90 Experience of the Barque " W. H. Besse" 



Saturday, 2oth August. 



" Moderate winds and fine weather; barometer 3015, ther- 

 mometer 90." 



Sunday, 26th August. 



"The day commenced, with strong breezes and. thick, cloudy 

 weather, barometer 30" 15. At 4 a.m. hove short, and at 6 

 a.m. got under weigh, wind south-west. At 4 p.m., wind 

 hauling ahead, came to an anchor, the sky at this time 

 having a threatening appearance, atmosphere very close and 

 smoky. At 5 p.m. heard a quick succession of heavy reports 

 sounding like a broadside of a man-of-war, only far louder 

 and heavier ; heard these reports at intervals throughout the 

 night. The sky was intensely dark, the wind having a dull 

 moaning sound through the rigging ; also noticed a light fall 

 of ashes. The sun, when it rose the next morning (Monday, 

 27th August), had the appearance of a ball of fire, the air so 

 smoky could see but a short distance. At 6 a.m., thinking 

 the worst of the eruption was over (as the reports were not 

 so frequent or heavy as during the night), got under weigh. 

 Having a fair wind, was in hopes to get out clear of the 

 Straits before night. At 10 a.m. were within 6. miles of St. 

 Nicholas Point, when we heard some terrific reports ; also 

 observed a heavy black bank rising up from the direction of 

 Krakatoa Island. The barometer fell an inch at once, 

 suddenly rising and falling an inch at a time. Called all 

 hands, furled all sail securely, which was scarcely done 

 before the squall struck the ship with terrific force. Let go 

 port anchor and all the chain in the locker ; wind increasing 

 to a hurricane. Let go starboard anchor. It had gradually 

 been growing dark since 9 a.m. ; by the time the squall 

 struck us it was darker than any night I ever saw — this was 

 12 o'clock noon. A heavy shower of ashes came with the 

 squall, the air being so thick it was difficult to breathe; also 

 noticed a strong smell of sulphur — all hands expecting to be 

 suffocated — the terrible noises from the volcano, the sky 

 filled with forked lightning running in all directions, making 

 the darkness more intense than ever. The howling of the 

 wind through the rio-oino- formed one of the wildest and most 

 awful scenes imaginable — one that will never be forgotten by 

 anyone on board — all expecting that the last day of the 

 earth had come. The water at this time was running by us 



