On the prevailing Storms of the Atlantic Coast. 51 



tions, made at various points on both sides of the Atlantic* The 

 same able geographer has shown also in coincidence with the revo- 

 lution, a general westerly wind or current in the temperate and high- 

 er latitudes, connecting the basins of the Pacific and Atlantic, and 

 sweeping entirely across the continents of America, Europe, and part 

 of Asia, and which we find is sustained by numerous authorities. 

 These extensive revolutions, in the great aerial ocean which envel- 

 opes our earth, seem to be a benevolent provision of the great author 

 of nature, tending to equalize the climate and temperature of our globe 

 which would otherwise be attended with far greater inequalities. 



It appears, also, if the severe storms of the Northern Atlantic pur- 

 sue a general and somewhat uniform course, that, on receiving intel- 

 ligence of the occurrence of such a storm, in a particular locality, a 

 probable opinion may be formed of the hazard or exposure of any 

 absent vessel, whose position on the ocean may be known with any 

 good degree of certainty. This shows the importance of particular 

 marine reports, specifying the latitude and longitude^ date, time of 

 commencement, direction, duration, and subsequent changes of such 

 storms as may exhibit, either extraordinary violence, or indications 

 of such violence in their immediate vicinity. 



In the early stages, or indications of storms upon our coast, it would 

 seem, also, that a pretty correct estimate may be formed of the bear- 

 ing, and probable course of the heart of a storm, and of the course 

 also which, if steered, will have the best tendency to lessen its vio- 

 lence, or duration ; and that those navigators who find in any of the 

 more moderate storms, an adverse wind, may, by pursuing a course 

 transverse to that of the storm, often modify its direction in a man- 

 ner favorable to their wishes. 



These remarks are frankly submitted to the consideration of gen- 

 tlemen of science and observation, who may have means and oppor- 

 tunity for a more accurate and extensive examination of the sub- 

 ject. Any person who may be able to furnish additional facts rela- 

 ting to any of the storms which have been noticed in this article, is 

 respectfully requested to leave a memorandum of the same in the care 

 of Messrs. E. h G. W. Blunt, Hydrographers, in the city of N. York. 



* View of the United States. By Wiliiara Darby. Philadelphia, 1828. H. S, 

 Tanner. ISmo. pp. 6.54. — If in addition to the usual tabular records of meteorology, 

 a separate column should be appropriated for noting the course of the clouds, and 

 particularly of those which form the upper stratum, we should obtain evidence, far 

 more conclusive of the prevailing direction of the great atmospheric currents than 

 can he derived from the direction of the winds at the earth's surface. 



