mi 
 
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 THE ROBERT E. COWAN.. COLLEC"! 
 
 i'Ki;si:>;ti-:i) to nih 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 r.v 
 
 C, P, HUWTINGTON 
 
 dUNE, 18Qf. 
 
 Accession ^o.XS'y^O^ Class Nc 
 
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 University of California • Berkeley ; 
 
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STORMS: 
 
 The various 
 -phenomena hy which 
 their approach can be ascer- 
 tained with certainty, and prac- 
 tical directions to mariners 
 for the avoidance of 
 their fu/ry. 
 
 COMPILED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES 
 
 BY 
 
 CAPT. JOHN RO SS, 
 
 " OFTMB 
 
 ; TTNIVERSITlf 
 ^^^^^ 
 
 A. ROMAN k COMPANY, ^ 
 
 BookselijErs, Publishers and Importers, <t^ 
 
 417 and 419 Monfgomery Street, San Francisco. ij 
 
 27 HOWARD ST., NEW YORK. 
 
 1869. 
 
PAPER AND STATIONEEY 
 
 JOHN G. HODGE & CO., 
 
 Oor. Haiisome aii<i Nacranxiento st«., 
 
 SAN FRJLXCISCO. 
 
 IMPORTING AND MANITFACTURING 
 
 H T .^ T I O ]V E R^ » , 
 
 Keep Blank Books, Stationery, School Books, Cheap Publi- 
 cations, LOG BOOKS, Shipping Articles, Rolls 
 of Sale of Vessels, etc., etc. 
 
 The Best Grracles at Lo^vest ^Prices. 
 
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 Mclaughlin & BREWER, 
 
 No. 328 MONTGOMERY STREET, 
 
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 SAN FRANCISCO. 
 
THE IL, .^ W 
 
 OP 
 
 s T o R m: s 
 
 THE VAKIOUS PHENOMENA BY WHICH THEIK APPROACH 
 CAN BE ASCERTAINED WITH CERTAINTY, AND 
 PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS TO MARIN- 
 ERS FOR THE AVOIDANCE 
 OF THEIR FURY. 
 
 OMPILED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES 
 
 BY 
 
 CAPT. JOHN ROSS. 
 
 A. BOMAN & COMPANY, 
 Booksellers, Publishers and Importers, 
 
 417 and 119 Montgomery Street, San Francisco. 
 27 HOWAED ST., NEW YOBK. 
 
 1869. 
 
Entered according to Act of CongreBS, in the year 1869, 
 
 By CAPT. JOHN KOSS, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for 
 the Northern District of California. 
 
 Printed by SPAULDING & BARTO, 
 
 Mining Aist) Scientifio Peess Job Opfice, 
 
 4U Clay Street, San Francisco. 
 
ON HUREICANES 
 
 AND THE 
 
 LAW OF STORMS 
 
 In the Northern Hemisphere, when the Polar and 
 Equatorial currents of air are alternating with each 
 other, the regular shifting of the wind round the com- 
 pass will be through S., S. W., W., N. W., N., N. E., E., 
 S. E., S. — and the changes will take place oftener be- 
 tween south and west, and between north and east, 
 than between west and north, and between east and 
 south. 
 
 Similarly in the Southern Hemisphere, it may be 
 inferred that when Polar currents of air alternate with 
 Equatorial, the regular shifting of the wind round the 
 compass will be successive through S., S. E., E., N. E., 
 N., N. W., W., S. W,, S. 
 
 This is Dove's "Law of Gyration," (or the law 
 of the rotation of winds). And collecting the main 
 points into a few general propositions, it may be laid 
 down, that all steady winds are modified by the rotation 
 of the earth, in such a manner that Equatorial currents 
 of air receive a westerly deflection, and Polar currehts 
 an easterly deflection ; but latitudinal currents suffer 
 no change. The N. E. and S. E. Trade Winds are 
 steady Polar currents. The Monsoons are alternations 
 
4 THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 of a Polar and an Equatorial current, twice during 
 the year. Therefore they are N. E. and S. W. in 
 the Northern Hemisphere; and S. E. and N. W. in the 
 bouthern Hemisphere. 
 
 The S. W. passage winds of the Northern Hemis- 
 phere, and the N. W. passage winds of the Southern 
 Hemisphere, are Equatorial currents. 
 
 Bodies of air set in motion from a state of rest, 
 turn the wind-vane in the direction of the meridian 
 as follows : 
 
 The Polar current in the Northern Hemisphere from 
 N. toE. 
 
 The Polar current in the Southern Hemisphere from 
 S. to E. 
 
 The Equatorial current in the Northern Hemisphere 
 from S. to W. 
 
 The Equatorial current in the Southern Hemisphere 
 from N. to W. 
 
 In general the winds in the Northern Hemisphere 
 are as follows: 
 
 Those from N. to E. the Polar currents. 
 
 Those from E. to S. the transition of the Polar to 
 the Equatorial. 
 
 Those from S. to W. the Equatorial current. 
 
 Those from W. to N. the transition of the Equatorial 
 to the Polar. 
 
 Also, in the Southern hemisphere, the winds are as 
 follows : 
 
 TJiose from S. to E. the Polar currents. 
 
 Those from E. to N. the transition of the Polar to 
 the Equatorial. 
 
 Those from N. to W. the Equatorial current. 
 
 Those from E. to S. the transition of the Equatorial 
 to the Polar. 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 5 
 
 Thus, a complete revolution of the wind-vane in the 
 
 3rthern Hemisphere is therefore S. W., N. E., S. 
 ^ith the sun, and in the Southern Hemisphere the rota- 
 tion is S. E., N. W., S., with the sun, also, in that re- 
 gion. 
 
 When the course of a steady wind is obstructed in 
 such a manner as to produce a Hurricane, or Cyclone, 
 the wind has a rotary or whirling motion (as it were, 
 on an axis), while the storm itself has a progressive 
 motion. 
 
