this is to be taken notice of, that the Sea-Breeze blows stronger or longer near the Sea, as at Port-Royal, or Passage-Fort, than it does within Land, as at St. Jago de la Vega, or Spanish Town. As contrariwise the Land-wind blows harder at the Town than at Passage-Fort, or Port-Royal. These things are evident to any who peruses the preceding Journal, where when the Breeze is mentioned, 'tis to be understood the Sea-Breeze in the day, or if in the night, the Land-Breeze; those Breezes ordinarily succeeding each the other.
As the Trade-Wind, between the Tropics, comes not directly from the East, but varies from North-East to South-East, according to the place and position of the Sun, so the Sea-Breeze here has the like Variation, not coming always from the same Point; on the contrary, the Land-Winds or Breezes, come always from the Ridge of Hills, and from the same point of them, and this holds both on the North and South sides of this Island. In Valleys amongst the Mountains, the Sea-Breeze, or Land one, has seldom any great influence, but the North-Winds very much, prostrating very great Trees, &c.
The Land-wind blowing at night, and Sea-Breeze in the daytime, is the Reason why no Shipping can come into Port, except in the day, nor go out but soon after break of day.
The Norths come in when the Sun is near the Tropic of Capricorn, and so farthest off Southerly. Mariners going from England meet the Trade Wind in such or such Latitudes, later if the Sun is farther off, or sooner if nearer to them. This North is a very cold and unhealthy Wind, it is more violent in the night, because it then has the additional force of the Land-Wind with it, and comes through the Gulf of Florida, and a great deal farther off, which is evident from no Ships being able to go that way in the Norths Season. This Wind is more violent in the North-side of the Island than South, wherefore it checks the growth of Canes, and all Vegetables, and is hinder'd by the ridge of Mountains from shewing as much of its fury in the South, where it seldom Rains with this Wind.
The South-Winds in the South-side are usually rainy, and the lasting Seasons come in with the Sea-Breeze, it being certain in the South-side that no Rains from the Land are lasting.
As at Sea in the Trade-winds one meets with Tornados, so at Land sometimes will be a violent West, directly contrary to the Trade-Wind, for a few hours, with generally violent Rains, but this happens seldom, and is soon over.
The Sea Breeze, when it blows hard, is thought to hinder the Rain from coming to the Plains; it for the most part then raining in the Hills. On this account 'tis that there are in the Mountains many Springs and Rivers, and few or none in the Plains, and this is likewise the cause why there is never want of water in the Rivers coming fromthem
