Year: 1863

| STORM SIGNALS ON rAs CoAsr-The theory
OF storms has of late yeaA attracted u. sss'n
ton Of many persons throtN 'hout tne c'Vi,'1o0
world and constant experiA ems n've oe'"
made by those who have given the ma'.ef 'pe-
c'al study to test the praetcabiA y oil ioreseo-
ing the approach Of heavy gales in'> Time 70 siVS
warning at distant points along cssA : therepy
preventing an immense amount OF a aritiine
disasters. The force and direction of ssM es OF
wind have become study of no small aon~ nt'
and if any feasible plan can be adopted fa
determining their approach in order that tin5
may be given to guard against their effects, IL
will be one of the greatest blessings that can bs'
conferred upon mankind. No people in the
world have been greater sufferers from this
cause than those of the United STATES, and it is
hoped that before many years have passed
some system will be had that will serve in
a great measure to lessen the number Of losses
at sea that we are daily called upon to .
chronicle.


In another column we give an interesting
sketch, accompanied with Illustrations, Of The
for signalling to those points not reached by
the magnetic telegraph the approach Of
storms. Admiral Fitzroy has given this matter
much attention, and he is satisfied Of his ability,
from a long series of experiments and OBSERVE
tions Of different characters, to determine the
approach of gale in time to give the necessary
warning to mariners on all points OF the English
and Irish coast II was some time before he was
able to obtain the assistance of the English
in nor ant pIoua ha ha vlUu
for over two years made all the experiments at
his own expense ; but now the necessary orders
have been issued causing his signals to be
used at all the stations Of the coast guard and
other points Of the coast He foretold with
great accuracy the approach of the heavy gale
of last January, which lasted from the 18th to
the 10Th of the month, and was no doubt there
by the means of saving much life and valuable
property.


If the plan of Admiral Fitzroy turns out to
be all that he claims it is, its adoption in this
country for our extended line of seacoast will
become an immediate necessity. Already have
we almost instantaneous communication by
means Of the magnetic telegraph between
Fortress Monroe and St. Johns, Newfoundland,
and if a submarine cable were laid from tho
former point to Key West, and from thence 10
the mouth of the Mississippi and the Rio
Grande the approach or existence of gales Of
wind would be known every hour, and their d.
rection indicated in time to anticipate their
fury. The HERALD hes for many years con-
stantly advocated the adoption Of a similar
system, which could be sustained by the un-
derwriters and merchants of the country; and
if the plan had been adopted then the proba-
bilites are that millions Of property would
have been saved that is now at the bottom of
the ocean, to say nothing Of the thousands Of
lives. 1t is very evident that the telegraph il
to be the principal medium in the carrying out
Of Admiral Fitzroys project, aided by his sig
mails. Consequently we should be ready for
its adoption by having our submarine lines
completed at the earliest moment.