1904.] C. Little — Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. 33 



area, will not be true until meteorologists have accounted for the part 

 of the phenomenon called " recurving" or " recurvature." 



I have attempted to show ia other papers that the recurving of 

 depressions over Central and Northern India is associated with impor- 

 tant variations in rainfall distribution in India. Its further importance, 

 as a feature of all severe cyclones in the north of the Bay, has, I believe, 

 mei'ely to be recognised to show that this phenomenen of recurving is 

 the most important meteorological problem at present awaiting solu- 

 tion. I consider, therefore, that it cannot be too often repeated that 

 the explanation cannot be supplied by an examination of registers only. 

 It is, in all probability, an effect jointly dependent on changes indicated 

 by the ground level instruments, and on the upper strata of the atmos- 

 phere. Should that assumption be correct, its solution must, of a cer- 

 tainty, await observation of the upper strata, and those interested must 

 remain satisfied that no forecast except of the most general kind is pos- 

 sible where recurving is an element to be considered. 



The following is an account of the experiences of the S.S. 

 Madura on the voyage from Calcutta to Rangoon : — 



" Left moorings at 7-0 a.m. 14th, and proceeded down the river, 

 where after an uneventful trip we passed Saugor at 2-0 p.m. Tlie 

 weather signals hoisted there were somewhat nasty, L standing for the 

 part of the Bay we were going to, which means strange winds and pro- 

 bable squally weather, forming apparently part of a cyclonic whirl ; but 

 the weather looked so fine that no one was anxious. At 5 p.m. Captain 

 took charge, and we headed away for the Alguada, weather remaining 

 very fine, and with the exception of a slight southerly swell, perfectly 

 calm. Sunset that evening was a sight to behold, being a most magni- 

 ficent one — clouds soft and woolly in long streaks across the sky, packed 

 close together, being lighted into an extraordinary glow of deep blood- 

 red which lasted for some considerable time. Everyone went to bed 

 early, expecting a pleasant trip, and the weather for the first part of the 

 night remained calm and fine ; but towards morning it steadily began to 

 get worse, the wind which had been blowing S.E. and E.S.E. backing 

 round to East till at 4 a strong East breeze was blowing, and a mode- 

 rate to rough sea was running, and the weather overcast and rainy. 6-0 — 

 The wind was still E. but the weather was thickening ; at 7-0 the wind 

 and weather much the same ; at 7-45 the wind back to E.N.E. with 

 increasing force and heavier sea and a nasty swell from S. It being 

 certain now that a cyclone was approaching, the vessel was hove to, to 

 see what direction the storm was travelling ; at 8-0 Bar. 29*86, the wind 

 was still E.N.E., making the storm S.S.W. of usj a strong wind was 

 J. II. 5 



