The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-25
Instrument Invaluable to Uncle Sam in
Meeting Increased Responsibilities
Imposed by Virgin Islands and
Growth of Shipping

away with all possible speed from the
path of the dreaded storm centre.
The dial of the cyclometer is both
chart of cyclonic winds and "a graph
of the zones of the different barometrc
pressures, the vortex of the storm be-
ing represented by the centre of the
dial. The hands of the instrument are
arranged SO that an observer can set
them to indicate the position of the
vortex as established at the first obse--
walton and then to trace the movement
OF the storm between two observations
by shifting one of the hands the Sec
ond hand having a smaller cross
pointer. which facilitates this essen
TALLY graphic operation.
The working of the instrument Is
devoid of complications, and in the
case of the seafarer 1t is possible for
him to utilize the cyclometer while
pausing but for a few moments in the
discharge of his other duties.
As the wind disc" shows, the little
arrows marking the directions of the
winds vary IN each quarter of tie
compass and within each of the five
barometric zones, so that there is a
, distinctive character to every division.
The mariner has only to keep his eye
upon the steady wind blowing al any
hour and to check the change, II such
! a thing is taking place, in order 10
determine his own position in relation
to the axis of the storm. He does not
bother with momeptary eddies or gusts.
| The direction and force of the winds
1 ss( f.,. Ew~W
! is recorded in little guide book
that goes with the instrument.
The truly wonderful part Of the
whole problem-at least TO the lay
MANS that it has been possible thus
| to reduce to a system the swir,lng
winds OF a raging tempest and to give
to apparent confusion definite rotary
movement which will tell its story
helpfully TO any intelligent observer.
; To most of us the maelstrom of o.
clone would seem to be n pellmeil
rush with all kinds of misleading ca
dies. but Father Algue's tirelcss r'-
search and patient calculation have
resolved these into an orderly move
/ ment. Nature has her own way OF
taking us into her confidence il We a
clear sighted enough to read the story
as she writes it.
Signs of Natures Moods.
One thing that has made for success
in evolving an apparatus to predict
the position and progress OF typhoon'
/ and hurricanes is the characterize Or
certain meteorological changes H. ia
tropical and seml-tropical regions.
! That is to say, the daily oscillations ~
the barometer are so regular that some
authors have compared them with III"
movements of a clock Therefore the
least irregularity observed in this re-
gard is recognized as a reasonably ccr-
tain indication of the proximity Of
storm. Accordingly nature. where she
is apt to be especially violent In 'he
forms of her storms. has thus pruNd
signs OF her menacing moods
The barometric conditions OF t,e
! Orient are not like those of our sog;.-
ern Atlantic coast and the region, o,
! the West Indies. But tho same under
lying laws prevail in both hemisphere
and Father AlSue has furnished n'
with an apparatus that will ro)@N.F
! foretell the birth. the growth and ,'s
course of the hurricanes peculiar 70
| our part of the world.
| In the past these storms have "
no means confined their courses -
the mean path of the storm centres
| indicated upon the chart aCcompa''-
ing this article. Some Of them have
swept northward along the Carolina
coast: others have struck our G1-
shores either in their initial sweep or
when recurring, as they 20 often 90
10 the eastward, and again s0mr NJ
them have driven violently upu. .'.-
tan and the seaboard of Mckee 90 -
north.
Heretofore we have had to rely Npoa
ships at sea and shore stations pro-
vlded with the usual STANDARD Ha-
rometer to pick up the warning drops
| in pressure and TO wireless tine ro''
afar. Unfortunately the hurricane =
commonly accompanied by electric"
disturbances OF such strength th't i'1
effective working of the radio Is -e.'
ously hampered by the prcya''Te
static condition. Therefore JUS VN''
messages should be despatched j,
not infrequently impossible to d. SO
This emphasizes the added N7'lo Of
Father Algue's invention.