'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎19] (122/496)

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the science of storms by their observations, than from any idea of being
able to advance it by our present limited sources of information.
If, as there is daily more reason to believe is the case, the intestine
action of a disc of atmosphere resting on the earth, and in violent gy
ration, is always obedient to the same laws, manifests the same signs,
and is always followed by similar effects, it is not illogical to say that
if a part is found to be perfect, the existence of the whole may be in
ferred with as much certainty as in the case of organized forms of
matter. Hence, with a previous knowledge of the theory of storms
within the tropics, the evidence derived from any one of the coasting
pattamars, as given in the appendix to this paper, would alone have
been deemed conclusive with regard to the late gale having been rota
tory and progressive. The providential escape of so many of these
clumsy and ill-managed country craft, is perfectly wonderful. It would
appear that this depended on the fact of the approaching storm, begin
ning at East, driving these helpless vessels from the land and carry
ing them to the westward for “ three days,” and in as many more
again throwing them on the coast.
At a fixed point on land, a series of correct and hourly observations,
such as those made at the Observatory of Dodabetta [a copy of
which is appended to this paper,] cannot fail to detect the true na
ture of a passing hurricane. Even at the distance of the Neilgber
ries from the path and centre of the storm, we find the wind gradually
veering in conformity with the bearing of the centre, with a conco
mitant increase of its force, and descent of the mercurial column, till
the focus arrived at the nearest distance, after which both resume their
original state in a like space of time. It is obvious that the eastern
segment of the hurricane passed over Dodabetta.
Path of the Storm .—The central path of the Hurricane seems to
have been nearly N.N.W., or parallel to the western coast of India,
till it reached the neighbourhood of Bombay, when it would appear
to have turned to a due north course, crossing Guzerat and Scinde.
Much obscurity rests on the latter part of its career, from an almost
total absence of accurate observations on the force and veering of the
gale. It appears either to have been greatly modified in violence when
sweeping over Bombay, or its centre must have passed at a consider
able distance east or west of it. The latter surmise is the most na
tural, as we have satisfactory proofs of its unabated fury at different