406 On the Cyclones of Tasmania, ce. 
evening, the wind yeering N.N.W. to S.W. during that 
time. 
The Miranda, of Hobart Town, was wrecked on Rabbit 
Island. 
The Victoria Packet left Melbourne on the 5th August, 
with about seventy passengers, and 200 sheep. On Mon- 
day the wind blew “ great guns,” and the sails were torn 
to pieces. All but 265 of the sheep were washed overboard. 
During the gale a passenger jumped overboard, and was 
drowned. When the vessel got outside of the Heads, early 
on the morning of the 6th, she had strong easterly winds, 
which continued increasing until 9 p.m., when it blew a heavy 
gale from eastward, with heavy rain and very thick weather. 
About midnight, they rounded-to, vessel’s head N.E., and 
directly after that the main-topsail and foretop staysail 
were blown away. ‘The screw-steamer, the City of Med- 
bourne, was in company all day until 8 p.a., when it came 
on thick, and she was last seen on the port tack looking up 
for the Tamar. The Victoria Packet had very severe 
weather until daybreak, lying-to all night, head N.E. At 
daybreak they discovered the south end of King’s Island 
close under their lee. The crew immediately wore ship, 
but could not weather the land on that tack, running into 
the breakers, and just clearing the eastern end of the Island. 
After getting the vessel on the port tack, they made sail, 
but it was all blown away, except the lee luff of the foresail, 
which brought her out. The gale continued until 11 a.m. 
on Saturday, when it lulled. 
The steamer, City of Melbourne, was beached, about the 
middle of the Hast Coast of King’s Island (89° 47’ §.), at 
41 p.m. of the 7th August. By the admirable coolness and 
skill with which this difficult manwuyre was successfully 
