Fkb. 1845.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. xxv 



the fire had been got under, and after lasting about 15 or 20 minutes (say,) suddenly 

 went out. Various are the conjectures : I thought it was the reflection of the sun from 

 below the horizon, but the sudden light of flame was too brilliant, and unsteady to be 

 the sun's light; electricity in the cloud was stated to be the cause, but this is not a 

 season for such cause : " a ship is on fire," many said ; but this morning the prevailing 

 opinion is, that a volcanic eruption has taken place 20 miles out at sea, similar to 

 what I reported as having taken place near Chedooba. The argument against its 

 having been a ship on fire is, that the flame shewing so brilliant and so great a light 

 could not be so suddenly extinguished as this was, the dark bank of clouds may have 

 been formed of the smoke of the volcano. 1 hope some further information than what 

 is obtained from mere conjecture will be gained, which I will not fail to communicate 

 to you. The Amherst is said to have left, or was to leave Calcutta yesterday, so she 

 cannot be far enough out to see it. 



D. Williams. 



P. S.— A small comet was also seen at the same time as the fire, which soon set; it 

 was situated a little south of the supposed volcanic eruption. 



We shall see the comet of course this evening, and I will write by next date. 



D. W. 



Kyouk Phyoo, 3rd January, 1845. 



My dear Sir, — As I was at a distance from the beach when the fire appeared 

 last evening, Ensign Hankin of the 66th N. 1. has most kindly given me a description 

 of what he saw and heard, and I have the pleasure to enclose it, to be laid before the 

 Society. 



Kyouk Phyoo, 3rd January, 1845. D. Williams. 



Major Williams, Kyouk Phyoo, 



My dear Williams, — I have complied with your request for a description of 

 the extraordinary phsenomenon witnessed here last night, but I am afraid in a very 

 imperfect manner. 



G. Hankin. 



On the night of the 2nd of January 1845, between the hours of 6 and 7, a very in- 

 teresting and singular phenomenon was observed off the coast of Kyouk Phyoo. The 

 sky on the horizon was observed to brighten up as when illumined by the rays of the 

 setting sun, excepting that the light more resembled the flickering of a fire than the gra- 

 dual descent of that luminary. It continued in this way for half an hour or so, when 

 all of a sudden immense volumes of flame were seen to issue, as it were from the depths 

 of the ocean, presenting the most sublime yet awful spectacle to the beholders. 

 The general idea entertained, was, that a ship had caught fire ; but this was soon dis- 

 pelled by a low continuous rumbling, which seemed to sound from the bowels of the 

 earth, and was re-echoed by the surrounding hills. Previous to this, however, Capt. 

 Howe, the marine superintendent, had with the greatest promptitude set off in H. C. 



D 



