The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-15
STORM SIGNALS.


The following memorandum has been pre-
pared by the officers who are perfecting the
system of storm signals authorized at the last
session of Congress-
sf storms BY Teie.raph and sixnai 'Hne Tor me
I. OBSERVATION AND REPORT OF ATMOSPHERIC
PHENOMENA.
a, series of meteorological observations and
reports will be made by careful observers under
military control, and supplied with the best at
tainable instruments. All instruments will be
adjusted to standard at Washington. -
b. The observers will be stationed at points
throughout the United States, selected by COM
petent authority, as those from which reports of
observations will be most useful, as indicating
the general condition of the atmosphere, or the
approach and force of storms. ,lsa u.
1t has been in view to so locate these stations
that, the existence of storm at one or more of
them being determined, information of the
facts may be had by the regular reports commu-
nicated by telegraph in advance of its probable
movement. .-.~-.-- -.- ...
c. Synchronous observations will be taken
and reports made from stations three times
day, one about A. M, one about P. NJ, and
one at midnight; These observations and re-
office is in measure led to this selection of
hours by the press of business at other times
upon the telegraphic lines. Other observations
will be made for record.
II. TRANSMISSION OF REPORTS.
q. The reports of observations are to be trans
mitted by telegraph, under special arrange
ment with the telegraph companies whose lines
connect with the different points where stations
will be established.
b. By combination of telegraphic circuits
the reports of observations made at different
points spontaneously will be rapidly transmitted
to the different cities at which they are to be
published. They will also be concentrated at
Washington. The whole time required to trans
NIT, collate, and deliver the reports, from the
extreme points of observation to the points
of publication, will, 1t is hoped, not exceed one
hour.
III. PUBLIoApoN OF REPORTS.
a. 1t is intended to give the widest publicity
to these reports, in order to make them useful
to the greatest number. Copies of all reports
will be furnished to the different papers for pub
lication, and each report will be bulletined in
the Board of Trade rooms, merchants ex-
changes, or other conspicuous places, immedi-
ately upon its receipt.
b. SO soon as the necessary arrangements can
be had, a meteorological map, on which
tke changes can be noted as each report
is received win be displayed at the
Board of Trade rooms, or other busi-
ness centres in each city receiving reports
Similar maps will be furnished the different
scientific establishments CO operating with the
department.
g. The reports will be limited at the outset to
the simple statement of meteorological facts
existing at the stations of observations. These
facts, together with such general laws as seem
to have been determined by meteorological OBJ
servations hitherto made and as may permit
probable deductions to be made from the re-
ports, will be published.
d. 1t is not deemed advisable to attempt at
the outset, further than in this way, predictions
which must often be erroneous.
e. Whenever experience has certainly deter
mined what may be regarded for any section of
country as premonitions of approaching storms
signal-stations viii be established as quickly as
the necessary arrangements can be made, and
signals will be displayed announcing the proba-
bic approach with other information which may
be possible.
f. The observer, when one is stationed in any
city, will be constantly on duty during business
hours, and every facility will be given to obtain
copies of the bulletins, or other full and the
latest information.
w. STATIONS.
The following have been designated as sta
tions OF observation and report or of report
alone, and will be occupied as rapidly az
arrangements can be effected:-
Plaister Cove N. s.; st. Johns N. B.; Port.
land, Me-; Boston, Mass. New Haven, Conn
New York city, N. Y; Philadelphia, Pa; Ralti
more, Nd; Washington, d. c.; Wilmington
N. o.; Charleston, 8. C.; Augusta, Ga; Sa
yannah, Ca; Lake City, Fla; Key West, Fla.
La Jackson, MISS Memphis, Tenn::i Nash
Vile, Tenn; Louisville, KY; Cincinnati, Ohio
Knoxville, Tenn; Albany, d. Y; Syracuse
~; Oswego, N. Y; Rochester, N Y; Buffalo
N. Y; Cleveland Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; Detroit
Mich. Chicago, Ill. Indianapolis, Ind; st
Louis, Mo-; Milwaukee, Wis; st. Paul, MINI.
Duluth, Mimi Omaha. Aeb.i Cheyenne, Oak.
N. Nj San Francisco, Cali Pittsbrg, Pa.