Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-20
Gales aud Sketthes.
Studying Tornad0es.
INFORMATION FROM THE SIGNAL SERvlc

The chief difficulty in studying these
erratic visitors is in getting upon the track
OF them soon enough. week sometimes
elapsing before the investigation can be
made, during which interval much of the
destruction wrought is covered up. Indi-
vidua; testimony is the only report OBJ
tainable in many cases and this can not
always be relied unon for official purpos-
es. However, at the close of the wear of
1879. the first publication of forbade
Studies," by the then Sergeant Finley .ap-
peared. In 1880. by special act of Con.
gress, second edition was issued. Wher-
ever storm appeared men and wagons
were hired to collect particulars of its track
and force In 1861 another volume of
Tornado Studies" appeared. in which
minute details of 600 tornadoes were re-
corded. The work was assuming mag
nitude and importance previously un-
thought of. In 1888 an organization of a
staff of Tornado Reporters" was ordered
and under direction of Lieut.. Finley so
successfully conducted that 1900 names
are published in the annual report of the
Chief Signal Officer. This list compris-
es business men. physicians, professors
anu llACIS III OIL pal 10 VI IuC OullCO
States. who render their services to the
Government without salary. Each report
er is furnished stationery, free copies of
all tornado publications and allowed free
use of the mails in forwarding official
correspondence. Blanks specially pre-
pared with full set of questions cover
ing every conceivable detail of the storms
are applied by the Signal Service, with a
pamphlet of instructions to govern the re-
porter in obtaining all necessary and val
liable points The whole service, though
purely voluntary, is most trustworthy and
accurate; the appointments being eagerly
sought for by men of prominence who in
terest themselves in studying the phe-
nomena of tornadoes. The mode
OF obtaining complete official informa-
ton OF each tornado reported by the Sig
nal Service stations to the headquarters at
Washington is most comprehensive and
thorough. Immediately on the receipt of
the announcement, the Tornado Division"
issues circulars addressed to men living in
the direct path of the storm, and who are
likely to be trustworthy sources of infor-
nation. These circulars. containing full
series of questions, go to postmasters,
county clerks, railroad officers and other
persons, requesting their assistance in pre-
pairing a report tor all particulars. Cir
culars are also sent out to persons living
upon each side of the track of destruction.
where the phenomena are differing from
the centre of the storm path. BY this
means the whole territory is covered and
every interesting points obtained. These
circulars are forwarded to Washington,
where the local tornado reporters state
ments have already been received, and the
whole mass of facts is then compared with
the official report of the chief signal officer
stationed nearest the locality visited by
the Storm one account serving as check
upon another. A local or geographical
chart is then prepared, showing the course
from beginning to finish. This is fur
nshed free to the public in a week or two,
by application to the Chief Signal Officer
at Washington. -Four other meteorological
charts are then prepared with the greatest
care and attention to details. Three of
these charts represent the United States,
and show the direction of the wind. dstri-
button OF barometric pressure and tempe
nature record at Z A. NJ. 3 P. M. and II
P. NJ, 10Th meridian time, all over the
NOOuCt 4uV lOutbu CudTL SLOWS Iu0
track of the general storm centre and re-
lative position of tornadoes developed
from the same disturbance. These charts
are also furnished free to the public.
The storms which lay waste our Western
country are tornadoes every one of them,
A cyclone was never seen as far West as
the Mississippi. The cyclone is produc-
ton of the West Indies. and is unknown
during the summer months. During Sep
TENDER and October the heated tropical
currents develop vast rotary storms from
500 to 1900 miles in diameter, which
sweep in parabolic curve against the
South Atlantic coast. The cool trade winds
blowing down the cost defect their course
and send them sweeping inland. Passing
northward they describe their curving
fight as tar as Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick and then rush with bowling
force across the Newfoundland Banks.
Some of them reach England and Ireland.
The same storm ravages the coast OF
Japan, and is called typhoon. The ire
mendous breadth of cyclones seldom gives
local evidence of their circular sweep.
Their calm centers are much dreaded by
navigators. The Signal Service cautions
mariners against sailing into ''cyclone
CENTER" The atmosphere is always striv-
ing to attain its equilibrium. and so long
as some parts Of the earth get warmer
than others storms will rage.
Sweeping down from the snowy desolate
wastes of British America across Dakota,
Montana, Wyoming. and Minnesota is a
cold wind, which often sends the mercury
to 80 and 40 degrees as it crosses the bor-
der. From the Southern States and Gulf
region, hot wind. sometimes 100 degrees,
flows up the Mississippi valley to meet it.
The towering Rockies hem these currents
in to the Westward. and they come togeth.
er with a mighty rush. The warm cur
rent rises to escape, the cold air defects
downward. and with whrl and roar a
tornado cloud gathers. The resultant OF
the two forces is invariably Northeast and
the track of death is cut through every
obstacle. The tornado itself is invisible ;
its fearful power is simply atmospheric
pressure concentrated in atrunk-like form
Mathematical calculation will show that
the air revolving within a tornado center
develops the terrific speed of 2000 miles
per hour, exerting force alike inconceiv-
able and irresistible. The rotary move.
ment of the whirl is upward. upon the