Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-03
THE ATLANTIC'S FURY
Coasting Vessels Should Be on the
Lookout for Storms.
READY FOR west INDIAN HURRICANE
Birthplace East Of the Lesser An
titles.
THE SEPTEMBER OUTLOOK

The weather forecast of the photographic
Office Cor the North Atlantic ocean for
September is moderate and fair weather
generally. Occasional gales north of the
Roth parallel; also near the American coast
are likely. Tropical cyclones or hurricanes
are very probable. Fog west of the 4lst
meridian, across the Grand Banks; also east
of New England is indicated. Ice bergs
in the vicinity of Belle Isle and to south
ward far as Grand Banks are looked for.
The records of the photographic Office
for the past twelve years show the fire.
quency of tropical cyclonic storms in the
North Atlantic ocean during the months Of
June. July. August, September and Oc-
tober. During these months, therefore, it
is well fer masters of vessels sailing West
Indian waters and the seas adjacent to
the coasts of the United States to be at
all times prepared to encounter these
storms. and to keep n constant watch for
the signs of their approach. as they are
almost without exception attended by wind
and seas of such violence to threaten
disaster to such vessels as happen to be
in the neighborhood of the storm center.
The tropical cyclonic storm of the North
Atlantic. better known under the name of
West Indian Hurricane is of the same
general character as other cyclonic storms,
with the exception of the fact that in the
early stages Of its career the motion of
the storm center has always a certain
amount of westing, due to the general
westward motion of the atmosphere in the
low latitudes in which the storm origi-
mates.
Its birthplace is the northern limit of the
equatorial belt of Gains. between the paral-
leis of 10' N. and 20o N. and TO the east
ward of the Lesser Antilles, in region,
cor sequently, throughout which the atmos-
pheric equilibrium is unstable, and uprising
columns of warm air are apt to be frequent.
nf h4a limo ir hair1t f.lyn
by the ccole. and consequently denser sur
rounding air, which rushes in from all sides
10 NIL the vacancy. Such a system of air
currents at any point of the earthS surface
not closer to the equator than six or eight
degrees tends to give rise to an atmos-
rheric whirl. The ma jority of these whirls
are probably promptly dissipated; but I'M
DER favorable circumstances one may be
maintained. and borne to the westward by
the general circulation of the atmosphere
as an eddy is borne along by the current of
Il river.
In its earlier stages the. whirI is small
probably less than 100 miles in diameter
but its growth is rapid. SO that in the mid
die and higher ATTITUDES it may attain a di-
afneter exceeding 800 or even LOCO miles
Fully developed. the storm consists of n
&C n;ral area OF low bare m eter. around which
the winds circulate in a negative direction
i. e.; IN direction contrary to the motion
OF the hands of a clock. at the same time
drawing slowly inward: the path followed
by the air in approaching the center being
IN many respects similar to the path fol-
lowed by water escaping from a circrIar
basin by an opening in the bottom AL
though not strictly true for ordinary pur-
poses the amount of this ndraught is as
sufned TO be two points throughout the ex-
tent or the Storm North of the center the
WIND will thus blow from about f e
south of the center from about w. s. w:
to the east of The center, south-southeastar
~ winds Will prevail to the west or the
center. north northwe sterly
10 nk Inc approximate direction of the
storm center from the vessel it is. there
lore only necessary to face the wind. i'm
Whlch case the storm center will hear ten
points to the Observers right; and by as
Stunning a rough value fer its distance re-
member1nS that in general as long as tho
barometer continues to fall this distance is
diminishing, It is often possible. by plo;-
ting the relative position of vessel and
storm center at the close of each hour or
even more frequently. to obtain a fair idea
OF the path along which the latter is trav-
eHiS- In TINS operation the coul Sc and dis
taIce made by the vessel must, of course
pc considered.
Leaving the belt OF calris. the course
taken by the center of the bsrometric do,
preston is between north and west mil
me nortfern limits of the trades are reach
ca; here recarvipg, the future course is
frequently 10 the northeastward. although
mGCf depends upon prevailing at.nospheric
conditions. The wind blows in opposite di-
iectlons en- opposite sides of the center;
hence a vessel entering the center or one
sue ana leaVinS II, alter an interval of
comparative calm, on the other side IS
liable 10 be struck aback by gale of re-
newed energy, thereby gathering stern
beard in the heavy seas. This constitutes
one Of the most critical dangers known to
Seamen. In the center itself, or region of
lowest barometer, are Gains and will
uaws. and the seas, if the storm is a
severe one, are enormous and confused
a vessel situated in front and hear Inc
pain or a cyc'onic storm will commonly
experience long. heavy swell, a falling
barometer with heavy rain. and increasing
winds with shifts depending upon her DO
sltloh with respect to the storm track
EOnting In English Public ScbooIs
From Harper's Round Table