1842.] Fifth Memoir- on the Law of Storms. 13 



wind, a Barque, which obliged us to keep away and shew a light ; she 

 passed within a quarter of a mile of us. At 8 p.m. lashed the helm "alee," 

 and set the fore topmast staysail ; shipping immense quantities of water 

 in every direction. Midnight blowing a hard gale from SSW. with a 

 confused sea ; during a severe squall, the jib accidently got adrift un- 

 perceived by any one, and was unfortunately nearly all blown away ; du- 

 ring the height of the gale the Barometer 28.60. 



Monday, 17th May. — a. m. very hard squalls with a heavy sea, 

 vessel labouring heavily (but perfectly tight), gale somewhat abated. 

 About daylight noon, afresh gale and cloudy weather, lat. observed 13° 

 16' N., long, by chron. 81° 29' — 7h. 30m. very heavy, threatening appear- 

 ance in SW. wore ship to the ESE. and furled the fore topsail ; blowing a 

 hard gale with a heavy confused sea, making breaches in every direction, 

 a great quantity passed below, through the companion hatch, though 

 every precaution was used, by nailing planks and double tarpaulins over 

 it. Midnight Do weather — Barometer these 24 hours very unsettled ; 

 at midnight, 28.80. 



Tuesday, 18th May. — Blowing a hard gale with a high rolling sea, 

 causing the vessel to lurch very heavily ; at 1, Barometer 29.00 ; at 2h, 

 30m, fell to 28.80 ; at 3 blowing very severe with a clear sky ; 4 moderate ; 

 5h. 30m. wore ship to thewestward; daylight moderate and clear, out close 

 reefs ; 7, wore ship to the SE., out all reefs ; noon, a fresh breeze from 

 SW. with a decreasing sea; latitude observed 13° 16' N., longitude 

 by chronometer 82° 18' E. 



Barque Fortescue's report. 



Saturday, 15 th May, 1841. — Strong breezes and clear weather, with 

 a very heavy swell ; latter part, strong gales and squally weather. 



Sunday, 16th May. — Strong gales and squally, people employed pre- 

 paring ship for sea. At 7 a. m. hauled the long boat and gig along- 

 side in order to hoist them in, found it was impossible to hoist them 

 in, on account of the sea running so high, the long boat swamped along- 

 side, and was obliged to cut them away. Barometer at the lowest 28.78. 

 p. m. strong gales and hard squalls, people employed preparing for sea. 

 At 1 slipped the best bower anchor and 90 fathoms of cable, set fore- 

 topsail, trysail, foresail and main trysail and mizen. At 6, the wind 

 blew a complete hurricane, brought the ship to the wind under reefed 



