Dear Source,
Pedrito Francois makes a very good argument, except for the rate of the current flow. The Gulf Stream is made up of warm water that flows by the Caribbean Islands, on up between Cuba and the Bahamas, up through the Straits of Florida as far as Cape Hatteras, then it flows northeastward towards Greenland and Iceland. This flow of water has a warming effect in that area.
The maximum speed of the Gulf Stream is attained along the East Coast of the United States, a maximum of 3½ to 4 knots. As a former harbor pilot on St. Thomas, I was only aware of an approximate current in that area of 1/2 knot.
I suggest that any persons having any questions should take a boat ride along the south side of the runway extension and see for themselves.
Jack M. Monsanto
Hilton Head, S.C.
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.