48 GENERAL REMARKS. 



On the east coast of Labrador fog is not so frequent as on the coasts 

 of Newfoundland. It prevails with winds from northeast, through 

 east, to south, but is unusual with the wind from any other direction : 

 it presents the same characteristics as those previously described. The 

 dry dense fog with a southwesterly wind seldom extends northward 

 of cape St. Lewis, where, when the wind is from that direction, the 

 weather is clear, though a stream of thick fog may then issue from 

 the strait of Belleisle. 



Caution. — When land is visible in foggy weather, estimations of 

 distance are u.sually in excess of the correct distance. Xo reliance 

 should be placed upon a position assumed from the distance at which 

 the sound of surf breaking on a rocky shore was heard, but Avhere 

 steep cliffs form a characteristic of the coast, the proximity of a 

 steamer to them may be detected by the echo of the whistle, although 

 this can not be depended on ; the only safe guide is the constant use 

 of the lead. 



Fog signals. — It has been clearly established — 



(1) That fog signals sounded through the air are heard at greatly 



varying distances. 



(2) That under certain conditions of atmosphere, when a fog sig- 



nal is a combination of high and low tones, one of the notes 

 may be inaudible. 



(3) That there are occasionally areas around a fog signal in which 



it is inaudible. Under certain conditions of the atmos- 

 phere the sound may be lost at a very short distance from 

 the station, and these conditions may vary within very short 

 intervals of time. 



(4) That a fog may exist at a short distance from a station and 



not be observable from it, so that the signal is not sounded. 



(5) That some fog signals can not be started at a moment's notice, 



although every endeavor is made to sound them as quickly 

 as possible after signs of fog have been observed. 



Mariners are therefore warned that the lead should never be neg- 

 lected. Particular attention should also be given as to placing look- 

 out men in positions where the noises of the ship are least likely to 

 interfere with the hearing of the sound of a fog signal, as experience 

 shows that although such a signal may not be heard from the deck or 

 bridge when the engines are moving, it may be heard when the ship 

 is stopped, or from a quiet position. It may also be heard from 

 aloft, though not from deck. 



It should also be noticed that distances from a fog signal should 

 not be judged bv the power of the sound. (See Meterological table, 

 p. 49.) 



