298 Proceedings of the British Association for 1850. 



the larboard paddle-box, which was about 7 feet higher, 

 where the level (as ascertained afterwards at Liverpool, 

 allowance being made for the alteration in the draught of 

 water of the ship), was 24 feet 9 inches above the sea. This 

 position, with 5 feet 6 inches, the height of my eye, gave an 

 elevation altogether of 30 feet 3 inches for the level of the 

 view then obtained, — a level, it should be remarked, which 

 was very satisfactorily maintained during the instants of ob- 

 servation, because of the whole of the ship's length being 

 occupied within the clear ' trough of the sea,' and in an even 

 and upright position, whilst the nearest approaching w^ave 

 had its maximum altitude. Here, also, I found at least one 

 half o^ the waves which overtook and passed the ship were 

 far above the level of my eye. Frequently I observed long 

 ranges (not acuminated peaks) extending 100 yards, perhaps, 

 on one or both sides of the ship, — the sea then coming nearly 

 right aft, — which rose so high above the visible horizon, as 

 to form an angle estimated at two to three degrees (say 2^°) 

 when the distance of the wave summit was about 100 yards 

 from the observer. This would add near 13 feet to the level 

 of the eye. And this measure of elevation was by no means 

 uncommon, — occurring, I should think, at least once in half 

 a dozen waves. Sometimes peaks of crossing or crests of 

 breaking seas would shoot upward at least 10 or 15 feet higher. 

 The average wave was, I believe, fully equal to that of m}^ 

 sight on the paddle-box, or more, — that is, V^ — 15 feet, or 

 upwards ; and the mean highest rvaves, not including the 

 broken or acuminated crests, about 43 feet above the level 

 of the hollow occupied at the moment by the ship. Illuminated 

 as the general expanse not unfrequently was by the tran- 

 sient sunbeam breaking through the heavy masses of the 

 storm-cloud, and contrasting its silvery light with the pre- 

 valent gloom, yielding a wild and partial glare, the mighty 

 hills of waters rolling and foaming as they pursued us, whilst 

 the gallant and buoyant ship — a charming ' sea-boat' — rose 

 abaft as by intelligent anticipation of their attack, as she 

 scudded along, so that their irresistible strength and fierce 

 momentum were harmlessly spent beneath her and on her 

 outward sides, — the storm falling fiercely on the scanty and 



