420 On the Cyclones of Tasmania, ce. 
evening of Thursday, was off Cape Pillar, and was covered 
with dust and burnt wood. ‘The land was invisible, and the 
ship driven so far to the S.E. that she only sighted land 
again on Saturday. 
The following notices occur of the passage of the tempest 
across the Straits :— 
On 6th February a captain of a vessel, about sixty miles 
from Port Fairy, saw an ominous cloud on the horizon, and 
immediately took in sail. He had scarcely done so when 
the vessel was laid on her beam-ends, and the atmosphere 
became oppressively hot. Hundreds of birds of all descrip- 
tions, driyen by fire and wind across the sea, tried to alight 
on the masts.” 
Extract from the log of the Velocity, M‘Veigh, from 
Sydney : — 
“Thursday, Feb. 6.—Noon, light breeze from N.N.E., 
inclined to be hazy. 12h. 10m. rapid scud flying from N.W., 
took in all studding-sails, reefed topsails and foresail. 2 p.m. 
wind roaring terrifically over the ship, a great quantity of 
sand and leaves falling on board ; ship at this time becalmed. 
3 p.m. the sky had the appearance of livid fire; the hands 
on deck looked more like demons than men; quantities of 
burnt bark, leaves, and birds falling on deck. 8} PM. 
squalls. 43 p.at, in total darkness, such as I never experi- 
enced before; sun this evening set at seven, heat excessive. 
At 5 p.m. electric lights all over the ship, heavy squalls with 
lightning and thunder, which continued until 9h. 45m., ship 
under bare poles. The wind then came in squalls from 
W.S.W. At5 p.m. barometer 29°. Wilson’s Promontory 
bearing about W. by N., distant 18 miles.” 
The ship Diana, 527 tons, Captain Fletcher, from Manila 
to Sydney, was then off Kent's Group, to the eastward of 
Bass’s Straits, Captain Fletcher states -— 
