RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 207 



(lay was 794 miles on the 13tl', and the least 120 miles on the 

 6th ; while the daily average was 402 miles. On the morning of 

 the 10th a fresh southerly wind reached a movement of 50, 60, 

 and 70 miles per hour, at 9, 10, and 11 a.m. respectively. On the 

 12th a strong gale from the S.S.AV. set in, and the movement 

 rapidly increased from 48 miles an hour at 10 a.m. to 79 miles an 

 hour at 2 p.m., and by 3 p.m. it had fallen to 51 miles. This gale 

 seems to have reached its greatest force about 1 p.m., when the 

 wind came in terrific gusts which must have been very nearly 100 

 miles per hour. In the town of Lyme Regis several houses were 

 unroofed, chimneys were blown down, and much glass broken by 

 the falling slates and tiles. The hourly movement of 79 miles has 

 only been exceeded once during ten years' observations, viz., on 

 i^ovember 1st, 1887, when a movement of 83 miles an hour Avas 

 registered at 7 a.m., and for si\ consecutive hours on that morning 

 the velocity was over 60 miles per hour. South-westerly and 

 north-westerly winds were most prevalent. 



Amongst other observers Mr. Mansel-Pleydell ("Whatcombe) 

 says "The great storm of December 12th fell with terrific and 

 disastrous force here." 



Mr. 0. Farrer (Binnegar), says "Violent gale on December 12th 

 acquiring very destructive force about two p.m., fortunately soon 

 lessening. Aneroid fell then to 29in." 



Mr. R. H. Barnes (Parkstone), alludes to " The destructive 

 storm of almost hurricane force on the 12th and the great 

 variations in the height of the barometer, the extremes being 

 2S"54in. and 3074in., and these occurring within nine days of eacli 

 other, the 20th and 29th." 



The notes on temperature and barometer which have been .sent to 

 me are as follows : — Rev. II. Fix (Swanage) : Greatest cohl 18° 

 on January 2nd. Rev. G, H. Billington (Chalhurv) : Shade 

 temperature highest 84° on June lUth and 20th; lowest 19' on 

 January 2nd and 3rd. Barometer readings at 9 a.m., highest 

 30-74in. on December 30th ; lowest 28-SOin. on February 1st, but 

 28'60in. at 2 p.m. on December 20th. 



