; saw kelp; barometer, 29.26; air, 45°; water, 41°. Jan. 14. Light breeze and light cirrus clouds. 2 P. M. saw three long-neck divers. 4 P. M. moderate and clear; barometer, 29.36 ; air, 48° ; water, 41°. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.36 ; air, 48°; water, 44°. 9 P. M. freshens, and hauling east. Midnight, breeze freshening, with light cirrus and smoky clouds coming from westward; single- reefed topsails, furled fore topgallant sail; barometer, 29.20, falling fast. 2 A.M. furled mainsail. 4 A. M. strong gale, hard squalls, heavy rain; barometer, 29.10; reduced sail to double-reefed topsails ; wind hauling to westward in squalls ; after the wind got W. N. W., barometer began to rise fast, and the squalls cleared off. 6 A. M. shook a reef out of the maintopsail, set main topgallant sail. 8 A. M. out all reefs, made sail. Ends with a fresh gale ; clear weather ; barometer, 29.50 ; air, 45° ; water, 43° ; saw a whale. Jan. 15. Fresh gale and clear weather ; small piece of kelp, first seen in two days ; very dry. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.62 ; air, 45° ; water, 43°. 8 P. M. fresh, and not a cloud ; barometer, 29.68 ; air, 44° ; water, 42° ; moderating. Midnight, light breeze and passing clouds. 4 A. M. wind hauling gradually to the north- ward ; barometer, 29.74 ; air, 45° ; water, 45°. 8 A. M. wind hauling to eastward, freshening and smoky ; kelp. Ends with a fresh breeze, and few light cirrus clouds ; barometer, 29.80 ; air, 51° ; water, 46°. Jan. 16. Fresh breeze, and slightly smoky weather. 2 P. M. a fresh squall, with slight rain ; wind hauling to westward again. 4 P.M. fresh breeze, with flaws; barometer, 29.78; air, 50° ; water, 46°. 7 P. M. wind freshening in flaws. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.68 ; air, 50° ; water, 46° ; fresh gales ; clear over- head ; hazy at the horizon ; furled topgallant sails. Midnight, blowing hard in squalls, with rain ; furled ROUTES FBOM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 789 mainsail, double-reefed topsails. 2 A. M. hard squall ; wind moderates. 8 A. M. all sail set again ; moderate and hazy. Ends light breezes ; clear overhead, hazy at the horizon ; barometer, 29.80 ; air, 50° ; water, 43°. Jan. 17. Light winds, and a few light cirro-stratus clouds. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.77 ; air, 52° ; water 44° ; wind hauling to northward ; fog bank to northward ; slightly hazy. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.78 ; air, 48°; water, 44° ; thick fog, misty rain. Midnight, thick fog, misty rain. 3 A. M. breeze increasing; misty rain. 4 A. M. fresh breeze and cloudy ; less fog ; barometer, 29.68 ; air, 50° ; water, 49°. Ends strong breeze ; overcast, misty weather ; barometer, 29.50, falling ; air, 53° ; water, 50°. Jan. 18. Strong breeze and misty rain. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.44 ; air, 54° ; water, 50°. 6 P. M. wind hauled to westward after a shower of rain, and moderated. 8 P. M. thick fog, with misty rain ; barometer, 29.40 ; air, 52° ; water, 46°. Midnight, light wind, thick fog. 2 A. M. wind hauled "W. S. W. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.60 ; air, 49° ; water, 46°. Ends light wind, and light cirro-stratus clouds ; some smoky clouds to the westward ; barometer, 29.70 ; air, 51° ; water, 46°. Jan. 19. Light air, and some cirro-stratus clouds. Ih. 30 min. P. M. wind hauled to northward of west. 4 P. M. air, 50° ; water, 47°. At 8 P. M. breeze freshening ; barometer, 29.76; air, 48° ; water, 47°. Midnight, strong breezes and overcast. 2 A. M. breeze increasing. 4 A. M. strong breeze ; thick fog ; barometer, 29.60 ; air, 48° ; water, 47° ; some kelp. Ends strong breeze ; thick fog ; barometer, 29.58 ; air, 52° ; water, 46°. Jan. 20. Strong breeze and thick fog ; passed two pieces of kelp ; barometer, 29.58 ; air, 52° ; water, 46°. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.58 ; air, 50° ; water, 46° ; fresh breeze ; thick fog. Midnight, strong breeze ; thick fog. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.52 ; air, 52° ; water, 46° ; saw large number of small, short-necked, long- winged, dark-colored gulls. 10 A. M. saw porpoises, with white streaks on their sides; saw kelp. Ends a strong breeze, and thick fog ; fewer birds ; barometer, 29.47 ; air, 53° ; water, 45°. Jan. 21. Commences with a strong breeze, thick fog, and misty rain. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.47; air, 49° to 46° ; wind dying away, and hauling to the westward. 6 P. M. jibed ship, and made sail ; passed several patches of kelp. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.46 ; air, 45° ; water, 46°. Midnight, moderate breezes, and rainy. 2 A. M. wind hauled to W. S. "W., and cleared off. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.42 ; air, 45° ; water, 46° ; fresh breeze and frequent squalls, with hail and rain ; passed several pieces of kelp of various kinds during the morning; some small birds and one albatross in company. Ends strong breeze and passing clouds, with an occasional squall — fresh; barometer, 29.43 ; air, 46°; water, 46°. Jan. 22. Commences with a fine breeze and passing clouds. 4 P. M. a fresh hail squall ; barometer, 29.48 ; air, 46° ; water, 49°. 8 P. M. fresh squalls, accompanied with hail and rain ; barometer, 29.52 ; air 44° ; water, 52°. Midnight, a strong breeze and hard squalls, with hail and rain ; between the squalls, faint auroras to the southward. 4 A. M. wind and weather the same ; barometer, 29.60 ; air, 46° ; water, 46° ; set all sail; during the morning, great numbers of birds, some albatrosses, some large black birds, and great numbers of those short-necked and winged gulls. Ends with a steady, strong breeze; squalls clearing away ; some passing clouds ; barometer, 29.64 ; air, 44° ; water, 45°. Jan. 23. Commences with a strong breeze and passing clouds. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.70; air, 47°; 790 THE WIND AND CUERENT CHARTS. water 47°- breeze moderating. Midniglit, a fresh breeze and ligtt squalls, with spits of rain; wind hauling gradually to the northward. 4 A. M. jibed ship ; barometer, 29.62 ; air, 48° ; water, 42° ; no birds. 10 A. M. breeze increasing; passed several pieces of kelp. Ends with a fresh gale and rain; barometer, at noon, 29.57 ; air, 50° ; water, 49°. Jan. 24. Commences with a fresh gale and rain. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.47 ; air, 49° ; water, 49° ; passed several pieces of kelp. At 8 P. M. wind moderating, and hauling to the west, with thick, misty rain; barometer, 29.44 ; air, 50° ; water, 52° ; jibed ship ; weather looking bad. Midnight, strong breeze and cloudy weather. 4 A. M. more moderate ; made all sail ; barometer, 29.50 ; air, 50° ; water, 50° ; passed several pieces of kelp ; a few birds. Ends with fresh breeze and light, passing clouds. Jan. 25. Commences with a fresh breeze Aud passing clouds ; a bank of clouds to the southward and westward. 3 P. M. had a fresh squall, with rain. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.47 ; air, 50° ; water, 50°. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.45 ; air, 50° ; water, 50°. 9 P. M. fresh squalls, with rain. Midnight, barometer, 29.38 ; a strong breeze, with hard squalls and rain ; dark, overcast weather. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.40 ; air, 48°; water, 50° ; passed several large patches of kelp ; some albatrosses in company. Ends with a strong breeze and passing clouds; barometer, 29.42; air, 49°; water, 51°. Jan. 26. Commences with a fresh gale and squalls, with light spits of rain. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.45 ; air, 50° ; water, 50° ; passed several pieces of kelp. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.44 ; air, 50° ; water, 51°. Mid- night, light winds and cloudy weather. 2 A. M. wind hauled to N. W. and freshened ; jibed ship. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.35; air, 51°; water, 51°; a strong breeze and overcast weather ; a bank of clouds to the westward. 6 A. M. set in thick with misty rain. During the morning, passed several pieces of kelp of various kinds ; some like bunches of comb-grass [?] ; some round-leaved ; some like long round stalks. Ends with a strong breeze and overcast, misty weather ; barometer, 29.21 ; air, 52° ; water, 51°. Jan. 27. Commences with a strong breeze and misty rain. 8 P. M. the wind hauled more west, moderated, and cleared off the mist. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.23 ; air, 52° ; water, 50°. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.30; air, 51°; water, 50°. Midnight, strong breezes and cloudy weather. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.25 ; air, 51° ; water, 51°. 6 A. M. spoke British barque Stanley, of and from London, November 1, bound to New Zealand. Ends with a strong breeze; clear overhead; some light smoky clouds to the westward; baro- meter, 29.36; air, 55°; water, 51°. Jan. 28. Commences with a strong breeze and slightly smoky weather. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.38; air, 54°; water, 53°. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.40: air, 52°; water, 53°; a strong breeze, and lightly overcast weather ; wind inclining to the northward. Midnight, strong breeze and cloudy weather. 4 A. M. more moderate ; set all sail ; barometer, 29.50 ; air, 53°; water, 53°. Ends with a strong breeze and slightly smoky weather ; barometer, 29.57 ; air, 57° ; water, 54°. Jan. 29. Commences with moderate breeze and slightly hazy weather; a bank of clouds to the west- ward. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.54 ; air, 56° ; water, 54°. 6 P. M. wind flawy and hauling to the westward. 7 P. M. saw some porpoises. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.52 ; air, 56° ; water, 54°. Midnight, a fresh gale and rainy ; double-reefed the topsails. 4 A. M. gale increasing ; barometer, 29.30 ; air, 56° ; water, 55°. At ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 791 8 A. M. more moderate, with a heavy bank of clouds to the westward. Ends with a strong breeze, and partially overcast ; made sail ; sea smooth ; barometer, 29.22 ; air, 59° ; water, 54°. Jan. 30. Commences with a strong breeze and overcast weather. 2 P. M. commenced raining ; wind squally. At 3 P. M. in a hard squall with rain, wind hauled suddenly to S. W^ and finally settled at W. by N., with a strong breeze and cloudy weather. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.25 ; air, 56° ; water, 56° ; considerable head sea. 8 P. M. barometer, 29.25 ; air, 56°; water, 56°; cloudy threatening weather ; lightning to the eastward. Midnight, strong breeze and passing clouds; head sea. 4 A.M. barometer, 29.40; air, 57°; water, 58°. 6 A.M. more moderate; made all sail. 8 A.M. water, 62°; 9, 62°; 10, 62°; 11, 61°; 12, 60°. Ends with a light wind and fine weather ; some very light cirro-stratus clouds to the eastward ; barometer, 29,54 ; air, 60°. Jan. 81. Commences with a light wind and clear weather. 1 P. M. wind backing to the northward ; braced sharp on a wind; passing several bunches and pieces of kelp. "Water, at 1, 62°; 2, 63°; 3, 63° ; 4, 63° ; 5, 60° ; 6, 60° ; 7, 60°. 4 P. M. breeze freshening and blowing in puffs. 8 P.M. barometer, 29.40; air, 60° ; water, 60° ; blowing hard in gusts ; furled all the light sails, and double-reefed the topsails; wore to the N. W. 11 P. M. wind gusty with light smoky clouds, and hauling back to N. W.; wore to N.N.E. Midnight, a fresh gale and cloudy. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.22 ; air, 60° ; water, 60° ; a strong gale and lightly overcast. 6 A. M. gale increasing, with a heavy sea. Ends with a moderating gale and highly overcast weather ; a heavy bank of clouds to the southward ; barometer, 29.25 ; air, 66° ; Vater, 62°. Feb. 1. Commences with a moderating breeze and overcast with smoky cirrus clouds. At 4 P.M. the wind hauled to the westward and cleared off; barometer, 29.26 ; air, 66° ; water, 62°. At 6 P. M., after a hard squall, the wind hauled to S. S. "W.; after which, barometer commenced rising fast. 8 P. M. squally with rain; barometer, 29.40; air, 60°; water, 62°. At 10 P.M. had a very heavy squall with rain. Midnight, a strong breeze and cloudy weather. 4 A. M. breeze moderating ; barometer, 29.64 ; air, 60° ; water, 63°. During the morning made all sail. Ends with a very light air and a few light clouds ; baro- meter, 29.77 ; air, 62°; water, 64°. Feb. 2. Commences with a light air and clear weather. 4 P.M. barometer, 29.80; air, 64°; water, 64°. 8 P.M. barometer, 29.80; air, 60°; water, 64°. Midnight, a light breeze and passing clouds; baro- meter, 29.84; air, 62°; water, 64°. Ends nearly calm, wind inclining to the northward; barometer, 29.84; air, tO° ; water, 68°. Feb. 3. Commences with a light air and fine weather. 4 P. M. tacked to the westward ; barometer, 29.84; air, 68°; water, 68°. 8 P. M. clear; barometer, 29.84; air, 64°; water, 66°. Midnight, a fresh breeze and fine weather ; tacked to the northward and eastward. 4 A. M. barometer, 29.80 ; air, 65° ; water, 66°. 8 A. M. breeze dying away and bafSing. Ends with a light wind and passing clouds ; tacked to westward ; barometer, 29.80 ; air, 74° ; water, 69°. Feb. 4. Commences with light airs and clear weather. 4 P. M. barometer, 29.74 ; air, 70° ; water, 68° ; light airs with a glim appearance to the westward. At sundown, a bad looking squall gathering to the southward ; took in all the light sails. 7.30 P. M. took the wind from S. E. ; moderate squall, scatter- 792 THE WIND AliD CUKRENT CHARTS, ino- and leaving us witb dark overcast weather ; spits of rain. Midnight, a light wind, and dark rainy weather. 4 A. M. it fell flat calm, raining in torrents; barometer, 29.74; air, 67°; water, 69°; caught a light breeze from the S. W. and the weather began to clear off. Ends moderate and fine. Feb. 5. Commences with a fresh breeze and passing clouds. Tried the water every hour : it stood regular at 69°, all the way in as far as I stood. Could see no indication of current. 4.30 P. M. made Per- pendicular Cliff, bearing N. W. by W. 7.15 P. M. Perpendicular Cliff, S. S. W. ; the Nipple, W. i N. Mid- night, moderate and clear ; shortened sail for daylight. 