Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-10-15
A Curious Barometer.

The following is an extract of letter
received in this city from the captain of the
Grand Turk, of Boston, dated at sea, east
of Cape of Good Hope, in the passage to
the East Indies. 1t gives an interesting
account of physiological phenomenon,
which is well worthy of attention. The
writer of this letter is gentleman of great
intelligence, and could not easily be de-
ceived. and his veracity is beyond a shadow
of doubt. We have known cases of
somewhat similar character, under similar
circumstances, bu, have never Witnessed
or previously heard any facts in connection
with this subject, so remarkable as are here
detailed:
Knowing your interes, in every thing
appertaining to nav CATION. VII give you
an account of new barometer have used
in this voyage. | never had much faith in
them, and never carried one before. My
present instrument is nothing more or less
than the cracked skull ofmy second mate.
The young man, few years since, receiv-
ed sever blow with club over the left
eye, the skull was probably, slightly frac-
tured, and is so tender as TO Indicate, with
unfailing accuracy, any change in the
weather. Generally about six hours be-
fore the commencement OF the gale, his
head begins TO ache with more or less vic.
lence, as the case may be, the post on
higher or lower on the head, and the de-
gree of prin denoting squalI or gale, mod,
crate or severe; aud SO infallible in their
indications, that he is abe TO (orelell the
commencement, and generally the du-
ration and severity of gale, with great
err degree ofaccuracy than | have known a
barometer to do.
From the very frequent experience
we have had, never knew his warning to
fail, and now make a practice Of asking
him every evening it I'VE are TO have a
change before morningP Other barome-
tiers sometimes deceive, mine never has yet;
and frequently he has turned out Of his ham
mock when it was his watch below, to give
information Of an approaching change,
which has always taken place. More than
once when we bad royals and every stud
ding-sail set, with a fine breeze, smooth sea,
and cloudess sky, he came on deck with
his wal nings, at which felt disposed to
laugh, as the closest scrutiny could not dis
cover thu sign OF a change. But in an
hour the breeze would increase, and com.
mencing with the light sails, we were obi
| ged to reduce, as fast as the watch coulc
handle them, ard morning would find Us
under double reefs.
s. Yesterday was striking instance o
this-,he morning was thick, rainy, anc
unpleasant, with strong gale. AT moor
it suddenly cleared off most beautifully
every rag OF sail was packed on her, ant
she was going with the wind aft, about al,
knots all the afternoon. The sun was very
fine, and the few clouds above the horizon
were remarked as being such as indicated
the finest weather. At tea asked Mr.. l.
if we should have pleasant night-he re
! piled that he knew nothing TO the contrary
In less han an hour, as was walking the
deck, he came to me, saying the barometel
was falling; that his head began to pair
| him. There was then no increase of wind
the sky was perfectly coudless, and we
had all observed it was the finest night we
had experienced this side Of the cape
| told HIM he was certainly mistaken this
time and as certainly believed il; but as
he never had been before. determined not
to turn in, but watch the event. By nine
O'Clock the wind began 10 increase, and
royals and top gallent studdng sails were
taken in. She was then going eigh, knots,
her greatest maximum of speed Before
ten O'Clock flashes Of lightning began 10
appear in the southeast, and we took in
lower s,udding sails. AT midnight it was
very thick, aud began to rain, wind haul
ing from n. W. by w. N. w. We took
in the ,opmost stuGding sail. topgallant-sai!s
and mainsail Through the night it was
rainy, strong gales, and smooth sea-car-
ried whole top sails. going seven and a-halt
knots. AT 8, a. m, wind and sea increasing.
Single reefed, and through the day we had
strong squalls, with hail and rain. AT 4,
., m, we doubled reefed. with the wind w.
S. W., very heavy squalls with rain and
hail. Now, at s; p. m. it is clear; bu, we
have strong gales. and Mr.. l.. has no head
ache, and probably We shall have all sail on
her this morning"