7 6 
HISTORY,OF MAURITIUS. 
Abstract of Hurricanes and violent Winds in the Isle of Bourbon, from 1733 to 
1754 ; taken from the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences, 1754. 
“ The Abbe de la Caille informs us, that he was at the Isle of Bourbon during 
the rainy season, when it is subject to violent hurricanes, of which he gives the fol¬ 
lowing history. 
“ These hurricanes, which our seamen call violent gales, are also felt at the Isle 
of Mauritius, but generally with less force and mischief, because the volcano in the 
Isle of Bourbon augments their force; besides, the latter island is more elevated, and 
consists of a single mountain, which has but three openings, and is not composed of 
several chains, like the Isle of Mauritius. The torrents occasioned by the rains 
which follow the hurricanes cause very heavy devastadons, as they are not separated 
by vallies; and consequently acquire a proportional rapidity in descending from 
one predominant height. 
M The hurricanes seldom appear but between the month of December and the 
latter end of April; they are however more particularly formidable at the new and full 
moon. In this season the vessels never remain at anchor at the Isle of Bourbon,, 
except during four or five days after the full moon, from the apprehension of being 
overtaken in its vicinity by the dangers of those two periods. But this precaution 
is not always infallible, as will appear from the following succinct account of the 
different hurricanes which have attacked this island in the space of twenty years. 
It was given me by M. Bernier, Counsellor Commandant in the Isle of Bourbon, 
who kept an exact register of these events during his residence there. I have added 
to the dates of the hurricanes, the day and hour of the nearest phases of the moon, as 
well as that when it passed its aphelion and perihelion. 
* ( 1 733 - I n n ight between the 10th and 11th of December, there was a vio¬ 
lent gale of wind from the north: the vessels which lay off St. Paul put to sea, and 
returned in a few days without receiving any damage: one remained at anchor, and 
did not sustain any injury. A vessel and a boat, which were off St. Denis, were» 
driven on shore, and nine persons perished. It was new moon the 6th, at 3 hours 
30 minutes P, M. The first quarter was the 14th, 11 hours 30 minutes A. M. Its 
aphelion the 4th. 
“ December 22. There was a very strong wind from the south. Full moon the 
21st, at 3 hours 15 minutes A, M. Perihelion the 20th. 
