1904.] C. Little — Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, 31 



of the details are unimportant in their bearing on the grand central 

 problem of the cyclone. As a consequence, a cyclonic storm such as that 

 of the 14th November last, receives less voluminous attention now than 

 it would have done fifteen or twenty years ago. 



I have a two-fold purpose in offering this brief paper for publica- 

 tion : — 



(1) To show by means of the experiences of the Steamers Madura 

 and PentaJcota, one from Calcutta to Rangoon, the other from 

 Rangoon to Calcutta, how difiScalt it is to avoid the dangerous 

 central area of cyclones by a study and application of the 

 rules given in Sir J. Eliot's Handbook, even supplemented by 

 such local observation as is possible in stormy weather. 



(2) To point out that the peculiarity called " recurving," present 



in all severe cyclones, bas never been investigated or ex- 

 plained, and that until more is known regarding that part 

 of the cyclonic phenomenon, rules may enable seamen to evade 

 imaginary cyclones where no danger exists, but will be of 

 little avail in dangerous storms. 



In the introduction to the Second Edition of the Handbook of 

 Cyclonic Storms, Sir J. Eliot says :— 



*' By following these or similar instructions he (the mariner) will, 

 in the great majority of cases, if not in all, when he is in- 

 volved in cyclonic weather in the Bay of Bengal, be enabled 

 to avoid the inner storm area of dangerous winds, and fierce 

 squalls and rapid shifts of wind." 



'' I may here point out that my aim throughout the book has not 

 been to give hard and fast rules, the observance of which will 

 enable any seaman to pursue the safest course when he meets 

 with a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal. I do not believe 

 it is possible to draw up rules which will be of use without 

 the co-operation of the full intelligence of the person who 

 wishes to employ the experience embodied in any series of 

 rules drawn up for his guidance." 



As I understand the above remarks, the difficulty is not considered 

 to be as regards the reliability of the rules, but as regards the " full 

 intelligence of the person. " Now, in my opinion, and it is based on 

 fifteen years* experience not only of telegraphed reports but of personal 

 observation, rules are quite useless in the case of a storm such as that 

 of the 14th November, and will continue to be useless until one is added 

 enabling the sailor to estimate the amount of recurving. Until then 

 the intelligence of the sailor cannot be implicated. 



