The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-28

These figures may be strictly accurate they never
theless Indicate what Ia we'll known, namely. that the
annual loss Of life and property the LAKES amounts ~
public calamity. The attention Of the government has
been directed TO the dangers OF lake navigation and steps
have been taken 10 make those dangers less.
venture call the attention Of the department IN the
subject in connection with the communication had the
honor to address you the ith Instant.
The object Of that communication was 10 make known
meteorological discovery which Professor Bays Baat, OF
Holland, processes 70 have made aud the Object OF TINS
suggest the application OF that discovery 70 the nayi
cation az the lakes
This Dutch metsorooest claims to have discovered
numerical relation between the force OF the wind and the
difference Of simultaneous barometrc pressures a
stations this relation he has been enabled 10
dtduce rules by which every morning the maximum force
the wind during the day may be predicted and cOnsc
qucuty outward bound vessels may know In the morning
II II would be unsafe to put 10 sea at noon or IN the
THIS is done In Holland aud Professor Bslai says tha,
during Ave years the force OF the wind has no instance
rules work as we'll on our akcs9 n so. what would ~,
their application be worth 10 the business that s done
thereg We may give them trial nj little or 10 expense,
such dfcovery a. this pnrport TO be needs further
trial Before ID can he RECOGNIZED a reality u wants
the test Of practical application under variety 81 condi
tons and such az IT, author has not had an opportunity or
Holland embraces but q small area in comparison With
that Of lake regon aud remains 10 be seen whether
The rule that apples there will be applicable here.
We cannot say how many Of this thousand persons or
how much OF this ten millions OF property went dogr
was vrecke4 In the storm; say what proper
ton Of AL this loss might have been prevented bad every
vessel before sailing been warned OF the weather she
might expect 70 have during the succeeding twenty four
hours We oapnct say this but take for granted
that the amount OF losses such warning would prevent
would not he inconsderahle
In the present OF this question desirable
~ bring Il b. practical test Tais may readily he done
The necessary observations be made by the keepers
st the light houses along the lake shores These keepers
already pay TIE observations At any one station
would require more than ten minutes Of the Keepers
time daily therefore the making Of them would cost moth
ug and the cost OF the requisite instrument would be
very little.
The observations from each lighthouse should be trans
mrted daily by telegraph for immediate discussion and
announcement THIS would involve the principal part Of
the expense II will afford the pleasure to submit est
mates if YOU desire them.
II Is not necessary TO 60 into any argument 10 show the
importance OF such extension OF meteorological
searches Every person acquainted with lake
snd navigation form as correct al estimate can OF
the benefit which the shipping there would derive from
the application OF any rule that would give the mariners
foresn0wledge OF the storm. W. r. MAURY.
Hon. h.Ac ToUcEy, Secretary Of the Navy.
sNurE "A similar system OF observations has been
naueurated in France under NJ Leverrer OF the Paris
Observatory. These weather reports received daily
by telegraph from all parts OF the continent