HURRICANES. 285 
occupations, of diverting their attention from agriculture or any 
other industrial pursuit, exposing them to the trials and tempta- 
tions of alternate abundance and want, and accustoming them to 
rejoice in the misfortunes which bring calamity and ruin to 
others. 
The local legislature has endeavored to bring the wrecking 
system under control by a law which requires licenses to be taken 
out for men and vessels, provides for the appointment of wreck 
masters, apportions the share of salvage which each vessel and 
its crew may claim, and imposes penalties for certain acts of mis- 
conduct. In 1858 there were licensed 302 vessels and 2,679 men; 
in 1865 only 176 vessels and 712 men. The late civil war in the 
States occasioned this difference. 
HURRICANES. 
As the hurricane has a great sanitary mission to perform in 
purifying the air and destroying the germs of malignant diseases 
in the West India islands, it is seldom that more than three or 
four yeare pass by without some manifestations of its presence 
and power. At such times the wreckers reap a rich reward. 
The following list of hurricanes that are known to have passed 
over the Bahamas is taken from Gov. Rawson’s report: 
1780, October, .........escsseeee 8 to 4.]1838, September, 
ae ae sidsteasadessatass 4 to 16. | 1842, August......... 
1796, He”. aghniss Guseenaeedees 8to 5.|1844, October,.... 
1801, September,..........-.066 5to 6. | 1846, aeeeerrr 
1804, “s gubie tapeldeesive 7to 9.|1848, August,..... 
1813, July, .....0ccccccecsecerees 23 to 24. | 1853, ae 
6 AUSUSE,...ceeee wee 22 to 24. | 1856, Fm iets seal 
1821, September,... .. 1to 2.|1857, November,... 
1827, Auzust,........ 08 2) CONS TB 8, OStOUery: cascumessweasasis 
1830, 8 sevazes w. 13 to 14. /7861, August,..... nee 
“se 
1835, “ . .. 14 to 15. | 1862, ve 
1837, Sec cosvaaebassesens 2to 3.11865, October,........... tssevee 20 tO 20, 
