Page 29 Advertisements Column 2

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 29

The recent 12 minutes' tornado in. New York, which capsized 250 boats and caused the deaths of 50 people, brought to one’s realisation the great power of the wind when it works at high pressure. Happily, when it is in its most furious mood, we are usually given warning. The following table gives the different speeds of wind, according to the usual meteorological descriptions:—Hardly perceptible, one mile per hour; just perceptible, two miles: gentle breeze, five miles; brisk wind. 10 miles, very brisk wind. 20 to 25 miles; high wind. 35 miles: very high wind. 45 miles; storm, 50 miles; great storm. 60 miles; hurricane. 80 miles; and great hurricane (capable of carrving trees before it), 100 miles an hour. When a tempest blows at . sea, the wind may rush over tlie water at 60 miles an hour, but the waves, assisted by other forces, will travel 20 miles an hour faster. Perhaps the greatest speed of wind ever recorded was that at Wallingford. U.S.A.. during a cyelone on March 22. 1892. The pace was just under 250 miles an hour. Applause is forbidden in Russian theatres.