A STRANGE ENTERPRISE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2117, 2 February 1886, Page 4

A STRANGE ENTERPRISE.

A proposal to deflect the polar current from the Ametic.m coast, \\ hich is dilcu.Hsed in the .Scientific American, has a wide interest, from the fjet that if achieved it might leave England out in the cold, and generally change the temperature of Northeri Europe. It seems tli.xt a large part of the polar current comni^ down horn H udson's> • JBay and Gieenl.ind passes through Belle Isle Strait, thence into the Gulf of St. Law rt'iice, by the west of Newfoundhnd, and courses <-outhw.ud hke a cold wall along tlieMoith Ameiicin const, giving it an inhospitable temperature for many months in the year. The proposal in to block Hollo Isle Strait, which is 10 miles l» oad and 150 feet deep. There j-> plenty of material at hand, and it is alleged tli.it the work could be done for 10,000,000 dollars. The full force of the stream would then have to pa&s the cast of Newfoundland, and, on its May southwards, meeting the Gulf stream further eastward, might bo modify its direction as to have a very important effect on the countries of Europe. Ahcady the Gulf stream is deflected in various degrees according to the force ot the polar current, being at certain seasons of the year pushed 300 miles southward, and eastward of its course at other seasons. The gulf stream travelling north laves the coast of Europe, whilst the polar current travelling south and washing the shores of America, accounts for the icy coldness of the one in comparison with the balmy warmth of the other. That Great Britain, in from 50 to 60 degrees of latitude on the east side of the Atlantic, should be so much warmer than Labrador in the same latitude in the West Atlantic, or indeed than a much lower latitude, is a phenomenon that favours comfortable living in Europe. But we may well doubt whether any such project as this would be attempted. Belle Isle Strait divides English territory, and would not be blocked by the sanction of the British, to say nothing of French, Spanish, or Portuguese authorities. If Canada were an independent country, and joined with the United States to carry out such a project, there would be a cause of contention the like of which had never been seen in the history of the world. Questions of right to divert the course ot rivers sink into insignificance beside this question of interference with the natural currents of the Atlantic Ocean. The effect of making Great Britain or Europe even a few degrees colder would probably involve consequences of a very unpleasant character.