The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-12
CYCLONES OF THE SEA
concluded from Tenth Pagc.)


ers from the region Of the now ascend
ing column, constitute for the sailor the
pest indication OF the approaching ty-
phoon, sometimes making their appear
ance when the storm centre Is 1,500
miles distant. AS the centre APP
proaches the density Of the cloud can
opy deepens, until the belt OF nimbus,
from which torrents of rain descend,
10 attained. The width of this belt in
front of the centre Is in general about
400 miles; In the rear It Is less.
The first ba!ometrlc indication Of the
approach Of typhoon is the disturb
ance OF the diurnal range. In these low
iftitudes a good mercurial barometer,
during settled weather, should show a
decided maximum about 10 a. M, the
reading at that hour standing between
2e.85 and 29.95 inches, C75S2 to 1907 mil
ltmetres). while about D. M. there
should be g. corresponding minimum
the reading at that time being about
o.1o inch cas- millimetres) less than 10 a.
m The same thing LIS repeated at 10 D..
IN. and a. m If the afternoon max
smum is appreciably below 29.S5 inches.
or IL the descent between this and the
afternoon minimum Is markedly great
er than one-tenth OF an inch, the wealth
or should he watched with great care.
Several successive days of light, yarIa-
Die winds and Gains; period Of hot,
sultry weather; increasing moisture of
the air, shown by the diminishing diff
ference between the wet-and-dry bulb
thermometer increasing amount OF
cloud and an ominous heaving Of the
sea, are all conditions forerunning OF
the occurrence OF a typhoon
Characteristic typhoon tracks for the
month OF August, show that these
curve and then advance toward north
east. The velocity of the storm cen
ire varies. Within the tropics 1t rarely
exceeds ten miles an hour. In higher
iatitudes IT. goes up to forty miles an
PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY.
A vssel warned by her baromeer and
by the, character of the winds and sea
that typhoon L. approaching should
seek to avoid by running If the fall
OF the barometer and the shift Of the
wind are slow 1t means that the storm
Is yet at a. distance. and q swift vessel
taking advantage Of the increasing fav.
orable wind. may manage to outstrip it
especially in low ATTITUDES. In what.
ever manoeuvres are made the vino
should be kept we'll on tine starboart
port, the effect being to carry the YES
9el constantly from the storm centre
In the vicinity Of the typhoon the yes
sci should never run for any length OF
time with the wind dead aft. It Is
however, only in the outlying portion
OF the storm 1T Is possible to carr!
sails. Near the centre the vessel mus
be hove to, under as little canvas al
possible, and much depends upon thi!
being done upon the proper tack.
On the etorm path itself. and In ad
vance Of the centre. the vessel will ex
perlence fairly steady but constantly
increasing gales. rapidly falling ba
rometer and torrents OF rain until tn,
centre ls reached There the barometer
attatns It's lowest point. The winds d.
minish in force or even fail dead calm
the rain ceases. the density OF thu
clouds lessen and the blue sky Of tho
day and the stars by night may ever
appear, The waves. however, owing
TO the contrary winds on opposite