SURRICAXES. 



285 



occupations, of diverting their attention from agriculture or any 

 other industrial pursuit, exposing them to the trials .and tempta- 

 tions of alternate abundance and want, and accustoming them to 

 rejoice in the misfortunes which bring calamity and ruin to 

 others. 



The local legislature has endeavored to bring the wrecking 

 system under control by a law which requires licenses to be taken 

 out for men and vessels, provides for the a23pointment of wreck 

 masters, apportions the share of salvage which each vessel and 

 its crew may claim, and imposes penalties for certain acts of mis- 

 conduct. In 1858 there were licensed 302 vessels and 2,679 men; 

 in 1865 only 176 vessels and 712 men. The late civil war in the 

 States occasioned this difference. 



HUREICAXES. 



As the hurricane has a great sanitary mission to perform in 

 purifying the air and destroying the germs of malignant diseases 

 in the "West India islands, it is seldom that more than three or 

 four years pass by without some manifestations of its presence 

 and power. At such times tlie wreckers reap a rich reward. 



The following list of hurricanes that are known to have passed 

 over the Bahamas is taken from Gov. Rawson's report: 



1780, October, 3 to 4. 



4tol6. 



1796, " 3 to 5. 



1801, September, 5 to 6. 



1804, " 7 to 9. 



1813, Julj^ 23 to 24. 



" Au'^ust, . 23 to 24. 



1S21, September, 1 to 2. 



1827, Au-ust, 2:)t;)':2. 



1830, '" 13 to 14. 



18;J5, " 14tolo. 



1837, " 2 to 8. 



1838, September, 5 to 8. 



1842, August 2 to 4. 



1844, October, 5 to 6. 



1846, " 10 to 11. 



1848, August, 22 to 28. 



1853, " 18 to 20. 



1856, " 25 to 27. 



1857, November, 10 to 12. 



18 8, Octolicr, IGtolO. 



1861, August, 13 to 15. 



18G3, " 27 to 28. 



1865, October, 23 to 25, 