 N. B. — The rotation of the wind during a hurricane, 
 in the Northern Hemisphere, is in a direction contrary 
 to that in which the hands of a watch move. In the 
 Southern Hemisphere, the rotation is in the same 
 direction as that of the hands of a watch. And 
 hence the following shiftings of the vane: In the 
 Northern Hemisphere, when the vortex (or center) of 
 the storm passes to the westward of the place of obser- 
 vation, the rotation is S. W., N. E., S., with the sun ; 
 when the vortex passes to the eastward of the place of 
 observation, the rotation is S. E., N. W., S., against 
 the sun. 
 
 In the Southern Hemisphere, if the vortex passes to 
 the westward of the place of observation, the rotation 
 is S. E., N. W., S,, with the sun. 
 
 If the vortex passes to the eastward of the place of 
 observation, the rotation is S. W., N. E., S., against the 
 sun. 
 
 On Hurricanes or Cyclones* 
 
 Thus, in both Hemispheres, the passage of an equa- 
 torial whirlwind storm on the west side of the place of 
 
6 THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 observation, produces normal revolutions in accordance 
 with the law of gyration ; while, on the other hand, its 
 passage on the east side produces anomalous revolu- 
 lutions contrary to the law of gyration. When the 
 vortex of a whirlwind storm passes over the place of 
 observation, the vane may shift from one direction to 
 that immediately opposite to it. 
 
 Generally, if the whirlwind storm is an equatorial 
 one in the Northern Hemisphere, it progresses from S. 
 E. to N. W. in the Torrid Zone ; it recurves at the outer 
 edge of the N. E. trade wind, and thence moves from 
 S. W. to N. E. But in the Southern Hemisphere an 
 equatorial storm moves first from N. E. to S. W.; re- 
 curves at the outer edge of the S. E. trade wind, and 
 then advances from N. W. to S. E. — bearing in mind 
 the direction of the rotation of the wind in each hemis- 
 phere, viz: against watch hands in the Northern, but 
 with watch hands in the Southern Hemisphere. Cer- 
 tain portions of the storms are characterized by certain 
 hurricane winds, and dividing the storm by diameters 
 drawn from the northern to the southern margin, and 
 again from the eastern to the western margin, we find 
 that in the Northern Hemisphere, on the northern 
 margin, the wind will be easterly ; on the eastern mar- 
 gin, southerly ; on the southern margin, westerly ; and 
 on the western margin, northerly ; — each portion of the 
 cyclone possessing its appropriate wind. 
 
 The relations of the winds to the margin in the 
 Southern Hemisphere, will be exactly the reverse of 
 their relation in the Northern. Thus: It is the south- 
 ern margin of the storm south of the Equator, that 
 exhibits an easterly ; the western margin a southerly ; 
 the northern margin a westerly, and the eastern margin 
 
 I 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 7 
 
 a northerly wind. Hence, each portion of the hurri- 
 cane having its appropriate wind, there results, accord- 
 ing to the law of the rotation of revolving gales, a 
 verj simple rule for determining the bearing of the 
 center of the storm from the ship, viz: Look to the 
 wind's eye and set its bearing by compass, the eighth 
 point to the right thereof when in the Northern 
 Hemisphere ; but to the left of the wind's direction 
 when in the Southern Hemisphere, will be the bearing 
 of the storm's center. Thus, in the Northern Hemis- 
 phere, from an easterly wind, which characterizes the 
 northern margin of the storm, its center will bear 
 south ; from a northerly wind the center will bear east ; 
 from a westerly wind it will bear north, and from a 
 southerly wind, west. But in the Southern Hemis- 
 phere, from an easterly wind, the center of the storm 
 bears north ; from a southerly wind the center bears 
 east ; from a westerly wind, south ; and from a north- 
 erly wind, west. 
 
 The above rule is perfectly clear and definite ; but as 
 it is especially important to avoid the center of the 
 storm, — its most dangerous part, — the following table 
 shows at a glance its relative bearing in each Hemis- 
 phere. 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. 
 
 IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. 
 
 If the wind 
 
 The center of the 
 
 If the wind 
 
 The center of the 
 
 be- 
 
 storm will bear 
 
 be — 
 
 storm will bear 
 
 
 from the ship— 
 
 
 from the ship— 
 
 North. 
 
 East. 
 
 North. 
 
 West. 
 
 Nby E 
 
 Eby S 
 
 Nby E 
 
 WbyN 
 
 NNE 
 
 E S E 
 
 NNE 
 
 WN W 
 
 NEbyN 
 
 S E by E 
 
 N E by N 
 
 NWby W 
 
 NE 
 
 S E 
 
 NE 
 
 N W 
 
 NEby E 
 
 SEby S 
 
 NEby E 
 
 N W by N. 
 
 ENE 
 
 SSE 
 
 ENE 
 
 NN W 
 
 E by N 
 
 Sby E 
 
 EbyN 
 
 Nby W 
 
 East. 
 
 South. 
 
 East. 
 
 North. 
 
 Eby S 
 
 Sby W 
 
 Eby S 
 
 Nby E 
 
 E SE 
 
 SS W 
 
 E SE 
 
 NNE 
 
 SEbyE 
 
 S Wby S 
 
 SEby E 
 
 NEby N 
 
 SE 
 
 s w 
 
 SE 
 
 NE 
 
 S E by S 
 
 SWby W 
 
 S Eby S 
 
 NEby E 
 
 SS E 
 
 WS W 
 
 SSE 
 
 ENE 
 
 Sby E 
 
 Wby S 
 
 Sby E 
 
 EbyN 
 
 South. 
 
 West. 
 
 South. 
 
 East. 
 
