54 Fifteenth Memoir on the Law of Storms. [Jan. 



Cochrane. The Pluto^ steered down on a S. b. Westerly course, and in the 

 face of every indication, ran headlong, about noon on the 29th, into the 

 centre of a terrific Tyfoon, coming up, like that of the Cleopatra's, from 

 the S. S. E., in which she lost her masts, rudder, funnel, &c. &c, and 

 drifting back was nearly wrecked on the rocks of Hong Kong. And 

 she also was, as may be supposed, nearly or totally unmanageable in the 

 tyfoon from the excessive violence of the wind, and her engines being 

 utterly powerless contend with the sea. 



Now, from analogy* we should judge that the Cleopatra was pro- 

 bably no great sea boat in a hurricane, whatever she might be in a 

 common gale,f and that the Pluto's history was pretty nearly hers, 

 namely that on nearing the centre she became unmanageable, and lying 

 in the trough of the sea, went over and was swamped, and probably lost 

 her funnel before this took place, which accident alone, if it occurred, 

 would give rise to the other contingencies. 



And this last accident, the loss of the funnel, I allude to very point- 

 edly, because I think it one very likely to happen. My query on this 

 head to the Bombay authorities is as follows : — 



" 10. How was her funnel secured, i. e. how many shrouds and 

 stays, and of what material and size were they ? as nearly as can be 

 stated." 



The reply is, " Properly," and I forbear to remark on its brevity ; 

 but I assume it as my sailor readers, and landsmen also, will I think 

 construe it to mean " Properly for an ordinary gale : can't say as to a 

 hurricane ?" for this query might indubitably have been answered in 

 full detail from the dockyard and work shops, and within a trifle as to 

 correctness. 



* I do not allude here to the loss of the President, though she also was steaming- into a 

 hurricane circle when last seen. 



f The reply to my query on this head alludes of course to common gales, but even of 

 these, how unfair to the eye of a seaman, is the estimate which is formed of Steamers in 

 this respect under all the usual circumstances. Their engines keep them to the wind and 

 sea at the very best angle for meeting it, and the steamer is called a good sea boat. When 

 the engine gives way, or has no longer sufficient power, or the fires are swamped, we 

 find the greater part of the steamers forthwith in distress, often when a smart merchant- 

 man would be " taking it easy" under her storm staysails, or close-reefed maintopsail. By 

 the log of the Semiramis, a sister-boat I believe to the Cleopatra, in this very hurricane, 

 though she had but a capful of wind, with a high confused sea, yet she had all hands 

 (troops on board) pumping and baling! We must then take the words "a good sea 

 boat," with the addition of " while her engines can help her," for most of our sea-going 

 steamers as yet. 



