New-York tribune., 1899-08-23
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
COLUMBUS AS WEATHER PROPHET.
HOW he ONCE FoREToLD WEST INDIAN
CYCLONE.


CYCLONE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: In connection with the Porto Rico cyclone
OF last week, which 80 far seems to be following
the lines set down for August cyclones by the IA
nous cyconologist OF Belen Observatory. the late
Padre Vines Il may not be unlnteresting TO recall
come historical facts concerning the earliest West
Indian hurricane recorded in the annals Of the
discovery OF America I refer to the severe storm
announced by Columbus about which he tried In
vain 70 warn the Governor OF Hispanloa on his
arrival before the port OF santo Domingo. in
Hlspaniola, June %. E02
After sailing from Cadiz in 15o2. his fourth
and last voyage. Columbus shaped his course from
the Cape Verde Islands to St Lucia, thence 10
Dominica. where he touched. having had fair
weather until then. but thereafter experiencing
constant stormy winds he passed Dominica on
June 49, Monserrat on the 21st. ST. Christopher on
the I'D Santa Cruz the 23d, the south coast or
Porto Rico from the 24th TO the Tth, and finally
stood outside the port OF Santo Domingo on June o.
His orders were not enter that port on this
outward trip but OF his vessels having proved
unsatisfactory he sent a messenger 10 the Gov
ernor Of Hlspanioa Comendador de Lares. request
ing leave to exchange that vessel for more suit
able craft or to purchase new one, and also 10
be allowed 20 enter the port with his four vessels
in order TO shelter them against severe storm
which he felt sure was coming on, as otherwise
ne would have to take them into the first haroor
OF refuge that could ne reached. Both requests
were denied: but on hearing that large fleet or
twenty-eght or thirty vessels getting ready
10 sail for Spain laden with valuable treasure ana
having among its passengers the Ex-Governor
Bo5adilla, who few years before, had treated
him a criminal and sent him In irons 70 SPAIN
Columbus never hesiIated. but Immediately sem
another message entreating Comendador de L.alts
10 DELAY the departure OF the feet another week
al least, for great storm was certalnly coming %
down upon them His warning was mdde HBhl
OF and pooh -poohed as a ridiculous attempt az
prophesying and tne feet sailed in spite Of IT,
meeting thirty or forty hours later terrhc storm
which totally destroyed twenty OF the vessels, WIN
M the people on board among whom were BoDd-
dlla and Roldan, Columbuss most bitter enemies.
The new town Of Santo Domingo was almost entirely
Las Casas, describing these events. half cen
tury before the invention OF the barometer dls-
cusses the means by which Columbus may nave
had knowledge OF the approach OF the storm citing
the cOlOrs developed by the rising or setting sun
the changes OF the winds. the aspect OF ne moon noon
and certain particular tokens sucn IA 'ILe 20
pOises rising in shoals upon the waters ana nahIns
for the shores az valuable indlcatlons lot eA-
perienced mariners Al the present gay, Hs,Si :
looking four hundred years. Is yet possioe
70 reconstruct the probable track or the July cy
clone OF 1902. the inferior branch OF WHICH accoIu-
ing Padre Viness laws, must have run nearly
parallel with. but little below. that OF our recent
August hurricane the former having crossed the
island Of San Domingo whereas the latter has
been sweeping across Porto Rico, IN accordance
with their respective dates II so happened. there
f,rs nat Colijmbis had been sailing pretty much
along the prospective track OF his cyclone, as ne
travelled In sight Of Martinique. Dominica, Nor
serrat. St Christopher. Santa Cruz and the south
coast Of Porto Rico. all OF which Islands are being
reported severely ravaged by last weeks hurrl-
advance Of the cyclone, striking his vessel most
constantly from the same quarter az least during
the last days before reaching Santo Domingo. and
his sagacious mind may easily have interpreted
that circumstance as sure sign mat the storm
centre was following the same course as MS own
Havana. Aug Is. 1899