SECTION II.
A SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF THE "EAST-WIND," AND OF THE MEANS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE VOYAGE, &c.
A scientific analysis of the cause of this perpetual Easterly Wind may be acceptable to the general reader,—it is also required by the subject matter of this volume,—for the Tyrians had no knowledge of the cause, they but experienced the effects,—and this upon two occasions,—once in opposing its power, and at another time in receiving its friendly aid. Columbus received the same during his voyage, which was accomplished entirely by this East-Wind,—it not only wafted him with continuous speed and safety, but it also subdued the fierce elements of human conflict, as threatened by the mutiny of his crew. Upon the success, he and his companions regarded the perpetual wind blowing towards the Western Continent as a Providential interposition in their behalf! Such was the superstition only four centuries and a half ago; but Columbus merely followed a track, (and also from the Canary Isles) which had been ploughed by Tyrian Galleys, eighteen centuries before; and wafted by the same ceaseless wind, he reached an island in a direct westerly line, with the land or point of "Florida" first "touched" by his Phœnician predecessors! This we believe, in the subsequent volumes, will be firmly established. But to the analysis of this Orient Gale ever blowing towards the Occident.
We will first suppose (for illustration) that the Earth should suddenly cease its diurnal revolution, and become absolutely stationary;—in that case all the currents of air (winds) would rush from every part of the Globe towards that point over which the Sun (at the moment of the Earth's fixedness) should be vertical: and the Sun producing a partial vacuum by its heat, would cause the various currents of wind to leave the Globe, and rise in the form of a cone towards the immediate source of heat, and so rush with more or less fury, according to the degrees of the vacuum produced. Now from this contemplation of the action of air, upon the Earth being stationary, simply view the Globe in its revolving condition according to its eternal law,—our diurnal hemisphere ever turning FROM West TO East,—producing the natural fact, that every spot of earth (in the same latitude) holds nearly the same locality in infinite space once in every twenty-four hours! The Sun (for this second illustration) will be viewed as stationary,—and is nearest to the earth at the line farthest and most central from the North and South poles,—i. e. at the Equator,—the currents of air as a necessity pass from East to West (the reverse of the Earth's action) following the principles of rushing towards the partial vacuum created by the Sun's intensity. As the Sun is farther from the Poles than from the line of the Equator, so the East-Wind diminishes in ratio force towards the Poles (for the cold airs are attracted from them) and increases in the same degree of ratio in approaching the line from whence the North and South latitudes are measured. The distance, as already stated, is thirty degrees on either side of the Equator, thus forming by the laws of Nature a perpetual East-Wind encircling one hemisphere (and a West-Wind the other), and spreading to the width of 3600 miles around the entire Globe!
This fact enables us to elucidate a portion of Scripture having reference to the celebrated Passage of the Red Sea by the Israelites, which will be investigated in the next volume.
The principle of nature established in its law of attracting air even towards a partial vacuum, be it created by natural or artificial means of heat (for the quality of the result is the same) has been shewn to prove, that the Earth revolving one way, (West to East) and the current of air rushing another, having the Sun as its source of attraction, must of a necessity produce the constant East-Wind. This secret of Nature instantly unfolds why the great Ocean on the Western coast of America is truly named Pacific, when compared to the tempests of the Atlantic. As thus:—the hot sands of Africa for man adjunct power to the Sun in creating an increased yet partial vacuum,—the winds, therefore, are attracted with doubled quantity on Africa,—thence the Simooms; but being compelled by Nature's law to follow (as it were) to the Sun, the quantity consequently drawn from Africa to its immediate neighbour, the Atlantic, is in the ratio of acquisition at the original source, Africa; but when on the Atlantic, the waters—not possessing the sand-heat, and thence losing the concentration—disperse the mass of storm-winds, and they pass over the Atlantic, gradually losing their force as they are removed from Africa; and in crossing over the American Continent, having no longer the hot sands to regenerate the increased vacuum, the East-Wind reaches the great Ocean truly in a Pacific state; and so continues around the Globe, until it comes within the influence of the furnace sands, when it again commences its impetuous course, and thence on to the Atlantic. The name—Pacific Ocean, was given from an absolute truth—an effect,—not from an analysis of the cause,—we humbly submit that the latter is now produced.
Upon the same principle, the burning sands of Arabia, which are unendurable during the day, owing to the excessive heat contained,—possess at night the cool and reviving air;—it does not so much pass over the desert (in the absence of the Sun) as it is actually drawn down vertically upon the sands, like an avalanche;—for the cold air of the upper region, upon feeling the effects, and attraction of the substratum of heat, must follow the established principle,—as, also, the greater weight of the cold air follows the law of gravitation.
Pursuing this reasoning upon effect from cause, (and without which we cannot advance in wisdom) the following singular result must not only be apparent, but actually would be obtained,—viz., A Cloud surcharged with rain, and at a low distance from the Earth, and on a calm day, could be compelled to restore its stolen treasure, without waiting for its own period of honesty! This could be done by artificial means, yet the living cause would be that of Nature and her laws,—viz., by heat. As thus,—if beneath that Rain-Cloud should be erected combustible matter covering a large extent; and upon being ignited the gathered heat should reach that cloud,—as a necessity, the heavier cold air within, and around, that mass of vapour, would descend towards the partial vacuum occasioned by the heat,—with more or less speed according to the intensity,—and thence discharge the accumulated particles of rain upon the flame!
