1840/j the Theory of the Law of Storms. 409 



down, all the large branches torn off, and only the trunk remaining 

 —indeed we ought to be most thankful that no lives have been lost 

 here. The accounts from Rajamundry are just as bad as this ; 

 and from Cocanada the reports are dreadful — that the sea has 

 quite washed away the lower part of that village— from Coringa, and 

 Nirapilly, nothing has been heard, but there is much alarm about 

 their safety. We had a good deal of rain yesterday, and a good deal 

 last night — which brought the Samulcottah river almost up to the 

 only part of the old wall of the Fort now standing on the East 

 side. The gale commenced about NE. came round by degrees to the 

 East and got about SE. when it began to abate. The quantity of 

 rain that fell is not known, as the Pluviometer was running over, and 

 there is no knowing for what length of time. The Barometer fell about 

 1 inch from 12 o'clock on the 16th, till 12 o'clock of the 17th instant. 

 ' To-day there has not been much rain.' — Spectator, November 27th. 



( Another account.) 



The subjoined particulars of an awful calamity with which Coringa 

 and its neighbourhood have been recently visited, have just reached 

 us. We lay them with a heavy heart before our readers, making no 

 comment upon them, but leaving the sad tale of woe which they 

 relate to speak for itself. 



'We were visited on the night of the 16th instant by the most 

 terrible gale of wind possible. Your house at Ingeram is completely 

 unroofed, the trees and walls of the compound destroyed, and P*** 

 was very nearly drowned. All the European and native houses are 

 uninhabitable, and there is nothing to be seen from Coringa to this, 

 but a heap of ruins. 



The wind began to blow in the afternoon of the 16th, but was mo- 

 derate till about 11 o'clock at night, when it became furious, and 

 lasted till 4 o'clock the next morning. 



The water from the sea rushed in with such violence, that the only 

 houses remaining at Coringa, are ***' s large house, and three or four 

 other brick built houses. All the rest, it is said, have been carried 

 away. I have had 2| feet of sea water in my garden, and in my 

 room which is under my bungalow, 1 1 foot. 



It is said that more than 20,000 people have perished by this terri- 

 ble hurricane, which lasted only five or six hours. There is nothing 



