1845.] Eleventh Memoir on the Law of Storms in India. *]\ 



if more common in particular parts of the ocean, or at particular sea- 

 sons, or in particular weather than at others. 



The appearances of the clouds are of special interest, for there can 

 be no doubt that many indications can be drawn from them of great 

 value, both to the careful mariner and to the man of science. The 

 remark of Captain Handley p. 1 4, shows the storm was forming to 

 the eastward of him, and those of Captain Rundle, both as to appear- 

 ance and motions are exceedingly interesting, as showing that there 

 were different currents prevailing above, probably from one part of the 

 storm or vortex over-reaching another. 



The kind of lightning described by Captain Rundle, pis also worthy 

 of great attention: should this be found always to precede these storms 

 in particular latitudes it would be, in addition to other signs, of great 

 utility.* 



The states of the Barometers and Sympiesometers of the various ships 

 both as relates to the approach of the storm, and to the manner in 

 which the instruments were affected every time the ships bore up, and, 

 tempted no doubt by the fair winds, ran down to the S. Westward and 

 thus neared the centre, is of peculiar interest ; and it is highly worthy of 

 remark that not one of them thought of running to the E. N. E, or 

 even N. E. while the wind, and sea admitted of it, which was 

 the true course to steer, as may be seen by the chart and storm card. 

 They would thus have raised their Barometers and should have then 

 hauled gradually to the Southward, and South-westward, and so 

 have sailed round, and eventually out of it. In this point of view 

 the logs of the Fleming, Ainslie, Futtle Rozack, and Flowers of Ugie 

 are remarkable, and most instructive lessons for us. These ships will 

 almost indeed, to the eye of the studious seaman, appear to be 

 manoeuvring for the purpose of proving the value, the truth, — and I 

 will add the beauty, — of the Law of Storms. 



* I have found, while correcting this page, in the press a single instance in which 

 this remarkable kind of lightning is described. It occurs in one of the replies 

 to a circular addressed at my suggestion by the Hon'ble the Court of Directors 

 E. I. C. to their retired Officers, requesting information on storms in the Indian Ocean 

 and China seas, by Captain Jenkins, then commanding the H. C. Ship City of London : 

 who says, speaking of an approaching hurricane in March 1816, in Lat 12° to 18° South 

 Long. 78° to 76' East, for which, warned by his Bar., he was preparing. " At 7, the 

 appearance of the atmosphere altered, constant vivid lightning, resembling in the dis- 

 tance the Northern lights with frequent hard gusts of wind," &c. We are not to 

 suppose from its being so unfrequently noticed that it is therefore of unusual occur- 

 rence; seamen are so accustomed to lightning that they rarely take the trouble to 

 describe it. 