 Sby W 
 
 WbyN 
 
 Sby W 
 
 Eby S 
 
 SS w 
 
 WN W 
 
 s s w 
 
 E S E 
 
 S Why S 
 
 N Wby W 
 
 SWby S 
 
 S Eby E 
 
 s w 
 
 N W 
 
 s w 
 
 SE 
 
 S W by W 
 
 N WbyN 
 
 S W by W 
 
 SEby S 
 
 WS W 
 
 NN W 
 
 WS W 
 
 SSE 
 
 Wby S 
 
 Nby W 
 
 Wby S 
 
 Sby-E 
 
 West. 
 
 North. 
 
 West. 
 
 South. 
 
 WbyN 
 
 Nby E 
 
 WbyN 
 
 Sby W 
 
 WN W 
 
 NNE 
 
 WN W 
 
 s s w 
 
 N W by W 
 
 NE by N 
 
 N Wby W 
 
 S Wby S 
 
 N W 
 
 NE 
 
 N W 
 
 sw 
 
 NWbyN 
 
 NEby E 
 
 N Wby N 
 
 S Wby W 
 
 NN W 
 
 ENE 
 
 NN W 
 
 WS W 
 
 Nby W 
 
 Eby N 
 
 Nby W 
 
 Wby S 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 9 
 
 The path which the axis of rotation describes is not 
 inappropriately termed the "Axis Line." On the 
 " Axis Line " there is no change of wind until the . 
 center has passed, when, after a brief interval of calm, 
 the wind springs up with great fury from the opposite 
 quarter. 
 
 It has been remarked by Piddington, " that he who 
 watches his barometer, watches his ship." This inval- 
 uable instrument, if well understood, invariably an- 
 nounces the approach of a revolving storm ; shows 
 whether the vessel is plunging into the vortex, or if 
 she be receding from it ; and hence, by carefully notic- 
 ing its indications, the disastrous consequences of a 
 hurricane may, to a great extent, be avoided, — for the 
 laws of its oscillations are very distinctly marked. The 
 barometer often stands unusually high before the com- 
 mencement of a cyclone, and frequently (if not always) 
 just around the storm. And conceiving the cyclone to 
 be divided into two parts by a diameter at right angles 
 to its path, it may be noted that the barometer always 
 falls during the passage of the advancing semi-circle of 
 a revolving storm. The barometer always rises during 
 the passage of the receding semi-circle of a revolving 
 storm. In cases of manoeuvering to take advantage of 
 the hurricane winds, and to keep just within the verge 
 of the storm, the barometer is of signal benefit, — it 
 should be kept as high as possible, without losing the 
 wind. In whatever position the ship may be, the rising 
 of the mercury announces that the first (or dangerous) 
 half of the storm has passed. 
 
 The barometer is a faithful guide in the zone of the 
 Trade Winds. Its ordinary variations are so small that 
 any deviation from its normal height requires attention. 
 1* 
 
10 THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 Its fluctuations are larger beyond the Tropics ; but the 
 indications are scarcely less certain if used in conjunc- 
 tion with the thermometer and hygrometer, — hence, 
 more watchfulness is required on the part of the navi- 
 gator ; and it is of the utmost importance to have such 
 a knowledge of the Law of Storms, of storm instru- 
 ments, and of the signs of the weather, as to be able 
 to detect the presence of a hurricane or cyclone, when 
 as yet sky and sea betoken but little of that blind fury, 
 during the height of which it is so difficult to guide the 
 vessel in safety. One great advantage of such knowl- 
 edge is a quick apprehension of the indications which 
 forewarn, to make all snug in time. 
 
 The meteorological signs indicating the approach of a 
 hurricane or cyclone, have been collected from various 
 sources by Mr. Birt, and are enumerated and classed 
 according as the phenomena may be presented to the 
 external sensations of feeling, sight, or hearing. 
 
 METEOROLOGICAL SIGNS RECOGNIZED BY THE 
 FEELINGS. 
 
 1. A sultry, oppressive state of the atmosphere. 
 
 2. A calm. 
 
 METEOROLOGICAL SIGNS RECOGNIZED BY THE EYE. 
 
 1. A remarkably clear state of the atmosphere, so 
 that the stars may be seen to rise and set with nearly 
 the same distinctness as the sun and moon. 
 
 2. A peculiar white appearance in the zenith, more 
 or less of a circular form. 
 
 3. A remarkably red or fiery appearance of the 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 11 
 
 sky. This is not unfrequently of such intensity as to 
 tinge all the surrounding objects with a deep crimson ; 
 and when this is seen there can be no question that the 
 violent portion of the cyclone is not far from the vessel. 
 When this red light is seen at night, the impression on 
 the seaman's mind is that day has broken before its 
 time. 
 
 4. A peculiar coloring of the clouds, more espe- 
 cially of an olive green. This is generally the pre- 
 cursor of a most violent and terrific hurricane. 
 
 5. A thick, hazy appearance in that quarter of the 
 horizon in which the cyclone is raging. 
 
 6. A remarkable and peculiar appearance of the 
 heavenly bodies. When shining through a haze they are 
 said to shine with a pale, sickly light, and are not un- 
 frequently surrounded by rings of light, or halos. Some 
 observers describe the stars " as looking big, with burs 
 about them" ; others speak of their " dancing,'' and 
 generally they have been noticed as being remarkably 
 bright and twinkling. 
 
 7. The sun, on some occasions, has exhibited a blue 
 appearance, and white objects have been seen of a de- 
 cided light blue color. The sun has also been observed 
 of a pale and somewhat similar appearance to that of 
 the full moon. 
 
 8. A dense, heavy bank of cloud in the direction 
 of the hurricane. 
 
 9. A peculiar appalling appearance in this bank, 
 more particularly as if it were a solid wall, drawing 
 down upon and closing around the ship. 
 
