Northers of the Mexican Seas and Coasts. 163 
of Bermuda near the beginning of the same month. It was en- 
countered, Oct. 2d, by the Emma, in lat. 31°, lon. 71°; also, by 
the Neptune, lat. 32° 12’; and by the Sophia, lat. 32° 30’, lon. 
70°. Next by the Rienzi, on the morning of Oct. 3d, in lat. 33° 
19’, lon. 67° 32/; and on the same day by the Cora, in lat. 34° 
10’, lon. 66°. So great was its violence, that nearly all these 
vessels were dismasted. It is believed that this gale was north- 
ward of the Danish island of St. Thomas on the 30th of Septem- 
ber, with its border touching this island; and that in its course 
from thence it curved rapidly forth wind, to the position of the 
Emma, Oct. 2d, pursuing its course from thence in a northeast- 
erly direction. 
Description of the Northers of the Mexican Seas. 
The descriptions hitherto given of the storms of this region, 
seem to efly upon phenomena which have been 
common to particular parts of storms, while moving in certain 
routes or localities ; 1 d hence, as in the case of former descrip- 
tions of the West India hurricanes and the storms of the coast of 
the United States, they have failed to impart any satisfactory 
knowledge of the general history and progress of these storms. 
Mr. Mooney, an officer er M. S. Thunder, engaged in nautical surveys, made a pas- 
sage to Honduras and Vera Cruz in the month of December, 1840, ‘‘the very acme of the 
Northers.”’ ‘ad says, “ When about 40 miles from Vera Cruz, our forebodings fof the 
Northers] were realized; we had one of the most severe gales, with the exception of a 
hurricane, ie the West Indies produce, and arrived at Vera Cruz after three days hard 
battering.” Sailing from thence to Tampico, he encountered another Norther, commen- 
Ras suddenly at N. N. E. Again , on the 1th of January, he arrived in the middle of a 
heavy Norther at Vera Cruz. Sailed on the 15th, was set to the southeast, “and thereby 
Shap gale that blew to the northward of us. We had the concomitant swell as long _ 
and heavy as usual, but se only light winds, and puffs, and dark lowering weather, with 
@ cross sea, which effectually saved us the trouble of washing ourselves or the deck.” 
Of the Norther he me 4 duet before it commences the scud can be perceived progressing 
at no small pace from sete to northwest.......I think it better for a vessel to keep as 
near the land as possible these occasions. The wind blows more along shore—if 
a egrs and hy; i is soeets prc ations can es obtained. The gale first lulls in shore, and 
Yy k fof clouds le can be seen about 20 or 25 aoe out, and there it hangs till 
breaks altogeth a hapless vessel in darkness, whilst their more 
in-shore re niga enjoy comparatively fe weather. eo he ha vei italicised ce 
hese and The above is from the 
Netiical Magazine for bi 1) 
Don BERNA A, captain in the Spanish navy, [who is quoted as aethority by 
Humspoupt and saat ssn that the season in whieh the Norths blow is from Septem- 
ber to March, and that the first of th th ly feit in the month of September. 
In the winter months, after thes begin they i increaile fait, and in four hours or a little more 
ost stre 
there are in general not more than four or six days asked ed There are various oo. by 
which the coming on of a Norther may be foreseen—but the most certain of all is 
se ae 
