Agreement On The Meaning Of Words Gives Them Strength
In the early 1800s a man named Francis Beaufort understood this better than many. He and Charles Darwin were both on the HMS Beagle making discoveries. While Darwin was recording animals never before recorded, or named, by Europeans, Beaufort was creating a standardized language for sailors to discuss the wind.
Sailors today, like our Captain, continue to use the Beaufort Scale. It was first officially used during the 1831–1836 voyage of HMS Beagle. Francis Beaufort tested his scale with Captain Robert FitzRoy to standardize wind force and sea state observations. In 1838 it became the Royal Navy standard.
Our departure from San Antonio was delayed. Winds picked up to 15 knots (17 mph / 28 kmph) and the local authority closed the port to ship traffic until the wind died down.
