'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎34] (53/258)

XXXIV
PROCEEDINGS OP THE SOCIETY.
this that it suffered less than dozens of tenements of the most substantial des-
ciiption.
As from henceforth Colaba and Sewree will come frequently to be men
tioned, I may here explain that by the former is meant the Government
Meteorological Observatory, adjoining the Lighthouse, near the southern ex
tremity of the island of Colaba; by Sewree the name of a large and well-
known fishing village, my own residence (Balcairn) close by which is about nine
miles N. E. from the Observatory—both of them overlooking and adjoining the
beautiful creek which constitutes Bombay Harbour. The Observatory is
about three miles S. W., Sewree somewhat more than five miles N. E. of the
Fort and Dockyard. These explanations may assist those not familiar with
the general topography of Bombay much beyond the anchorage, the roadstead
and harbour, the case with most navigators,—to comprehend the description
about to be given.
About nine o’clock the storm and squalls became more’violent and continued
to increase till half past twelve, when all at once the hurricane burst on us in
its strength from S. E. by E. It continued pretty constantly from this direc
tion till about half past two, up to this time increasing in strength with a great
quantity of rain. About four it slackened considerably and veered round to S.
and then into S. W., when as day dawned it burst upon us from this direction
with very much greater fury than it had blown from the other side of the circle.
It w r as now loaded with sheets of rain which made the face smart like small
gravel, it continued thus for about three-quarters of an hour, changing its di
rection slightly to S. W. by S. and S. W., and a little after seven o’clock and
before getting further round, it suddenly lulled to a moderate monsoon breeze.
About nine it shifted back again into W. and then W. by S., not having com
pleted the circle, these last winds being eddies merely, and rained heavily till
about half past ten, when it faired up and the day became fine, exhibiting in the
mild sunshine, in all its desolation the havoc a few hours of tempest had
v, r ought.
The following very valuable remarks and tables were issued from the
Observatory the second day after the hurricane.
The Thunder Storms of the 29th and 30th October.
“ About Noon on Sunday the 29th October, although the day was remarkably
fine, we observed a slight fall in the Barometer, and the temperature of the air
to be slightly increasing : awkward suspicion of a coming storm, and particular
attention was directed towards the E. horizon, in which direction storms at this
time ol the year generally arise. About l p. m a few patches of light cumuli
were observed to be rising in the E. and S E horizon ; these went on increasing
and mingling until about 4.0. p m., when they exhibited electrical cumuli; and
behind them was a low ridge of darkish feathery clouds stretching from the N N
E to the S horizon. As the evening advanced, these clouds concentrated in the
S E, and rapidly overspread the whole of the E. hemisphere—the sky to the W.
was clear, except in a few places. At 5.39 p m rain fell ; and low murmurings
of distant thunder were heard, and sheet lightning became visible in the N E- At
4.50 the wind went round from N W by the N. to 8 E by S, and at 6.0 r m
was S; from this it returned back (by the E) to N by \V at 7.0 p m. From
5.50 to 6.30 the thunder and lightning gradually approached from the N E to
wards the zenith ; the flashes of lightning were incessant, and the thunder was
one continuous roll. At 6.30 the storm had reached its greatest intensity, and the
wind blew in strong gusts (4.001bs.)J accompanied with heavy rain. From this