2(X) 11. C. Sfc. John — Winds, ti/jyJioons, ^c. on S. Coast of Japan. [Dec. 



hot stream in about the Latitude of the Bonin Islands, or between here and the 

 Fooc'lioo Islands, the}'' begin to curve to the North and following the course of 

 the Kuro Siwo, strike the South coasts of Nipon. Owing chiefly to the high 

 land along the coast, the Northern disk of the storm becomes much flattened 

 in, causing more easterl}^ wind than would occur, if the storm were in Mid 

 Ocean. Ketaining the course of the stream, they pass along in a N. Easterly 

 course, and, if not broken up previously, pass out into the Pacific Ocean on 

 reaching Inaboj'-a said. Occasionally the centre of the storm passes over 

 the Kii Peninsula, doing great damage, less by the wind, than by the floods, 

 caused by the great quantity of rain, which falling on the high mountains, 

 descends with violence the narrow gorges and not being able to escape 

 quickly enough, inundates the inhabited and cultivated valleys, doing im- 

 mense damage and not unfrequently sweeping villages, trees, &c., and most 

 of the soil of the valley clean out to sea. 



I have no instance of a typhoon passing to the westward along the coast 

 of Japan. It is always on their recui'ving to the N. E. that they are expe- 

 rienced on these coasts. 



Occasionally they evidently strike the eastern parts of the South coast 

 of Japan when travelling due north. When such is the case, they appear to 

 break up without extending far inland from the coast line. 



The Barometer will almost invariably give warning on the approach of 

 a typhoon. If falling with the wind at East or N. E. the scud approaching 

 low and quickly, or other dirty appearances of the weather, or a heavy swell 

 from the S. E., anchorage had better be obtained. 



By the recurving of these storms and in their then easterly course 

 along the S. E. coasts of Japan, usually (as previously remarked) the centre 

 of the storm is some distance off the coast, and the northern disk only 

 touches the land, consequently by the shifting of the wind from E. through 

 N. to W. as the body of the storm travels E., the coast line becomes a weather 

 shore, and if hove to on Port tack (the proper tack for the left hand disk 

 of a cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere), a vessel is heading off the land. 



It is thus shewn that there is no danger in being close to the land, but 

 rather the advantage of smooth water is obtained. I would, however, always 

 recommend a vessel to anchor in one of the numerous excellent harbours along 

 the south coast of Nipon. This must be done on the first indications of the 

 approach of a storm, as the weather soon becomes thick and the shore ob- 

 scured. I am aware that many masters of vessels do not like anchoring 

 when making a passage, I believe, in consequence of their owners looking on 

 it in a light unfavourable to the masters. As a general rule, it must hold 

 good, but it would be far more to then' pecuniary advantage, if masters in 

 charge of their ships and cargo, were not only encouraged but obliged, if 

 possible, to make for a snug and safe harbour on the approach of a cyclone, 

 and particularly on these coasts where liarbours are numerous and good. 