1.30 A. M. made Port Jackson light. Under easy sail till daylight. 5 A. M. passed the Heads and took a pilot from boat No. 4. Worked in and anchored. Ends with a fresh breeze and rain squalls. At 6.30 A. M, anchored in Port Jackson, south of Pinchgut Island. When I was in England, two years ago, I expressed, before the merchants of Liverpool and London, the opinion that the average passage under canvas to Australia might be so shortened for ships from all north Atlantic ports as to make it a month less than the average by the old or admiralty route. Some of the ships in this trade, and especially some that sailed out of Liverpool, had already, under the advice of Mr, Towson, of that port, commenced to leave the admiralty route, and to go farther south in search of a shorter one ; but what I proposed, was to find a route which, taking winds and distance both into the account, would give the shortest attainable average ; and I urged that, all that was necessary for such an achievement was a better knowledge of the winds and currents by Jhe way. And as for the passage home, that admitted of a still greater reduction on the average upon the admiralty route, which recom- mends vessels homeward bound to return, via the Cape of Good Hope instead of Cape Horn. The homeward route of the admiralty {via Cape of Good Hope) may now be considered to be practically abandoned, for I have not received the log-book of a single American vessel that has attempted it : they all come by the way of Cape Horn. And, in former editions of this work, the prediction was ventured that that part of the route, viz : from Australia to the meridian of the Cape, would, when it came to be rightly understood and properly followed, be made under canvas within 25 days. It has, during the last year, been accomplished in less time. I asked the merchants, ship owners and masters, of England, for their co-operation to aid in the collec- tion of the information requisite to the fulfilment of this promise ; for their ships as they pass to and fro might " as well as not" make the preliminary observations by which we hope to be enabled to lift up, as it were, that land of gold and set it down, for all the purposes of commerce, one month nearer to the cities and marts of the realm than it had been. The people seemed to lend a favorable ear, and the government has promised a generous and hearty co-operation also. Navigators have not yet made themselves fully acquainted with the new route, nor has there been time yet for them to do so, or for it to be generally adopted; but, even by a partial adoption only, the promise has been well nigh fulfilled. I have before me a list of vessels that arrived at Port Philip, from European and North American ports, between December 31, 1853, and July 7, 1854. This list was sent me by Captain A. D. Wood, of the Avondale, who, speaking of the vessels therein mentioned, says : " They were ROUTES PROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 793 taken from a file of papers in which some numbers were deficient ; but, of the 362 vessels arrived up to the 7th July, inclusive, we have — "40 vessels, or 11 per cent., who have made the passage in 90 days and less, "80 vessels, or 22 per cent., including the 40 above, who have made the passage in 100 days and less. "Average passage of the whole 862, 124 days (nearly). " 63 vessels, or 17.4 per cent., have taken 150 days and over. " 8 vessels, or 2.2 per cent., have taken 200 days and over (to 328). " This is but a sorry picture of the state of navigation, and in many instances, I believe, the passages are understated. With proper attention to the Charts and Directions and Great Circle Sailing, the longest passage of the dullest sailer ought to be less than 150 days. While such ships as the Red Jacket, Guiding Star, &c., which profess to sail 17 to 18 knots, should now and then make it in 60 days. "A. D. W." Of these vessels, 236 were English, 41 American, 29 Dutch, and 8 French. About 10 per cent, of the whole are known to have had the Wind and Current Charts on board. But as it is not known that all of them took the new route, no attempt has been made to separate their passages from the rest. Were they to be separated, the average for. the old or admiralty route would probably be a day or two greater than it is by this showing ; but, taking them all, their average is in even numbers, 124 days. Now, refer- ring to the table {Orossings to Australia), for those vessels that have either taken the new route, or attempted a middle course between that recommended by the admiralty and that recommended in the Sailing Direc- tions, and taking the average of these passages so far, we find it 98 days, or 26 less than the other : thus fulfilling very nearly the conditions both of promise and prediction. Both from America and Europe the sailing route to Australia, as far as the calms of Capricorn, is perfectly understood ; for as far as those calms it is the route around Cape Horn, and it is the route also around the Cape of Good Hope. The saving already effected for this part of the route from the United States is on the average ten days. With the assistance of navigators in the Australian trade, I hope to reduce still further the average of the passage, as it now is, for the vessels of all nations to that land of gold. A vast gain of time in that voyage is, in the end, to be made upon the admiralty route. At the last meeting of the British Association, it was stated by a distinguished gentleman from Bombay that, where he came from, it was estimated that a set of charts and sailing directions for the Eastern Seas, based upon the principles of these, would produce an annual saving to British commerce that would be equivalent to a gain of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 (£250,000 to £500,000). At first, I thought this an over-estimate as to the saving they would eftect, even for the whole world, in all parts of the ocean. I thought this, because I had never computed the rate per ton per day that shippers usually pay for freight across the high seas. 100 79^ THE WIND AND CUBRBNT CHARTS. Between Europe and the United States, the average time both ways, from all ports, is about 40 days; and the average freight about $5 the ton, or twelve and a half cents per ton per day. From the United States to Eio, the average time is about 45 days, at an average freight $8 the ton, which is at the rate of 17.7 cents the ton per day. From the United States and Europe to Australia, the average passage without the Charts is 124 days, and the average freight about $25, or 20 cents the ton per day. With the Charts it is 98 days. To Cali- fornia, the freight ranges from $25 to $30 the ton, with an average passage of 133 days. This also gives an average rate of freight of from 18 to 22 cents per ton per day. To be within the mark, let us assume the average rate of freight per ton per day, under canvas, on these distant voyages, to be 15 cents, and the average size of the vessels in that trade to be only 500 tons (it is really about 700). The saving to be effected thereby, to vessels co-operating in this system of research, at 15 cents per ton per day for ten days, will be on the average at the rate of §750 for each vessel of 500 tons, whose passage these Charts may shorten. Supposing, therefore, that 150 vessels only per month, or 1,800 per year of all flags, go from the ports of the North Atlantic Ocean to Australia, it appears that the amount to be saved here is even greater than the estimated amount for the Indian Ocean. The United States alone, therefore, are not the only nation that is interested in the results of these investigations. All who use the sea are interested in them alike. But the Secretary of the Navy, the Hon. J. C. Dobbin, has, on the part of the United States, with the view of enlisting the most extensive co-operation in this common plan for the common good, authorized all shipmasters that navigate the sea under friendly flags, to be placed upon the same footing, with regard to the Wind and Current Charts, which American shipmasters occupy. That is, any merchant captain, whatever be the flag he sails under, who will agree to keep and furnish an abstract log, of every voyage, according to the form prescribed at pp. 191^, and on the terras set forth before the Brussels Conference, will be furnished therefor with a copy of these Sailing Directions, and of such sheets of the Charts as relate to his cruising ground. Therefore, before applying for the Charts, each master should furnish himself with at least one good chronometer, one good sextant, two good steering compasses, a marine barometer, and three air and water thermometers, which barometers and which thermometers have been compared with recognized standards. I say at least, because this is the smallest outfit of instruments that can enable the navigator properly to perform his part of the agreement. The several foreign governments invited to co-operate in this system of research, have been requested to appoint each some person to receive these Charts, and distribute them to the shipmasters under the flag of his country, who are properly qualified and prepared to furnish, in the required form, the observations required. It thus appears that navigators, who are invited to co-operate in this system, are not invited to labor ROUTES FROM EUKOPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 795 for naught. There is a prospect of direct pecuniary benefit to inure to every ship, the result of whose observations shall contribute to the shortening of the passage a single day ; and that benefit is in saving, at the rate of $75 per day, for every day, on every voyage, that the passage of a vessel carrying 500 tons merchandise may be shortened. A clipper ship, well handled, and with a good streak of luck in making the run from the United States into the variables of the southern hemisphere, will be able, now and then, to make the passage to Australia by this route in 60 days, if not in less time; but in 60 days it can be accomplished under canvas alone. It used to be a ten-months' voyage. In that trade, clipper ships will be able to set up a strong opposition to steamers ; for if we take into account the increased distance that steamers, touching at the Cape of Good Hope, and one or two other places, for coal, will have to go, together with the delays incident thereto, we shall see that our clipper ships have not much cause to fear that steamers will ever run them off the water in the Australian trade. Ships with steam, as an auxiliary only, may, if they go direct, drive clipper ships from that track. As it has been already remarked, Australia and the United States are antipodal ; they are 12,000 or 13,000 geographical miles apart, and it is about as near to come via Cape Ilorn, as it is to go via the Cape of Good Hope. The steamers, therefore, on their return via the Cape of Good Hope, have head winds to contend with for that much of the way; whereas, the canvas trader, returning by Cape Horn, has fair winds to go, and fair winds to come, from the Cape of Good Hope all the way east, even to Cape Horn. The passage from Cape Horn to the United States is sometimes made in from forty to forty-five days ; and Cape Horn may be reached under canvas from Port Philip, with these westerly winds and long swells, and by keeping well to the south, in twenty or twenty -five days. I have great confidence in the existence, regularity, and force of these N. "W. trades in the great Southern Ocean, especially on the polar side of 45° S. The opinion may be rash, or the expression of it may seem like a boast; but, be what it may, I here repeat the prediction which I ventured some years ago, that the round voyage from the United States or England to Port Philip, and home again, can be made, and will be made, under canvas, by the route which these investigations will discover for us, in 130 or 135 days, or less. Nay, I went further — for so great is the confidence I had in the richness of this field and in the propelung power of these westwardly trades of the extra-tropical south — and ventured the opinion that a voyage of circumnavigation could be accomplished by this route in less time than the passage has ever yet been made by clipper ships from New York or Boston to San Francisco. All these predictions, except the one relating to the passage to the United States, have been fulfilled, and are now matters of history. They were ventured in a previous edition. 