1840] the Theory of the Law of Storms in India, 1045 



We have now to show what is the evidence we possess for — 



I. The formation of the vortex, and evidence for its form. 



II. Its size 



III. Its rate of progression. 



I. The formation of the vortex and evidence for its form. Our evi- 

 dence for the actual circle laid down on the 21th is, as will be subse- 

 quently seen in speaking of the centres, very imperfect ; as is also that 

 of the 2Sthy where all we know is, that it was a veering hurricane with 

 the Nusserath Shaw, and could not be said to reach the Freak till 

 the evening. Hence I have taken it to be a vortex of about 300 miles 

 in diameter, and that the TenasserinCs SE. gale was a little without 

 the circle, though really arising from the same disturbance. The 

 diagrams, and the subsequent remarks upon the evidence by which 

 I have placed the different centres, will render unnecessary any further 

 detail upon this bead. 



In estimating the centres for the different days, I have been guided 

 as follows, — 



On the 21th, we have the logs of the Nusserath Shaw and 

 Tenasserim available, and of these, the Nusserath Shaw — near to 

 which vessel the centre passed on the following day at 3 p.m. when she 

 had the shift of wind, — must of course have been the nearest to it. 

 She had the wind steady from ENE. during the whole of the 24 hours 

 (from noon 21th to noon 2^th) an evidence that she was on the direct 

 line of the track of the storm. She also made good, from noon to 

 noon, a course of 100 miles S. 7° E.; while the track of the storm (by 

 projection from the shift which she experienced, from ENE. to SW.) 

 must have been about N. 34° W. and S. 34° E. so that we may say, 

 without much exaggeration, that the ship travelled 100 miles, and the 

 hurricane 180 miles almost directly towards each other! A very re- 

 markable instance of the truth and value of the Theory of Storms, if rightly 

 understood; for it is clear that this, which happened to a single ship, 

 might have happened to a whole fleet ! Heaving to for six hours, 

 would have saved the owners and underwriters the heavy loss which 

 the dismasting and return of this vessel to Calcutta entailed ; and a good 

 Barometer and Simpiesometer on board, would infallibly have indicated 

 the coming danger in time. 



