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32. — XoTEs ox A Remarkable Storm in Sertfoedshire, 

 April 4th, 1877. 



By Lieut. R. B. Croft, R.X., F.L.S. 



[Read 12th April, 1877.] 



At about 4-30 p.m. on the 4th of April, 1877, during a very 

 violent thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain and a gale from 

 the south-east, a remarkable and destructive whirlwind (?) passed 

 over the town of "Ware, and from descriptions given me by eye- 

 witnesses, coupled with my own observation, I have collected the 

 following information. 



From the southern part of Amwell Bury grounds, about 100 

 yards to the westward of the main road, to and beyond Little 

 Munden Church, a distance of about seven miles N.^N'.W., the 

 storm may be traced by its effects. It is remarkable, however, 

 that on the centre portion of this line — viz., from where it 

 crosses the North road into Poles Park, to near Sacombe House, 

 but little damage is done, while the two extremities of the line are 

 marked by a great destruction of property, large trees being up- 

 rooted, cottages unroofed, barns and sheds blown down, one man 

 killed, and many slightly injured. I have seen and conversed with 

 many people who watched this storm, and their accounts are most 

 conflicting. Two men standing side by side describe it as "a 

 white mass of steam rolling along like a wheel," and as " a jet 

 black mass revolving like a teetotum." Others say they could 

 distinguish no regular movement — "it was just like a mass of 

 smoke ; " "it was as big as a barn ; " "I thought the other side 

 of the street was on fire." All, however, agree that it lasted only 

 a few seconds, and that it made a noise like an express train, only 

 louder. I think there is no doubt that to persons at a certain 

 distance the formation appeared like a waterspout, and from the 

 twisted appearance of some of the boughs of the destroyed trees 

 this appears likely. "Whether at the base a white seething mass 

 was visible is a matter for conjecture. On going over the ground 

 next day, it appeared that the path of destruction did not exceed 

 twenty yards (forty feet, according to some accounts) ; but, not- 

 withstanding the course on the map being so direct, the storm 

 appears to have deviated several degrees to either hand at different 

 times. If these deviations could be accui-ately traced it would be 

 very interesting. All trees, fences, etc., blown down, fell to the 

 north-west, and railway tilts and other objects were carried a 

 great distance. Slates blown off roofs were embedded in the ground 

 like quoits. About the most remarkable things noticeable are the 

 jumps made by the storm. Besides the long jump in tbe middle of 

 its track before noticed, others equally remarkable are recorded. 



