Last week we considered many interesting facts about the Gulf Stream which flows from the Gulf of Mexico thousands of miles through North Atlantic waters. Now let’s look at more facts about this amazing body of water.
Even in winter this ocean current from the Gulf of Mexico is much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean waters through which it flows, and that is very welcome to the sea life along its route. People along the eastern shores of North America, particularly those in New England and Canada, are very thankful that these waters help provide milder winter weather than many places inland.
Ships traveling northward are thankful for the four-mile-an-hour boost the Gulf Stream provides. This is particularly true of huge tankers and freighters that sit deep in the water. The benefit of the stream’s northward flow, plus the fact that prevailing winds are usually from the south, has always made the Gulf Stream particularly attractive to sailing boats of past days, as well as today.
These waters also carry many seeds and plants, some of which wash up, take root and add to the beauty of remote shorelines. Stray pieces of lumber that probably fall into the Mississippi and other rivers en route to the Gulf, also travel north on this unusual Gulf Stream and wash up on island shores. Residents collect them until there is enough lumber to build a shed, barn, or even a small house.
Sportsmen have found great numbers of fish in these waters, including unusual ones from the Caribbean Sea. They like the large numbers of trout, salmon and varieties of tuna, some as big as sharks. Landing one of these is a real challenge to the most experienced fisherman.
Whales and sharks swim to these warm waters, particularly in the northern areas which otherwise are quite cold. Migrating eels swim against the current on their way to the Sargasso Sea where they produce their young ones. Incidentally, the American eels swim about 2000 miles to spawn and the European eels swim about 3000 miles, going to the same place. Millions of their hatchlings rise from the calm waters of the ocean floor and then follow the Gulf currents at least part way to their destinations.
There is not room to mention all varieties of birds and other creatures that benefit by this “river in the ocean.” But God, their Creator, is aware of and provides for them all. We know this from a Bible verse which states: “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:66Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6).
How good it is to know Him as the Creator of all things, but much more important is also to know Him as your Saviour and true Friend. Is He your Saviour and Friend?
ML-02/02/1992