20  Onthe prevailing Storms of the Atlantic Coast. 
made to explain the manner in which storms blowing from the north- 
east, should, at the same time, be found extending: i in that direction, 
without visible cause, and in apparent opposition to their own forces. 
The unsatisfactory character of these explanatory theories has in- 
duced the writer to pay some attention to the foregoing facts, and to 
the other phenomena exhibited by the storms of our climate, which 
has resulted in an apprehension that the general causes and manner 
of operation of these storms are not beyond the reach of investigation. 
The storms experienced in that portion of country bordering upon 
the sea coast, and on the adjacent parts of the Atlantic ocean, are com- 
monly viewed as forming two varieties, one of which is distinguished as 
blowing from the north-eastern, and the other from the south-eastern 
quarter of the horizon. These do not greatly differ in their ordinary 
effects, although those from the north-east have usually a more pro- 
longed duration, and exhibit a more sensible reduction of tempera- 
ture. Some account of the phenomena and ascertained progress of 
a south-eastern storm, which occurred in September, of the year 
1821, may, in its leading features, apply to many other storms, and 
will, it is believed, afford sufficient ground for the conclusions. which 
we shall attempt to establish. 
This storm, as experienced in the central parts of the state of Con- 
necticut, commenced blowing violently from E. S. E. and S. E, 
about six o’clock on the evening of the 3d day of Senistubang having 
been preceded by a fresh wind from the southern quarter, and flying 
clouds. It continued blowing in heavy gusts, and with increasing 
» fury till about 10 o’clock, P. M. when the wind suddenly subsided. 
A calm or lull, of perhaps fifteen minutes duration ensued, which 
was terminated by a violent gust from the north-west, which contin- 
ued till about 11, P. M. and then gradually abated. Much damage 
was sustained, and fruit trees, corn, &c. were uniformly prostrated 
towards the north-west. 
It afterwards appeared that the same storm was experienced, with 
at least equal violence, at New York, about three hours earlier than 
at the point before mentioned, but blowing from a more eastern quar- 
ter, and terminating its ravages at about 8, P. M. having also been 
preceded by a fresh wind from the southward. ‘That in the north- 
eastern parts of Massachusetts, it was experienced some hours later 
than in Connecticut. That at Providence, in the state of Rhode Is- 
land, where the memorable gale of 1815 had raged with such terrifi¢e 
fury, the storm was felt from the south-eastern quarter, but not se- 
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