Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream branch passing between Madeira and the Canaries warms the sea, moistens the air and carries sea beans to Madeiran shores.
This ocean current, which rises in the Gulf of Mexico and reaches as far as the North Cape and Spitsbergen, divides into several branches. One of them, larger than all the others, runs down along the west coast of Africa. After heading E., this branch flows S.S.W. between Madeira and the Canary Islands at a speed of 12 to 16 miles a day.
The Gulf Stream raises the temperature of the sea and is the main cause of the large quantity of water vapour contained in the atmosphere of our archipelago. It is this current that carries the seeds of Guilandina, Mucuna and Entada (sea beans (favas do mar, tropical drift seeds) or sea chestnuts) which sometimes appear at Porto da Cruz (‘harbour of the cross’) and on the island of Porto Santo (‘holy harbour’).
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Place
Places mentioned · 06
Abroad
- Canary Islands
Spain. The current branch flows between Madeira and the Canaries.
The Canary Islands are the archipelago neighbouring Madeira, with disputed accounts of their discovery. Tradition holds that their Béthencourt king sold them to Prince Henry in exchange for lands in Madeira. The Elucidário notes many contacts between the two archipelagos, including scientific visits, the Orfeão Madeirense's tour in May 1922 and the massacre of forty Jesuits in their waters.
- Gulf of Mexico
Mexico/United States. Origin of the current.
The Gulf of Mexico is cited as the origin of the Gulf Stream. It is also given as the probable location of the land discovered by Afonso Sanches.
- Porto da Cruz
Machico. Where sea beans wash ashore.
North-coast parish created in 1577 and noted for good-quality wines. It was transferred from Santana to Machico municipality in 1852 and was the seat of a capitania-mor. It was also a fishing port where some sperm whales were landed.
- Porto Santo
Where sea beans wash ashore.
An island of the archipelago, settled alongside Madeira and forming one of the three captaincies. It has always constituted a single parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose church was repeatedly sacked. The Elucidário records the Moorish pirate raid of 1617, its own Misericórdia and a rainwater channel built on this drought-prone island.