Storm Glass

[JohnnyTarr]

Looking around my local nautical store and I found this. http://www.ambientweather.com/ececst002.html

I thought is was just the coolest thing.

[Dutchman]

from a web site- cool how these things work

Shark oil barometers

Bermudians rely on unique shark-oil based "barometers" to predict storms and other severe weather, even though electronic meteorological facilities are available.[1] Long ago local St. David's Islanders cooked a shark in its own liver oil. After being melted down in the hot sun, it was poured into a soda (carbonated beverage) bottle and hung outside. The appearance of the oil altered consistently with changes in the weather. From that time on, bottles of shark oil began appearing on walls or terraces.

Local practitioners of the art today say that a reliable way of predicting the weather is to hang one of these bottles outdoors, then read how the shark oil settles or remains cloudy. Some old timers still check shark oil before going into deep waters. There are dozens of theories regarding why shark oil changes with the climate and whether it is an effective means of reading barometric pressure. The theory that carries the most weight is that electrical changes in the atmosphere affect the shark's liver and alert the shark to move out to deeper water before a bad storm. The oil retains this function when removed and the change is visible; the oil switches from a clear golden color like cooking oil to a milky white.

[JohnnyTarr]

I like it. Now if I can just talk a shark into giving up his liver.

[Dutchman]

when i was in bermuda last summer i thought about getting a vile but didn't for some reason. does anyone know where to order on line. all i can find is diet supplement.

[Dutchman]

from a flier i found

this is the method of making old-fashioned weather glasses containing a liquid that clouds or solidifies under certain atmospheric conditions:

Camphor 2 1/2 drachms

alcohol 11 drachms

water 9 drachms

saltpeter 38 grains

sal ammoniac 38 grains

dissolve the camphor in the alcohol and the salts in the water and mix the solutions together. pour in test tubes, cover with wax after corking and make a hole through the cork with a red-hot needle, or draw out the tube until only a pinhole remains.

The effects are noticeable 24 hours before the change sets in.

[JohnnyTarr]

Thx for the info. I will have to see if I can try this.