Posted by John Nichols on September 07, 2004 at 14:12:33 from 165.91.196.143 user Mcneacail.
In Reply to: Re: Hurricane FRANCES posted by Adam Quinan on September 07, 2004 at 12:46:25:
I can say having sailed through a Cyclone in the Coral Sea and been outside in a Force 10 gale in the Tasman Sea at Easter and one is hard pressed at the time to spot the subtle differences in wind speed between a Force 10 and Force 12. One thing I have noticed is that the number of people on deck decreases in inverse proportion to the wind speed. And the number who are willing to go forward and replace sails that have blown out reduces still further. 12 hours on a cold wet deck with just two people is very bloody lonely.
I remember the old adage - God lets one go out to sea she just does not promise you will come back.
If Ransome experienced a Force 9 or greater Gale in his travels and I am sure he must have then he needs no imagination to describe a hurricane.
John