 After being named, Pauline displayed signs of a tight circulation, but satellite pictures were unable to pick up any distinct features due to nearby cirrus outflow. Later that day, however, satellites picked up a feature in the hurricane that resembled an eye, but closer inspection showed that the eye was either a shadow or a gap between bands and that the real center was 50 mi (80 km) west of the eye. On September 30, the storm turned to the northwest and its forward speed accelerated to 9 mph (14 km / h). Around this time, a satellite picture showed a genuine eye beginning to form and banding features became apparent. Even though the picture was distorted due to by electronic problems, the tropical storm was subsequently upgraded to hurricane intensity. On October 1, the ship Overseas Joyce recorded 80 mph (130 km / h) to 85 mph (137 km / h) north-northeast winds, a heavy swell from the east-southeast and a pressure of 1002 mbar. An estimate based on satellite pictures placed the Overseas Joyce at 15 mi (24 km) to 20 mi (32 km) away from the center. Another nearby ship, the Golden Eagle, reported south-southeast winds of 50 mph (80 km / h) and high seas 75 mi (121 km) east of the center.
