Observations 071 the New Haven Tornado. 341 



In order to make our descriptions intelligible to strangers, it 



may be proper to premisej that the city of New Haven is situated 

 at the head of a bay, that sets up five miles from the north side of 

 Long Island Sound. It is buiU on a plain which is bounded on 

 the west by a low range of liillSj called the Woodbridge hills. 

 At the northwestern and northeastern angles of the town are 

 the two celebrated bluffs^ called West and East Rock, respect- 

 ively, well known as the southern terminations of the chains of trap 

 mountains, that extend northward through Connecticut and Mas- 

 sachusetts. The storm commenced in the low ground at the east- 

 ern base of the Woodbridge hills. Its course was N. E. by E. across 

 a level region occupied by farm-houses, cornfieldsj and gardens for 

 a mile and a half. It then ascended an incHned plane to a higher 

 level, and passed through a wood towards East Rock. Bounding 

 over this eminence, it descended its eastern declivity, and lost it- 

 self in an extensive salt meadow that lies eastward of the mountain. 



Throughout this region its progress was indicated by marks of 

 the greatest violence. Nearly every tree that came in its way 

 through the open country, was prostrated or broken off; six houses, 

 and a number of barns, were completely demolished; several 

 other houses and barns were unroofed; fields of corn, then just 

 earing, were laid close to the ground ; and indeed, the whole 

 space over which the tornado had passed, presented one uniform 

 scene of ruin and desolation. 



In extent^ this tornado appears to have been very limited. 

 Its length did not exceed four miles, and its average breadth was 

 only sixty rods, varying howex^er a little in different places. Its 

 duration at any one place did not exceed half a minute, and its 

 progressive motion may be estimated at 40 miles per hour. These 

 estimates are made by comparing the impressions and statements 

 of various individuals who were within the limits of the storm. 



The appearance of the storm as it approached, was deliberately 

 contemplated by numerous observers, who saw it coming over 

 the plain. All describe it as a strange cloud, of terrific aspect, 

 white like a driving snow-storm, or light fog, and agitated by the 

 most violent intestine motions. It came suddenly upon them with 



I V 



torrents of water — " there was a rush — a crash — and it was gone." 

 When first seen coming over East Rock, it seemed hfted above 

 the ridije of the mountain, but fell nearer to the earth as it 

 descended the eastern declivity, and renewed its work of de- 

 struction when it reached the plain. 



