xx vi Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. QFeb. 1845. 



Schooner " Petrel," intending to render assistance to the supposed unfortunates of 

 the burning ship ; he returned without seeing any thing, and it is thought that the 

 whole was the result of some hidden volcanic agency ; one of the neighbouring hills 

 possessing that extraordinary property, and from which flames have been seen to issue 

 before. The weather at the time was still and serene, hardly a breath disturbed the 

 air: it was in fact, as some one observed, a very earthquaky day. 

 Kyouk Phyoo, 3rd January, 1845. 



I wrote immediately to Captain Paterson of the H. C. S. Amherst, then in the 

 river, to enquire if he had any knowledge of this phenomenon, and his answer is as 

 follows : — 



My dear Mr. Piddington,— The appearance of the eruption of a volcano took 

 place some days before we reached Arracan. 1 heard of it from several parties when I 

 got there. The bearings were taken by the following gentlemen : by Capt. Howe at 

 Kyouk Phyoo, by Capt. Siddons at Akyab, and by Capt. Watson, commanding 

 the Govt. Schooner " Spy," off St. Martin's Isle to the North. As I did not receive a 

 very correct account, but understood that it was officially sent up, 1 did not trouble 

 myself further than to enquire in what direction it took place. From all I can now 

 remember, by the bearings, it was about fifteen miles to the South of the " Western 

 Balongo," near which is a Shoal patch of Coral ; the least water I ever found was ele- 

 ven fathoms. Lloyd and Ross in the Chart lay down seven fathoms. It seems to have 

 alarmed some of the people at Kyouk Phyoo, but if you require further information, 

 the whole of the officers of the 66th N. Infantry that saw it are encamped on the plain 

 below the Fort. 



J. Paterson. 



As it was important that time should not be lost, the following letter was addressed 

 to Government, under the direction of our Secretary. 



F. Halliday, Esq., Secy, to Govt, of Bengal. 



Sir, — By direction of the Committee of Papers of the Asiatic Society, I have the 

 honor to submit the accompanying extracts of letters from Captain Williams, 1st As- 

 sistant to the Commissioner of Arracan, and from Ensign Hankin, giving details 

 of a curious phsenomenon seen at sea; which, by these accounts, and those collected by 

 Captain Paterson, H. C. S. Amherst, were probably occasioned by the eruption of a 

 sub-marine volcano. 



As this may also have given rise to a new Island or a shoal, as was the case off False 

 Island in August 1843, where a new Island appeared, but sunk shortly afterwards, the 

 Committee respectfully suggest that orders might be given to Captain Paterson, on 

 the approaching voyage of the Amherst, to examine the spot ; as in a mere hydrogra- 

 phical point of view, as well as the geological interest of such phenomena, the know- 

 ledge, even of any alteration of the soundings, must be of much public interest. 



H. Torrens, 

 Vice President and Secretary, Asiatic Society. 