 10. A darting forward of portions of this bank, as if 
 torn into rags and shreds by some violent force, and driv- 
 en before, not borne, by the wind. When this indication 
 
12 THE LAW OP STORMS. 
 
 is distinctly recognized, a run of about two hours toward 
 the center will involve the vessel in a destructive hur- 
 ricane. 
 
 11. A peculiar motion exhibited by small bodies, as 
 branches of trees when agitated by the wind, consisting 
 of an apparent whirling, not a bending forward, as if 
 bent by a stream of air. 
 
 12. Lightning of a remarkable columnar character, 
 shooting up in stalks from the horizon with a dull glare ; 
 also like flashes from a gun, and sparks from a flint and 
 steel. 
 
 METEOROLOGICAL SIGNS RECOGNIZED BY THE EAR. 
 
 1. A distant roar (probably of the hurricane itself) 
 as of wind rushing through a hollow vault. 
 
 2. A peculiar moaning of the wind, indicative of 
 the close proximity of the violent portion of the hurri- 
 cane. 
 
 the meteorological phenomena accompanying 
 a revolving storm may also be enumerated 
 thus: 
 
 1. A very rapid motion of the air constituting the 
 hurricane, and increasing in velocity as the center is 
 approached. 
 
 2. A fitful variation of intensity in the force of the 
 wind, which sometimes blows with fearful violence, car- 
 rying away everything that opposes its progress; then 
 sinking to a gentle breeze, or even lulling to a calm, 
 but almost immediately afterwards springing up with 
 greater violence than before. The hurricane winds are 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 13 
 
 nearly if not entirely, without exception, puffy, violent, 
 and blowing in gusts. 
 
 3. An immense condensation of aqueous vapor, 
 forming large banks of cloud, which precipitate torrents 
 of rain. The condensation appears to be so exceed- 
 ingly rapid that large quantities of electricity are gen- 
 erally developed, giving rise to incessant flashes of 
 lightning. 
 
 4. A general darkness and gloominess within the 
 area of the cyclone, relieved only by the fitful glare of 
 the lightning, or the appearance of the imperfect circle 
 of light near the center or axis of the storm. 
 
 5. A separation of the clouds in or near the center 
 of the hurricane, so as to produce in the immediate 
 neighborhood of the axis a clear sky, through which 
 the sun and stars are often seen with great brilliancy. 
 
 6. A calm in the center of the cyclone. 
 
 INDICATIONS OF APPROACHING OR EXISTING HURRI- 
 CANES, MANIFESTED BY THE OCEAN, OF ESPECIAL 
 UTILITY TO VESSELS AT ANCHOR IN ROADSTEADS. 
 
 1. A swell, produced by the storm-wave, rolling in 
 upon the shore, at first of a gentle character. The 
 direction of this swell will pretty surely indicate the 
 bearing of the storm, and its changes will point out in 
 some localities the course the hurricane may be pursu- 
 ing. 
 
 2. A swell rolling in, without changing its direction, 
 may be regarded as indicative of a hurricane approach- 
 ing the shore. The same phenomenon met with at 
 sea (the ship's course being taken into accouAt) will 
 indicate the bearing down of the cyclone on the vessel. 
 
14 ^ THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 3. A dirty green appearance of the ocean ; on some 
 occasions its assuming a muddy or brown color, on others 
 its being remarkably clear, its temperature increas- 
 ing, and its swellings stronger than at other times,^— 
 are all indications of the proximity of a cyclone. 
 
 The area over which these rotary storms have been 
 known to expand, varies from 30 to 40 to 1,000 miles; 
 but while the diameter, so long as the storm is within 
 the tropics, expands but very gradually, it suddenly in- 
 creases in a remarkable manner after recurving. The 
 rate at which they travel on their onward course also 
 varies greatly, not only in different parts of the globe, 
 but even in the same locality, and at the same season. 
 Generally, however, the rapidity with which the vortex 
 of the hurricane progresses is greater as the storm re- 
 curves on reaching the outer edge of the trade winds. 
 Thus, the hurricane of August, 1853, traversed 6,276 
 English miles in about twelve days, with a mean pro- 
 gressive velocity of twenty-six miles per hour ; but after 
 it arrived at the Banks of Newfoundland this velocity 
 was increased to about fifty miles per hour. 
 
 Within the area of the cyclone the moving body of 
 air frequently attains a rotatory velocity of from seventy 
 to one hundred miles an hour. 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 15 
 
 TABLE SHOWING THE DIFFERENT MONTHS OF THE 
 YEAR IN WHICH HURRICANES AND CYCLONES 
 HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN VARIOUS REGIONS. 
 
 liOCAIilTi!. 
 
 r 
 
 5 
 9 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 15 
 
 > 
 11 
 
 15 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 5 
 1 
 
 Hi 
 
 • 
 
 5 
 4 
 
 16 
 
 9 
 2 
 2 
 
 d d 
 
 9 
 96 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 80 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 18 
 
 O 
 
 69 
 1 
 
 12 
 12 
 14 
 
 17 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 12 
 
 Q 
 
 No. Atlantic and W. I. . 
 
 South'n Indian Ocean & 
 
 Mauritius 
 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 42 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 12 
 
 7 
 
 Nortli'n Indian Ocean; 
 Bay of Bengal — 
 N. E. Monsoon 
 
 S. TV Monsoon 
 
 6 
 
 Arabian Sea & Bomb'y — 
 N. E. Monsoon 
 
 S. W. Monsoon 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 China Sea and No. Pa- 
 cific — (western part). . 
 
 Java Sea and Northwest 
 Coast of Australia. . . 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 2 
 
 From this table it appears that the hurricane seasons 
 in the several localities are as follows: 
 
 1. In the North Atlantic, from June to November, 
 the greater number occurring in July, August, Septem- 
 ber, and October. 
 