796' THE WIND AND CUKEENT CHARTS, Ship Tarolinta, at Sea, Feb. 5, 1854. My dear Sir : Finding it impossible to convey, within the limits of your form of " log," much beyond a record of position and direction of wind, I take the liberty of writing to you the following report, in further illustration of the voyage lately performed by the above ship, under my command. It may be worthy of remark in this place, that I had a good chronometer (one of Dent's make), a sextant, the error of which was daily corrected, and that I endeavored to pay such attention to observations astronomical and other, as I thought necessary to give worth to a report. Sailing from New York, I adopted your book of Directions as a guide. Pursuing the route therein advised for the month of June, my ship crossed the line in long. 31° 30' W.; thirty-six and a half days out. With the wind from S. E., I stood on, keeping the port tacks aboard, waiting for a slant to head east on the starboard tack, besides being induced to proceed, without fear of Cape St. Eoque, by the reports I had received of the absence of opposing currents, and of the advantages to be gained in the way of south- westerly breezes at night, along shore. In both respects I met with disappointment. • The fifth day from the "line" the wind hauled two points to the southward, blowing from S. S. E., or with the trend of the land abreast of our position. In the afternoon of the same day, the mouth of the Eio Grande bore west, distant about eight miles. Here the current became stronger, amounting to 2.5 knots per hour, as found by observation and confirmed by the reports of fishermen. I subsequently found, after a number of trials, that it seemed to have an inverse relation to the depth of the water. The weather grew much worse; the wind varying in force from moderate breezes to almost a calm, with frequent squalls coming from S. S. E. to S. W., of great force, and accompanied by heavy rain. Several times in the course of a watch, four or five changes would occur, from a light breeze to a stand-by -the-tops'l-halyards squall. Of these squalls — I think they were the blackest I ever saw. When enveloping the ship in mid-day, they would reduce the light so that you could not see an object more than 300 yards distant ; they always approached in an arched form, with dim, grayish light underneath : the extremities of the arch near, or touching the water. During the period of light winds, the ship of course was swept to leeward, requiring hard carrying in the squalls to recover lost ground. In the neighborhood of the Eio Grande the luminousness of the water, when disturbed, was strikingly beautiful. Looking under the counter, the keel could be distinctly seen by innumerable balls of light, of a reddish-yellow color, as large as a 32 lb. shot. Between the 4th and 8th parallels of south latitude, we saw an unusual number of meteors, some of great brilliancy, the lesser ones emitting a white light, and appearing to be at the ordinary distance from the observer ; the greater, a pale-green light, almost dazzling to behold, and in their flight, seeming remark- ably near. Another peculiarity was the horizontal direction of their flight, and their leaving a train of glittering sparks not unlike those seen towards the middle of a rocket's ascension. In size, they were as large or larger than Jupiter, as he appears near the horizon. Whether these differences in what I have styled the greater and lesser meteors, were due to their respective distances, or to some cause connected with their production, must be a question of no inconsiderable interest. ROUTES FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA, 797 At Kio, I had opportunities to learn the result of late passages from the United States. The opinion prevailing among the captains was that, at the same season of the year, the better course to pursue, when bound south across the "line," is straight from any point east of Bermudas, towards the longitude of crossing; and that, when headed off by adverse winds, to keep rap full down to 10° N., between which parallel and the " line" easting can be made with brisk south and S. S. W. winds. The shortest passage was made in 38 days, by a vessel pursuing such a route ; the longest passage, in 76 days, by the old, not including a brig, 90 days from New Orleans. Sailing from Eio, my purpose was to reach 50° S. as speedily as possible, without inclining much to the eastward, leaving it a question for future determination whether to go south of that parallel or not ; but meeting with heavy weather and deep, trying seas soon after leaving port, my ship began to complain a great deal, many of her fastenings working more than was pleasant with so long a run before her ; and what was most vexatious, the bolting of the rudder, as far down as could be seen, was gone, the pieces forming it apparently but slightly held together, and playing from side to side as every swell touched it ; besides having a wounded bowsprit, I was deterred from going far south, lest I should involve the ship in pack ice. It was no fair weather track we sailed along — a clear stretch of 7000 miles, with heavy gales and topping seas urging us on. But it would be a glorious one for a 1500 ton racer to spread her canvas on. It is the water for making great day's runs — for Yankee clippers to astonish the commercial world with reports of extraordinary speed. I have never sailed in any part of the ocean where the winds were so constantly strong and fair for running east. I found that the gales in this Southern Ocean are similar to those of the North Atlantic in their changes, with reference to the equator, and are attended with like changes in the barometric column. A gale begin- ning at N. E. is attended by misty or drizzling weather, and a falling barometer ; veering to N. W., the weather improves, the barometer becoming nearly stationary; reaching . W., the wind falls light, with a clearing sky, the barometer rising slowly. Soon after this, it settles in the S. W., blowing a steady gale, the barometer now rising faster than it fell in the beginning. I can but give, in general terms, the results of my observations upon that very useful instrument, the marine barometer, in connection with winds and weather, lest I carry my report to too great a length. "With southeasterly gales, attended with drizzle, the barometer rises slowly until it reaches a height somewhere about 30.25 ; then the wind may be expected to haul to the N. E. Never but once, up to the present time, have I known a wind springing up in the S.E. to back into the S. W. At N. E., the gale continues with the same force and weather, barometer falling in the same ratio that it rose until it reaches 29.75, or near it ; then the wind passes the north point, blowing heaviest at N. N. W. (the barometer stationary), a sort of last effort, continuing only an hour or two. After this, hauls to W., barometer rising slowly ; soon getting south of W., it becomes heavy, barometer rising rapidly. South of the lOth degree of latitude, with the barometer stationary at about 30.00, and the wind 798 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. freshening in the N. "W., with drizzling weather, a strong gale from the north will almost invariably come up in a few hours, accompanied by thick weather and heavy squalls, the barometer falling rapidly. It will probably last until the barometer reaches 29.00, or j\ lower, when it will haul, moderating suddenly, to "W". N. W., with clearing weather. After the lapse of a few hours, it will haul into the S. W., and blow up heavy, the barometer rising faster than it fell, with fine weather, except an occasional snow or hail squall. I find that, generally, after the barometer has attained a height of 29.75, the S. W. wind becomes light, and backs into the N. W., freshens up, and repeats. But if the wind holds in the N. W., moderate and pleasant, the barometer falling slowly, it may continue for several days ; after which it hauls to the S. W., and blows a fresh and steady breeze, with clear weather, the barometer slowly rising. If the barometer does not rise when the wind has passed south of west, or, perhaps, continues to fall a little, the wind also becoming light and unsteady, look out for a heavy squall from the south. These southerly squalls approach so suddenly that, at the same time you feel the southwesterly air, you see the water foaming under the squall's advancing front, not more than a few hundred yards distant. Their violence, short of a tornado, cannot be overrated ; they are charged with snow and hail, and reduce the temperature to 22° ; the barometer rising. After a few hours, the weather moderates and clears, the wind backing into N. W. If, however, the shift does not take place in a squall, but begins blowing up at S. S. "W., a heavy gale wiU follow from S. or S. S. B., with thick weather, lasting from 8 to 50 hours, then backing as before. I found a falling barometer to be invariably attended with drizzling weather, and a rising one with clear weather ; and its greatest fall occurred when the wind was a little east of north. Its greatest rise is always with the wind S. "W. The sea rises and falls, operated upon by the various winds, with great rapidity ; also showing a facility in accommodating itself to any new. direction that is remarkable. In the log I send you, you will find the results of some estimates I made upon the height of waves, their velocity, and the distance between their crests. I took observations upon the largest only, repeating them often enough to give a good approxi- mate idea. From longitude 66° E. to 104° E., on or about the 47th parallel, the water had a dirty, shoal appear- ance,'like that on soundings inside of the Gulf Stream along our own coast. The swell ran in parallel lines somewhat like the beginning of a breaker. The dense fog that prevailed most of the time, I thought, went far to account for so strange an appearance ; but, as the same was observed when the atmosphere was clear, I was at a loss to reconcile it without the existence of a bank of soundings. I did not have the lead cast more than once, because the wind was strong and fair, rendering it difficult to do so to any purpose without much loss of time. And then, though the ship was luffed to, no satisfactory result was obtained, her drift being too great. After arriving in Port Philip, I learned from several captains that they had observed a similar discoloration. Comparing the information thus received, I found it extended over a surface of ROUTES FEOM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES TO AUSTRALIA. 799 ocean lying in a southeasterly direction, say from lat. 41° S. long. 40° E. to lat. 54°, long. 120° E.; the direction of a current you will find in the log. I consider the display of lightning on the 20th October last so remarkable, that I make the following lengthy extract from my journal : — " First part, light airs from N. N. W. and calms ; weather cloudy ; barometer falling slowly. Middle part, light variable airs and clear; barometer still falling. Latter part, variable airs and calms; weather in the N. "W. dark and threatening, with an occasional flash of lightning, until 8 P. M. when the breeze settled in that quarter; barometer falling fast ; furled topgallant sails, jib, and spanker. At 9, calm; light- ning more vivid, with loud claps of thunder ; hauled up the courses and double-reefed the topsails, expect- ing a heavy burst. Large ship in sight heading S. E. with her topsail-yards on the cap. At 10 P. M. a breeze springing up in the N. W. accompanied by heavy rain, thunder, and lightning ; the ship enveloped in pitchy darkness, illuminated by bright flashes every few seconds ; after each flash the atmosphere filled with cones of light, darting about in every direction along the yards and rigging, frequently passing within arm's length, much to the astonishment of the men on deck. Corposants on the mast-heads and yard-arms. The lightning preceding the severest claps of thunder seeming to pass between the masts, close to the deck, in a horizontal direction ; barometer now at a stand; temperature of the atmosphere 2° higher; no change in that of the water. Midnight, light breezes from the N. "W. and overcast ; ship under all plain sail." The entrance into Port Philip is exceedingly narrow, being only one and a half miles wide ; its bottom is composed of a ridge of angular rocks, giving very irregular soundings ; directly within or without the depth increases, over mud or sand. It may readily be imagined with what velocity the tide must run through such an entrance, to elevate or depress the surface of so large a bay three feet. This rapid tide, mounting up and seeking its way across the rocky bottom of the entrance, produces, in the smoothest weather, a whirling and boiling at the sur- face ; and, when opposed by a stiff breeze, heavy breakers arise and extend across the entrance, creating so much noise and confusion as might easily alarm a stranger, if he came without a proper knowledge of it. My ship, when between the Heads with a stiff breeze, became for a few minutes totally unmanageable, slewing round against both helm and sails. The limits of the reefs extending from the Heads cannot be distinguished by any difference in the appearance of the breakers. A rock with only 11 feet of water over it has lately been discovered, by several vessels being wrecked upon it, dangerously situated near the extremity of the reef off Point Nepean. I send you a clip from a paper, defining its position. Pilots paid by government begin to show themselves outside the Heads. However, a stranger need have no fear of the entrance provided the breeze is commanding and fair, and he steers in according to the directions of the Admiralty's Charts. Good anchorage is found all about the bay in from ten to fifteen fathoms, on a bottom of blue mud, so tenacious that ships frequently break their windlasses in attempts to purchase their anchors. All vessels with cargoes for Melbourne anchor in Hobson's Bay, where those of more than 8 feet draught discharge into lighters, the latter ascending the Yarra-Yarra (flowing, flowing) Eiver, seven miles, to the city. 800 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Great improvements for commerce are in contemplation, land being obtained for the purpose of con- structing wharves and docks. A railroad is also being built to connect these wharves with the city, and pipes being laid for the conveyance of water from the Yarra Dam, near the city, to the beach, to supply the shipping. The distance from the thriving village of Sandridge, on the beach, to Melbourne, is two miles and a half. The winds in Hobson's Bay prevail from S. S. E. to S. "W". Once or twice each week a light morning breeze blows out, enabling vessels to get outside of the fleet. Some five or six times during our stay we had strong northerly winds lasting from twelve to forty- eight hours, and succeeded by the usual winds coming up in a fresh squall. The atmosphere, during the continuance of these northerly winds, is hot and dry, a peculiarity not to be wondered at when we consider the aridity of the interior. It is also charged with dust to that degree that a dense yellow fog seems to prevail. This dust is borne to the opposite shore of the bay (60 miles). The shortest passage from the United States, was 80 days ; the longest, 140. The shortest passage from Great Britain, 80 (by the Sovereign of the Seas).