The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-21
METEOROLOGICAL.
IMPORTANT TO SHIP CAPTAINS.
UNITED STATES SIGNAL OFFICE,
New Orleans, La. April 10. 1879.

New Orleans. La. April 10. 1879.
To the Editor OF the Democrat:
For several years past there has been issued
from the office of the chief signal officer OF the
army, at Washington. monthly publication
known as the /" international Bulletin of Mete-
geological Observations" This bulletin con-
sfss of compilation OF the records OF meteo-
rological observations taken simultaneously by
observers throughout all parts Of the civilized
world. and contains a vast amount of valuable
data The study of the successive issues of this
bulletin has been found by navigators to be OF
1nestimabie benefit to their calling while evil
denees Of the value Of such comprehensive OBJ
seryations to the scientific world are daily
brought to view. As the collation. and publica-
ton OF this meteorological data, begun as an
experiment and with scant cooperation. has
now become an absolute necessity for the pro-
tection and advancement of certain COM
mereial interests. 1t is eminently desir-
able that it should be as full and
comprehensive as 1t Is possible to
make It, 1t being recognized fact that many OF
the most destructive storms that prevail at
sea have their origin In certain portions of the
ocean far removed from the land. but still in
the track Of vessels, the possibility Of def
nitely locating the places Of origin of these
storms tracing their courses land solving the
laws that govern them. by means Of observa-
tions taken on board OF vessels. suggested 1T
at once takon to effect the desired object.
After several years of trial the results are SO
satisfactory. and the knowledge already gained
Is confidently believed that with an increased
number OF observations even much more i'm
portant and valuable results may be obtained.
With view to the securing OF these and to
faciitat the more or less Of labor that the duty
would require, there have been prepared blank
forms l for the use. use Of vessel captains, upon
vations may be entered. have In my po- ses-
sion limited number of such blanks which
am desirous Of distributing among the masters
OF vessels plying between this and foreign ports
/ hardly think 1t Is necessary. In inviting their
cooperation with the signal service In this
matter to call attention to the fact that the labor
that class of which they are members, viz:
Those who 60 down to the sea in ships or to
remind them that the favor asked is but small
recompense for the safeguard that the signal
corps furnishes them In it, Gordon OF caution
ary signal stations reaching along our en-
tire coast from Maine to Texas. 1t will be my
endeavor TO see In person and urge upon them
the necessity for their assistance in this labor
for the benefit OF science and humanity. such
permit. but to all | extend a cordial invitation
to visit this office and obtain blank for the re-
cordipo pf meteorological observations when at
sea. 10 others who may feel Inclined to aid in
th work. but who are prevented from obtain
Ing the regular printed blanks. let me give the
following ins ructiOnS In regard to the SO re-
qulred observations,
/ They must be taken and recorded each day
without fail. at 7:35a. M, Washington time (43
D. m. Greenwich time)
2. A mercurial braometer Is to be used when
pos sibe when an aneToid Is used. a. for In
| stance on account of ships m stion designate
such observation by small letter "a" follow
ing immediately the reading when entered. AT
ali times regulate the aneroid barometer by the
msreuria1 one.
5. When. from stress of weather or other
causes. all the obs Ivations cannot be made
part ef them should be given For instance ii
1t Is not possible to say more than violent
gale" let that be said
corrected for variation as closely as possible.
The force of the wind may be given In velocity
OF miles per hour or pressure per square foot.
as Is most convenient
5 When possible have comparisdhs made be-
tween vessel instruments and those located on
shore tat a signal office whenever practicable]
or on board of United States naval vessels.
Errors may thus be readily detected.
6. Observations to be taken In the order
named, viz: Barometer. thermometer. humidity,
wind, weather. clouds. rainfall. sea swell.
1t Is confidently believed that by means OF
such an extended series of observations as is
those that have been gained by the labors OF the
past. That such may be the cese and the ocean
robbed of many OF its present terrors we can
hut earnestly wish Let me. therefore again urge
upon vessel captains the importance OF their
CO. operation In this work, and TO bespeak Mr..
Editor, In behalf of the cause your hearty ad-
| vocacy. Very respectfully.
THEO. v. VANHEUSEN, JR,
Sergeant Signal Corps q. s. A.