Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-04-06
The Approach of Storms.

About the beginning Of last month sue
cessou OF severe storms visited the British
islands, causing great loss of life and property
at sea. In an article on this subject the Lon
don Times says:
"The event was predicted with as much
certainty as on eclipse. and could have been
announced by signals as conspicuous as 6ery
beacons. The information was actually tele
graped TO several places. Aberdeen, Hull,
Yarmouth, Dover, Liverpool, Valentia, and
Galway were apprised of the pending storm
10 the plainest terms. Notice was sent to
those ports rs follows: 'Caution.-Gale threat.
euing from the southwest, and then northwnrd.
Show the signal drum Now, as all points
Of our coast are connected by telegraphic
wires, and as there can be no difficulty in
showing signals Of this description. we think
It highly desirable that the system should be
established without delay. The plan, thong h
organized q, the board Of trade, is not yet.
we are told, in full practical operation, but,
as the details, according to the delineation
given, cannot involve much trouble or cost,
the. sooner the scheme is introduced the
| better.
Meteoroogy now rests upon evidence as
palpsble as that which confirms our theory
Of astronomy. We believe those theories
because the predictions of an astronomical
almanacs are iofalbly verified. An eclipse
occurs at the hour and minute set down for
it, occutations and transits take place with
similar punctuaity. and as all things invaria.
bly, happen according to programme, the
truth of the principles on which the science
is based becomes evident to all whether
learned or uuearned We are now exactly
in the sane position MS regards metoorology.
We cannot yet forecast the general character
Of the season. but it seems that we can really
foretell gale three days before it comes, and
even ascertain the quarter from which the
wind will blow. If we have indeed got to
this pout-aud there appears 20 reason to
doubt il the rest ought TO be easy"
The New York Commercial invites atten.
tion to this important subject on the part of
merchants, shippers, &c, and says
" 1t is important TO every person, but doubly
so to those engaged in commercial pursuits
We assert, without hesitation, that the out
break Of every tempest may be calculated
from one to three days in advance, allowing
sufficient time for vessels ou the coast TO seek
shelter aud prevent the departure Of others.
AT very small outlay dangers of the most
threatening character may be foresecp, and in
nearly every case. aver:ed. Will our men Of
enterprise and intelligence not give this mat.
ter the consideration it deserves? Within
few days the series Of spring storms which
regularly travel up our COASTS may beexpected
to begin; and advantage should be taken Of
them to collect data for future uso.
I'VE have an advantage over England IN
the more extended use of the telegraph,
which now reaches the island OF Newfound.
land, penetrates the backwoods OF Canada,
and the great plains Of the West ard South.
west. The total extent of territory brought
within reach Of this instrument embraces
twenty-fOur degrees Of latitude, and nearly
forty.fve of longitude. to which the western
slope OF this continent will soon be added -
Within an hour dispatches may even now be
received from neurly the whole Atlantic coast;
and little longer time will soon be needed for
intelligence to come from Lake Superior, the
Upper Missouri. Pixies Peak, the Mexican
border and the Gulf coast. Every facility is
thus provided for immediate use"