 2. In the Bay of Bengal they are most prevalent 
 in October, November and December, when the N. E. 
 Monsoon is strongest ; they occur also during the S. W. 
 Monsoon, especially in April, May or June. 
 
 3. In the Arabian Sea they have been experienced 
 durin«j both Monsoons. 
 
16 THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 4. In the China Sea they are prevalent on the 
 coast between June and October ; but in the central 
 part of that sea during September, October and No- 
 vember. 
 
 5. In the Southern Indian Ocean they may be ex- 
 pected between November and April, but they are most 
 prevalent during January, February and March. 
 
 6. In the Java Sea, and on the N. W. Coast of 
 Australia they have been recorded during December, 
 January and February. 
 
 RULES FOR TRIMMING THE SHIP IN A HURRICANE. 
 
 Piddington long ago said : " That all positive rules 
 tend to mislead." Every ship must have its own pecu- 
 liar management depending on the four great elements 
 of the problem, which are — 
 
 1. The ship and her sea room. 
 
 2. The track of the cyclone. 
 
 3. Its rate of traveling. 
 
 4. The ship's run and drift. 
 
 While, on the part of the commander, caution and 
 watchfulness are essentially requisite, still all the cir- 
 cumstances being favorable, rules may be given in a 
 very brief compass for trimming a vessel to the hurri- 
 cane winds. These are embodied in the following 
 tables. Where the directions of the wind vane, as set 
 set down in the first column are tangents to the whirl- 
 wind in its course, these indicate the quarter from 
 wdiich the storm sets in. The points of the compass in 
 the second column show the position of the storm's cen- 
 
THE LAW OP STORMS. 
 
 17 
 
 ter as regards the vessel. The fourth column gives the 
 direction in which to steer when the wind shifts as in- 
 dicated in the third column ; but if it shifts as indicated 
 in the fifth column, then bear away as told in the sixth 
 column. 
 
 I. — FOR THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. 
 
 ^ o 
 
 K 
 
 f> 
 
 E? 
 
 td 
 
 
 ag.g- 
 
 t^ 
 
 03 » 
 
 1 
 
 &a 
 
 
 III 
 
 m 
 
 . P ts 
 
 3. CD 
 
 : B 
 . Pi 
 
 
 d 
 
 is 
 
 If 
 
 
 North. 
 
 East. 
 
 NtoW 
 
 South. 
 
 NtoE 
 
 hj 
 
 NbyE 
 
 EbyS 
 
 N by E to N 
 
 Sby W 
 
 N by E to E 
 
 a 
 
 NNE 
 
 ESE 
 
 NNE to N 
 
 SSW 
 
 NNE to E 
 
 B- 
 
 NEbyN 
 
 SEby E 
 
 NE bv N to N 
 
 SW by S 
 
 NE by N to E 
 
 CD 
 
 NE 
 
 S E 
 
 NEt6 N 
 
 SW 
 
 NEtoE 
 
 1 
 
 NEbyE 
 
 SEbyS 
 
 NE by E to N 
 
 SWbyW 
 
 NE by E to E 
 
 *B 
 
 ENE 
 
 SSE 
 
 ENE to N 
 
 WSW 
 
 ENE to E 
 
 g 
 
 EbyN 
 
 SbyE 
 
 E by N to N 
 
 WbyS 
 
 E by N to E 
 
 
 East. 
 
 South. 
 
 EtoN 
 
 West. 
 
 EtoS 
 
 CD 
 
 Eby S 
 
 Sby W 
 
 E by S to E 
 
 Why N 
 
 E by S to S 
 
 zo 
 
 ESE 
 
 SSW 
 
 ESE to E 
 
 WNW 
 
 ESE to S 
 
 g 
 
 SEby E 
 
 SWby S 
 
 SE by E to E 
 
 N^VbyW 
 
 SE by E to S 
 
 ^ 
 
 SE 
 
 S W 
 
 SEtoE 
 
 NW 
 
 SEto S 
 
 § 
 
 SE by S 
 
 SWbyW 
 
 SE by S to E 
 
 NW by N 
 
 SE by S to S 
 
 a 
 
 SSE 
 
 WSW 
 
 SSE to E 
 
 NNW 
 
 SSE to S 
 
 H 
 
 SbyE 
 
 Why S 
 
 S by E to E 
 
 Nby W 
 
 S by E to S 
 
 £0 
 
 South. 
 
 West. 
 
 StoE 
 
 North. 
 
 Sto W 
 
 ^T* 
 
 Sby W 
 
 WbyN 
 
 S by W to S 
 
 NbyE 
 
 S by W to W 
 
 
 ss w 
 
 WNW 
 
 SSW to S 
 
 NNE 
 
 SSW to W 
 
 
 S W by S 
 
 NWbyW 
 
 SW by S to S 
 
 NEby N 
 
 SWbyStoW 
 
 
 SW 
 
 NW 
 
 SWtoS 
 
 NE 
 
 1 
 
 SW to W 
 
 
18 THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 II — FOR THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. 
 
 o g O 
 . ro o 
 
 South. 
 
 SbyE 
 
 SSE 
 
 SEby S 
 
 SE 
 
 SE byE 
 
 ESE 
 
 Eby S 
 
 East. 
 
 EbyN 
 
 ENE 
 
 NEbyE 
 
 NE 
 
 NEbyN 
 
 NNE 
 
 NbyE 
 
 North. 
 
 Nby W 
 
 NNW 
 
 NWbyNj 
 
 NW 
 
 3-S 
 
 East. 
 
 EbyN 
 
 ENE 
 
 NEbyE 
 
 NE 
 
 N E by N 
 
 NNE 
 
 NbyE 
 
 North. 
 
 Nby W 
 
 NNW 
 
 NWbyN 
 
 NW 
 
 NW^byW 
 
 WNW 
 
 WbyN 
 
 West. 
 
