1884.] of the Bay of Bengal in 1883. 95 



The preceding observations show that the light- vessels were now 

 experiencing very strong south-westerly winds, and that frequent severe 

 squalls passed over them. 



The remarkable difference between the force of the south-westerly 

 winds at distances of more than 30 miles from the centre and the winds 

 from other directions and also the winds near the centre, is shown very 

 conclusively by the Saugor Island observations. The greatest amount 

 of wind, as registered by the anemometer at that station in any interval 

 of two hours between 1 p. M. of the 28th and 3 P. M. of the 29th, was 

 23 miles. The amount recorded between 1 p. M. and 3 P. M. of the 29th, 

 when very variable unsteady winds were blowing, was only 5 miles. 

 Between 3 p. m. and 5 p. m., during which hours south-west winds pre- 

 vailed, 78 miles of wind were recorded, and between 5 p. m. and 7 P. M., 

 46 miles. During this period, a severe gale of wind blew from the south, 

 and gave rise to a tremendous sea. 



The position of the centre has been deduced from the various ob- 

 servations. It moved during the day almost due westwards, parallel to 

 the coast of the Sunderbunds. The vessels bound for Calcutta, which 

 were approaching the entrance to the Hooghly, were almost without ex- 

 ception in the eastern quadrant during the day. Their logs describe 

 the force of the south-westerly winds in this part of the whirl in very 

 similar language. 



The Commillah, in Lat. 20° 18' N. Long. 88° 40' E. at noon, had 

 terrific gales, with continual rain and furious squalls, in the morning. 

 Squalls of hurricane force passed over the steamer. A tremendous 

 and dangerous sea was running. South-westerly winds of average force 

 11 obtained duiing the morning. The wind and weather slightly mo- 

 derated during the afternoon, but violent squalls continued to come up 

 from the south-west, bringing very heavy rain. 



The Pemba, 100 miles to the S. E. of the Commillah, experienced 

 a fierce gale with hard squalls blowing with hurricane violence. No im- 

 provement occurred in the weather until late in the evening, when the 

 sky began to clear and the sea to moderate a little. 



The Star of Albion and the Scottish Chieftain experienced similar 

 weather. The log of the Saint Magnus (in Lat. 19° 58' N. Long. 88° 28' E. 

 at noon) describes the weather in the morning as a heavy gale with terrific 

 gusts and continued heavy rain. The Captain of the British Princess 

 (in Lat. 20° 24' N. and Long. 88° 42' E. at noon) notes that the wind de- 

 creased from force 11 in the morning to force 9 in the evening, and that 

 torrents of rain fell during the morning. The wind blow steadily from 

 the south-west quarter, and brought up a very high sea. 



