THE HUEEICANE, THE TYPHOON, AND THE TOENADO. 11 
tola, appear to have suffered seriously. Three weeks later a 
severe earthquake shook the island, destroying much that had 
been spared by the storm. 
About thirty years before, on the 2nd August, 1837, a very 
similar storm travelled over almost exactly the same path, and 
was accompanied by similar phenomena. Then also there was 
a fearful wind felt, torrents of rain fell, hailstones consisting of 
angular fragments of ice were picked up by the terrified inhabi- 
tants, and earthquake shocks then also assisted in the destruc- 
tion. The great sea-wave came up over the land and carried 
back with it to the deep the evidences of the mischief done ; 
and the destruction caused by the storm on the shipping in the 
harbour and in the seas around, as well as on all the buildings 
on the shore, by the wind, the wave, and the earthquake, was of 
the same nature, only carried to a still greater extent. Many 
other severe storms have happened since, and many are recorded 
that happened before. They were not dissimilar ; but it does 
not often happen that such a complete and perfect parallel can 
be traced as is obtained by a comparison of the log of H.M.S. 
Spey, a packet-ship that visited St. Thomas a few days after the 
hurricane of 1837, with that recorded of the recent event. We 
quote the account from the admirable and well-known work by 
Sir William Keid On the Law of Storms.” It should be men- 
tioned that the year 1837 was remarkable for two severe hurri- 
canes in the West Indies, and several other great storms. On 
same year it is recorded that many severe earthquakes were 
felt in Mexico and several islands in the West Indies. It may 
be observed, as a further coincidence, that the hurricane of the 
2nd August seems to have originated in the open sea to the 
east of the Virgin Islands, and not off the South American coast. 
This was the case also with the late hurricane of the 29th 
October. 
August 6, 1837, A.M. — Arrived at Tortola. Here the hurricane (of the 
2nd Aug.) has destroyed the town and several plantations. 
p.M. — Came to an anchor in St. Thomas’ harbour. Here the hurricane 
appeared to have concentrated all its power, force, and fury, for the harbour 
and town were a scene that baffles all description. Thirty-six ships and 
vessels totally wrecked all round the harbour, among which about a dozen 
had sunk or capsized at their anchors ; some rode it out by cutting away 
their masts, and upwards of a hundred seamen drowned. The harbour is so 
choked up with wreck and sunken vessels that it is difficult to pick out a 
berth for a ship to anchor. The destructive powers of this hurricane will 
never be forgotten. Some houses were turned regularly bottom up. One 
large well-built house was carried by the force of the wind from off its 
foundation, and now stands upright in the middle of the street. The fort at 
the entrance of the harbour is levelled with the foundation, and the 24- 
pounders thrown down; it looks as if it had been battered to pieces by 
cannon shot. In the midst of the hurricane shocks of earthquake were felt, 
and to complete this awful visitation a fire broke out in some stores. Heavy 
tiles were flying about from the tops of the shaking and trembling houses, 
