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.