Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-24

THE HEAVY RAIN FALL.


THE HEAVY RAIN FALL.
The extraordinary rain fall during the present
summer has occupied, 10 great extent, the
attention and study of the gentlemen 10 charge
of the Signal Bureau 10 Washington, as we'll
as 10 New York, and their records show an ex-
cess OF precipitation" far beyond that Of pre-
vious years. The amount of rain fall in this
city duriog the month Of August up to the
hour of noon 90 August Is was 967 inches,
which compares as follows With the correspond
ing months OF the past four years:
-Iuches
Amount of rain during half of Aug. 1875, OCT
Amount of rain durog whole Of Aug. 1874, 3 %
Amount of rain during Whoe of Aug 1873. 4 Is
Amount of rain during whole Of Aug 1872, 9. 36
Amount OF rain during whole of Aug,lS7l, 5.4S
Lieut.. Beall, the officer in charge of the Sig
nal Bureau 10 New York, when asked the re.
suit of the observations made by the Bureau 10
regard to the Gu - which led to this immense
rain fall. said Two months ago, in June,
We observed winds coming into the Southern
States from the Cult of Mexico These winds,
coming from such large body of water, brought
with them heavy quantities Of moisture, aud,
passing over the Appalachian Range, blew into
the Allegheny Mountans and forced this mos.
ture up ioto colder strata of air, which con-
densed it and produced the rain These south.
ern winds are continuing still. To sections
of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, which
are south of this range of mountains, and
where the moisture has not been coudeus-
ed, there has been less than one inch of rain.
But we, here 10 New York aod all over the
Middle States get the benefit of it so long as
these southern winds continue. Since Mon
day morning (Aug. l6) there is decline in the
atmosphere in the North West. first in Dakota,
yesterday 10 Leavenworth, to-day in Nashville
am hardly satisfied yet that it will reach us
here; 1t may Dot be felt 10 this section, but if
this cool wave does continue to 90 eastward, 1t
will produce cooler weather and cessation of
precipitation"
In reply to question whether scientific men
who had studied this rainfall agreed with the
conclusions of the Signal Bureau, Lieut.. Beall
said: I'VE have nothing to do with theorists;
our work Is practical; we are materialists here
and leave speouations to others. For instance,
have listened to gentleman who insisted that
the rainfall is caused by the unusually large
size of the solar spots this year, which spots
affect the magnetic arrangements of the earth
and 10 this way produce rainfalls. There is no
doubt that the solar spots we see this year are
larger than usual; but strange to say there are
scientists now who tell US that We see the sun
10 different position, and, in fact, that the
sun revolves around its own axis, like any
other body of the planetary system, thus over
throwing the theory of ages. Then again.
there are theorists who state that the increase
of these solar spots will make it cooler all over
the earth; but can assure you that observa-
tloo has taught US that the temperature Of the
earth has not decreased one-hundredth part of
sdegree in 500 years."
When the Lleutensnt's attention was called
to the fact that the rain-storms this year had
not been confined to this country but had
caused floods and inundations in Hungary and
France, and had destroyed part of the crops 10
Great Britain, be hesltated about describing
their origin: Our observations" he said,
ARE limited to this country, and the views |
have expressed are those of the Sigua Bureau
not mine Individually f; but when cast my
eye ouside of our country, can only give the
result of my personal observation. Then find
that there exists this year an abnormal position
of high pressure. These areas of high pres
sure extend over the northern coast of Africa,
and would cause southern winds in the south
OF Europe II no greater meteor was in exis
tenoe. These southern winds would pass over
the MedlterraDean, and coming from torrid
zone, and being OF high temperature, would
have the capacity OF containing a large amount
OF moisture, which they had absorbed while
passing over the sea. When these Winds were
obstructed IN their passage by the Alps and
Apprentices they would be forced up, and this
immense amouot of vapor, being affected BY
the colder currents Of the upper atmosphere,
would be suddenly condensed and produce an
enormous precipitation" In conclusion, the
Lieutenant alluded to the number of curious
letters received from all parts of the country
about this rainfall. One postal card was as
follows:
SPARTA SUSSEX COUNTY, N. J.
Mr.. PROBABILITIES You are overd oing
this moist matter; rained continually, with the
exception of an occasional hour of sunshine. for
Two weeks. Will have to make an extension to
my bean poles. Time entirely employed chas.
mang my pumpkin vines off my neighbors land.
Ra'ea 10 drop you postal card by our Society
70 please put stop to this thing Have It
rlgnteo up once more, Yours, SC,
GRANGER
10 conversation with Dr. Alfred G., Post
OF No. 29l Madison ave., a reporter of the Tr;.
bune learned that so far as the citv was con.
cerned, with the exception of few districts
the great rainfall would be beneficial, as i
thoroughly ceansed the sewers; but wberever
there was bad drainage and organic matter
pear ponds or marshes, malarious diseases
"ouio prevail Ihe decomposition OF organic
matter was promoted by moisture. There is a
low section of land on the east side. extending
from the East River to the west of Third
ave., said DR.. Post, where the authorities
should require great care to be taken to secure
proper drainage. The ordinary means of drain
age by sewers will not be sufficient there, and
tne Dad material of made land only makes it so
much worse"
Dr. William A. Hammond, ex-Surgeou Gen
e:al OF the United States Army, declined to
give his views as to the causes Of the GREAT
rainfall. Meteorology, he said, was still in
suon an immature condition that, with the ex
ception OF one or two gentlemen none could
speak With authority on the subject. As to its
eneot upon the sanitary condition of the peo.
PIE, ne agreed With DR.. Post that the rain
taeaosed we" the sewers of the city, and was there
Vss wss sGeeehc'al to city inhabitants but the case
wac was different 10 the country. Wherever there
vas much clay: as fn. ina.onaa -. - L.