Page:Castaway on the Auckland Isles (IA castawayonauckla01musg).pdf/58

42 goes, I find the summer gales heavier, of longer duration, and more frequent than those of the winter. In winter, or in this winter, we have had the most moderate weather; but fogs (which are frequent all the year round) are more prevalent, and excessively dense during the latter season, almost constantly enveloping entirely the land, and rendering its approach dangerous. On Thursday morning we got three seals, after going out every previous morning without success. We killed them about two miles from the house, butchered them, and hung them up, carrying as much as we could home with us. The weather has been so bad ever since that we have not been able to launch the boat to go for the remainder.

Monday, July 4, 1864.—Gale continued till 3, when it backed to N.W. by W. and increased to a whole gale, which has continued to blow from the same point with great violence throughout the day. Weather dark, foggy, and showery. Barometer: 9, 29⋅92; noon, 29⋅90; 4 , 29⋅88; 8 , 29⋅94; wind W.N.W., gale unabated; 10 , 29⋅95; wind N.W., gale unabated.

Tuesday, July 5, 1864.—The gale continued until 3, and died away suddenly. Nine : Barometer 30⋅9, light northerly airs, and foggy dark weather, though very mild. Noon: Barometer, 30⋅11; thermometer, in open air, 47°. Thus, if the barometer gets above 30 inches, the gale is done, and a day or two of fine weather may be expected; but should it fall the slightest before it arrives at 30 inches, whilst the gale is blowing, the wind will haul again to the westward, and blow harder. But after blowing hard from the westward, when it backs, and gets to the northward of N.W., it invariably dies away, independent of the state of the barometer. To illustrate Sunday's note on the weather and barometer, I shall insert at full my observations since that time.