Abstract
THE Hydrographer to the Admiralty has issued a circular stating that the United States Government has given notice that from September 1, 1887, the following storm signals (consisting of day signals of two kinds, also night signals), would be shown on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes, as storm conditions may demand, taking into consideration the fact that westerly winds of high velocity with clearing weather are less dangerous than those from easterly quarters with freezing weather: (1) cautionary signal, a yellow flag with white centre, will indicate the winds expected are not so severe but that well-found and seaworthy vessels can meet them without great danger; (2) storm signal (now in use), a red flag with black centre, will indicate that the storm is expected to be of more marked violence. In order to afford as exact information as possible regarding the relative positions of the storm and the winds expected, two pendants will be displayed: a red pendant will indicate easterly winds, from north-east to south inclusive, and that the storm centre is approaching; a white pendant will indicate westerly winds, from north to south-west inclusive, and that the storm centre has passed. Whilst it is intended that the pendant shall indicate positively only whether the winds will be easterly or westerly, yet in order to give still more definite information, the red or easterly pendant will be hoisted above the cautionary or storm signal, for winds from the north-east quadrant, and below for winds from the south-east quadrant. Also, the white or westerly pendant will be hoisted above the cautionary or storm signal for winds from the north-west quadrant, and below for winds from the south-west quadrant. Because of the difficulty of varying night signals, they will not distinctly show the force, but indicate the direction of the wind only; a red light for easterly winds, and a red and white light for westerly winds.
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Meteorological Notes . Nature 36, 617–618 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/036617a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/036617a0