NORTH COAST OF SPAIN 2H 



attribute it to the effect of immense Atlantic waves rolling into a deep 

 bight, where they close upon each other, and receive vibratory undulations 

 from each shore ; augmented, perhaps, by the peculiar formation of the 

 bottom of that bay, the variation in depth, and the effects of currents, 

 which, when running over uneven ground, or against the wind, alone cause 

 a heavy swell — a striking exemplification of which may be seen on the 

 Bank of Agulhas, near the Gape of Good Hope." — CajJtain FitzBoy, 

 vol. ii., page 45. 



(145.) North Coast of Spain. — About Santander the prevalent winds in 

 winter are between South and N.W., by the West. With Southerly winds 

 the atmosphere remains clear for a few days, but they are then considered 

 to be the precursors of N.W. winds. They commence in October and cease 

 in February, When South winds bring clouds and rain they shift soon to 

 S.W., and then rapidly to West, always accompanied by fogs, and terminate 

 at N.W., blowing violently, and raising a heavy sea with strong gusts. 

 When they are at N.W. there are clear intervals which allow the sailor to 

 make out his position on the coast. 



The heaviest gales generally commence at South very violent, and they 

 are the more strong according as the sky is clearest. When it is overcast 

 you may look for it from N.W. with squalls. 



If the N.W. wind should shift suddenly to North and N.N.E. it becomes 

 very dangerous, because it wiU not allow vessels to find shelter, on account 

 of the rapidity with which it closes all the harbours. 



If after two or three days of Northerly wind it returns to West, by the 

 N.W., it will increase in that direction ; but if it shifts to the N.E. the 

 weather will be more quiet, and there may be some days of fine weather. 

 When, after a continuation of N.E. winds, it should shift to S.E., by the 

 East, you may expect Southerly winds soon, and with them bad weather 

 again. In autumn there is a continuation of fine weather, especially after 

 the bad weather which usually accompanies the Equinoxes. 



The spring is almost always a continuation of the winter, during which 

 the Westerly winds prevail ; they are not so strong, but the accompanying 

 rains are more abundant. 



In summer, which generally begins in July, the prevalent wind is from 

 N.E. Close in with the land they haul to seaward, while the sun is above 

 the horizon, and to the land during the night. 



The barometer rises with winds from West to N.E., by the North, and 

 falls witlf all other winds. 



(146.) Near Cape Penas contrary wmds are often met with. East or N.E. 

 winds in the offing becoming West ot S.W. near the cape, or vice versa. In 

 summer the prevalent winds are Easterly, and in winter between S.W. 

 and West, the latter bringing dirty weather. Northerly gales occur between 

 December and March, and are known as Travesias. 



At Ferrol the prevalent winds are N.E. in summer, and S.W. in winter, 

 the latter bringing bad weather even in summer. 



(147.) West Coast of Sixain and Portugal. — Captain J. McKirdy says : — 

 " I have usually found the winds off Spain and Portugal either up or down 

 the coast, and have heard them spoken of as the ' Portuguese Trades.* 



