1855.] A Twenty-fourth Memoir on the Law of Storms. 413 



On the 14th October, 1852. — At 11 a. m. observed the vessel take a 

 great sheer to E. S. E. perceived that the cable had parted 20 fathoms 

 from the hawse (the vessel at the time riding with 190 fathoms) imme- 

 diately let go the starboard anchor and whilst veering out cable, it parted 

 at 60 fathoms ; cleared away the larboard waist anchor, which had the 

 chain bent on, immediately let it go and veered out to 70 fathoms, but 

 still finding the vessel driving in a Westerly direction immediately got 

 the starboard cable aft to the starboard waist anchor and clinched it, 

 which no sooner done, then it was let go and veered out to 130 fathoms, 

 which apparently brought the vessel up. At 6 p. m. the vessel took a 

 tremendous roll and filled the starboard quarter-boat ; it blowing then a 

 perfect hurricane and a frightful sea running, cut it away to save the 

 mizen mast and port quarter boat, Barometer down to 28.36. 



15th. — a. m. blowing a hurricane from N. W. ; at 1 a.m., in a tremend- 

 ous squall parted the starboard cable at 130 fathoms ; wind veered round 

 to West when the gale abated, the vessel then having the chain anchor 

 down ; found we were in 25 fathoms of water from 10 to 12 miles W. S. W. 

 of the station. In consequence of the heavy sea running, it was not prac- 

 ticable to heave the anchor up for fear of parting the chain, at Noon Lat< 

 by Obs. 20° 55' North. 



The vessel has sustained no damage as regards her hull, masts or rigging^ 



16^. — At Noon hove up, made all sail to regain our station, which we 

 reached at 6.30 p. m. and showed the usual station light. 



Abridged Report from the H. O. P. V. C avert, commanded by Mr. 

 E. Hand, B. P. Pilot's Ridge Station. 

 On the 14th inst. at 6.30 a. m. the vessel parted, riding with 150 fs. of 

 cable on the Eastern edge of the Pilot's Eidge in 24 fs. water, 3 miles E. 

 by N. of the Pilot's Ridge light vessel.* 7 a. m. set the close reefed main 

 topsail, reefed foresail and fore topmast staysail ; wind N. E. steered down 

 S. S. E. to stretch out clear of danger, after which I intended to lay to on 

 the starboard tack. As I went to the Southward, wind came more North 

 about, I then thought there was a chance of running clear of the hardest 

 part, by continuing on my Southern course. At 10.30 a. m. furled foresail, 

 and main topsail. It now became actually requisite for the safety of the 

 vessel to keep her before the wind and sea, and to accomplish this it was 

 evident that the mainmast must be cut away, not having succeeded in 

 cutting away the main topmast ; this was done, and the vessel became more 

 easy, and steered with evident ease before the wind, and as the wind 

 veered to the Westward the vessel's head came round to the Eastward 

 the lowest range of the Barometer being 28.64. 



* Lat. 20° 49' N. Long. 70 46' E. 



3 h 2 



