214 



referred to, to be 60 miles an hour, and the rate of the progressive motion 

 of the storm to be 15 miles an hour, the greatest velocity of the wind at 

 the centre would be GO miles, at certain points in the northern semi- 

 circle 45 miles (60-15), and at others in the southern semicircle 75 miles 

 an hour.* 



Having thus briefly noticed some of the more prominent characteristics 

 of the storms which visit us, it now only remains for me to add a few 

 practical suggestions regarding them, from which, if properly carried 

 out, I have no hesitation in aflBrming that much benefit would accrue 

 to the general interests of this great commercial country, and a very 

 great amount of loss of life and property be prevented. 



If the masters of vessels could be apprised with certainty of the 

 approach of a storm, the direction of its progressive motion, the manner 

 in which the veering of the wind would take place, and the direction from 

 which it would blow with the greatest force, a few hours before the violent 

 and dangerous parts of the storm should reach their respective localities, 

 they would be able to make many preparations to avoid the coming 

 danger. A knowledge of the laws of storms, attention to the state of 

 the barometer and of the wind, and watchful observation of the varied 

 meteorological prognostics which experience has indicated, have been 

 found in numerous instances, of very great utility in warding off 

 impending disaster. Much yet, however, remains to be done. Seafaring 

 men, though generally " weatherwise" have not as yet paid that atten- 

 tion to meteorology which the importance of the subject to their ow^n 

 interest demands. A certain knowledge of the philosophy of storms 

 should be made imperative before any man is intrusted with the command 

 of a vessel. Barometers should also be on board of every ship, and 

 their indications, as well as the direction of the wind, its force, the motions 

 of the cirri, and other particulars, regularly entered in the log-book. If 

 the views stated in a former part of this paper, relative to the motions of 

 the upper currents of the atmosphere at the elevation of the cirri, be 

 found to be correct, they will prove of very great utility, in indicating at 

 sea, or where there are no means of comparing observations, the directions 

 of the progressive motion of any storm, and this is a point of essential 

 importance to a thorough understanding of its other conditions. 



It is in the vicinity of land, however, that vessels are in the greatest 

 jeopardy when overtaken by storms, and this truth is nowhere more 

 strikingly exemplified than upon our own coasts. But on land, if we 

 choose to use them, we have the means, by a comparison of numerous 

 observations made at distant localities, of knowing at any given 



♦ It should be remarked, that although cyclones may practically be regarded as funnel- 

 »haped, or as sweeping over areas approximately circular at any given moment, — they are, in 

 reality, to a certain extent, gyratory, or spiral in their movements. 



