The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-02-03
Storm-Signal Service.

The accuracy with which n coming storm can
be predicted, even ut the distance Of more than
three thousand miles, was wonderfully illustrated
on Sunday last, December 18th. Telegraphic in
formation was received here Saturday night from
the War Department aStOrm-signaI office, that
heavy rains, probably attended by high winds,
were impending on the California coast. The
notice had scarcely been published before the pre-
dictiOn was followed by one Of the heaviest gales
and most abundant rains that have been expert
enced in this State, in the same space of time.
The whole quantity Of rain fallen in this city
from the commencement of the current season till
eight O'Clock of Thursday last, December 9th,
was tCeIUe and a hGT inchaS, and it had not then
ceased, but every Indication existed of a c~ontinu-
ance. Ii would be impossible to make any esti-
mate of the value to the State which must accrue
from this pluviai blessing, but it may be counted
by millions without any exaggeration. Another
cause for congratulatlOn is, that the dispensatiOn
has been general, extending all over California.
To say that every heart is lifted up with joy and
thanksgiving, would hardly express the sense of
relief from sad forebOdings by which the whole
community was oppressed.
There are some among us, however, who affect
70 believe that there is no virtue in the Storm sig
nal Service, despite the signal service it has rem
dered ON many occasions. They are not lacking
in intelligence, but affirm that much OF it is guess
work, after the manner of Old-fashiOned almanac
makers, and, as all the world knows that this is
the season for rain-storms on the Pacific Coast,
1t was easy enough, and not over-hazardous, to
predict the occurrence of one at this time. But
it took a long time to make even educated people
believe in the utilization of steam as a motive
power, and Il still longer one 10 convince them of
the value of electricity as an agent of commune
cation. Calico, Newton, Jenner, Fulton, Frank
lin, Morse, and many others to whom the whole
world is under priceless obligations, were ridi-
culed and laughed at for their seeming vagaries.
The human mind Is apt TO lOathe innovation. 1t
dislikes to accept new theroes, however well
founded, and can only be convinced by practical
cudgeIing. In regard TO stOrm-signals, n vast
amount of benefit has already resulted from the
organization of the service. Were It's character
and workings more generally known, far greater
advantages would have been realized. 1t is not
claimed that inGallibility has yet been reached, or
that the whole field has been exhausted; but it is
universally conceded by those who have paid at
tention to the subject, that the laws governing
storms are pretty well determined, and the efforts
of scientific men have furnished great aids 10 a
still more thorough knowledge of these laws, with
a view to their practical utilization, by the inven-
ton of many delicate Instruments. Improve
ments follow each other with great rapidity, and
each one adds something to the store of inTorma-
ton already obtained. Mans control over great
elemental and natural forces is steadily becoming
more perfect. Where be cannot control he learns
to avert, if menacing, or employ for his benefit.
Over the cyclone or the hurricane he can exercise
no such power as he does over electricity or steam,
but he can, to some extent, avoid their malefc in
huences.
The service is vet almost in its infancy. No
provision has yet been made by the Government
for furnishing instruments to other than Observer
Sergeants, and there are at present but ~ffty-six
stations in all the United States. Every means
will be adopted, however, to perfect the work,
and extend its operations to all other countries
with which we have telegraphic communication,
with a view to international Benefits. +. Com
mercidl Herald.