The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-12-22
STORM STATIONS.

Mr.. EDITOR Many of your readers
will remember that Congress passed an
aci last year, by which the so called
"Storm Stations" were to be established
in these United States. As | believe,
that many in this community have no
full conception of them, and others may
believe the same of no real value, you
will permit me to present in the following
the object and the Importance of these
stations for observing storms, or rather
for general meteorological observations.
| Observations of the weather have been
made for a long time, but only lately
brought into regular system. Thus,
about twenty years ago, the Smithonian
Institute undertook to have meteoro
logical observations, taken in many DIFF
ferent parts OF this country, at one and
the same time, and according to fixed
rules, to have monthly statements forward
ed to it, and there compiled and published.
This was great acquisition to general
science the number of regular voluntary
observers in the United States, is now
about five hundred.
But science ought to be practically ap-
piled and pro6ted by, for which purpose
the telegraph is ofimmense value. About
twelve years ago Professor Joseph Henry
of the Smithonian Institute, labored for
the establishment of Storm Stations
but then, and also later, without success.
Several years ago such stations were
erected in Europe, and no one there has
any longer to doubt their great efficiency
IF such an institution is beneficial to so
small country as England, of how much
more Importance must it be for the i'm
mense extent of our own. -
Congress at its last session appropriated
funds for establishing Storm Stations at
certain points; from these stations re-
ports are to be forwarded to Washington
daily, and as often as a storm arises.
These reports of storms enable the de-
partment to send information to all the
ports on the seacoasl, to prevent vessels
from leaving port, or to bring back such
as may be still in sight. Thus in the
Atlantic ports, they can be notified of an
approaching storm twenty-four hours be-
fore its appearance, because, even strong
gale will hardly ever go faster than sixty
miles an hour. A storm from the east or
south will be telegraphed from Washing
ton to the ports Of our Inland seas, and
the western coast of California, Oregon,
etc., etc.
For instance, telegra phic report is
received in Washington from the most
westerly points; storm has sprung up
from the northwest with a velocity of
thirty miles an hour few hours later
from Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri: storm
from northwest, velocity forty miles
again few hours later from Wisconsin
and Illinois: storm west, velocity fifty
miles. There is, therefor, a disturbance
in the direction; at the same time with
the beginning of the storm here, the
Gulf States, and soon after, the middle
States report south or southwest storm,
NEE ting the one from here in Illinois and
Indiana. and changing the direction o.
both. Thus Washington received news
successively from the more easterly sta
tions and they can easily calculate that
Baltimore will feel very little of the storm
while it will be strong from the west in
New York at clock in the afternoon,
and in Boston at 4. 7
Similar advantages will be derived
from these stations at the time of floods
and inundations. Whenever at the up
per parts of stream and its tributaries,
heavy rains have fallen and the quantity
has been measured at many points, the
inhabitants on the lower parts of the
stream, whose shores are exposed to To-
undation will soon be enabled to calcu.
late, when and about how high the
storm will rise. Also at sudden thaws in
the spring, when they know how much
snow has fallen, they may calculate the
rise Of water and thus be enabled to save
lives and property in due season.
On Lake Michigan. Chicago and Mil
waukee have each been provided with a
Storm Station, but not SO with Manitowoc,
although just as important in point of
location and superiority and safety ofits
harbor. The distance from here to Mil
waukee is nearly the same as that FROM
Milwaukee to Chicago, and our harbor
is deserving as much consideration for
the safety Of navigation as any other on
those inland lakes: Many a storm from
east or west has ragged over lake Michigan,
only touching the northern part thereof,
and many western gale may thus sweep
again over it, threatening serious dam
ages on the lower lakes without being
felt at all, OF perhaps but little in Mil
waukee, and il must be highly desirable
therefor not only for US but for all the
Storm Stations already established, to
have one of them speedily appointed at
Manitowoc, when at the same time Buf-
falo and Chicago ought to be made the
main, or principal stations for our great
inland lakes. CITIZEN.
MARRIED