IN THE SARGASSO SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15375, 9 August 1913, Page 5 (Supplement)

IN THE SARGASSO SEA.

A SAILOR'S,OBSERVATIONS, v So many theories have been : put forward as to the source of the Sargasso weedin which Columbus was involved for a fortnight, Mid which still remains in the Atlantic—that a report sent by Captain S. A. Beauchant, of the Thistledor, to the Imperial Service Guild, is of distinct interest. In this he says: — "I sailed from Norfolk, Va., for. Rio de Janeiro on May 1. I steered further to the northward than I think is usual. On May, 2 we fill in with the Gulf,weed, and day after day we passed through large patches that were spread over the ocean as far as the eye could see. "I did nob pay any particular attention to it until about 5 p.m. on May 7, when the officer of the watch reported to me that the temperature of the sea water had suddenly risen from 76deg. to 86deg. Fahr. As I looked over the rail wondering what caused this sudden change of temperature I noticed that there were email objects floating around about the various patches of weed, and on inspecting them closer I found these to be red-brown berries. " The following day as we proceeded the berries increased in number. Some had small ■ leaves sprouting from them, and whilst in Lat. 21deg. 26m N. I collected samples in various stages of growth. " The sea water at these places was covered with Crustacea and animalcu.la;, and millions of small jellyfish and 'Portuguese men-of-war,' some just appearing like huge bubbles with their sails set, reflecting all the hues of tho rainbow. Flying-fish were there in millions; it seemed to bo the proper breeding-ground for them, as the patches between the weeds were full of young, fish. "It was not until noon on May .'0 that we got. clear of the weed. From th-so observations the month of May, -with the declination of the sun about 17de r, 18m N H appears to bo the growing and breeding season in these latitudes."