 Wby S 
 
 WS W 
 
 SW by W 
 
 SW 
 
 Sto W 
 
 S by E to S 
 
 SSE to S 
 
 SE by S to S 
 
 SEto S 
 
 SE by E to S 
 
 ESE to S 
 
 E by S to S 
 
 E to S 
 
 E by N to E 
 
 ENE to E 
 
 NE by E to E 
 
 NEtoE 
 
 NE by N to E 
 
 NNE to E 
 
 N by E to E 
 
 NtoE 
 
 N by W to N 
 
 NNW to N 
 
 NWbyNtoN 
 
 NW toN 
 
 
 1 
 
 7i 
 
 : ^ 
 
 ■I 
 
 
 North. 
 
 StoE 
 
 hi 
 
 Nby W 
 
 S by E to E 
 
 ^ 
 
 NN^V 
 
 SSE to E 
 
 F^ 
 
 NW by N SE by S to E 
 
 (D 
 
 NW 
 
 SEtoE 
 
 h- 
 
 NWbyWSE by E to E 
 
 »5* 
 
 WNW 
 
 ESE to E 
 
 O 
 
 WbyN 
 
 E by S to E 
 
 !=i 
 
 West. 
 
 EtoN 
 
 F? 
 
 Wby S 
 
 E by N to N 
 
 CD 
 
 WSW 
 
 ENE to N 
 
 ^ 
 
 SW by W NE by E to N 
 
 ^ 
 
 SW 
 
 NEtoN 
 
 H 
 
 p 
 
 SW by S 
 
 NE by N to N 
 
 ssw 
 
 NNE to N 
 
 i^ 
 
 SbyW 
 
 N by E to N 
 
 
 South. 
 
 NtoW 
 
 
 SbyE 
 
 N by W to W 
 
 
 SSE 
 
 NNW to W 
 
 
 SEby S 
 
 NWbyNtoW 
 
 
 SE 
 
 
 NWtoW 
 
 
 ADMIRAL FITZROY's INSTRUCTIONS ON THE USE OF 
 THE BAROMETER IN NORTH LATITUDE. 
 
 The Barometer Rises: 
 For northerly wind (including from N. W. by the 
 north to the eastward), for dry, or less wet weather, for 
 less wind, or for more than one of these changes — ex- 
 cept on a few occasions when rain (or snow} comes 
 from the northward, with strong wind. 
 
THE LAW OF STORMS. 
 
 19 
 
 A Thermometer Falls: 
 
 For change of wind towards any of the above direc- 
 tions. 
 
 The Barometer Falls: 
 
 For southerly wind (including from S. E. by the 
 south to the westward) for wet weather, for stronger 
 wind, or for more than one of these changes — except 
 on a few occasions when moderate wind with rain (or 
 snow) comes from the northward. 
 
 A Thermometer Rises: 
 
 For change of wind towards the upper directions 
 only. Moisture or dampness in the air (shown by a 
 hygrometer) increases before or with rain, fog or dew. 
 
 On Barometer Scales tlie followiii_ 
 contractions may be useful in 
 North Latitudes. 
 
 KiSE FOR 
 
 NEby 
 
 N W-N-E 
 
 Dry or less 
 
 wind — except 
 
 wet from N E 
 
 Fall for 
 S W by 
 
 S E-S-W 
 Wet or more 
 wind — except 
 wet from N E 
 
 And the following Summary may 
 be useful generally throughout 
 the world. 
 
 ElSE FOR 
 Cold, dry or 
 less wind — ex- 
 cept wet from 
 
 cold side. 
 
 Fall for 
 
 Warm, wet or 
 
 more wind — 
 
 except wet 
 from cold side. 
 
 In south latitudes substitute south or southward for 
 north, northward, etc. 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 THOMAS TENNENT, 
 
 mmiui Emmm maker, 
 
 BATTERY STREET, OPPOSITE THE CUSTOM HOUSE, 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO. 
 
 est^a^bijIsheid iisr isso. 
 
 DEPOT OFOK 
 
 U. S. (xovernment Chronometers. 
 
 XT. S. A.Gi:]VCY FOR 
 
 GoverMeiit Ckrts of Pacific Coast aal Mors. 
 
 CHBONOMETEKS carefuUy rated by 
 
 TRANSIT OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Repairs or Cleaning of Cheonometees, Watches or Nauti- 
 cal Insteuments executed in the best manner, under his per- 
 sonal supervision, and perfect satisfaction guaranteed. 
 
 A full supply constantly kept of CHARTS of all parts of 
 the world, NAUTICAL BOOKS, NAUTICAL INSTRU- 
 MENTS, etc., etc. 
 
 No JEttunners Employed. 
 
 8^^ Orders left at the store promptly attended to. 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 JAMES CURTIS & CO., 
 
 WHOLPJSAIiE AND BETAIL 
 
 '9 
 
 Corner Stewart and Market Streets, 
 
 SAX FRJLNCISCO. 
 
 Particular attention paid to replenishing SHIPS' MEDI- 
 CINE CHESTS with PURE MEDICINE. A good assort- 
 ment of Medicine Chests always on hand and for sale at 
 reasonable prices. Also, 
 
 I^XJRE WIISTEJ^ A1VI> LIQUORS^, 
 
 Of our own importation, for sale in large or small quantities. 
 
 JAMES CUETIS & CO. 
 
 OF H^rsr FXi^rsioi^co. 
 
 Obganized Apkil 8, 1863. 
 
 CAPiTAii, Paid up $500,000. 
 
 0flace--406 California Street, San Francisco. 
 
 NO FIRi: RISKS 
 
 Disconnected with Marine Insured by this Company. 
 
