igii] The Saxby Gale 257 



It appears evident that Saxby had at least on one other occasion 

 made a somewhat similar prediction as he further adds — 



"At the period referred to in 1863, the moon happened to be in 

 extreme south declination, and accordingly the greater devastations 

 occurred in the southern hemisphere." 



Not to be outdone by Saxby Mr. Frederick Allison of Halifax, N.S. 

 gave the following prediction to a Halifax newspaper — 



"I believe that a heavy gale will be encountered here on Tuesday 

 next 5th October beginning perhaps on Monday night or possibly de- 

 ferred as late as Tuesday night, but between these two periods it seems 

 inevitable, At its greatest force the direction of the wind should be 

 southwest, having commenced at or near south. 



"Should Monday the 4th be a warm day for the season an additional 

 guarantee of the coming storm will be given. Roughly speaking the 

 warmsritmay beonthe4th, the more violent will be the succeeding storm. 

 Apart from the theory of the Moon's attraction, as applied to Meteor- 

 ology — which is disbelieved by many, the experience of any careful 

 observer teaches him to look for a storm at next new moon, and the state 

 of the atmosphere, and consequent weather lately appears to be leading 

 directly not only to this blow next week, but to a succession of gales 

 during next month." 



Referring to the above predictions the Halifax Citizen published the 

 following — 



"Great preparations were made about the wharves yesterday, to 

 meet the storm which had been announced to take place to-day. Nearly 

 all the small craft, and several large vessels, including the Roseneath, 

 ran out in the stream and anchored, while those who remained had fasts 

 out in all directions, making it almost impossible to get down on a wharf 

 after dark, without danger of breaking one's neck. In consequence of 

 the expected high tide, many of the owners of warehouses and stores 

 near the water, had the lower floors cleared of goods, and everything 

 possible to prevent damage, was done. After all these preparations, 

 many were disappointed at the result. The performance did not come 

 up to the programme, and was not at all what was expected. Yester- 

 day was fine in the morning, but in the afternoon the sky began to cloud 

 over, and signs of a storm were numerous. About six o'clock p.m. the 

 tide had risen to within two or three feet of the tops of the wharves, but 

 was then full and began to recede. Prognostications were freely made, 

 however, by the weather wise, that this morning 'we would see,' and 'we 

 did see ' — nothing very remarkable, being only a repetition of last even- 

 ing's tide. A pretty stiff breeze commenced about five o'clock last 

 evening, and gradually increased until about twelve, when it blew a 