* I have not time to send by this mail anything in reference to the passage from Melbourne to this place, farther than what is contained in this log. Your obedient servant, S. P. GRIFFIN. Callao, February 11, 1854. Lieut. M. F. Maury, U. S. N., Washington. FROM AUSTRALIA TO CALLAO. The Chincha Islands, with their guano, offer a return cargo both to Australia and California traders. The way from the former is plain, for the navigator has fair winds and flowing sheets all the way. This route to Callao is the same as the route to Cape Horn, until it passes south of 50°. The distance from Port Philip to Callao is 7,000 miles, and the run has been made in 34 days. The rules of the road are simple. From Melbourne make the best of your way for the intersection of the meridian of 170° E. with the parallel of 50° S. Then follow this parallel to its intersection with 120° W. Arrived here, haul up for your port, taking care when you arrive at the belt of light winds which border the S. E. trades, to steer due north until you clear them and get the trades, keeping your poj^ to the northward of N. E. * I am speaking of the time my ship lay in Hobson's Bay. FROM AUSTRALIA TO GALLAO. 801 Abstract Log of the Barqiu Oem of the Sea (A. Bowen). From Port Philip to Oallao. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Currents. (Knots per hour.) Bar. Temp, of air at WINDS. 9 A. M. First part. Middle part. Latter part. 1853 1 Sept. 25 38° 30' S. 144° 45' W.E.N. E.l mile 30.0 54° s.w. S.W. S.W. 26 39 36 146 45 E. ^ mile ' 29.9 54 s.w. S.W. N.E. 27 40 02 148 30 29.5 55 N.E. North N. by W. 28 42 00 152 45 29.3 53 N.W. West W. by S. 29 44 10 156 44 29.0 50 W. by S. W. by S. W. by S. 30 46 40 160 10 29.5 50 W. by S. W.S.W. W. by S. Oct. 1 48 56 164 10 29.5 52 W.N.W. W.N.W. W. by N. 2 49 06D.E. 168 10 29.6 54 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.N.W. 350 32D.R. 173 20 29.8 54 W.N.W. N. W. by N. N.W.byN. 450 30D.E. 178 20 29.8 52 N.N.W. N. N. W. N. by W. 550 28 177 00 29.9 53 N. by W. N. by W. N. by E. 6 50 19 168 00 30.0 53 North North N. W. by W. 7 50 16 162 00 29.7 52 N.N.W. N.W. West 8 50 20 157 00 29.6 52 N. W. by W. W.N.W. N. N. W. 9 50 24 152 00 29.3 52 N. W. by W. N.N.W. N. by W. 10 50 20 146 07 29.0 52 N.N.W. N. by W. N. by W. 11 49 09 140 20 28.4 50 N. by W. N. by W. W.S.W. 12 47 22 137 20 28.4 50 N. by W. W.N.W. N.W. 18 45 50 131 00 29.0 52 W.S.W. W.S.W. N.W. 14 44 35 125 15 29.8 53 N.W. N.W. N. W. by N. 15 43 07 119 15 29.4 54 N. W. by W. N.W. W.N.W. 16 40 44 115 50 29.1 54 W.N.W. W.N.W. W.S.W. 17 38 10 111 10 29.4 54 W.S.W. W.S.W. S.W.byS. 18 35 58 106 50 29.6 56 W. S. W. S.W. byS. W. by S. 19 34 29 103 13 29.8 58 W. S. W. w. s. w. N.N.W. 20 33 02 99 58 29.8 58 W. by S. W.N.W. N. by W. 21 31 28 95 50 30.0 60 N.N.W. North N. by W. 22 29 48 92 50 30.0 68 N. by W. N.byW, North 23 28 47 90 50 30.0 70 N. by W. North N. N. E. 24 26 05 91 25 Obs. 90 15 30.0 72 North N. by E. N.E. 25 25 34 No obs. 30.0 73 N.W. E.N.E. Calm 26 25 05 90 10 ■ 30.0 76 Calm N.W. N. N. W. 27 28 34 87 30 30.0 72 N.W. N.N.W. N. by W. 28'21 20 84 50 29.9 68 N.W. by N. N.N.W. N. W. 2919 17 83 00 29.8 66 N. by W. N.W. 3017 37 81 37 29.8 66 N.N.W. S.E. byE. 3115 00 79 50 29.08 66 S.E. East Nov. 112 30 78 00 29.8 66 E.N.E. Sept. 25. At 9 A. M. got under way off Shortland Bluff, and passed out through the Heads; at 10, with a 6 knot current setting out between the heads, the tide rip had the appearance of breakers, so much so, that a stranger would not have ventured. Knocked away the head rail and parted the larboard chain bowsprit shroud. Sept. 26. At 6 A.M. made Wilson Promontory bearing E.N.E.; at 9, saw Curtis Island; passed it at 12. 101 802 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Sept. 27. At 1 P. M. saw Kent's group; passed them at 8, and cleared the Endeavor reef at 11. This carries us clear of Bass's Straits out into the Pacific Ocean. Sept. 28. Strong wind, with very heavy squalls of rain and hail, thunder and lightning. Sept. 29. Strong gales, with heavy squalls of hail and rain. Lightning. Sept. 30. Fresh breezes and pleasant weather. All sail set. Moderate breezes with fog and rain. I find the marine barometer, in high south latitudes, to fall very low, as you will see, to 28.04, and that without any material change of weather for some time. I have noticed this some years previous to this, and, in the year '49, I have had it as low as 28.2 to the south of Cape Horn without any bad weather at all ; but, as a general thing, the bad weather comes on as the barometer rises, and I have invariably had the heaviest part of a S. W. gale, with the barometer at 29.08 ; and I think you will seldom, if ever, get a heavy gale to the south of 48° or 50° S., with the glass as low as 28.5. You will have strong breezes with cloudy and rainy weather. N. B.— The Gem of the Sea has made the quickest passage ever made from Port Philip to this place. Yours truly, Callao, November 25, 1853. • . A. BOWEN. ROrTE FROM AUSTRALIA AROUND CAPE HORN. The homeward route recommended in the 4th edition of the Australia Directory of the Admiralty, already referred to, and published in 1853, from Australia, is thus described at page 4 : — " Ships bound from Sydney to Europe or Hindostan, from the 1st of September to the 1st of April, may proceed by the southern route through Bass Strait, or round Tasmania, easterly winds being found to prevail along the south coast of Australia at that season, particularly in January, February, and March, when ships have made good passages to the westward, by keeping to the northward of 40° S., and have passed round Cape Leeuwin into the S. E. trade-wind, which is then found to extend farther south than during the winter months. In adopting the southern route, advantage must be taken of every favorable change of the wind, in order to make westing ; and it is advisable not to approach too near the land, on account of S. W. gales, which are often experienced even in summer, and the contrary currents, which run strongest in with the land. The prevalence of strong westerly gales renders the southern route very difficult, and, indeed, generally impracticable in the winter, although the passage has been performed at that season, by ships in good condition, which sailed well ; but the northern route, through Torres Strait, is preferred in the winter months." Here is a difference as wide as the poles, and as far as the east is from the west. These Sailing ROUTE FROM AUSTRALIA AROUND CAPE HORN. 808 Directions wliicb I am now writing are founded on, in fact they are the results of, the actual experience of navigators, and yet so great is the difference between them and the British Admiralty, the highest authority known in navigation. They recommend vessels bound to Europe or America, from Sydney, to steer to the southward. The Admiralty Directory says, go north. They advise vessels to go through Cook's Strait, or pass south altogether of New Zealand. The Directory of the Admiralty says, go north of New Holland, and pass through Torres Strait. They say, come east. The Admiralty says, go west. The same "brave west winds" which take vessels so rapidly from the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope eastwardly, along the parallels of 50° to 60° towards Australia, will also bring themover eastwardly along the same parallels towards Cape Horn. The investigations which have been carried on at this office, concerning the winds of that part of the ocean, forbid me to recommend this Admiralty route to any homeward bound European or American vessel, under any circumstances whatever ; always assuming that these Directions are intended for ships that are seaworthy, properly fitted and found. The average passage to Europe, by this admiralty route, is 120 days. Ships may occasionally find the easterly winds as low down south as the directions of the admiralty suggest : but it is the exception, not the rule, so to find them. In proof of this, I refer to the Pilot Charts of that part of the ocean, and shall quote other authorities. To establish this point, I take the first abstract that I lay my hands upon. That happens to be the Thomas Arbuthnot's — an English trader — from Sydney to London, via Cape Horn. 804 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of the Thomas Arhuthnot (G. H. Heaton). Sydney to London, 1849, Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Bar. THEB. 9 A. M. Winds. BEMABE8. Air. Water. April 23 41°07' S. 179°54' E. 29.95 64° 62° East Variable and clear. 24 44 10 177 31 W. 29.60 62 59 E. by N. Moderate and clear. 25 46 27 173 55 30.00 61 58 E. to N. Strong breezes and heavy rain. 26 47 42 171 24 30.10 58 54 KtoN.N.W. Strong breezes and heavy rain. 27 49 04 171 04 30.20 58 56 East Moderate and clear, a heavy swell. 28 50 01 166 14 30.08 58 54 N. E. to N. W. Steady, strong breezes, and clear. 29 50 14 160 40 29.70 55 53 W. N. W. Steady, strong breezes, and clear. 30 50 32 154 59 29.70 54 52 West Steady, strong breezes, and clear. May 1 50 49 150 22 29.80 153 51 West Steady, strong breezes, and very cold. 2 50 47 145 02 29.70 54 49 West Steady, strong breezes, and very cold. 3 51 24 139 48 29.60 58 48 West Steady, hard gales, and very cold. 4 52 04 134 30 29.70 52 47 West Steady, hard gales, and very cold. 5 52 19 128 35 29.75 50 46 West Hard gales, very cold. 6 52 48 123 32 29.70 50 44 West Hard gales, very cold. 7 53 11 117 50 30.05 50 44 N. W. to W. Hard gales, very cold, hazy, and damp. 8 53 40 112 48 30.08 50 44 W.S.W.toS.W. Hard gales, very cold, hazy, and damp. 9 54 09 106 37 29.50 50 44 S.W. Hard gales, much sea, much snow. 10 54 33 101 34 29.35 50 44 S.W. to W. Moderate breezes and clear. 11 56 06 96 23 29.50 45 44 S. W. to S. Freshening gales, with a high sea. 12 55 21 92 06 29.20 43 40 S.S.E.to W. First part hard gales; ends moderating. 13 56 24 86 38 29.22 44 43 West Steady, strong winds, heavy squalls, and rainy. 14 56 40 80 24 29.50 44 42 West Steady, strong winds, heavy snow, and 15 56 40 75 27 29.48 46 48 S.W.toS.S.E. rain. Variable, with light rain ; ends increas- 16 56 52 69 10 29.35 40 40 South ing, snow. Very heavy squalls, high sea. 17 56 52 65 20 29.17 42 38 S.W.toS.S.E. Very heavy squalls ; 2 P. M. saw Diego Eamirez Island. 18 55 05 60 19 29.50 43 40 S. E. to N. W. Heavy gales, with lots of snow. 19 53 21 55 24 29.35 42 42 S. W. to S. Heavy breezes, continual snow squalls. 20 51 15 51 17 29.50 42 42 S. E. to S. Heavy breezes, continual snow squalls. 21 49 57 48 23 26.48 44 42 S. W. to S. Moderate and clear. Now this is not a very fast ship, yet in forty days from Sydney she had doubled Cape Horn. She did not get into those "brave winds" until April 27, lat. 49° S. From that time till May 17, when she was off the Horn, she ran with flowing sheets through these free winds of the west, 106° of longitude in 20 days, which gives her the average rate of 5° 18', say 200 miles per day. The barque Gem of the Sea (A. Bower), which took the admiralty route to Australia, and missed the strength of these westerly winds, resolved to avail herself of them from Port Philip to Callao. She accordingly followed very nearly the great circle route, reaching the parallel of 50° south, in about longitude 169° east, and not recrossing it until 140° west (9 days). She arrived at Callao, November 1, 1853, after a very quick run of 37 days from Port Philip. Steam could not have done much better. She had westerly winds all the way, until she reached the parallel of 19° S., longitude 83° W. It is unusual, however, to carry these westerly winds so far up into the region of S. E. trades. FROM AUSTRALIA TO CHINA. 805 Again, the distance home from Australia is very much the same by Capo Horn as it is by the Cape of Good Hope. It is obvious, therefore, that a vessel, running before these west winds, to Cape Ilorn, takes a route home, which, as to time — the true measure of distance — is much nearer than it would be to steer west in the face of these winds. But the Admiralty Directory recommends the navigator, it may be said, to go north, to get out of the region of these west winds ; to go where the winds are easterly, and then steer west. In reply, it may be remarked that, by going towards the equator, you go away from the great circle, where the degrees are short, and the distance shortest, into parallels where the degrees are long, and the distance greatest ; and then the easterly winds are not, for speed, equal to those of the " bonny west," farther south. These winds are already beginning to be known so well to the Australian traders, that it is usual for them, I am told, when bound home by this route, to strike topgallant-masts, before leaving port. It is a voyage that tries ship and crew ; but of all the voyages in the world, that part of it between the offings of Australia and Cape Horn is perhaps the most speedy for canvas. There it may outrun steam. I have deemed it proper thus to allude to what I consider faulty Sailing Directions, because that Direc- tory is uttered by the highest authority known to navigators ; and because it was necessary to point out wherefore, and wherein, I differ, that navigators may then be enabled the better to choose, each for himself, which of the two to follow. And I may add, that I have not yet heard of a single homeward bound vessel taking the admiralty route from Australia. Certainly, none who are co-operating with me, have returned an abstract log for that voyage. FROM AUSTRALIA TO CHINA. Vessels bound from the southern ports of Australia, in the season from September to April, may go west of New Holland; but at other seasons, and from Sydney and the east coast, it is better to go east. Observations are very much wanted in all these parts of the sea, and owing to the want of them, I am not prepared to issue any sailing directions for the various routes to and fro across the Indian Ocean, and its neighboring seas. I can only venture a suggestion here and there, which I hope will be regarded by navigators merely as suggestions for their consideration. Being in the dark as to the peculiarities of the winds and currents, the following abstract log will perhaps afford navigators more and better light as to this route, and its winds, during the season when it was made, than they would be likely to derive from any information that it is in my power to give. 809 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of the Ship Qveen of the East (TbumAN Bartlett). From Sydney to Hong-Kong. THER. 9 A. M WINDS. Date. Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Currents. (Knots per hour. Bar. Air Water. First part. Middle part. Latter part. 1854 April 1 33° lO'S. 156= 20' E 30.3 68° 74° s.w. s. s. w. South 2 32 37 160 34 30.21 68 75J South S.S.E. S.E. 3i30 32 163 52 30.3 69 75 S.E.byE. S. E. by E. S. E. by E. 4 28 52 165 51 30.3 69 75 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 5 27 16 167 12 30.3 71 76 E.S.