Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-09-22
THE LAWS OF STORMS.
Information OF the Approach - q.
cfone&
[Froln thu Providence tR. Il Press. !


(Froin thc Providence r. l. Pressl
The cyclone has small calm spot in
the center, around which the wind re.
wolves with a tremendous velocity, de.
creasing as the center is left behind.
The cyclone has also forward move.
ment, just as the earth travels in its
orbit while revolving ON its center. The
"orbits of the cyclones that reach ON
coasts are generally within certain well.
Known limits, although cratic instances
have occurred where they followed a
highly exceptional track. As a rule
they come from about latitude 10 de-
grees 20 degrees north, and are either
detected northward by the windward
islands, or else they pass these islands
and sweep up the Caribbean sea.
through the Gulf of Mexico, and thence
inland, where they generally lose their
strength and are dissipated. Others
sweep along the northern coast of San
Domingo and Cuba an scr as the Florida
coast, turn north as far as Cape Hat
teras, and then curve back northeast
ward, travelling as far as Europe at times.
Sometimes even they cross the PENN
sula OF Florida, take sweep northward
inland, and come out to sea again in lat
itude IS degrees to 40 degrees north.
The greatest force of a cyclone is near
est the calm spot In the center. tbs spot
having diameter of from two to ave
miles. The influence of the storm NAV
extend over a diameter rarely less than
$50 miles, and sometimes as great as 400
miles. At the extreme outer edge of the
cyclone the force of the wind NAV be
only moderate, but it will be governed
by the same laws and marked by the
same phenomena as at a point nearer the
center, differing only in degree. The
speed Of the revolution varies, even at
the central point, but it is believed that
100 miles an hour has been known to
have been reached. The forward mo-
ton is also variable in speed, the distance
covered in a day rangisg from 100 to 400
miles. 1t is desirable to keep at dis
lance from the center, and it is possible
for vessel to take such advantage of a
cyclone as to carry fair wind, not too
boisterous, for several days in its inhu
e1ce. The object of every vessel is to
avoid the dangerous field OF the cyclone
at the least cost of time and distance.
In the southern hemisphere the direc-
ton of the rotation of the wind is the
same as that of the hands of watch.
from left to right; while in the north
ern hemisphere the direction is reversed.
This rule is invariable. The indications
which denote the approach of cyclone
are a rapidly falling barometer, steadi-
~ shifting wind, increasing in force, and
certain appearance of the sky and sea
which can be learned only by expert
ence. When q seaman is satisfied that
he is within the influence of cyclone,
his first care should be to learn the bear
ing of its center and the direction in
which it is travelling. In the northern
hemisphere let him face the wind, and
the center viii bear just 80 degrees to the
right. He must then determine whether
he is on the right hand or the left-hand
side Of the storms forward movement,
and this can be learned by the following
rule Watch the wind if the shifts
occur from north to east, east to south,
south to west, or west to north. you are
on the right-hand side of the storms
course; ii they occur from north to
west, west to south, south to east, or
east to north, you are on the left hand
side. This rule is Invaluable, except in
in the same general direction al the
cyclone, and at higher speed.
Having determined that he is within
cyclone influence, and having learned
on which side of its course he is, Cap
tain should at once put his ship on that
course which will carry him away from
the center, and keep that course until he
has evidently escaped the heaviest wind,
or until (as may be possible) he finds
that he must "lie to- In Lying to-
he must adopt this invariable rule Ii
on the left-hand side of the cyclones
course Gle to- on the port tack if on
the right hand side :" lie to" on the star
board tack. Every shift of wind will
then draw aft instead Of catching the
ship aback, and, il the previous rule has
been complied with, the Captain will
have done al that is possible for his
ships safety. During the cyclone
months q constant watch upon the
barometer should be kept, since the
earlier that the presence of cyclone is
known, the more easily it is avoided.
A steamer should not hesitate to go even
100 mics out of its course rather than
run into cyclones center OF near it,
and if this precaution is observed no
steamer need be lost in one