Pirate Theme Party

Are you going to invite a few pirates to your pirate birthday party? Pirates did operate in the Caribbean, and many of them were from Britain, so they would have to take the Gulf Stream Highway to make your pirate birthday party. Ocean currents are caused by the unequal heating of water, and they create rivers within the ocean that can actually help a ship travel much faster than in still water. For instance, the Gulf Stream travels north up the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, which means that the water is relatively warm. That is why ocean water on the east coast of the United States is generally warmer than the water on the west coast. The California current travels south, from Alaska, and explains why ocean water in Southern California can be so cold. As for the Gulf Stream, the warm water travels north towards Canada, then makes a right turn and heads for Europe. The water is warm enough that it regulates European weather, particularly the United Kingdom. If Britain did not have the benefit of the warm Gulf Stream water, it would be much colder. The warm ocean negates the effect of the cold air and ensures that Britain has a mild climate. More to come on the history of ocean currents.