GULF OF MEXICO— VEEA CEUZ. U9 



was found that the ship had been set to the N.E. some 16 miles in 

 9 hours. 



"While it is usually thick with frequent rain-squalls during these Northers, 

 there are times when it lifts and the high land at the back of Point Man- 

 zanilla can always be recognized if within 30 miles of it. If it is clear, it 

 can be distinguished much farther off (from 40 to 60 miles). — United States 

 Notice to Marmers, No. 9 of 1891. 



Northers are winds proceeding from an Anti-Cyclone over Northern 

 Mexico and Texas, when there is a storm or region of low pressure moving 

 up the Atlantic coast of the United States. The name Norther is applied 

 to the heavy sea, even though the wind itself may not reach as far South 

 as Colon. On December 18th, 1890, at Colon a heavy swell set in, with 

 threatening weather, moderating towards the evening, but increasing at 

 night to such an extent that all the steamers had to put to sea. In this 

 case, observations prove that an Anti-Cyclone was moving slowly East- 

 ward over Texas, the North- Westerly winds in its front swept down 

 through Yucatan Channel, and, combining with the North-Easterly winds 

 prevailing over the Caribbean Sea, sent very heavy seas from the North- 

 ward into Colon.* 



(73.) The Wet Season, or Season of the Breezes, at Vera Cruz, is from 

 March to September ; the breezes at the end of March, and through the 

 whole month of April, as already explained, are, from time to time, inter- 

 rupted by Norths, and are from E.S.E., very fresh; the sky sometimes 

 clear, at other times obscure. At times these come from S.E., and con- 

 tinue all night, without giving place to the land-breeze, which prevails in 

 general every night, excepting when the North wind is on. The land- 

 breeze is freshest when the rains have begun. 



After the sun passes the zenith of Vera Cruz, and until he returns to it, 

 that is, from the 16th of May to the 27th of July, the breezes are of the 

 lightest description, almost calms, with much mist or haze, and slight 

 tornados. After that time the pleasant breezes from N.W. to N.E. some- 

 times remain fixed. 



From the 27th of July to the middle of October, when the Norths become 

 established, the Tornados are fierce, with heavy rains, thunder and light- 

 ning ; those which bring the heaviest wind are from the East, but they are 

 also those of the shortest duration. Calms also occur. 



In the season of the breezes the total variation of the barometer is 0*4 ; 

 the greatest ascent of the mercury is to 30-36 inches, and its greatest descent 

 to 29-96 inches. The thermometer in July rises to 87°, and does not fall 

 to 82|°. In December it rises to 80^°, but never falls below 66|°. This, 

 it must be understood, was ascertained in the shade, the instrument being 

 placed in one of the coolest and best ventilated halls in the castle. 



In the months of August and September, rarely a year passes without 

 Hurricanes near Florida and the Northern Antillas ; but to Vera Cruz, or 

 any part of the coast thence to Campech^, they seldom or never arrive ; all 

 that is felt being the heavy sea, which has arisen in the higher latitudes. 

 Hurricanes begin to the Eastward and Northward ; and, although they do 



* United States North Atlantic Pilot Chart, March, 1891. 



