120 Observations on the Hurricanes and Storms 



olence, and at the same time shortening its duration, is to stand to the 

 southward upon the wind, as long as may be necessary or possible ; 

 and if the movement succeeds, the wind will gradually head you off 

 in the same direction. If it becomes necessary to heave too, put your 

 head to the southward, and, if the wind does not veer, be prepared 

 for a blast from the north-west. 



3. In the same latitudes, a vessel scudding in a gale with the wind 

 at east or north-east, shortens its duration. On the contrary, a vessel 

 scudding before a south-westerly or westerly gale, will thereby in- 

 crease its duration. 



4. A vessel which is pursuing her course to the westward or south- 

 westward, in this part of the Atlantic, meets the storms in their course, 

 and thereby shortens the periods of their occurrence ; and will en- 

 counter more gales in an equal number of days, than if stationary, or 

 sailing in a different direction. 



5. On the other hand, vessels while sailing to the eastward or north- 

 eastward, or in the course of the storms, will lengthen the periods be- 

 tween their occurrence, and consequently experience them less fre-r 

 quently than vessels sailing on a different course. The difference of 

 exposure which results from these opposite courses, on the American 

 coast, may in most cases be estimated as nearly two to one. 



6. The hazard from casualties, and of consequence the value of 

 insurance, is enhanced or diminished by the direction of the passage, 

 as shown under the last two heads. 



7. As the ordinary routine of the winds and weather in these latitudes, 

 often corresponds to the phases which are exhibited by the storms as 

 before described, a correct opinion, founded upon this resemblance, 

 can often be formed of the approaching changes of wind and weather, 

 which may be highly useful to the observing navigator. 



8. A due consideration of the facts which have been stated, partic- 

 ularly those under our twelfth head, will inspire additional confidence 

 in the indications of the barometer, and these ought not to be neglect- 

 ed, even should the fall of the mercury be unattended by any appear- 

 ances of violence in the weather, as the other side of the gale will be 

 pretty sure to take effect, and often in a manner so sudden and vio- 

 lent as to more than compensate for its previous forbearance. Not 

 the least reliance, however, should be placed upon the prognostics, 

 which are usually attached to the scale of the barometer, such as Set- 

 Fair, Fair, Change, Rain, ^c. as in this region, at least, they serve 

 no other purpose than to bring this valuable instrument into discredit. 



