The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 2 [of 3]

Chapter 58: Observations of the Warmth of the Sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other Remarks made on board the Pennsylvania Packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775.

By Benjamin Franklin

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About This Book

The volume gathers a wide-ranging collection of letters and papers that report empirical observations, experiments, and practical proposals alongside political and moral reflections. Scientific pieces treat meteorological and maritime phenomena—water-spouts, whirlwinds, auroras, tides, the Gulf Stream, temperature, evaporation, and salinity—and describe inventions and improvements such as stoves, chimneys, paper-making methods, and a proposed reformed alphabet. Short essays and club notes offer rules for civic debate and guidance for youth. Political fragments examine population and economy, luxury and smuggling, criminal law, toleration, and the slave trade, often combining pragmatic solutions with concise moral reasoning.

Observations of the Warmth of the Sea-water, &c. by Fahrenheit's Thermometer, in crossing the Gulph Stream; with other Remarks made on board the Pennsylvania Packet, Capt. Osborne, bound from London to Philadelphia, in April and May, 1775.

Date	Hour	Temp. of Air.	Temp. of Wat.	Wind	Course	Distance	Latitude N.	Longitude W.	Remarks
April 10			62
11			61
12			64
13			65
14			65				° ′	° ′
26		60	70				37 39	60 38	Much gulph weed; saw a whale.
27		60	70	SSE	WbS		37 13	62 29	Colour of water changed.
28	8 A.M.	70	64	SW	WNW		37 48	64 35	No gulph weed.
—	6 P.M.	67	60			34			Sounded, no bottom.
29	8 A.M.	63	71	N	W	44	37 26	66 0	Much light in the water last night.
—	5 P.M.	65	72	NE		57			Water again of the usual deep sea colour, little or no light in it at night.
—	11 dit.	66	66	NWbN	WbS	57
30	8 A.M.	64	70	NE	WbN	69
—	12	62	70		EbS	24	37 20	68 53	Frequent gulph weed, water continues of sea colour, little light.
—	6 P.M.	64	72	ESE	WbN	43
—	10 dit.	65	65	S		25			Much light.
May 1	7 A.M.	68	63			60			Much light all last night.
—	12	65	56	SSW	WNW	44	38 13	72 23	Colour of water changed.
—	4 P.M.	64	56		WbN	21
—	10 dit.	64	57	SW	WNW	31			Much light.
2	8 A.M.	62	53			18	38 43	74 3	Much light. Thunder-gust.
—	12	60	53	WSW	NW	18
—	6 P.M.	64	55	NW	WSW	15
—	10	65	55	NbW	WbN	10
3	7 A.M.	62	54			30	38 30	75 0