Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-12-22
THE TRADE WINDS.
HOW THEY ARE CAUSED AND
THEIR LOCALITY.
Some Interesting Facts in Relation
to These Friends of Mariners
and People.

trade windsor simply the trades" as
they are called by sailors-but it is not
generally known what causes these winds
and where they are found.
1t is easy to understand that wind
which is steady in force and constant in
direction is Of great benefit to sailing YES
sells, and it is from this advantage to navi-
gators-and hence to trade-that the trade
winds take their name.
These winds are permanent over both
the lard and water, prevailing in, and
often beyond, the torrid zone. As the air
within this zone receives greater amount
of heat than the air outside, it rises, and
in its place is supplied the colder air
which rushes in from beyond the tropics.
If the earth were at rest, it is evident
that a north wind would blow in the
northern half Of the torrid zone. and a
south wind in the southern half. But the
earth, instead of being at rest, revolves on
Its axis from west to east. A little refec-
ton will enable any one to understand
that the greatest velocity resulting from
this rotation must be found at the equator.
and that as one recedes from the equator.
the velocity diminishes until the pole is
reached, when it is nothing.
The wind which is rushed toward the
equator has continually a less velocity
than that Of the surface over which It
passes, and so falls behind more and more
as the equator is approached. This gives
1t direction opposite to the earth's rota-
ton, in other words, direction from the
east TO the west, which, combined with the
motion from the north and south, before
mentioned, gives as result the northeast
trades in the northern hemisphere, and
the southeast trades in the southern hemis-
phere.
The trade winds then may be considered
to be caused jointly by the rotation of the
earth ON its axis, and the movement of the
air toward equatorial regions, to take the
place of other air which has risen from
the effect of heat.
Speaking roughly, the limits of the
trades are 80 degrees north latitude and 80
degrees south latitude, between the two
being band of Gains and light, variable
air. This belt is called "the doldrums,"
probably from the old Spanish word
" dolorosa '-signifying tormenting, which
a region of calms and variables undoubt-
eddy is to sailing vessel. The doldrums
are the meeting ground of the northeast
and the southeast trades, and at this meet
ing point they have a neutralizing effect
on each other. Here rains are heavy and
frequent.
The limits of the trades are constantly
changing, varying with the season of the
year. Following the motion of the sun in
the heavens in the summer they extend
perhaps 200 or 300 miles toward the north,
and in the winter they recede toward the
south. 1t will be understood from this
that the belt of equatorial Gains is varia-
bic in position, as it also is in width. In
spring its center is found about 100 miles
north of the equator while in summer it
extends 500 miles higher in latitude. It's
width is ordinarily 300 miles, but some
times it is thrice as wide, and then again
there Is occasionally no dividing line be-
tween the trades, and vessels are fortunate
enough TO run directly from one into the
other
To come now from the trades in general
to the trades of the Atlantic. These have
been known for centuries. Columbus prob
ably noted the northeast trades on his first
voyage of discovery. When not inter
rupted by hurricanes, which are uncom-
mon, except in August, September and
October, this northwest trade-wind region
is a veritable summer sea, so much so, in
deed, that it was called "The Lady's Gulf"
by the old Spanish navigators.
1t extends from the doldrums to the
horse ATTITUDES, which is belt of Gains
and variable winds found between 80 and
35 degrees of north latitude, according to
the season of the year, and takes its pecu-
liar name from the fact that in early days
ships engaged II carrying cargoes of horses
from Europe to the West Indies frequently
found it necessary to throw them over
board, owing to the frequent changes
rains, thunder lightning, puffs and Gains
following each other in rapid succession in
this f~rpexing region.
& 'h the northeast and southeast trades
of the atlantic blow over wider extent
on the African than on the American side,
but, on the other hand, the doldrums are
much broader on the eastern side, making
it part Of the ocean to be avoided, if pos
sible.
The southeast trades are much stronger
and more constant than the northeast,
which are, in fact, somewhat capricious,
frequently showing breaks in their regu-
larity which it is hard to account for.
l have, after experiencing very fair
southeast trades, steamed entirely across
the northeast trade-wind region, in the
month Of May, without finding any wind
at all to speak Of 1t is hard to explain
why, on given day, vessel in this re-
gion should find good, steady trades, while
on the same day another vessel a few miles
east or west of the first, should encounter
nothing but Gains.
The trade-wind regions are delight to
the mariner. Fogs are seldom experienced,
and gales rarely occur. The weather is
pleasant and the air dry. The wind being
constant, the Captain and officers have
very little anxiety, and the sailors still less,
of the usual and monotonous work of set
ting and taking in sail, reefng and bracing
yards. In fact, vessels sometimes "run
down the trades under all sail, and for
days together there is no necessity of
touching rope Youths Companion.
4 VERY COMMENTED MAN.