DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAW OF STORMS.

DESCRIPTION OF CYCLONES.

Hurricanes, Typhoons, and all circular or revolving storms, are known by the name "Cyclone," which is derived from a Greek word signifying in a circle, round about, from all sides.

A Cyclone is an advancing mass of atmosphere sweeping round a central area of low barometric pressure, in a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch, or from right to left, in the Northern Hemisphere; in the reverse direction in the Southern Hemisphere. In other words, revolving against the Sun in both hemispheres.

The central area of low pressure, which sometimes covers a space of 20 miles in diameter, has no wind, but a fearful mountainous sea from all directions; the common supposition being that the revolving atmosphere, increasing in speed as it draws in towards the centre, and attaining a frightful velocity, finally rises and fills a void in an upper strata of the atmosphere, probably not more than two or three miles above the sea level.

Cyclones range, in different parts of the globe, from 60 to 600 and even 1000 miles in diameter, while they travel at rates varying from 3 to 30, and sometimes in the West Indies, 40 miles an hour.

TRACKS OF CYCLONES.

In those parts of the Tropics nearest the Equator, cyclones move from eastward to westward, and as they progress, they gradually take a more northerly direction in the Northern Hemisphere, and a more southerly direction in the Southern Hemisphere; then about latitude 20° to 25° North and South respectively, or near the Tropics, they curve more and more rapidly, till, beyond the Tropics, they re-curve back to the eastward again, increasing in circumference as they advance.

DIRECTIONS FOR AVOIDING CYCLONES.

The mean angle between the direction of the wind. and the bearing of the centre of low pressure is now supposed to be about 112°, or nearly 10 points. Upon this supposition the following table is constructed :

There is a gradual fall of the barometer until the centre of low pressure has passed, then a gradual rise until the ship is out of the influence of the cyclone.

With your face to the wind in the Northern Hemisphere, the barometer will be lowest on your right hand. With your face to the wind in the Southern Hemisphere, the barometer will be lowest on your left hand. This rule applies to all winds except near the Equator.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the starboard tack takes a ship to high pressure.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the port tack takes a ship to high pressure. In other words, a ship should be brought to the wind immediately, and carry all possible sail on the starboard tack in the Northern Hemisphere, on the port tack in the Southern Hemisphere; unless the ship's track when close hauled would coincide with the

usual track of cyclones in that locality, in which case a ship may sometimes scud with advantage.

RULES FOR LAYING-TO.

The right hand semicircle is on the right of the cyclone's course, looking in the direction in which it is moving, and the left hand semicircle on the left.

When in the right hand semicircle, heave-to on the starboard tack in both hemispheres. When in the left hand semicircle, heave-to on the port tack in both hemispheres.

INDICATIONS OF AN APPROACHING CYCLONE.

The sun during the day of a blue appearance.
The setting sun of a fiery red colour.

A bright halo round the moon.

The stars very bright and twinkling.
Lightning shooting up from the horizon.
Scud flying about in different directions.

Red colour of clouds, and all objects tinged with red or bright crimson by day or night.

A dense bank of dark clouds on the horizon, having an altitude of 10°, 15°, or 20°, the upper part being of a deep crimson or red colour, reflecting a red light on all objects. A peculiar moaning noise in the atmosphere.

A confused and troubled agitation of the sea.

Innumerable turtle floating about in a state of stupor during an unnatural calm.

In the Tropics, the gradual fall of the barometer, after allowing for the regular diurnal oscillations.

In the Arctic regions, a luminous appearance on the horizon, commonly of a red tint.

NOTE. There is considerable evidence to connect cyclones with electricity, and compasses are often rendered temporarily useless during every burst of the heavy squalls which accompany a cyclone.

REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS

AT SEA.

Orders in Council, 14th August, 1879, and 24th March, 1880.

PRELIMINARY.

Definitions: "Sailing Ship." "Steam Ship."

Art. 1. In the following rules every steam ship which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing ship; and every steam ship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam.

Lights.

Art. 2. The lights mentioned in the following Articles, numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise.

Lights for Steam Ships.

Art. 3. A seagoing steam ship when under way shall

carry;

(a.) On or in front of the foremast, at a height above the hull of not less than 20 feet, and if the breadth of the ship exceeds 20 feet then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, a bright white light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the ship, viz., from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least five miles.

(b.) On the starboard side, a green light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the

beam on the starboard side; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(c.) On the port side, a red light, so constructed as to show an uniform and unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass; so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side; and of such a character as to be visible on a dark night, with a clear atmosphere, at a distance of at least two miles.

(d.) The said green and red side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens, projecting at least three feet forward from the light, so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

Lights for Ships under Steam Towing other Ships.

Art. 4. A steam ship, when towing another ship, shall, in addition to her side lights, carry two bright white lights in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart, so as to distinguish her from other steam ships. Each of these lights shall be of the same construction and character, and shall be carried in the same position as the white light which other steam ships are required to carry.

Day and Night Signals for Ships not under Command.

Art. 5. A ship, whether a steam ship or a sailing ship when employed either in laying or in picking up a telegraph cable, or which from any accident is not under command, shall at night carry in the same position as the white light which steam ships are required to carry, and, if a steam ship, in place of that light, three red lights in globular lanterns, each not less than 10 inches in diameter, in a vertical line one over the other, not less than three feet apart and shall by day carry in a verti