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 6 25 20 168 40 30.1' 72 76 E. by S. East E. by S. 7 23 22 169 30 30.0 77 78 E. by S. E. by S. E. by S. 8 21 23 170 56 29.8^- 78 78 E. by S. East East 9 17 28 171 12 29.7 83 82 E. by S. E.S.E. E. by S. 10 13 33 170 58 36 miles, W. 29.6 J 85 85i E, by S. E. by S. E. by S. 11 10 44 170 40 24, W. 29.6" 88 86J E. by S. East East 12 9 14 169 57 29.6 88 87^ E.N.E. E. by S. N.E. byE. 13 6 44 168 45 29.6 87 88 N.E. byE. N. E. by E. N. E. by E. 14 5 00 167 00 15, W. 29.5 86 88 N.E. N.E. byE. N.E. by E. 15 4 04 165 40 24, W. 29.6 87 89 E.N.E. E.S.E. E.S.E. 16 3 10 164 40 29.4 87 88 E.N.E. E.S.E. S.E. 17 2 28 164 30 29.5 88 90 N.E. East S.E. 18 1 14 163 00 18, W. 29.6 87 89i S.E. East N.E. 19 32 162 33 29.6 90 89 Variable Variable Variable 20 19N. 161 45 20, W. 29.5 86 89J East E.N.E. N.E. 21 55 161 20 29.5 88 90 Calm Calm N.E. 22 1 08 160 58 29.5 88 89^ N.E. Calm Calm 28 1 32 160 55 29.6^ 87 89 N.E. N.W. N.E. 24 3 32 159 30 29.6 i 81 88 N.E. E.N.E. E.N.E. 25 5 16 157 12 29.6' 82 87J N.E. byE. N.E. byE. N. E. by E. 26 8 06 155 00 29.7 84 861 N.E. byE. N.E. 'N.E. 27 10 28 151 30 24, W.S.W. 29.7 83 85' N.E. N.E. N.E. 28 12 09 148 35 24, W.S.W. 29.7 82 85 N.E. N.E. N.E. 29 12 53 146 18 29.7 85 85 N.E. N.E. N.E. 30 13 04 144 50 29.7 86 85 N.E. N.E. N.E. May 1 14 37 142 17 24, Westerly 29.7 86 85 N.E. N.E. N.E. 2 14 30 140 04 None 29.7 86 86 N. N. E. E.N.E. E.N.E. 3 15 30 138 03 12, Westerly 29.6 86 89 N. N. E. N. N. E. East 4 15 54 136 40 12, W.S.W. 29.6|:86 88 N. N. E. East E.S.E. 5 16 37 134 37 12,S.W.byW. 29.7 85 88 N.E. N.E. E.N.E. 6 17 37 132 28 Little, if any 29.7 85 87 East S.E. N.E. 7 18 13 131 07 29.8 86 86 N.E. East N.E. 8 18 25 129 13 24, E.S.E. 29.7 85 87 East East East 9 18 37 127 53 38, E.S.E. 29.7 86 88 J E.S.E. East E.S.E. 10 19 00 126 40 15, E.S.E. 29.7 87 86| E.S.E. S.E. S.E. 11119 43 125 10 None 29.7 86 85 S.E. East E.N.E. 12!20 00 123 41 29.6^86 1 85 S.E. S.E. S.S.E. 1320 10 120 30 29.7 85 88 S.S.E. S.S.E. S.S.E. 1420 00 118 35 29.7 86 88 S.E. S.E. S.E. 1520 24 115 54 29.7 86 87^ S.E. East . East April 1. I 'hrougli April 2. do. April 3. do. April 4. do. April 5. do. April 6. do. April 7. do. AprU 8. do. April 9. do. April 10. do. FROM AUSTRALIA TO CHINA. 807 Sailed from Sydney March 31, with a moderate S. W. wind. At noon, the Heads bore W. by S., 20 miles distant. Throughout, fresh breeze, with passing clouds. do. clear, fine weather ; smooth sea. do. frequent squalls of fine rain ; tide rips, do. with dry passing clouds, strong breeze and squally ; under single topsails, do. fine rain ; bad sea. do. and passing clouds ; all sails set. do. squalls of wind and rain ; reefed topsails, do. all sails set. do. do. April 11. First part, a moderate breeze and clear weather ; middle and latter parts, airs. April 12. Throughout, a moderate breeze and clear weather. April 13. do. do, do. water smooth and discolored. April 14. do. do. do. do. do, April 15. do. light breeze, and clear hot weather. April 16. First part, a light breeze ; at 2 P. M, a heavy bank rising from the E. S. E., a hard squall of wind and rain to the end of the day. April 17. Throughout, light airs, and clear hot weather. April 18. First and middle parts, much rain ; latter part, clear weather. April 19. Throughout, a light breeze all around the compass ; passed over the place assigned to the Isle of Sharks; saw no appearance of land. April 20. Light airs throughout, with squally appearances. April 21. First and middle parts, calm ; latter part, a light breeze, clear weather. April 22. First part, a light air ; middle and latter parts, calm, heavy rain squalls. April 23, Throughout, light airs and rain squalls. April 24. Throughout, dark, cloudy weather, with hard squalls of rain. April 25. First part, a fresh breeze, and rain ; latter part, clear weather. April 26. Throughout, a good steady trade, and clear weather ; at 2 P. M. saw the Seven Islands. I made the westernmost isle in lat. 5° 44'; long. 157° 22' E.; passed over the location of Bordelaise; saw no appearance of land. I have since learned it does exist, but is laid down wrong. April 27, Throughout, a moderate N. E. trade, with hard passing clouds. April 28. Throughout, a moderate N. E. trade, with hard passing clouds, April 29. Throughout, a light breeze and clear weather. April 30. Throughout, a light breeze and hazy weather ; at 6 A. M. saw the Island Guam W. K W., 20 miles distant ; at noon, the S. "W. part of the island bore N. by W. 10', This island appears to be laid 808 THE WIKD AND CUKKENT CHARTS. down correctly. The land is rather high, and can be seen in clear weather 50 miles. There are several low islands lying to the south and west of it, 4' to 6' distant, with reefs. It would not be safe in a dark night to run for the island between these bearings. May 1. Throughout, a moderate breeze and clear weather ; sea very smooth. May 2. Throughout, light breeze and clear weather; sea very smooth. May 3. Throughout, light breeze and clear weather ; sea very smooth. May 4. Throughout, light breeze and clear weather ; sea very smooth. May 5. First part, clear weather ; middle and latter parts, rain and squally. Wind : light. May 6. First part, squally weather; at 3 P. M. a heavy squall of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning; the first lightning I have seen since leaving Sydney. May 7. First and middle parts, light airs and squally weather ; latter part, clear weather. May 8. Throughout, a light breeze and clear weather ; sea smooth as a pond. May 9. do. do. . do. May 10. do. do. do. May 11. do. do. do. May 12. do. do. do. May 13. First part, a light breeze ; middle and latter parts, a fine breeze with clear weather ; at mid- night, made Claro Babuyan, bearing W. 20 miles distant ; at 3 A. M. Babuyan bore south, and the Bantling EocksN.E.byN. May 14. Throughout, moderate, clear, beautiful weather. May 15. do. do. do. May 16. Throughout, a moderate breeze and clear weather; at 6 A.M. made Great Leman Island bearing N. W.; at 11 A. M. anchored in Hong-Kong Harbor, 46 days from Sydney. Distance sailed, 6,137 miles. TEUMAN BAETLETT. Hong-Kong, May 20, 1854. THE ROUTE TO INDIA. The route from the North Atlantic to India, Java Head, the " Eastern passages," and all ports beyond, is the same as the route to Australia, at least until the calm belt of Capricorn in the South Atlantic be cleared, and thence frequently until the meridian of 40° E. be approached. Here the road forks and the Indiaman takes the left. I have not yet received log-books enough from vessels cruising in the Indian Ocean, to justify a thorough discussion of the winds of that sea ; but, after attentively considering the present route to India, TUB ROUTE TO INDIA. 809 I think I may anticipate that discussion somewhat, for I perceive room for improvement, by which a day or two at least may be saved on that passage. In studying the routes of navigation out upon the high seas, nothing has surprised me more than the fidelity with which the pioneer voyagers have been followed. In olden times, he who had been the first to make any particular voyage, came back and told the way he went ; he could speak of no other, for he knew of none ; then came the follower, who naturally would go the same way ; and finally tradition led to the establishment of highways by routes across the ocean which chance had pointed out. They were adopted in the directories of the ocean, and at last became in some instances so well established, that if a shipmaster ventured to depart from them, as therein laid down, he departed at his peril and at imminent risk. If, by the departure, he by chance should have a long passage, he ran the risk of being turned out of his ship by owners ; and if accident befell him by the way, even though he should make a good passage, underwriters might have something to say about his being out of the usual route, and thus he was in danger of losing his insurance as well as his place. More attempts seem, however, to have been made by navigators to find new routes to India and the East, than to almost any other land beyond the seas. There is what was called the eastern passage, which lies south of Australia ; this now is seldom or never, and should be never, attempted, unless for very special reasons. Then there was the Boscawen Passage, the Middle Passage, the Inner Passage, the Passage to the Eastward of Madagascar; and to China, the routes through the various straits east of Sunda, and others which I need not describe nor discuss. I need not describe them, because they are fully described by Horsburgh, and are usually projected 'on the charts of those seas: and I need not discuss them, because I have not the data which would justify any discussion except one based upon mere general principles: I shall not, therefore, be able yet awhile to throw any light upon the routes to India or the East, after the voyager enters the monsoon region of the Indian Ocean. All that I feel myself justified at present in saying with regard to the route to India or China, applies to it before it enters those regions, and while it and the route to Java Head and the passages east, are for the most part the same. I will address myself, therefore, for the present, only to that part of the route to Java Head which lies south of the calm belt of Capricorn, and which is included, for the most part, between the meridians of 20° or 80° W., and 80° or 90° E. A vessel bound through the Straits of Sunda, after crossing the equator in the Atlantic, generally holds her wind, hauling up to the eastward, as the S. E. trades will allow, until she gets into the calm belt of Capricorn. Here, though she does not find long continued calms, she finds nevertheless those light winds which are always found to prevail in that sort of debatable ground, which is between two systems of winds: this calm belt is between the S. E. trades on one side, and the variables or "brave west winds," of the southern hemisphere on the other. Having cleared the trades, she then edges off a little to the east of south until she gains the parallel of 35°-37° ; crossing this, she hauls up due east, between the parallels of 37° and 39° and runs between them — the place of all others where the southern edge of the cyclones of those parallels is most apt to be felt adversely — from the prime meridian to long. 80°-8o° E. Here she begins to head up to the north, and 102 818 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. crosses this calm belt in the Indian Ocean, again obliquely, which should never be done. These calm belts should always, whenever the land and dangers will admit, be crossed as directly on a meridian as the winds will allow ; for the sooner you cross them, the sooner you will get winds that will drive you along. Such is the course of the present route, which can be shortened at least a day or two by any vessel that will follow these directions : — After crossing the parallel of St. Eoque, stand through the S. E. trades with a rap full, as if you were bound to Australia, not caring to make better than a S. S. E. course good, until you lose the trades, clear the calms of Capricorn, and get the " brave west winds" on the polar side of them. If you follow these directions, you will generally clear the calms, and get these west winds by the time you reach lat. 30°-37° — finding yourself, at this juncture, somewhere between the meridians of 20° and 30° west. Now shape your course per great circle for the intersection of parallel of 35°, with the meridian of 85° E., or any other near which it may be deemed advisable, with the changing seasons, to enter the region of S. E. trades of the Indian Ocean. The following route, from 30° "W". 85° S. to the intersection of this parallel with 85° E., differs so little from the great circle that the difference becomes practically of no moment : — Suppose you clear the calms of Capricorn in lat. 35°, long. 30° W., steer for the meridian of 10° E., at its intersection Avith the parallel of 50° south ; then, run on this parallel to long. 50° E. From this point steer for the intersection of 85° E., and 35° S. The distance to be run south of the parallel of 35° being 5,300 miles — the distance by the present route being 5,500 — so here is one day's sail gained by the "short cut," and certainly better winds. But, suppose you have good luck in the South Atlantic, and can clear the calms of Capricorn in 20° W. instead of in 30° W., but in the same latitude, your course then is to aim to strike the parallel of 50° in 20° E., and then run along it as before to 50° E. ; the distance south of 35°, by this route, being 4,900 miles. But suppose the winds favor you still more, and you be in 10° W. before you reach the parallel of 85°. In this case, you should run between the parallels of 45°-46° till you come to the meridian of 50° E. ; you should so shape your course from 10° W. as to get between these parallels, near the meridian of 20° east. The distance south of 35°, by this route, is 4,400 miles ; in other words, the distance from the usual place of crossing the parallel of St. Koque to Java Head, is — By present route . . ' 9,200 miles. " 1st of the above 8,940 " " 2d " " 8,730 " " 3d " " 8,520 " If the winds were fair all the way, the nearest route to Java Head, from the fair way off St. Eoque, would be via the Cape of Good Hope ; indeed, the great circle runs through the unexplored regions of Africa. But both the winds and the land render such a route in navigation impracticable ; for the former generally compel the outward Indiaman, in spite of herself, to cross the meridian of 25° west, as far south as the parallel of 30°-33° S. ; and the great circle thence to Java Head passes some 8° or 10° south of the THE BOUTE TO INDIA. 