In following out the above train of reasoning, another secret is unveiled,—viz., During the dreadful Conflagrations of Cities and Capitals,—of Forests or Prairies,—it is almost invariably recorded, that the light wind increased to a breeze,—from that to a gale, or hurricane, and perhaps from a friendly quarter,—or that the Rain descended in torrents, and so Providentially extinguished the fierce fury of the flaming element:—in both these cases they were indeed Providential, for they were based upon the undeviating laws of cause and effect,—of God and Nature! By thus tracing the second principle (for it has its own results) to the first, how much is Religious veneration increased, when reflecting upon The Great Cause of the entire Universe!—The effects then appear but as the sparkling atoms of His ever brilliant Glory,—and the myriad of Worlds the mere witnesses of His infinite Power!
We have digressed,—we were never yet upon a happy path, or pursuit, that we did not wish to follow it out,—for true happiness is found only in the walks of wisdom.
It may perhaps be proper to state, that the Orient Gale is mentioned in various parts of Scripture, and especially by the following inspired writers,—viz., Moses [Exodus x. 13.—xiv. 21.] David [Psalms xlviii. 7.] Hosea [xiii. 15.] Jeremiah [xviii. 17.] and by Ezekiel [xvii. 10.—xix. 12.—xxvii. 26.]
The great miracles of the plague of Locusts,—and the Passage of the Red Sea, were both carried into effect by the instrumentality of this celebrated Wind.
"And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an East-wind upon the land all that day, and all that night: and when it was morning the East-wind brought the locusts."
"And Moses stretched out his hand over the Sea: and the Lord caused the Sea to go back by a strong East-wind all that night, and made the Sea dry land, and the waters were divided."
"Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an East-wind."
"Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an East-wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels."
"I will scatter them as with an East-wind before the enemy: I will shew the back and not the face, in the day of their calamity."
"Yea, behold, being planted shall it prosper? Shall it not utterly wither when the East-wind toucheth it? It shall wither in the furrows where it grew."
"But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the East-wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered, the fire consumed them."
Another quotation from Ezekiel is reserved for the next Section, to illustrate the Expedition.
In the Book of Jonah, the very cause of the East-Wind (i. e. heat) is given by the Prophet of Nineveh,—not given as an explanation, but as an attendant fact,—after 2700 years Science gives the former, by an application of the fact, and thus establishes another proof of the truth of Scriptural record.
"And it came to pass, when the Sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement East-wind: and the Sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live." [iv. 8.]
Presuming that this branch of our subject has been sufficiently explained,—a slight review of the Tyrian vessels will be required, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they were of sufficient size and strength to endure this voyage around the Continent of Africa; and at a later period to cross the Atlantic Ocean. One examination will answer for both questions.
The Tyrians had two species of large vessels. The earliest were the Gauli, so called from being nearly round, and used for coasting purposes, between Tyrus and the neighbouring ports,—this species of Galley had a sail and a few oars. The superior vessels for long voyages were Galleys of a much larger class, and oblong in shape,—they had one, two, or three banks of oars, in addition to one or two very large square-sails. The rows of oarsmen (hence the name of rowers to this time, although the mode of working has passed away) were so placed on their banks or seats, as to be all seen by the officer of the deck,—for the centre of the Galley was open down nearly to the ballast. They all kept time, and moved together, by watching the action of the officer (at the stern of the vessel) having the command of the rowers,—or by singing,—hence, we apprehend, arose the marine name,—Mer-chants, i. e. Singers of the Sea,—for the name is first applied in Scripture to the Tyrians.
It has already been shewn that a Tyrian navy was built for King Solomon nearly four hundred years before this period, and that it returned from India in safety. Of the size of those vessels there is no record; but from the character of the Voyage, conclusions may be formed, as also of those employed in the Expedition now under consideration. From the following data a satisfactory deduction will be obtained: viz.—The Galley in which St. Paul embarked at his reshipment, and that, too, belonging to the Tyrian side of the Mediterranean, contained two hundred and seventy-six human beings,—consequently it was from 400 to 500 tons burden. "And we were in all, in the ship, two hundred, three score, and sixteen souls." [Acts xxvii. 37.]
The Tyrian Galleys, as we have shewn, had not only large sails, but many Rowers,—so that calm weather was no hindrance to their progress. The "hundred oars" took the place of Steam, as now employed upon the Ocean, to be used in all weathers, and consequently independent of the sail,—the latter being used as the wind would permit. The Sail was generally employed only before the wind, or slightly on the quarter,—otherwise the pressure of the wind upon the sail would heave one side of the vessel down, and consequently drown the oars, while the opposite rowers would be useless, from their oars being out of water. The great force with which the ancient rowers could propel their Galleys, may be gathered from the naval engagement of Salamis (the "Nile" of the Greeks), where their prow-beaks were driven into the sides of the Persian vessels,—and thus grappled, they boarded the invaders, and fought hand to hand; while many of the Persian Galleys were run down, and instantly sunk by the force and impetuosity of the Rowers, who, be it remembered, were like the Tyrians, not "slaves at the oar," but the freemen of their respective nations.
The vessels were also capacitated to carry sufficient provisions for long voyages; and in this Expedition, which was to circumnavigate the Continent of Africa, the Tyrians would consequently keep in sight of land,—for by coasting only, could their peculiar object be accomplished; and therefore the food to be obtained by fishing (their favourite pursuit) near the shores would alone have been ample. Fresh water, also, from the coasting character of the voyage, would be always within their reach.
Thus it has been shewn that the Pilots and Mariners were competent, the Galleys capacious, strong, and swift, and provisions and water abundant. The King of Egypt had wished for the expedition; Eth-baal of Tyrus, had furnished the material; both Monarchs threw into the scale of inclination the weight of their wealth and power; and in the indomitable pride of the Tyrians was the security that it would be accomplished. Herodotus states, that it was successful. His assertion is not denied by any Historian, and from what has been quoted in regard to his accuracy, it cannot be impeached. We shall now proceed to a description of the Voyage, and the production of additional proofs,—the supposed track of the expedition, and the discoveries,—and for convenience of reference, modern terms will be generally employed.