240 OBSEEVATIONS ON THE WINDS. 



know of the matter, and (thanks to Mr. Eedfield) we have gained a pretty 

 general insight into it, there appear but two circumstances at all hkeiy 

 to upset our calculations and foresight of what is to happen, and these are, 

 as intimated before, a divergency in the line of progression, or a vibration 

 of the entire meteor ; and here we are taught that, with all the wide and 

 searching capacity of our minds, there is a point beyond which it is not 

 permitted man to peer. We have been allowed, however, to glean enough of 

 the economy of this wonderful phenomenon to excite our unfeigned grati- 

 tude to Him " who rules the whirlwind and the storm." We proceed — 



On the other hand, if the shift of wind was to the N.E., or even a point 

 on either side, we should immediately know that we were " in the very 

 jaws of the lion ;" and to escape being overwhelmed in the vortex, we must 

 run for it.* On this occasion, every moment is of importance, when we 

 bear in mind that we are now in the path which the centre will follow. To 

 the S.W., therefore, we start away, not without an impressive dread, as 

 the wind comes veering round and round toward North, of a too close ap- 

 proximation to the vortex, toward which the curve the ship makes inclines. 

 If we could tell the exact diameter of the Hurricane, and its precise rate 

 of progression, we could calculate pretty accurately whether, and at what 

 distance, we should pass the centre ; but as these data can never be ob- 

 tained, we have nothing otherwise than prudence to guide us in this par- 

 ticular case, the most perilous that can occur. 



There is a very nice point to be determined upon at this juncture, and 

 one, although there will be but a few minutes for decision, that should not 

 be rashly settled ; a sort of choice between the scalping-knife and the toma- 

 hawk — a very forlorn hope, take which measure you please — it is this : 

 whether to scud under square sail, or to run wicb bare poles ? Now, how- 

 ever desirable it is that topsail should be carried in a storm (where the 

 waves rise to a great height, and break in heavy surf, and a ship's way is 

 lessened as she drops into the trough), to prevent her from being pooped, 

 yet, we say, although it should be practicable to set a close-reefed main- 

 topsail, the propriety of so doing is questionable until the wind has drawn 

 round to the Westward of North (and then it might as well be left alone), 

 for not before that will the dreaded centre have been passed ; and as there 

 can be no certainty of a ship's safety until that " consummation " has 

 been accomplished, the chance of being taken aback with square sail 

 deserves the most serious consideration of the commander. The danger 

 iu both cases is imminent; but, in determining for ourselves, we should 

 run with bare poles, until finally thrown out of the Storm. Indeed, after 

 all the judgment, care, anxiety, and apprehension which may be displayed 

 and felt on so trying an occasion, our approximation, notwithstanding the 

 vessel's dash of 12 or 13 knots, may be so near the vortex as that every 

 stick shall be blown out of her. And we impressively declare our convic- 

 tion, that hitherto the majority, if not all, of the vessels that have been lost 

 in Hurricanes and Typhoons, have foundered by falling into the centre 



* When the line of progression is to the W.N.W. (a direction which some of the most 

 Southern Storms have pursued), it would be wrong to scud with the wind at N.E. ; but 

 when at N.N.E., it would be proper to do bo. 



