14b OBSEEVATIONS ON THE WINDS. 



(72.) Commander G. A. Converse, U. S. S. Enterprise, states that what 

 is designated in Aspinwall (Colon) as a "Norther" is not necessarily a 

 gale of wind. In fact, the wind frequently does not blow home, and is at 

 Buch times quite light ; but a very heavy ground swell heaves into the bay. 

 When the wind does blow home, as happened during the Norther of 

 December 19 — 21, 1890, no vessel can remain at anchor with safety. 



There is no way of predicting these dangerous Northers. The barometer 

 gives no indication ; the "fitful showers of rain in large drops" may or 

 may not be an indication. The gradually increasing swell supposed to be 

 a forerunner of a Norther frequently proves to mean nothing. The Norther 

 of December 19 — 21, 1890, was preceded, on the 18th, by a heavy swell 

 and threatening weather, but towards evening the swell decreased, the 

 weather cleared, and it looked like a fine night. Later in the night the 

 swell commenced to heave in with greater force, so that steamers were com- 

 pelled to leave their wharves. After dayhght on the 19th, the full force 

 of the Norther began to be felt, and in a very short time it became so 

 rough that all steamers put to sea. The Pacific Mail steamer Neivport cut 

 her lines and steamed across the bay to the anchorage under the lee of 

 Toro Point, but was soon compelled to abandon this anchorage and put to 

 sea. One steamer, lying in the harbour, with two anchors down, dragged 

 nearly 1 mile before she could get sufficient steam to be able to slip and 

 go to sea. 



During the season of Northers, steamers visiting this port keep steam 

 up constantly, and are ready to move at a moment's notice. However 

 long the weather may have been threatening, when the Norther does break 

 it comes suddenly and leaves no time for preparations. If compelled to get 

 under-way, the surest way is to slip the cable and steam out to sea. It 

 would be almost impossible to get up anchor without damage to the ship 

 at such times, and there is always a risk of hooking the old anchors and 

 chains with which the bottom of the harbour is strewed. 



In standing off and on the Port of Aspinwall, the Enterprise, having on 

 three previous occasions encountered the Easterly current which habitually 

 sets along the coast, made allowance for it on the 19th, the first day of 

 the Norther, with the ship kept under steerage way only, heading N.N.W. 

 By an observation between rain-squalls, on the morning of the 20th, it was 

 found that the Norther had practically neutralized the current ; the absence 

 of driftwood, seaweed, and floating logs had been remarked. On the night 

 of the 20th, the Norther had somewhat abated, and the ship was headed 

 N.N.W. , as on the preceding night. On the morning of the 21st, a certain 

 amount of drift was observed, and, when an observation was obtained, it 



wind gradually freshening. At sunset the cumuli changed into dark nimbus, of a deep 

 purple, edged with a bronze colour ; from these clouds proceeded squalls with rain, the 

 wind veering from N.E. to N.N.W., after which it cleared up, the clouds all dispersed 

 and at 8 p.m. a fresh North came on, with a rapidly-rising sea (which a short time befori 

 had been perfectly calm and smooth). The sympiesometer fell to 29-80, which was 

 lower than it had ever done before. It blew a gale all night, with a heavy sea ; no 

 clouds ; the stars bright and large. The same white hazy-like appearance took place 

 before the Nortfi set in. Early in the morniug of the 16th the wind died away suddenly^ 

 almost to a calm ; and at 8 a.m. became a moderate breeze." 



