WAVES OF THE SEA 43 



was in latitude 5iN. and longitude 38 5o'W<., 

 the wind about WSW., and the ship's course true 

 N. 52 E. By sunset of the previous day the wind 

 was blowing a hard gale, which continued with 

 heavy squalls during the night, so that all sail was 

 taken in except a storm stay-sail forward. The 

 barometer, which had stood at 29.50 inches at 

 8 p.m. on the previous day, had fallen to 

 28.30 inches by 10 a.m. on the 5th. On the after- 

 noon of this day Dr. Scoresby took up his post 

 of observation on the saloon deck, which gave an 

 elevation of the eye 23 feet 3 inches above the 

 water-line. He found, however, that every ap- 

 proaching wave intercepted the horizon, so that 

 from this position he could decide little except 

 that the average height, reckoned from trough to 

 crest, was more than 24 feet. He therefore 

 ventured upon the paddle-box, which was about 

 7 feet higher, giving an eye elevation of 30 feet 

 3 inches. This level was well maintained during the 

 moments of actual observation, because the whole 

 of the ship's length (220 feet) was clear within 

 the trough of the wave when the next following 

 crest was at its greatest apparent height, and the 

 ship at these moments was on an even keel. From 

 this position quite one half of the waves which 

 overtook and passed the ship were above the level 



