1844,] 



of a Pier at Madras, 



73 



10. The current is materially affected by the strength and direction of 

 the wind, and at times during either monsoon, I have known it change 

 against its usual course for a few days ; and on this very day in the heart 

 of the N. E. monsoon, the current has so much subsided, as to be scarce- 

 ly perceptible in the outer roads,— the greatest velocity of the current is, 

 in my opinion, at the rate of two and a half miles per hour, the average 

 J 4, and it is stronger in shore than in the offing. , 



11. All experience tends to shew that the gales of wind and hurri- 

 canes have occurred at intervals of several years, and that there are time- 

 ly warnings or indications of the approach of these severe visitations, and 

 also that they are of short duration ; for instance, in the heavy gale of 

 October 1842, when the sea and surf raged with great violence from 

 8 a. M. on the 23d until 2 A. M. on the 24th yet at 6 A. M. within 24 

 hours from the commencement of the gale, and a few hours after its 

 decline, the swell and surf had so completely subsided, that boats and 

 cattamarans were enabled to ply. 



12. Should any further information be necessary which it may be in 

 my power to afford, I shall at all times be ready and most willing to 

 give it. 



I have the honor to be. 

 Sir, 



Your most obedient Servant, 

 • (Signed) CHRIS. BIDEN, 



Master Attendant. 



Master Attendant's Office, > , 

 Madras, 5th December 1844. V 



iVo. 5. — On the improvement of the Communication between 

 the Shore and Shipping at Madras. 



The only means that can be employed for improving the communica- 

 tion between the shore and the shipping at Madras is either the erection 

 of a basin into which boats could enter at all seasons, or the erection of 

 a pier of such a length that its head shall be quite out of the surf, even 

 in bad weather. 



The impossibility of erecting a basin, the entrance of which could be 

 Wt free at all seasons being generally acknowledged, the oniy means that 



10 



A 



