Changes

There have been exceptions. Trade across the north Indian Ocean between India and north-east Africa” and the [[Red Sea]] made use of the African and Indian Monsoons which occurred at different times of the year. Also, currents have been used: as well as the Gulf Stream, the currents running up the west coasts of Africa and [[South America]] were a boon to mariners in the age of sail.   

There have been exceptions. Trade across the north Indian Ocean between India and north-east Africa” and the [[Red Sea]] made use of the African and Indian Monsoons which occurred at different times of the year. Also, currents have been used: as well as the Gulf Stream, the currents running up the west coasts of Africa and [[South America]] were a boon to mariners in the age of sail.   

The trade winds have always been a moderator of the tropical heat; a blessing to the islands and coasts in their path. [[John Masefield]]’s poem :Trade Winds”, later put to music by Frederick Keel, evokes this beautifully.

The trade winds have always been a moderator of the tropical heat; a blessing to the islands and coasts in their path. [[John Masefield]]’s poem :Trade Winds”, later put to music by Frederick Keel, evokes this beautifully -

''In the harbour, in the island, in the Spanish seas,

"''In the harbour, in the island, in the Spanish seas,

Are the tiny white houses and the orange trees,

''Are the tiny white houses and the orange trees,

And day-long, night-long, the cool and pleasant breeze

''And day-long, night-long, the cool and pleasant breeze

Of the steady Trade Winds blowing.

''Of the steady Trade Winds blowing''.

There is the red wine, the nutty Spanish ale,

''There is the red wine, the nutty Spanish ale,

The shuffle of the dancers, and the old salt's tale,

''The shuffle of the dancers, and the old salt's tale,

The squeaking fiddle, and the soughing in the sail

''The squeaking fiddle, and the soughing in the sail

Of the steady Trade Winds blowing.

''Of the steady Trade Winds blowing''.

And o'nights there's the fire-flies and the yellow moon,

''And o'nights there's the fire-flies and the yellow moon,

And in the ghostly palm trees the sleepy tune

''And in the ghostly palm trees the sleepy tune

Of the quiet voice calling me, the long low croon

''Of the quiet voice calling me, the long low croon

Of the steady Trade Winds blowing.''

''Of the steady Trade Winds blowing''."