96 Hon. Captain Napier on Water-Spouis. 
tance of one-third from its base, it appeared for a minute as if cut 
horizontally in two partsj the divisions waving to and fro in dif- 
ferent directions, as agitated by opposite winds^ till they again 
joined for a time, and at last dissipated in an immense dark 
cloud or shower of rain. 
The near edge shotvered in large heavy drops on the ship’s 
deck, until the clUud was quite exhausted- 
At the time of its being separated by the effect of the shot^ 
or more probably by the agitation occasioned in the air by the 
discharge of several guUs, its base was considerably within half 
a mile of the ship, covering a portion of the surface of the water, 
at least half a furlong, or even 300 feet in diartieter, from one 
extreme circumference of ebullition to the other, and the neck 
of the cloud into which it discharged itself, appeared to have an 
altitude of 40° of the quadrant, while the cloud itself extended 
over-head, and all round to a very considerable distance. 
Allowing, then, from the ship, a base of a little more than 
one-third of a nautical mile, say S050 feet, and an angle of 40° 
to the top of the neck, we shall then have, for the perpendi- 
cular height of the spout, about 1720 feet, or very nearly one- 
third of a statute mile. A little before it burst, two other water- 
spouts, of an inferior size, were observed to the southward, but 
their continuance was of short duration. 
When danger was no longer to be apprehended, 1 observed 
the barometer, and found it at SO^-^^ inches, with the surface 
of the mercury very convex, an appearance which it had not 
assumed when at the same height at noon, about two hours be- 
fore; the thermometer stood at 82°, having risen one degree 
since that time. 
During the continuance of the water-spout, and the subse- 
quent rain, which might be a little more than half an hour, the 
wind blew from all points of the compass at different times, ge- 
nerally shifting at opposite points, never stronger than a fresh 
breeze for a moment, but in most instances quite light. It was 
unattended with any thunder or lightning, and the water that 
fell from the cloud, and was caught in the foot of the driver. 
Was perfectly fresh. 
Having witnessed this extraordinary phenomenon, I endea- 