811 Cape of Good Hope. Moreover, the winds in the Indian Ocean render a departure from the great circle again necessary. The winds are such, however, as to admit of all four of the above named routes. The route No. 3 is 600 miles shorter, and ias better winds than the present route. But, after clearing the S. E. trades of the Atlantic, it runs about 1,000 miles obliquely across the calms of Capricorn, where the average rate of sailing is not over 100 miles a day. Now, by going straight across these calms aa by route Ist, you will clear them generally in two days, and then get those "brave west winds" which will waft you" along at the rate of 200 or 300 miles a day, according to the heels of the ship. The navigator, therefore, will act most wisely who will wait, and let things as he may find them govern him as to where, after passing the S. E. trades, he will begin to shape his course for the great circle to the meridian of 86° E., or that near which he proposes to cross the calms of Capricorn in the Indian Ocean. He may begin to do it anywhere south of 30°, and between the meridians of 30° and 10° W., and reach Java Head two or three days sooner, on the average, than he would by continuing to follow the present route. In attempting to follow these great circle routes, navigators should recollect that the greatest saving of distance, as compared with the rhumb-line route, is always along those arcs that lie nearly east and west, and are farthest from the equator ; and that, so far as distance is concerned, he might as well be out of his way on one side of these arcs, as the other. As illustrative of this route, I may refer to the track of the ship , with regard to which I will only say that, if she had stood on from lat. 28° to 35° (at that season), in long. 20° W., and then shaped her course per great-circle route, she would probably have done better ; as it is, she crossed the meridians as follows : — 0° in 36° 20' S. 20° E. " 38° 20' 40° " 38° 35' 60° " 38° 00' 70° " 38° 20' 80° " 36° 00' 90° " 33° 00' "Arriving in lat. 28° 00' S,, long. 22° 00', I projected," says her master, "on my chart the great-circle course thence to Java Head, the vertex being in lat. 44° 00' S., and long, about 25° 00' E. ; I adhered to this course as far aa practicable, having in view the favorable sailing points of the vessel, and being compelled to run her before some of the heavy seas in the high latitudes, until reaching the parallel of 30° 00' in long, about 69° 00' E., when I deemed it prudent to keep to the eastward of the great circle course, and approach the meridian of Java Head farther south, to forelay for the chance of there being considerable easting in the trades. I crossed the tropic in about 94° 30' E. long., and fetched Java Head sailing upon an easy bow- line (which is a good sailing point of the vessel, and, I believe, of most sharp vessels). I will remark here, that I could find nothing explicit in 'Horsburgh' regarding the direction of the wind in the S. E. trades; but, after many unsatisfactory remarks, the whole is summed up on page 161, vol. 1, 5th edition, thus : ' When 812 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. the sun bas great north declination, it may not be absolutely requisite for ships which sail well to reach the meridian of their port so far southward, the trade- wind then blowing more from S. E. and E. S. E. in general than from E. and E. X. E.' Accompanying my abstract is an abstract of the log of the ship Minstrel, of Boston, which vessel (commanded by my brother), pursued the admiralty route in running up her easting ; and, although he crossed the equator in the Atlantic 12 days before me, yet I made Java Head the day before him, and there was not much diiference in the sailing of the vessels ; where I gained on him most was in the high latitudes. Although I made a fair passage by pursuing the circle course so far as the lat. of 35° 00', yet I would not again adhere to it further than the vertex; thence I would sail east, on or near that parallel, until reaching the longitude of 90° 00' or thereabouts : then hauling north across the belt of variables to the southward of the trades, at right angles, and be upon the safe side after reaching the trades, at any season of the year. A good passage could perhaps be made by sailing on a circle course from the Atlantic to a good position, relative with Java Head, in the Indian Ocean, say 95° 00' E., and 33° 00' S.; but the vertex would be far south of 53° 00', or thereabout. And I should not feel justified in attempting to pursue such a route until we have some definite information relative to the existence of danger from ice, against which ' Horsburgh' cautions navigators. Commodore Ringgold, in his route toward Australia, in the Vincennes, went, I think, as far as 48° 00' S., and, I believe, saw no ice. " With regard to the current we experienced in the China Sea, near the coast of Cochin China, I should think it almost unprecedented. On my last passage down, I had nothing of the kind. May it not have been a rush of water out of the Gulf of Siam, caused by the very heavy rain with which the S. W. monsoon was ushered in, and which were experienced in part by me on the passage up the sea? and would not observations of the thermometer and hydrometer have been valuable ? There was an unusual quantity of rain in the early part of the monsoon. The current, in the east coast of China, is always running with more or less strength in the S. W. monsoon to the N. E. (unless disturbed by the passage of a cyclone). But I never experienced anything like the current we had off Cape Varela, which prolonged our passage so greatly. There was a typhoon in the southern part of the China Sea, in the month of May this year ; also one last year in the same month. I have never known them so early in the northern part of the sea. I would say here that I think a series of observations of the barometer, thermometer attached, and the force of the wind in connection with each other in the Indian Ocean, in the hurricane months, would be of great value to the navigator sailing there at such times, and more especially those homeward bound from Java Head, in the S. E. trades, as any deviation from the mean height of the mercury would at once show some obstruction to the surface wind. The general course of storms about there is nearly W. S. W., I believe (or parallel with the course of a vessel bound round the cape), until, reaching the meridian of Bour- bon, Mauritius, and sometimes Madagascar, they curve abruptly south. Now, a vessel near the southern or southwestern disc of a cyclone with the wind at S. E. or E., with strong breezes and squally weather, a low barometer, or lower than the mean range for these months, and anxious to make a quick ^passage (possibly racing), would, perhaps, be loth to heave to for a few hours and wait for a rise in the barometer ; the storm advancing in the mean time (the average velocity of which is probably greater than that of a smart vessel), would get ahead of the ship, possibly, near its point of curvature, and the ship still going along would be THE ROUTE TO INDIA. 813 plunged headlong into the vortex in a very few hours. I hardly think it possible for even the smartest vessel to beat the storm and cross its path before it, and in time to be safe; under such circumstances, the best and only safe course would be, in my opinion, to heave to, head to the southward, as soon as the barometer indicated bad weather, and watch for its rise. I have the most entire faith in the indications of a barometer within the tropics. ' It marks the passage of a storm with the regularity of a clock,' says Mr. Piddington. As an instance of most admirable management under such circumstances as the above, a pamphlet, written by Capt. K. Methven, of the British ship Blenheim, is, I think, the best practical illus- tration that could be offered. In the China Sea, if bound northerly, it is probably safe to scud with the wind at S. W. if tolerably certain of your position. With the wind at north, the best course would be, I think, to run to the southward in time (say with the force of the wind at 7), whether hound north or south ; if bound south, run out of it; and if bound north, run to the southward till the wind veers westerly, then round to upon the port tack, wait for the rise of the barometer, and go back again with the southerly wind near the rear verge of the storm; supposing, of course, the condition and position of the ship permitted it. With the wind at N. E., and no possibility of making a harbor, the only alternative, I think, would be to heave to, under fore and aft canvas, on the starboard tack, and prepare for the worst. The advance of the storm, I think, impels a body of water before it, causing a surface current to the westward, which it would be well to bear in mind." Navigators, by taking the old route, are liable to meet with another difficulty, especially when they attempt to run down their longitude near the parallel of 35°-6° south. About this parallel is a famous place for circular storms — cyclones. They revolve with the sun, and the parallel of 35°-6° is frequently traversed by the southern edge of them. Consequently, as these storms travel east or west, the wind on the southern edge of them is generally from the eastward. From Abstract Log of ship Lady Arabella (N. B. Grant, Captain). Winds and Currents between Singapore and Batavia : On the afternoon of June 14, left Singapore for Batavia with a fine breeze from the westward, which carried us as far as the entrance of the Straits of Ehio, when it fell calm, with the tide setting out of the straits; was obliged to anchor. At 6 A. M. of the 15th, weighed with a light air from the southward, and fair tide into the straits. Had nothing but faint airs from the southward and calms, until the evening of the 17th, at which time we passed out of the strait with a fresh breeze from S. S.E. The tides we found to set through the straits to the northward at the rate of 3 to 4 knots per hour, for about 14 hours steady, followed by a " slack" of about 2 hours, when the set would turn to southward for about 6 hours, 2 to 3 knots, followed by another two hours " slack," and then would commence the strong northerly set again. Whether these are the usual tides of the straits I am unable to say ; but, such I found them during the three days I was in getting through. On the 18th, had a heavy squall from N. W. with much rain, which lasted 4 hours. From that time until we reached the entrance of Mecclesfield Straits (on the 28th), we had the wind between S. by E. and S. by W. for nearly all the time. Eain and squalls, accompanied with thunder and lightning, were frequent; and one on the 26th, from S. W., blew heavy for two hours ; but, for the most part, they were from the southward with but little wind. 814 THK WIND AND CUKKENT CHARTS. While working down past Lirgin Island, close on shore, I found no current ; but one day, taking the wind at S. S. W., I stood off 60 miles and found the current setting to the northward about 12 miles a day. On the 24th, off Palo Toty, being becalmed, found a southerly current of about one-half knot ; and, on the 25th, with the N. E. part of Banca Island bearing S. E. 20 miles, found the current setting S. W. one mile per hour, wind S. S. E., but very light ; but a brisk breeze springing up from south, tacked ship, and did not determine whether it was the effect of the tides or a regular current. In working down from the lati- tude of the north part of Banca to Guspas Straits, nearly in the longitude of Guspas Island, I had the winds very light and baffling, hauling from S. S. E. to S. S. W. and back, sometimes as often as three or four times an hour ; at other times it would remain at south for four or five hours at a time, followed by a rain squall and intervals of calm. The current seemed to set due north about 14 miles per day. On the morning of the 28th, at 8 o'clock, the north end of Palo Leat bearing east 4 miles, with a fresh breeze from S. S. E., attempted to beat through Mecclesfield Straits ; for the first two " tacks" we gained a little, and got as far along as Discovery Rock, on which the sea broke all day ; and, although the wind freshened to as much as •we could carry topgallant-sails to, yet at every tack after this we lost ground ; and at 8 P. M., the wind fall- ing off, anchored in 15 fathoms water, soft ground, about 5 miles west of where we were in the morning. After anchoring, found the current running due north 4 knots, and so continued until 6 A. M., 29th, when it slacked a little, but at no time was it less than 2 J knots. At 10 A. M. a breeze sprung up at S. by E., and, as the tide was gaining strength, weighed and stood over to eastward for Stobyn's Straits, fully con- vinced it was useless to attempt to beat through Mecclesfield at daylight. On the morning of the 30th, being in the north entrance of Clement's Straits, with the wind at east, stood to southward ; and, although we had a strong current against us, yet as the wind freshened and held well to the eastward, we made rapid way to the southward, passed to eastward of Barn Island ; but not being able to weather Saddle Island, kept away and passed through the narrow passage between the reefs off Barn Island and Low Island, into the south entrance of Mecclesfield Straits; and by dark, was clear off the south end of Vansittart's Shoals, with the wind light from S. E. From that time until July 4, instead of the fine S. E. breezes that I had heard so much of in the Java Sea at this time of the year, I found the same light baffling winds, mostly from S. by W., that so annoyed me in the China Sea. At noon, July 4, the North Watcher bearing W.S. W., and the Armayden Lands just visible from the deck, it died away to a " dead calm," and up to this time of writing, 10 P. M. of the 6th, it so continues ; and, as the current is setting N. N. W. at the rate of f knot per hour, we are at anchor in 11 fathoms of water, and whether we shall ever get to Batavia remains a question of some doubt. Batavia, July 8, 1853. Arrived here last evening, afler a passage of 23 days from Singapore, a dis- tance which I accomplished with very light winds " going up" in 6 days, as will be seen by referring to the journal. Oct. 14. Lat. 5° 55' K; long. 27° 32' W. Baffling, faint airs; at 7 P. M. calrti; lowered the boat and tried the current ; used the deep sea line with a thirty pound lead attached for a weight ; let it down 60 fathoms, and hove the log, which went off S. J E. by compass, | knot ; raised the weight to 30 fathoms depth, and hove again ; this time the log went south by compass, ^ knot per hour. PROM CHINA AND JAPAN TO VALPARAISO. 