Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10

DEVELOPMENT of tornadoes. In most cases
the atmosphere is very sultry, scarce
breath disturbing it. When, in such con-
dition of air, in the regions where tornadoes
are known to occur, rolling clouds appear
in the southwest and northwest, the ap-
proach of tornado may be expected. These
clouds may resemble smoke from confa-
grafton. They are something of a greenish
hue, again intensely black. The movement
of the clouds is striking and characteristic
feature. They have at first whirling mo-
ton, the several masses appearing to spin
around a common center. Then from this
central part the funnel-like cloud grows
downward toward the earth, and from it
proceeds roaring sound like continuous
distant thunder, which grows in intensity
as the storm approaches the observer.
If a person near the path of the approach
ing storm is so fortunate as to be in the
open country, he may save himself by
flight, for the rate of movement of the storm
center does not usually exceed 25 miles an
hour. The first thing to determine is the
direction in which the center is moving. A
brief observation will often ascertain this.
If the storm is going in the northeast di-
rection, the path of safety lies in the north
west; if the path of the tornado be to the
eastward, then the direction of flight should
be to the north. In any case the endangered
person should seek to escape by moving to
the right as he faces the storm.
SAFETY IN A STORM.
II such observations are made with due
presence of mind, when the funnel-shaped
cloud is not more than three-fourths of
mile distant, the chance of escaping from its
path is good. The safest position is always
on the northwest or northern side of the ad-
vancing meteor, for the reason that on that
side the movement of the wind is least in
tense Mr.. Finley advises a person not to
make his determination as to the direction
of the movement of the tornado when it is
more than three-fourths of mile distant,
for the reason that it is not easy to deter
mine the path when the cloud is farther
away.
In seeking shelter in buildings, he bids
one remember that frame buildings are
safer than those of masonry, for the walls
are more elastic, and are more likely to
Withstand the racking motion of the storm
than more solid walls of brick or stone. In
such frame building the greatest safety is
in the cellar, while this position is most
dangerous in masonry ediice. He adds
the general statement that no dwelling what
soever, such as is likely to be constructed in
this country, is safe in such circumstances.
When seeking shelter in any building,
person should avoid northeast rooms, or in
general the eastern side of the house.
Mr.. Finley dwells upon the Importance
of underground shelters separated from the
cellars of houses as a place of resort in case
of danger from tornadoes. He gives some
general directions for the construction of
such cellars, but appears to reckon on too
much expenditure. In case the cave is con-
nected with the cellar of the house, as it
sometimes is in the present method of con-
structing them, there is always danger that
the exit may be blocked by the ruins of the
house itself The best place seems to be to
have the cavern on the southwest side of the
dwelling house, and distant at least a score
or two of feet from it. Mr.. Finley estimates
that sufficient shelter will cost from S150
to $3.50. But with little more cost than the
expense of his personal labor the farmer
may provide himself with an adequate shell
ter for the members of his household.
THE TORNADO BELT.
A trench. four feet wide, sloping down
from near the house until it attains the
depth of about eight feet, with a roof of
stout timber and layer of earth four feet in
thickness upon it, will serve all the needs.
If the soil be wet 1t will be necessary to
provide it with drainage. 1t should be
noted that all that is necessary is to provide
place in which, by seldom chance, the
people of the house may quickly crowd
themselves beyond the pitiless beat of the
storm The shelter will be required for not
more than 10 or Is minutes at the most;
indeed, the crisis commonly passes in much
less time.
Although storms of the tornado type oc-
cur in other countries than our own, our
continent, especially the region in the
northern part of the Mississippi valley, is
subject to peculiar danger from them. As
the population grows denser and the archi-
lecture becomes more important the danger
which they will bring to the interests of
man is sure steadily to increase. Meteoro-
logical science has already attained to the
point where it will be possible to predict
the times when and the places where the
disasters are likely to occur. 1t does not at
present seem possible to do more for the
protection of man than to set forth the gen.
eral conditions in the manner above de-
scribed by Mr.. Finley.
Once more comes the rumor that diamonds
have been produced by artificial processes.
There seems no reason to doubt, even if this
last report be discredited, that diamonds
will not long remain as purely natural pro-
ducts. Recent observations in South Africa
and elsewhere make it appear that in all
probability wherever a long continued high
temperature affects carbonaceous rocks, dia-
monds are likely to be engendered. Many
of the other stones esteemed precious have
been arti6cially made, either as commercial
products or as the result of scientific expert
ment. It is, therefore, with no surprise that
we hear of what seem to be successes in this
line of manufacture. So far it seems certain
that such diamonds as have been made are
of extremely small size, if not microscopic.
VOLCANIC PHENOMENA.
eve have at length more details concern
ing the great volcanic sea wave which, on
the 18th of March, 1888, swept a part of the
shore of New Guinea and many neighbor-
ing islands. Owing to the fact that this
great disturbance overwhelmed an explor-
ing expedition, under the charge of two
Germans, two other expeditions have been
sent out to determinine the circumstances of
their loss, and, if possible, the rescue of
any of the survivors. The last expedition
discovered the place where Won Below and
Hunstein had landed. A portion of their
camp equipment was found, covered with
sand and stones, showing clearly where
they were overtaken by the inundation.
the debris covered the shore to the
height of several feet above high water, q
large extent of country originally in the
state of forest had been. converted into a
morass, covered with broken timber and
material swept up from the sea. The wave
appears to have reached the height of about
40 feet above high water. At the newly
established settlement near Cape King
William more than 20 successive waves
were observed, of which the third and
heaviest rose to the height of 50 feet above