PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 273 



Very many persons along the coast from Chef Menteur to Dunbar, 

 inclusive, escaped by getting away when warned, those who were drowned 

 at Lake Catherine and Rigolets lost their lives because they did not heed 

 the warning given in ample time. 



The following interesting particulars of the loss of life at 

 Rigolets are furnished by the official in charge at New Orleans : 



The loss of life at Rigolets resulted from an absolute disregard of 

 specific warnings and advice to come to New Orleans. Mr. John T. 

 Meehan, of the Times-Picayune, was in the local office, Weather Bu- 

 reau, when we issued the specific warning at 8 :20 a. m., September 29, 

 giving the path which the hurricane would follow and advising that 

 hurricane winds and high tides would prevail over southeastern Louisiana 

 that day and night. He asked me what the result would be at Rigolets, 

 stating that he knew some people there, and I told him he had better 

 telephone them at once, which he did. He spoke with Manuel, the keeper 

 of the club, through his wife, gave him the warning and told him to have 

 everybody come to New Orleans on the next train, which was due to 

 pass that place about 10 a. m. Manuel replied that the train would not 

 stop for them, and Mr. Meehan told him that if the train would not 

 come to a stop for flagging to put a cross tie on the track. The keeper 

 said, "They will put me in jail," to which Mr. Meehan replied, "You 

 would be better ofif in jail than where you are now. Stop that train at 

 all hazards and come to New Orleans." It has since been learned that 

 Manuel flagged the train and it stopped, but the people "were not there 

 to get aboard, the rising tide was jeopardizing the passengers on the 

 train, which could not wait until the people could be collected from the 

 houses. A'lanuel returned to his companions and when the storm was 

 over his lifeless body, with 23 others of those who were in the club, were 

 found strewn over the marshes. Mr. Meehan, who went to the Rigolets 

 the morning after the hurricane, with a rescue party, assisted in looking 

 after the burial of the keeper, Manuel, and his companions. 



These illustrations serve to show what great opportunities 

 exist for the Weather Bureau to render beneficial as well as 

 beneficent services to the public at large, and each year seems 

 to open up some new field of activity. Recently the meteorology 

 of great forest fires became the subject of critical study by the 

 Weather Bureau official at Portland, Ore. Assisted by advices 

 and technical information from representatives of the State and 

 Federal forest sendees, a method has been developed for fore- 

 casting hot, drv winds which are favorable to the inception and 