815 After coming on board, threw a bottle overboard with date, latitude, and longitude, requesting the finder to forward the paper to Lieut. Maury. I am of the opinion there is an under current, setting northerly, somewhat below 20 fathoms, and that the surface current is very small, setting southeasterly. Oct. 18. Lat. 8° 30' N". ; long, 28° 53' W. Begins with a light air from S. E., with a large swell from N. E. ; middle and latter parts, calm ; lowered the boat and tried the current ; used the same weight as that mentioned on the 14th ; for a log line, I used light cotton twine that would float on the surface, attached to an ordinary log chip, loaded just to sinking, with a cork attached to prevent it from sinking more than a few inches under water. With the lead down to 50 fathoms, the chip moved off N. W. (mag.) at the rate of 50 feet per minute ; at 60 fathoms depth, the chip went in the same direction 67 feet per minute. Kaised the lead to 20 fathoms, and tried again. This time the chip went due west (mag.), but so slow as to be hardly perceptible (15 feet per minute). The difierence between my position by reckoning and observation for the 24 hours, is 6 miles north and 3 miles west. I think the reckoning cannot be more than a mile wrong at most, it having been a dead calm for 17 hours out of the 24, and the breeze very light and steady for the other seven. My chronometer is a very accurate one, and I use a sextant for all solar observations. Hence, I infer an under current setting southeasterly, something more than 20 fathoms beneath the surface. FROM CHINA AND JAPAN TO VALPARAISO. The following letter, with such modifications as time has suggested, was written some months ago at the request of a merchant of Boston. One of his vessels is now on her way from Hong-Kong to Valparaiso with it as a guide. I have expanded it so as to comprehend the route from Shanghai and Japan also. Observatory, Washington, Novemher 24, 1854, My dear Sir : I have your favor of the 20th, telling me of the Nightingale's prowess, and asking for Sailing Directions from Hong-Kong to Valparaiso. I feel quite as proud of the Nightingale's achievements as yoy, her builder, or her captain can. I am committed in writing to have the round voyage to Australia and back made within 130-5 days. Now, your Flying Cloud has gone from New York to the line in 17 days or less, which, with the Nightingale's run from the line to Australia, would have made the run there in 62 days, I have heard of the run back to England being made in 63 days, thus establishing the possibility of a fulfilment to the prediction. The difference of time from Liverpool to the line, and from Boston to the line, is from four to five days. By the old route, the difference was about 1,000 miles ; by the new route, Liverpool is about 300 miles nearer, with the advantage of free winds and flowing sheets through the trades, against head winds and a taut bowline from New York. 816 THK WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. I sliall be glad to have the Nightingale's log. Now, for the Sailing Directions fro;n Hong-Kong to Valparaiso in April. I have been hunting up for you all my unfinished manuscripts, and other materials in the office, that are calculated to throw light upon the "lightning route" from Canton to Valparaiso in April. In preparing sailing directions for you for this voyage, I might as well consider Shanghai and Japan also. Before we begin to discuss routes, let us look at distances, by air-lines first, water-lines next. The distance, by an air-line, from Hong-Kong to Valparaiso, is about 10,000 miles. This line passes over New Holland from north to south, entering the sea near Port Philip. But Shanghai and Japan are so nearly antipodal to Chili, that an air-line, 10,800 miles in length, will reach Valparaiso almost equally well, whether you project it north, south, east, or west. To reach Valparaiso from these ports, you have to make nearly 180° of longitude, and the question is, in which hemisphere will you run down this easting? If in the northern, you will have, for the sake of the winds, to run to the north of your place of departure ; and if in the southern, you will, for the same reason, have to run to the south of your port. So, in that respect, it is as broad as it is long ; but the " brave west winds" of the southern hemisphere will decide this question for us. This point being settled, the question is, will you run down for those winds by passing to the east or the west of New Holland ; clearly not to the west if you take your departure from Shanghai or Japan. From Hong-Kong there is room for difference of opinion, and I have not observations enough on the winds and currents of those seas to enable me to decide. The shortest distance from Canton west of New Holland that winds and water will allow, is about 500 miles less than it is east of New Zealand, and 800 miles less than it is by the south side of that island and east of New Holland ; and the route east contemplates your going as far as the variables of the northern hemisphere, say between the parallels of 30° and 35° north, in order to get far enough east to clear New Holland. The question of going west of New Holland is debatable only during the strength of the N. E. monsoons, or from October to March inclusive. During the rest of the year, east of New Zealand is the route. And during the monsoon season, the question as to routes from Hong-Kong resolves itself into one of this form : Are the winds through the China Sea and the Indian Ocean so much better than they are out upon the Pacific, that you can pass through the Straits of Stinda, clear the calm belt of Capricorn in about 110° E., and then get south of New Zealand and reach the meridian of 140° W. at its intersection with the parallel of 50° S., sooner than you can by proceeding from Hong-Kong as though you were bovwid to California, until you reach the meridian of 145° or 150° east; then turn south, and with such winds as you have there, run for the line in 170°, and thence east of New Zealand and so on for 50° S. in 140° W. The winds along the eastern route (east of New Zealand), from Hong-Kong, Shanghai, and Japan, as far as 50° S. correspond to those along the route from Havana, from the Capes of Virginia, and fVom Boston to Eio, and ports beyond. Havana is in lat. 23° N., long. 82° W. : let us run a psirallel between this eastern route from Hong-Kong and the route to Eio from Havana, for the similarity between the other routes, taken by pairs, the Capes and Shanghai, Boston and Hakodadi (lat. 41° 49' 22" N., long. 140° 47' 45" E.), is obvious, and needs no pointing out. The vessel from Hong-Kong is recommended to cross the equator FROM CHIKA AND JAPAN TO VALPARAISO, 817 in 165° or 170° E.; that is, between 50° and 60° east of her starting-point: therefore she has to make 50° or 60° of longitude before crossing the line ; and the vessel in the Atlantic has to do the same from Havana before she crosses the line. They both have to run up to the northward and eastward, in order to get in the variables to make easting before they turn down for the equator. They both have a current in their favor, and though the current for the Canton vessel is not quite as strong as the Gulf Stream, yet the winds in the China seas, for at least half the year, are more reliable, which will, probably, more than compensate for the diflference in the currents, and make the average from Canton to the line in 170° E., a little less than that from Cuba to the line in 30° W. I confess that this route to Valparaiso looks, upon further reflection, more tempting, especially in the spring, than I at first thought it to be. I recommend the western route only in the N. E. monsoons, and when they do not admit of a good offing for the eastern route. In December, your Flying Cloud made the run from Hong-Kong to Java Head in 7 days. When winds are fair for such runs as that, the western route is the passage. And the question as to routes, like the route north or soutb of Ireland, from Liverpool to New York, ought to be decided at the moment of coming out of port, and finding how the wind is. The only reason, you will understand, why I recommend crossing the line so far to the eastward, is because there is both more sea room and better winds than nearer the land ; at least I so infer ; for, as I have said before, the materials for my Charts in that part of the ocean are rather scanty. But let us illustrate this question of route from Hong-Kong a little further: you recollect the position in the South Atlantic of the Isles of Sandwich. Land? The route from Havana to them would be along the road to Eio, until you reach the parallel of 23° S. Now suppose there were a ship canal — a Strait of Sunda — across the Isthmus of Panama, and you were going to send a vessel from Cuba, for seal skins, to Sandwich Land, would you send her througb the Istbmus down across the S. E. trades of the Pacific, and so around Cape Horn to tbose islands? This would be like sending your vessel from Hong-Kong down through the Straits of Sunda and so around New Holland and along the soutii side of New Zealand to 140° W., and 50° S., on the way to Valparaiso. Or would you send her from Havana first up to 30°-35° north, and so down along the Eio route in the Atlantic? This would be like sending your vessel from Hong-Kong up towards Japan, and so to the east of New Zealand down to 50° S., 140° W., on ber way to Valparaiso. Before I go further in discussing routes, I'll state you the shortest practicable distance by the several routes from Hong-Kong to Valparaiso : — From Hong-Kong via Straits of Sunda and south of New Holland, 11,400 miles. " via 33° N. and 150° E., to 0° and 163° E., and S. of New Zealand, 12,200 " " " " 157° E., " 170° E., " " 11,900 " Shanghai and «•« " " " " " " 11,100 " " " 150° 163° S. " 11,500 " Japan " " " " 10,900 « 157° 170° E. " 10,400 103 618 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. So you observe that the route east of New Holland and south of New Zealand is the longest; and the route west from Hong-Kong is 500 miles shorter than the route which passes east of New Zealand, and this is the route which I think experience will probably prove to be the best in the long run; certainly from Shanghai and Japan it is the best. I give the preference to the east side of New Zealand, because better winds are found along that route, and which will probably more than make up for the difference of distance from Hong-Kong. I take it that a vessel steering from 30° or 35° N. in the Pacific, and entering the N. E. trades in April, will be able to make with a good " rap full" a course between S. E. and S. S. E. to the line, and that after crossing the line and entering the S. E. trades, she will be able to make a course through them with not more than one point westing, she keeping topmast studding-sails set. From the equator, and between 170° and 175° west of New Zealand is plain sailing; therefore, if after turning to the southward and east- ward from 30° N., or whatever be the parallel attained, the winds will, without pinching, allow you to cross the line between 170° and 175° E., do so, and then stand as straight as the wind will allow you, for the "brave west winds" of the extra-tropical south, shaping your course for 50° S. about the meridian of 140° W., taking care not to recross the parallel of 45° to the west of 90° W. If it be found practicable to accomplish this route, the distance will be about 11,900 miles. I am particular in stating these distances to you, because your intelligent navigators, in case they be pinched, will have no difficulty in determining which side of New Zealand to pass. Of course you will understand there is no virtue in the parallel of 30° N., I only indicate that as the lowest parallel upon which, in the month of April, good westerly winds will prevail. Now, with all these preliminaries before you, the instructions are, after getting an offing from Hong-Kong, make the best of your way to the meridian of 150° E., without making any southing ; and the nearest way to get there, that is great circle, is to reach say the parallel of 80° N., long. 137° east. So you observe that it is not much out of the way to run up to 30° or even 35° N., for the sake of better winds. "With a smart ship and a smart navigator on this route, he will reach the line in 25 days — in April, it may be done in 18, and perhaps sooner in other months; it will take him thence 15 days to cross the S. E. trades and get into the " brave west winds" of the South Pacific. Suppose he gets them in 48°, long. 180°, he will be into Valparaiso in 25 days more. So tell your captain that you expect him to make the passage, if he succeed in getting clear of the Asiatic coast without delay, in about 70 days. He ought to average, through this route, 175 miles a day, which would, with one day for an offing, give him a passage of 68 days. Wishing both you and him good luck till you are tired of it, I remain yours, truly, Lewis "W. Tappan, Esq., M. F. MAURY. Messrs. Sampson & Tappan, Boston. P. S. — Pray caution your captain, after he gets south of the S. E. trades, not to be deceived with the first spirt of westerly winds, because they will die away after a few days, and then he will have to go south to look for them again ; but when he gets between 48°, and 50°, he will generally find that a good belt • for them, and then he may " stick her away" east. FROM THE SiJS'UWICH ISLANDS TO CALIFORNIA. 