 LOSSES PAID PROMPTLY IN U, S. GOLD COIN, 
 
 Board of Dieectoes. — C. L. Taylor, F. Eoeding, Isaac E. 
 Davis, J. B. Scotchler, A. M. Simson, James Irvine, Jabez 
 Howes, A. L. Tubbs, C. Adolphe Low, W. J. Adams, R. E. 
 Eaimond, James P. Flint, H. B. Williams. 
 
 J. B. SCOTCHLER, President, 
 JABEZ HOWES, Vice-President. 
 E. W. BouENE, Secretary, 
 
 This Company is Engaged Exclusively in Marine Insurance. 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 FIRE J^l^lD IsOlJi^TlXlsriEl. 
 
 ALL LOSSES PAID IN UNITED STATES GOLD COIN. 
 
 THE 
 
 (JLIFORNIl INSBMIB tOMPlNY, 
 
 Office, 318 California Street, 
 
 Three doors east from Sansome San Francisco, 
 
 Capital paid up, ... $300,000. 
 Asisets, ...... $309,000. 
 
 C. T. HOPKINS, Pres. H. B. TICHENOR, Vice-Pres. 
 Z. CROWELL, Secretary. 
 
 BLAKISTON & BERWICK, 
 
 Sail IVIakers, 
 
 No. O Olay js^treet, near X^last, 
 
 SAN FKANCISCO. 
 
 Sails^ Tents, A.A;v^niiigs, etc., 
 
 Made to order. 
 
 SAILS REPAIRED, BOUQHT AND SOLD. 
 
 Materials furnished at the Lowest Market Prices. Work 
 
 done with dispatch — neatly, substantially, and on 
 
 the most reasonable terms. 
 
 Orders Respectfully Solicited and Promptly Attended to. 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 W. S. FHELFS & CO. 
 
 ©liip ©ixiiths^ 
 
 13 and 15 Drumm street, 
 
 (Bet. Sacramento and California) 
 S .A. OST F I^ -A. 3Sr O I S O O . 
 
 ALL KINDS OF 
 
 Ship and Steamboat Blacksmitliing 
 
 Executed at the shortest notice, 
 ^ud on. the most K-easoiial>le Tei^ms. 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO 
 
 PHELPS BROTHERS, Propr's, 
 
 Manufacturers of all kinds of 
 
 MACHINE BOLTS, BRIDGE BOLTS, 
 SHIP OR BAND BOLTS, 
 
 Sets of Car Bolts, Set Screws or Tap Bolts, Lag Screws, 
 
 "Wrought or Cold Punched Nuts, Turn buckles, 
 
 Bolt Ends, Etc., Etc. 
 
 13 and 1^ DRUMIfl STRDDT, 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 J. OHADBOURNE'S 
 
 AND CRACKER BAKERY, 
 
 Manufactory, Oregon street, between Front and Davis, 
 Office, <t41 JA.CIt^OlV J^T]RESET, 
 
 ALL OEDEES FOE 
 
 Pilot and Nayy Bread and Crackers, 
 
 Of every description promptly attended to. 
 
 BAKLKR*^ EXTK Jl «fe SUPERFINE FI^OTTK FOIt SAT^E. 
 
 THE PACIFIC 
 
 PUMP MANUFACTURKfG COMPANY 
 
 No. 213 California street, San Francisco. 
 
 THG IMERICIN SUBMERGED 
 
 Boston, January 17, 1868. 
 Gents — I have with great interest examined your American 
 Submerged Ship Pump in full operation. I consider it the 
 best Pump I have ever seen, as to the steady and large vol- 
 ume of water delivered, its simplicity, and great labor saved, 
 which is the desideratum on ship board. No clapper getting 
 off. No packing. No drawing of boxes to clear the clapper, 
 and placed below freezing point. As to force and head 
 pumps on board ship, it cannot be equalled. It is the pump. 
 My opinion is based upon over half a century's experience on 
 shipboard. JOHN DEVEEEUX, 
 
 Surveyor American Lloyds. 
 *2 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 THE CALIFORNIA 
 
 Dry Dock Company, 
 
 San Francisco, Oalifbrnia, XJ. J^. 
 
 ISTotlce to {^liii> OTTners, A.g:©iats, Consign- 
 ees, ancl IMasters 
 
 THE COMPANY'S DRY DOCKS, 
 
 Situate at HUNTER'S POINT, San Francisco, are now com- 
 pleted and in successful operation, and afford every facility 
 for the Docking and Eepair of all classes of STEAM and 
 SAILING VESSELS. 
 
 THE GRAVING DOCK, 
 
 Excavated in the solid rock, and finished in the most sub- 
 stantial manner, is of the following dimensions : Extreme 
 length, 450 feet , length on blocks, 416 feet ; width at the 
 top, 120 feet ; depth, 30 feet ; width at entrance, 90 feet. At 
 mean high tide will take in a ship drawing 22 feet without 
 lightening. 
 
 This Dock is fitted with a Caisson Gate, and is supplied 
 with two powerful Centrifugal Steam Pumps, capable of 
 pumping out the dock in two hours. 
 
 THE FLOATING DRY DOCK, 
 
 Will receive vessels of 1500 tons measurement and under. 
 The Dock is 82 feet in width, and 210 feet in length ; is built 
 of the soundest Oregon Pine, thoroughly braced and bolted, 
 and is furnished with all the requisites for Docking a Ship 
 successfully. Vessels taken up at all stages of the tide. 
 
 The Comi3any feel warranted in stating that " Repairs on 
 Vessels can be made as advantageously in San Francisco in 
 respect to cost of materials and labor as in any other part of 
 the world. 
 
 For particulars, address 
 
 JAMES POL.I.OCK, Supt., 
 
 San Francisco, California, U. S. 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 JUSD & tirHEiLAN, 
 
 SHIPWRIGHTS, CAULKERS, 
 
 — AND — 
 
 Spar Makers. 
 
