1843.] Law of Storms in India. 377 



maritime, and practical point of view. Agreeing with the Colonel, 

 that much good would result from the rotatory motion of Gales being 

 understood and acted on by commanders of vessels, when caught in 

 tempests, with this object in view, every authenticated fact that 

 bears on the subject should be carefully collected for future deduc- 

 tions. On this account, I send you a few particulars of the gale or 

 hurricane the ship Seaton experienced on her passage from Aden 

 towards Bombay, in which she was dismasted, narrowly escaped 

 foundering, and regained the port with great difficulty under jury 

 masts, leaky, and her hull so much injured, that she has been con- 

 demned by survey. 



After leaving Aden, the Seaton had moderate breezes from the 

 Northward, with clear weather; for two or three days before the gale 

 was felt, they had a very uneasy, broken and turbulent head sea, 

 with light northerly winds, which enabled them to carry royals and 

 main sky sail. 



On Sunday the 30th of Oct. p. m., the breeze gradually increased 

 so much, as to require the smaller sails to be stowed, top sails double 

 reefed, main sail and jib also stowed, wind N. and by West. The 

 atmosphere, at this time, had a streaky, hazy, troubled appearance. 

 Barometer falling. When the vessel first felt the head sea, the Baro- 

 meter indicated atmospheric derangement, but not to such an extent 

 as to induce any apprehension of an approaching gale. 



The Barometer being a tried one, led to the belief that rough wea- 

 ther was to be expected, and preparations were accordingly made to 

 meet it. On Monday the 31st, being then in Lat. 14° N., Long. 61° 

 E., whilst in the act of taking in all sail, and having succeeded in get- 

 ting the top-sails and foresail clued up, and foretop sail partly stowed, the 

 hurricane burst in all its fury. In an instant every stitch of canvas 

 was blown from the yards; even the mainsail, though well secured, 

 was blown from the gaskets, went to pieces, and was entirely lost; as 

 likewise every other sail that was stowed. At 9 a. m. the main top- 

 gallant-mast went by the cap; at 11, the quarter boat was blown 

 away, with one of the iron davits ; at 12, the hurricane still in- 

 creasing and blowing in furious gusts, the ship was thrown nearly 

 on her beam ends. Ballast shifted, water washing up to the lower 

 deck beams, the sea at this time running high and making a complete 



