HUKEICANES. 



243 



cause. "When the wind veers aft, as it is called, or by the stern, this 

 danger is avoided, and a ship then comes up to the wind, instead of having 

 to break off from it. 



If these great Storms obey fixed laws, and the explanation of them in 

 this work be the true one, then the rule for laying a ship to follows like 

 the corollary of a problem already solved. In order to define the two sides 

 of a Storm, that side will be called the Bight-hand Semicircle which is on 

 the right of a Storm's course, as we look in the direction in which it is 

 moving, just as we speak of the right bank of a river. 



The Bule for laying a ship to will be : — When in the Bight-hand Semi- 

 circle to Heave-to on the Starboard Tack ; and when in the Left-hand Semi- 

 circle to Heave-to on the Port Tack, in both hemispheres.* 



True North, 

 and Wind Hast, 



NaviaabU Stwieirele, 

 Ship on Fort Tack. 



Dangerous Semicircle. 

 Ship on Starboard Vuck. 



True South, 

 and Wind West. 



In the above diagram, showing a typical Cyclonic Storm progressing to 

 N.W. by N., in the direction of the great arrow drawn across it, the black 

 ships are on their proper tack, the white ships being on the wrong. If we 

 look at the black ships in the Ze/^hand or navigable semicircle of the 

 figure, it will be seen that they point with their heads to the Storm's 

 centre. If they forge ahead, they will draw towards the Storm's central 

 track. 



(185.) Rules for Action. — 1. Watch carefully for earliest indications, 

 observing and recording observations of barometer, thermometer, wind, and 

 weather, at frequent intervals, for reference. When the approach of a 

 Hurricane is suspected, consider your latitude and the month, to decide 

 your position with regard to the probable direction and recurve of the 

 Storm (163). 



• IC 



An attempt to Develop the Law of Storms," 3rd (last) edition, 1850, page 50^; 

 And "The Progress, &c., of the Law of Storms and of Variable Winds," 1849, page 26. ' 



