1840.] the Theory of the Laio of Storms in India. 1019 



2Hth April. Midniglit, heavy gathering clouds in the SE. and threatening 

 look. At 10 A.M. a very heavy squall from East ; I consider this the commence- 

 ment of the gale ; the scud flying in confused masses, and a number of sand 

 birds on the rigging. At noon, heavy appearance of weather. Lat. Obs. 

 19o 29'15"N. Bar. 29-40. p.m. Blowing fresh from E. and ESE., the Baro- 

 meter 29-35, and every appearance of worse weather ; making a bold push 

 for the Pilot. Midnight and until day-dawn, constant heavy squalls and 

 much heavy rain. 



29th April. At 4 a.m. sounded in 17 fathoms ; at 5 sounded in 10 fathoms, 

 and by two excellent Chronometers made the Outer Floating Light bear from 

 us due west 15 miles distant ; finding the sea too high to receive a pilot 

 close-reefed the top sails and courses ; under this sail stood out South ; wind 

 abeam at East, gale increasing and the sea rising fast. At 10 a.m. a tremen- 

 dous sea spread from the SSW. and a heavy ground swell on our beam East ; 

 preparing for bad weather. At noon gale very heavy, no sun, suppose 

 ourselves SSW. from the Floating Light, distant 30 miles. 



Gale increasing at ESE. and East in the heavy squalls ; a very high con- 

 fused sea often breaking over all. At midnight sprung fore yard; 

 sounded in 30 fathoms. 



ZOth April. 2 a.m. Blowing a hurricane, sprung our main mast in the deck 

 partners ; the sea washing away our large cutter, davits and all, and making 

 a clear breach over all ; both pumps going. The wind SE. and veering round 

 gradually to the southward. At day-dawn observed some broken spars 

 and short pieces of plank passing us ; shipped a heavy sea, broke the lash- 

 ings of the skylight, which unshipped, and nearly filled our cabin with 

 water. Noon., Lat. Obs. 20° 28' N. A heavy sea struck the ship aft, and 

 injured our rudder head. Bar. 28-80. 



Bar. 28-90; gale continues heavy; ship under bare poles, lying in the 

 trough of the sea, very uneasy. Wind SSE., ship's head SWbW. Having 

 blown our storm staysails away got a bolt of new canvas in the mizen 

 rigging. 



\st May. At day-dawn ship on her beam ends, and the sea making a 

 fair breach over all ; the water much discoloured ; sounded in 16 fathoms 

 on the edge of Point Palmiras Reef, the wind suddenly shifting into the 

 SSW. wore ship to the SE. Sun obscured at Noon ; no vessels in sight. 



Some attempts at a clear-up ; ship lying helpless in the trough of the 

 sea ; Bar. rose 4 lines. At 2 p.m. set the close-reefed topsails. Sunset clear 

 weather, but destructive sea, midnight heavy squalls from SW. 



2nd Matj. Day-dawn, moderating fast. Out reefs, and stood to the WNW. 

 At 7 sighted a Pilot vessel. At 8° 30' obtained a pilot. From our position 

 on the commencement of the gale, I supposed myself in the centre of the Bay 



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