To render these pages rather more useful at sea, in any part of the world, a few words about squalls and hurricanes are here offered to the young seaman.
Generally, squalls are preceded, or accompanied, or followed by clouds; but the very dangerous "white squall" (of the West Indies and other regions), is indicated only by a rushing sound, and by white wave crests.
"Descending squalls" come slanting downwards, off high land,[27] or from upper regions of atmosphere. They are dangerous, being sometimes violently strong.
A squall cloud that can be seen through or under is not likely to bring, or be accompanied by, so much wind as a dark continued cloud extending beyond the horizon. How the comparative hardness or softness of clouds foretells more or less wind or rain, was stated in pages [13] and [14].
The expressions "hardening up," "softening," or looking "greasy," are familiar to seamen: and such very sure indications are the appearances so designated, that they can hardly be mistaken.
The rapid or slow rise of a squall cloud—its more or less disturbed look—that is, whether its body is much agitated, and changing form continually, with broken clouds, or scud, flying about—or whether the mass of cloud is shapeless and nearly quiet, though floating onwards across the sky—foretells more or less wind accordingly.
An officer of a watch, with a good eye for clouds and signs of changing weather, may save his men a great deal of unnecessary exposure, as well as work, besides economising sails, spars, and rigging.
In some of the "saws" about wind and weather, there is so much truth that, though trite and simple, their insertion here can do no harm.
Adverting to the barometer:—
When rise begins, after low,
Squalls expect and clear blow.
Or:—First rise, after very low,
Indicates a stronger blow.
Also:—Long foretold, long last:
Short notice, soon past.
To which may be added:—In squalls—
When rain comes before wind,
Halyards, sheets, and braces mind.
And:—When wind comes before rain,
Soon you may make sail again.