IKTRODUCTIOIT* 



XXXlil 



under this appearance that feamen obferve 

 it at a diftance, atld fhips often remain be- 

 calmed a few leagues from the place where 

 thefe terrible ftorms burft forth with the 

 utmoft fury. If the celerity of the wind 

 exceeds fifty feet per fecond, nothing then 

 can with {land its force ; the largeft trees are 

 torn up by the roots, and the beft-built 

 houfes are thrown down. Neither the 

 weight of ancliors, the ftrength of cables, 

 nor the goodnefs of the bottom are capable 

 of keeping fhips at their moorings. The 

 wind drives them on fhore, and dafhes them 

 to pieces, unlefs they form a bed for them- 

 felves in the mud. 



During the hurricane of March, 177 1, I 

 faw the main topmaft of the Mars, a fliip of 

 fixty-four gum, broke in the cap and yet 

 that hurricane was not near fo violent as the 

 hurricane which happened in the month of 

 February the fame year. Able feamen are 



c well 