819 FROM VALPARAISO TO CALCUTTA. T have advised a shipmaster, who consulted me as to this route, to go by the way of Cape noi:n. The distance by the cape being 10,500 miles; and the distance by the usual route west, or "running down the trades," as it is called, being 13,000 miles, or 2,500 greater. The difference in time will be quite as great as this difference of distance would indicate. Indeed, in addition to distance, time is also in favor of the Cape Horn route, for the winds are stronger, and quite as fair. As one stands at the equator in the Atlantic, and looks south upon the chart, he sees a part of the ocean, in the shape of the letter V, which is untravelled except by whalemen and sealers. The track to and around the Cape of Good Hope forms one side of the letter ; the track to and fro around Cape Horn, the other. Between these two sides, the ocean is a solitude. Among the many thousand merchant logs that are on file here, there is not one to show that any trader has ever performed the voyage from the offings of Cape Horn to the offings of the Cape of Good Hope. The way, by the Cape Horn route to India, is to proceed from Valparaiso as though you were home- ward bound around the Cape, and then, with the " brave west winds" which prevail there, to run east with flowing sheets, passing between the isles of South Georgia and Sandwich Land, keeping a bright lookout for icebergs. The route thence crosses the prime meridian in about 54° lat., 20° E. in 50°, 35° E. in 40°, by which time the navigator will again find himself in the travelled thoroughfares, and will know how to proceed. Distance from Valparaiso, via Cape Horn route, "Western, or usual route. To Canton . . . 11,500 miles. 10,800 miles. " Shanghai . . . 12,200 " 10,500 " " Java Head . . . 9,700 " In the southern summer, the voyage from Valparaiso to Canton may, on account of the winds, be performed quite as quickly via Cape Horn, as it may be by the route west. If the " brave west winds" will enable a ship, by Cape Horn, to average only 10 miles a day more during the voyage, than she can in "running down the trades" west, time, which now is worth so much in navigation, would be somewhat in favor of the Cape Horn route even to Canton. FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS TO CALIFORNIA. From San Francisco to the islands, the way is plain ; for, by running to the southward and westward from the offings of San Francisco, you get the N. E trades, and carry them all the way. In returning, the course is to the northward, and as the winds will let you, lay up till they are found to be fair. On this voyage, the navigator, as a rule, will always have to go to the northward of San Francisco 820 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. to be sure of good winds, which are frequently found near the parallel of 38°, but sometimes, as from July to September, inclusive, as far as 44-5°. The islands, such as the Society and Sandwich, that stand far away from any large extent of land, have a very singular but marked effect upon the wind. They interfere with the trades very often, and turn them back ; for westerly and equatorial winds are common at both these groups, in their winter time. Some hydrographers have taken those westerly winds of the Society Islands to be an extension of the monsoons of the Indian Ocean. Not so : they are local, and do not extend a great way either from the Sandwich or Society Islands. That they are local about the former group, an examination of sheet No. 5, Pilot Chart North Pacific, will instantly show. It is a curious thing, is this influence of islands in the trade-wind region iipon the winds in the Pacific. Every navigator who has cruised in those parts of that ocean, has often turned with wonder and delight to admire the gorgeous piles of cumuli, heaped up and arranged in the most delicate and exquisitely beautiful masses that it is possible for fleecy matter to assume. Not only are these piles found capping the hills among the islands, but they are often seen to overhang the lowest islands, and even to stand above coral patches and hidden reefs, " a cloud by day," to serve as a beacon to the lonely mariner out there at sea, and to warn him of shoals and dangers, which no lead nor seaman's eye has ever seen, or sounded out. These clouds, under favorable circumstances, may be seen gathering above the low coral island, and performing their office in preparing it for vegetation and fruitfulness in a very striking manner. As they are condensed into showers, one fancies that they are a sponge of the most exquisite and delicately elabo- rated material, and that he can see, as they " drop down their fatness," the invisible hand aloft that is pressing and squeezing it out. ... These winds at the Sandwich Islands often come from the south as well as the west ; and on such occasions, they afford vessels bound for any of the Pacific ports of North America, a fine opportunity of running to the northward, clearing the N. E. trades, and getting the westerly winds of the variables beyond. Capt. Paty, as the following letter shows, has been one of the most successful navigators in the Sand- wich Island and California trade, and therefore I quote a few of his tracks in illustration of the route from the Sandwich Islands to San Francisco. San Francisco, Feb. 15, 1855. Lieut. M. F. Maury, U. S. N., ' Superintendent of National Observatory, Washington,. D. C. Dear Sir : I take great pleasure in handing you, inclosed, copies of logs kept by Capt. John Paty, between this city and Honolulu. Capt. Paty has been running constantly on this route and between Honolulu and China, ever since 1837, and has, he informs me, been here evpry winter once, at least, since that time, and probably has more experience in this trade than any commander here. The logs I inclose, please find as follows : — FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS TO CALIFORNIA. 821 San Francisco to Honolulu. Clipper brig Zoe, Sept. and Oct., 1853 16 days. " " Zoe, Jan. and Feb., 1854 20 " " schooner Eestless, April and May, 1854 12 " " " " June, 1854 11 " 14 " October, 1854 Honolulu to San Francisco. Clipper brig Zoe, Oct. to Nov., 1853 " " " January, 1854 . . . . " schooner Eestless, April, 1854 . " " " May and June, 1854 . " " " July and August, 1854 " barque Francis Palmer, February, 1855 14 days. 13 " 13 " 16 " 21 " 11 " The abstract log of the Francis Palmer shows her passage to be remarkable, from the fact that it is the shortest ever made upward. Capt. Paty feels confident that, with the F. P., he both can and will make the passage up in ten days. The U. S. ship St. Mary's, Capt. Bailey, left Honolulu 28 hours before the F. P., and arrived here in the second best passage on record. The barque F. Palmer beat her 27J hours to the Heads, and 15 hours to the anchorage. The barques Hermione and Fanny Major, half clippers, sailed a few days previous from Honolulu, and arrived in company in 14 days' passage. Other full model vessels were 21 days ; but, I think, steered different courses. Most of the inclosed logs are ou common writing-paper, as your agent being out of abstract logs, I was unable to procure any. I hope soon to be able to forward you a table of passages both up and down, complete since 1850. I have a few more logs to forward you, not yet completed. I am with Messrs. Gr. B. Post & Co., who are the oldest and leading house in the Sandwich Island trade. They own a line of clipper vessels running to Honolulu, leaving every eight or nine days, whose journals, if furnished to you, would, I am sure, be of great service in your valuable researches, and aid you in establishing the proper track for approaching our coast at all months of the year. Capt. Paty differs with you a little, I believe, on this subject, and believes that the best way to approach our coast is from the northward. He hopes to have the pleasure of writing you on the subject before long. I cannot but feel great interest in all researches in this, my favorite study, having kept the abstract log of two long voyages for your ofEce, one of ship Singapore to Calcutta and back, and one around the world in the clipper ship John Gilpin, on her first voyage, and thoroughly studied your valuable Sailing Directions, a copy of which you kindly presented me a year ago, at Washington, when at the Observatory with my father and Mr. Sidney Brooks, of N. Y. My duties are constant, but I shall be happy at all times to render you any service in my power, to help you in your great work. The track up requires the most skill in navigating ; the track down is 82S THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. pretty generally understood. The average of passages up from Honolulu to San Francisco is, in length to the passage down, as 6 to 5. Therefore, ten days down is no better than twelve days up, and vice versa. My address is care of Messrs. G. B. Post & Co., San Erancisco. I remain yours, very respectfully, CHAS. WOLCOTT BKOOKS. Abstract Log of the Brig Zoe (John Paty). From Honolulu to San Francisco. •WINDS. Date. Latitude. Longitude. First part. Middle part. Latter part. December 30, 1853 22° 52' 156° 40' E. K E. E. N. E. E. N. E. 31, " 24 57 155 50 E. N. E. E. N. E. E. N. E. January 1, 1854 27 40 154 00 East East E. S. E. 2, " 31 05 153 30 S.E. S. E. by S. S. E. by S. 3, " 32 22 150 80 S. S. E. S. S. E. S. S. E. 4, " 34 38 148 07 S. W. S.W. N. W. 5, " 34 20 147 55 North North North 6, " 36 05 143 50 K E. N. E. East 7, " 37 44 139 50 E. S. E. S. E. E. S. E. 8, " 37 40 136 30 S. S. E. S. S. W. s. s. w. 9, " 37 20 135 30 s. w. W. S. W. w. s. w. 10, " 38 05 133 30 "West Calm Calm 11, " 37 40 129 50 S. E. S.E. S.W. 12, " 37 40 126 40 S. W. S.W. S.W. Dec. 30. Sailed from Honolulu ; fresh breezes and pleasant. Dec. 31. Fine breezes. January 1, 1854. Fresh breezes. Jan. 2. Fresh breezes and heavy sea. Jan. 3. Fresh breezes ; first part, rain ; latter part, clear. Jan. 4. Light breezes and pleasant. Jan. 5. Fresh breezes and cloudy. Jan. 6. Strong breezes ; carried away fore-topgallant mast. Jan. 7. Fresh gales throughout, with a very rough sea. Jan. 8. Fresh gales. Jan. 9. Comes in light airs ; middle and latter parts, becalmed. ■ Jan. 10. Very light airs. Jan. 11. Fine breeze throughout, weather thick and foggy. Jan. 12. Light breezes and foggy weather ; at 5 A. M. sighted land near Point Keys, and at 11 A. M. made fast to Cunningham's wharf, in 13 days from Honolulu. N. B. — The U. S. sloop Portsmouth sailed from Honolulu 24 hours before the Zoe, and arrived at Sancolito 24 hours before the Zoe, making the same time. The loss of our fore-topgallant mast retarded our progress some, as we had no spar to replace it. FBOM HOKOLULU TO SAN FRANCISCO. 823 Abstract Log of the American Clipper Barque Francis Palmer (John Paty). From Honolu lu, Sandwich Islands, to San Francisco, California, 1855. " The Quickest Passage on Eecord." Latitude at noon. Longitude at noon. Course. Distance. . WINDS. Date. First part. Middle part. Latter part. Jan. 30 K W. N. W. 31 22° 07' 156° 07' K 76° E. 106 KW. S.W. W. S. W. Feb. 1 25 31 152 07 N. 47° E. 302 s. w. s. w. S. W. by W. 2 27 50 150 04 K 46° E. 194 s. s. w. N. W. N. W. 3 29 51 147 34 N. 47° E. 180 West South West 4 32 01 144 31 N. 50° E. 205 W. S. W. W. s. W. West 5 33 19 141 03 N. 66° E. 193 West K W. N. by W. 6 34 10 139 16 K 60° E. 102 N. K W. Calm South 7 35 42 135 55 K 60° E. 190 South S. W. N. W. 8 37 09 130 07 N. 72° E. 296 South ■ S. E. South 9 38 12 124 04 N. 74° E. 252 South South South 10 S. E. by E. S. S. E. Jan. 30. Light breezes and pleasant. At 6 P. M. the steam-tug left us ; made all sail, standing along shore, with light airs and clear weather. Jan. 31. Light airs and pleasant weather. At noon, Molakai bore S. S. W., say 48 miles. Feb. 1. Comes in gentle breezes; ends strong breezes and all sail ; going 15 knots — average, 12 /j. Feb. 2. Comes in fresh gales ; at 10 P. M. wind hauled to N. W. ; double-reefed the topsails ; at 8 A. M. made sail again. Feb. 3. Comes in light breezes ; thick weather, with rain. Feb. 4. Brisk breezes, with all sail; weather squally. Feb. 5. Comes in brisk breezes and squally; at 4 P. M. braced sharp up, with light, baffling breezes, and squally weather. Feb. 6. Light airs and pleasant ; middle, calm. Feb. 7. Comes in brisk breezes ; middle, moderate ; ends light breezes and cloudy. Feb. 8. Comes in light, baffling breezes and rainy ; ends fresh breezes ; all sail. Feb. 9. Fresh gales and cloudy ; at 2 P. M. in royals and topgallant studding-sails ; at daylight, the water was discolored ; on soundings, ship going from 12 to 15 knots during the day. Feb. 10. Brisk breezes and thick weather;* at 6h. 30m. P. M. shortened sail and wore ship, judging Point Lobos to bear E. N. E., say 6 miles ; weather being too thick to run in for the Heads, reefed the top- sails and furled the courses, and stood off shore under easy sail; at 3 A.M. wore ship to the E. N. E., and stood in shore again for one hour ; at 4 A. M. wore ship to the S. and W., standing off shore waiting for daybreak ; at sunrise, weather clearing up ; made all sail, and stood in for the Heads ; arrived at 7 A. M., and hauled in at Cunningham's Wharf, after a passage of eleven days ; made the run from land to land (from Molakai to the Heads of San Francisco), in nine days and tvjo hours f * Telegraphed. At sundown, weather thick ; a clipper barque five miles west, inward bound. — Vide Point Lobos Marine Report, in Alta California, of date. 824 THE WIND AND CURRENT CHARTS. Abstract Log of the Clipper Schooner Restless (JOHN Paty). From Honolulu to San Francisco. ■WINDS. Bate. Latitude. Longitude. First part. Middle part. Latter part. April 2, 1854 23° 40' 154° 20' s. w. N. W. S. E. 3, ' 25 55 151 51 s. w. "West West 4, ' 26 55 151 51 N. W. N. N. E. N. N. E. 5, ' 29 06 152 09 K N. B. East N.E. 6, ' 30 56 150 30 S. S. E. Calm Calm 7, ' 30 47 146 20 Calm North North 8, ' 30 37 143 45 North N.E. N. W. 9, ' 31 08 143 00 S.W. W. N. W. W. N. W. 10, ' 33 40 141 07 Calm W. N. W. S.W. 11, ' 35 28 138 14 West West w. s. w. 12, ' 36 51 134 37 S. "W. by W. South South 13, ' 37 16 131 36 S. E. by S. S. E. by S. S. E. by S. 14, ' 37 33 129 10 S.E. S. E. S. E. 15, ' Arrived North North North April 2. Gentle breezes and fine weather. April 3. Gentle breezes and fine weather. April 4. Gentle breezes and fine weather. April 5. Gentle breezes and fine weather. April 6. Gentle breezes and fine weather ; ends calm. April 7. Comes in calm ; ends fresh breezes, with rain ; lat. 30° 47' ; long. 146° 20'. April 8. Fresh breezes, April 9. Very light breezes. April 10. Very light breezes. April 11. Light, gentle breezes. April 12. Gentle breezes and fair weather. April 13. Gentle, light breezes. April 14. Moderate breezes. April 15. Strong breezes, with all sail set ; fine run ; arrived at San Francisco at 2 P. M., and made fast to Cunningham's Wharf. FROM HONOLULU TO SAN FRANCISCO. 825 Abstract Log of the Clijjper Schooner Restless (John Paty). From Honolulu to San Francisco. Date. Latitude. May 21,1854 23° 30' 22, II 26 00 23, 11 28 46 24,