168 Miscellaneous. [Feb. 



by the southern route ; but on the 20th of April, being then about on 

 the Equator and in Long. 80° East, twelve days out from Point de 

 Galle, and ninety-Jive days after the hurricane, her log says : — 



" At 9 a. m. sent the watch down in the hold to heave up some 

 coal between decks and trim up for the lower hold close up to the 

 beams to ease her from rolling. After digging down from 3 to 4 feet 

 found the coals charred and very hot. Before reaching Galle nothing 

 of the kind was observed, although we had previously trimmed ship by 

 the coals in consequence of hauling the chain cables on deck from aft. 

 When in Galle roads no sign appeared of heat more than we found 

 before, the heat now being so excessive. After a consultation of the 

 officers and crew it was concluded on to make for Ceylon or the nearest 

 port with all dispatch for the preservation of the ship and our lives. At 

 10 A. m. wore ship to the N. W. ; people employed rilling all the small 

 casks with water and taking them on deck, some getting the boats ready 

 in case of being wanted." 



They ran up, having favourable winds, past Ceylon, and arrived safely 

 at Calcutta, where from enquiries made on board I learned, 



1 . That the coals were smoking when broken out, but the stanchions 

 or lining were not charred. They were also smoking when broken out 

 at Calcutta. 



2. She had during the hurricane probably as much as 3 or 4 feet of 

 water in her bilge, which lay for three or four days till the ship was 

 trimmed upright. 



3. The greatest heating was for a space of about 55 feet, amidships, 

 between the fore and main hatchways, and at about 10 feet deep. There 

 was but one focus or heated mass, and the coals in the bilge were not 

 heated. 



4. The after-hold coals were not heated, and these were shipped dry 

 at Newport, while the fore-hold ones were shipped wet during heavy 

 rainy weather and were the worst. 



5. No foul air was noticed at any time in the hold, nor any sulphure- 

 ous smell, but while retrimming ship after the hurricane, and at Point 

 de Galle, the whole of the hatches had been kept open, so that if any 

 was generated it was dissipated as fast as formed. 



6. Capt. Ogilby says he has no doubt that the salt water was the 

 cause of the heating of the coal. 



