Lunar Tides among the Nicohar Islands. 8i 



tliG sea, which, what with the occasianal rapid currents and 

 light breezes, are not always very easily weathered. Tlie 

 prevailing winds are tlie two monsoons, the N.E. in the 

 months of November, December, January, February, and 

 March, the S.W. in May, June, July, August, and Septem- 

 ber. During the months of April and October, there are vari- 

 able winds and calms, extending more or less into the adjoin- 

 ing months. The currents vary in direction with the passages 

 between the islands, and depend upon the ebb and flow of the 

 tide, varying in force and direction with the tidal phenomena. 

 Ordinarily these make themselves felt during the making of 

 the tide from S.W. to N.E., and in a contrary direction 

 during the ebb. 



Due south of Kar-Nicobar, we found while lying at anchor 

 a current running 3J miles an hour, two days after the full 

 moon ; north of Little Nicobar, near the small island of 

 Treis, where the current compelled us to anchor, its velocity, 

 as we experienced two days after new moon, is as high as 4^ 

 miles an hour. These observations refer to a period when 

 the velocity of the current was at its maximum. In light 

 winds, and when near the coast, one must always let go the 

 anchor, or at least lay out a kedge, the latter however being 

 barely sufficient at several spots immediately after the full or 

 the new moon. According- to observations made durins: five 

 days about the period of full moon, the course of tide at Kar- 

 Nicobar may be assumed at 9li. 40m., and the difference in 

 height between ebb and flood at five feet. 



VOL. II. G 



