1022 Third 3Iemoir loith reference to [No. 106. 



Note, — It will readily be seen by those to whom the Theory of 

 Storms is familiar, that the centre of the hurricane, as here described, 

 must have passed over, or a very short distance to the South of the 

 station. The discrepancy of opinions mentioned might easily occur at 

 such a time, amongst gentlemen who were not seamen, and it is more 

 than probable, that, at the centres of storms and near them, counter 

 currents and eddies do occur ; and that their changes are almost 

 instantaneous ; the main change was from about NNE. to SW. and at 

 the centre this might have happened either way, without affecting the 

 truth of the theory. H. P. 



The Great Storm in Orissa. 



[^From a Correspondent at Pooree.'] 



"On Thursday, the ^Oth April, one of the most violent storms ever re- 

 membered in Orissa visited the station of Pooree, and surrounding district. 

 The wind blew very fresh from the North-east early in the morning, 

 and towards the middle of the day increased so much, as to make every one 

 take precautions to guard against its violence. The surf was unusually 

 high and roaring, and approached the bungalows much nearer than was at 

 all pleasant. Out-offices were levelled, and clouds of sand buried every 

 thing. About 6 o'clock in the evening the wind lulled, when it was hoped 

 that the worst was over, but the disasters of the day were as nothing 

 in comparison with what the night brought. The wind suddenly shifted 

 round to West and South-west, and recommenced in all its fury. Every 

 one sat waiting for the worst, running from one room to another, as 

 the house gave way, and when the general crash came, it was fearful. — The 

 wind and rain so boisterous, that no one could stand erect exposed to them. 

 Ladies then escaped to their palkees, anxiously awaiting the break of 

 day. The darkness of the night totally prevented any communication 

 of one house with another, and it was not until morning that the whole 

 truth could be known. Alas! every bungalow in the station has been 

 destroyed — not one is there that can possibly be inhabited. One solitary 

 puckha-house stood the buffetting of the storm, as it would appear, intend- 

 ed as a refuge for the destitute. It was most providential that some 

 families deserted their own houses during the afternoon and took shelter in 

 any secure place they could find ; for had they remained they must have 

 perished. Entire roofs and walls came to the ground, other houses 

 went piecemeal, rafters and thatch coming down, and some have disap- 

 peared altogether. Some ladies were obliged to desert their bungalows, 

 and remain in their palkees on the sands the whole night. In fact, no one 



