In the section between Rebecca Shoal and Cuba the daily variation in velocity was found as prominent as in Florida Strait, the mean time of eight maxima corresponding to 9h 18m before, and that of three maxima to 3h 25m after the moon's transit. The axis of the stream in this section was found near the center of the current prism, and the flow was easterly and inclined on either side toward the axis. The axis seemed to occupy a higher level than other parts of the stream, and this appears to be borne out by the fact that about half the number of the current bottles thrown out in Florida Strait on the west side of the axis were recovered along the east coast of Florida, while of those thrown out east of the axis not a single one was heard from. As a rule it was found that the stronger the current the more constant the direction and the deeper the stratum. Remarkable fluctuations in the flow near the axis were noted, the velocity increasing sometimes one knot in ten or fifteen minutes, and then as suddenly decreasing again. Lieutenant Pillsbury attributes this, however, to a serpentine movement of the maximum flow, which would sometimes strike the station occupied by the Blake. The edge of the stream was found at about 30 miles south of Rebecca Shoal light-house.
Between Yucatan and Cape San Antonio the stream was found flowing about north, and the line of maximum velocity corresponds on the average to 10h before and to 2h 20m after the moon's transit. The excessive variations were like those in Florida Strait, on the west side of the stream, and the maximum velocity of 6¼ knots was found about 5 miles off the 100-fathom line of Yucatan Bank. The eastern edge of the stream lies about 20 miles west of Cape San Antonio, and between this edge and the island, eddy currents exist. At the time the easternmost station in this section was first occupied, the declination of the moon was low and the set of the surface current north-easterly. At a high south declination of the moon the surface current was found south-easterly in direction, and east or south-east below the surface. The normal flow below the surface was in each case from the Gulf into the Caribbean Sea, and this makes it probable that the station was situated inshore of the average limit of the stream. On Cape San Antonio Bank the currents are tidal, flood running northward and ebb southward. On the Yucatan Bank the currents were also tidal, but as the edge of the bank is approached the stronger flow of the Gulf Stream predominates. The monthly variation in velocity, which was found clearly defined at the first two sections occupied, appeared at this section to be obliterated by anomalies not existing at the former.
Off Cape Hatteras the Blake accomplished the remarkable feat of remaining at anchor in 1,852 fathoms, and this with a surface current of over 4 knots. Two stations were occupied, and similar variations in velocity were observed as at the other stations. The notable feature at this station was the discovery of tidal action beneath the Gulf Stream, the currents at 200 fathoms depth changing their direction very regularly, the average current flowing about S. S. E. ½ E. for 7 hours and N. N. W. ½ W. for a little over 5 hours.
The first section investigated in 1888 was in the equatorial drift between Tobago and Barbados, where seven stations were occupied. The axis of the stream was found west of the middle, or nearer the South American shore, and the average direction was towards the north. At none of the stations did the current set in the direction of the wind, although the trades were blowing at all times with a force of from 2 to 7. The daily variation was also here very pronounced, the average time of maximum flow occurring about 5h 56m after the moon's transit. At 65 and 130 fathoms depth the current, at three of the stations occupied, was north-westerly; at one south-easterly. The velocity at 130 fathoms was greater than at 65 fathoms, and greater at the surface than at 15 and 30 fathoms.
At all of the three stations between Grenada and Trinidad tidal action was observed, with deflections due to local influences.
The passage between Santa Lucia and St. Vincent appears to be in the line of the equatorial stream. At each of the five stations in this passage tidal action was pronounced, the currents setting in and out of the Caribbean Sea at some depth. The daily variation in this passage reaches a maximum at about 6h 3m after the moon's transit, and a minimum when the moon is on the meridian. The currents entering the Caribbean Sea through this passage are but 100 fathoms in depth, but there is probably an almost equal volume flowing out below that depth.
Between the Windward Islands the currents flow generally westward, but tidal action is everywhere apparent.
To the east of Desirade the currents at all observed depths have a northerly direction, fluctuating between about N. E. by E. to N. W. by N.
In the eastern part of the Anegada Passage the surface current flows into the Caribbean Sea in directions varying between S. S. W. and S. E., but the submarine current down to 130 fathoms flows in a direction lying between north and east.
In the more western part of the passage the currents are more complex, apparently on account of the greater variations in depth in the vicinity of the station occupied.