 *♦♦ 
 
 ItEF-JEI^ TO 
 
 Shedd & Fan*an ; Major James T. Hoyt. Quartermaster's 
 Department; Lester & Co., Shipping Office ; Simmons, 
 Rowe & Co. 
 
 Y^ardL—on "Vallejo street. 
 
 Between Front and Davis, San Feancisco. 
 
 C. MOSS. D. BEADLE. 
 
 ooMMieeioM MEnoHANTet 
 
 3Se ID.A.'VIS ST]REET, 
 
 Corner of Washington, San Feancisco. 
 
 JACKSON'S 
 
 Pacific St., l>et. IFront and Davis, 
 
 s-A.3sr m.-A.nsroisco. 
 
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 No Cure. TO THE PUBLIC. No Pay. 
 
 Medical and Surgical institute, Established in 1850, by 
 ID IR. J-, C- "^X" O XJ IsT C3-3 
 
 (Formerly Professor of the University, Penn.) 
 
 No. 618 Sacramento st, bet. Montgomery and Kearny, 
 
 SAX FKAJX CISCO, CA^Tu, 
 
 Consultation by letter or otherwise, free. Tlie Doctor can 
 be consulted privately, and with the utmost confidence, by 
 the afflicted, at all hours, daily, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. 
 
 2^^ Cures always guaranteed, or no pay required. 
 iSeirLlna/l "Wealcness. 
 
 I am aware that by dwelling^upon so uninviting a subject 
 as the decay of manly vigor 'through the loss of the vital 
 principle of life, the ignorant may asperse my motive ; but 
 the desire to point out to those who suffer, languish and de- 
 cay, the true cause of their afflictions is too great an incentive 
 to be forced into abeyance. How extended the terrible disease 
 of Seminal Weakness is, no one but the practical specialist, 
 who devotes his time to its treatment can tell ; but its pres- 
 ence can be detected by the most inexperienced by noting 
 the following symptoms : Weakness of the hack and limbs ; lan- 
 guishing feelings ; loss of muscular power ; nervousness ; irritability ; 
 cold feet and hands, accompanied by hot head ; symptoms of con- 
 sumption ; short breath ; flushings of the face ; aversion in society ; 
 confusion of the mind ; loss of memory; nightly emissions ; colorless^ 
 slight discharges'upon the least excitement ; palpitation of the heart ; 
 irregular appetite; variable temper, etc., etc. 
 
 To the J^filicted 
 there is hope and certainty of relief and cure. Thousands 
 are annually cured, without hindrance from business or change 
 of diet. The directions are readily followed. Even a man's 
 most intimate companion cannot suspect of his being treated 
 
 ^^ Persons afflicted living in the interior, can, by stating fully in 
 a letter their symptoms, receive advice and remedies at home. 
 
 Important to Person* A^fflicted with Venereal. 
 
 There are no maladies, either in a medical or moral point 
 of view, worse than those arising from the contamination of 
 Veneeeal Poison. None are more terrible in their effects, 
 or more disastrous in their results. MERCUEY will not 
 cure VENEREAL, but dbies on the subface, to allow it to 
 
 POISON AND DESTEOY THE BLOOD, TO EE-APPEAK IN HIDEOUS 
 
 MAEKS UPON THE BODY, and in the throat, mouth and nose. 
 
 Having treated a great number of nautical men, the Doctor 
 fully understands their peculiar requirements, and the medi- 
 cines prescribed do not interfere with their occupation. 
 
 All letters should be addressed, Dr. BENJ. F. JOSSE- 
 LYN, M. D. 618 Sacramento street, between Montgomery and 
 Kearny, San Francisco. Box 735. 
 
I 
 
 Milling and Scientific Press. 
 
 PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY. 
 
 At No. 414 Olay Street, San Prancisco. 
 
 If you are an Inventor, Patentee, Miner, 
 Farmer, Manufacturer, Mechanic, or a progress- 
 ive Student or Artisan in any Industrial or Pro- ' 
 fessional Calling in the Pacific States or Ter- 
 ritories, you are doing yourself irreparable in- 
 justice, if not already a subscriber and reader 
 of the Mining and Scientific Pkess. 
 
 It contains hints and information enough to 
 repay the subscription price many times in a 
 single month. 
 
 Its columns are filled with instructive read- 
 ing in plain, comprehensible and attractive form 
 to minds of ordinary intelligence. 
 
 It contains 16 pages and 64 columns of the 
 size of Harpers's Weekly, and is the best printed 
 and most valuable paper on the western half of 
 the continent. All claims of patents issued to 
 inventors on this coast are reported. Illustra- 
 tions of new machinery are given each week. 
 Descriptions of new inventions and discoveries 
 throughout the world, are given, with fresh and 
 comprehensive information of scientific devel- 
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 ress, which cannot be obtained from books, oi 
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 form elsewhere. Subscribe now, and you will 
 not regret it. 
 
 Pllllf A§1I€1. 
 
 Messrs. Dkwey &Co., Publishers of the MINING AND SCI- 
 ENTIFIC PRESS, the only well established successful Patent 
 Agents west of the Rocky Mountains, give Inventors and Pa- 
 tentees honest and reliable advice, free The Patent Busi- 
 ness in all its legitimate branches is transacted by us intel- 
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 manner. Patents secured in EVERY COUNTRY IN THE 
 WORLD where Patent Laws exi.st. Being long established, 
 and transactins a large business, our appointments are 
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 sultations by letter or otherwise, are kept inviolately se- 
 cret. Circulars containing Illustrated Mechanical Move- 
 ments, and HIMTS AND INFORMATION FOR INVENTORS AND 
 
 PATENTEES, Sent free. 
 
 . DEWEY & CO., 
 
 Patent Agents, Publishers and Engravers, 414 Clay street, 
 below Sansome, San Francisco. 
 

 u 
 
 (Mining ana sclemuc Press Office,) 
 ■^ street San ^