1404 



A note on the Winds, as influencing the Tracks sailed by Bermuda 



Vessels ; and on the advantage which may be derived from sailing 



on Curved Courses when meeting with Revolving Winds. By Lieut. 



Col. Reid, Governor of Bermuda. 



It may at first sight appear, that we in India have little to do with "the Tracks 

 sailed by Bermuda Vessels;" but further consideration will shew to those who have 

 paid attention to this subject, that not only as a general question of science, and a new 

 and beautiful practical result of theory and research in this new branch of Meteorology, 

 but also as being capable of extensive application in our own seas to the Eastward of 

 the Cape, this paper merits the closest study: for it is much more than probable, that 

 future research will shew us, that by an analogous system, the great storms of both 

 Southern and Northern latitudes may all be used as means of shortening voyages 

 by the simple rule of sailing, partly round their circumferences, or keeping in their 

 favourable quadrants, instead of beating across or lying to in them, or pursuing tracks 

 which lead into meeting with them " on their wrong sides," in the latitudes in which 

 they prevail. We are indebted to Col, Reid for a copy of this valuable note. — H. P.. 



In high latitudes the atmospheric currents, when undisturbed, are 

 westerly, particularly in the winter season. If storms and gales re- 

 volve by a fixed law, and we are able by studying these disturbing 

 causes of the usual atmospheric currents, to distinguish revolving gales, 

 it is likely that voyages may be shortened. 



The indications of a revolving gale are, a descending barometer 

 with a regularly veering wind. 



In a voyage from Bermuda to New York in the winter, strong 



From Ber- westerly winds, together with the Gulf Stream, would 



muda to 



New York, carry vessels attempting to sail direct to New York, to 



the eastward of their course. No doubt all seamen are aware of this, 

 and do in consequence make some allowance by keeping to the west- 

 ward. But according to usual practice, on an east wind overtaking 

 them, they would steer in a direct course for their destined port, 

 making allowance only for the current, as the wind would be con- 

 sidered a fair one. If however the gale were a revolving one, the 

 wind, at first easterly, would veer until it became westerly : and would 

 probably blow from the westward with increased force, when the ves- 

 sel would be carried off her course. It is therefore a subject deserv- 

 ing consideration whether advantage should not be taken of the tempo- 

 rary east wind in order to run to the westward nearly as far as the 

 meridian of Cape Hatteras ; so that in the rest of the voyage to New 



