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Art. XVI . — Ohsermtlons on Water Spouts^ hy the Honourable 
Captain Napier, R. N., F. R. S. E. In a Letter to Dr 
Brewster. 
My Dear Sir, Thirlestane^ July 17. 1821. 
In consequence of a wish expressed in the last number of the 
Philosophical Journal, that any of your nautical readers, in pos- 
session of facts relating to the various phenomena of the Wa- 
ter Spout,” would communicate such particulars and observa- 
tions as in themselves appear interesting ; I take the liberty of 
offering you the following observations, with the remarks made 
at the time, when the facts and appearances exhibited by this 
extraordinary phenomenon were deeply impressed upon my 
mind. 
On the 6th September 1814, in latitude 30° 47' N., and lon- 
gitude, per chronometer, 62° 40' W., at 1.30 p. m., the wind 
being variable between WNW. and NNE., the ship steering 
SE., an extraordinary sort of whirlwind was observed to form 
about 3 cables length from the starboard bow of H. M. S. Erne. 
It carried the water up along with it in a cylindrical form, in di- 
ameter to appearance like that of a water-butt, gradually rising 
in height, increasing in bulk, advancing in a southerly direction, 
and, when at the distance of a mile from the ship, it continued 
stationary for several minutes, boiling and foaming at the base, 
discharging an immense column of water, with a rushing or his- 
sing noise, into the overhanging clouds; turning itself with a quick 
spiral motion, constantly bending and straightening, according 
as it was affected by the variable winds which now prevailed al- 
ternately from all points of the compass. It next returned to the 
northward in direct opposition to the then prevailing wind, and 
right upon the ship’s starboard beam, whose course was altered 
to east, in hopes of letting it pass a-stern. Its approach, how- 
ever, was so rapid, that we were obliged to resort to the usual 
expedient of a broadside, for the purpose of averting any dan- 
ger that might be apprehended, when, after firing several shots, 
and one, in particular, having passed right through it at the dis- 
