Numb. 34.

339

THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
EXTRAORDINARY.
Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1873.

Customs Department (Marine Branch),
Wellington, 14th May, 1873.
at Calcutta from S.E. to E. by N.; at Saugor Island
from S.E. to E.; at Cuttack from N.N.E. through N.
THE following Report of a Storm in the Bay of
Bengal is published for general information.
JULIUS VOGEL,
In the absence of the Commissioner.
round to W. On June 24th a slight increase of
atmospheric pressure was telegraphed from Akyab.
On the 25th a corresponding rise was reported from
Cuttack.

BAY OF BENGAL.
REPORT OF THE STORM OF THE 28TH JUNE TO THE 1ST
JULY, 1872, BY W. G. WILLSON, ESQ., OFFICIATING
METEOROLOGICAL REPORTER TO THE GOVERNMENT
OF BENGAL.
State of the Weather previous to the Storm, as shown
by the Telegraphic Reports received in Calcutta.
Warning to Shipping. Warning Signals hoisted.
On the 16th of June the atmospheric pressure round
the Bay of Bengal was unusually high, and its dis-
tribution abnormal. This will be seen from the
following Table, in which the barometric heights,
reduced for temperature and sea-level, are compared
with the average heights in the month of June, for
several years, similarly reduced :—

• Mean Barometer, 16th June:
  • Calcutta ... 29.766
  • Saugor Island ... 29.769
  • Cuttack ... 29.749
  • Chittagong... 29.804
  • Akyab ... 29.794
  • Madras ... 29.728
• Average Barometer of June:
  • 29.570
  • 29.563
  • 29.630
  • 29.628
  • 29.710
  • 29.701

The barometric gradient between Madras and
Saugor Island, which accompanies the south-west
monsoon, was thus reversed in direction, and, as a
consequence, light variable winds prevailed in the
north of the Bay, and a great deficiency of atmos-
pheric precipitation was experienced all over Bengal.

2. On the 16th of June a change took place. The
   barometer commenced to fall at Akyab, Cuttack, and
   Chittagong on that day, and on the 17th at Saugor
   Island and Calcutta. From this, with the exception
   of a very slight tendency to rise on the 19th, the
   barometer fell steadily in the north of the Bay, while
   at Madras it continued to range at about the average
   for the season.

3. There was nothing exceptional in this fall until
   June 22nd and 23rd. On the latter date the atmos-
   pheric pressure in the north of the Bay was
   considerably lower than the average for the season,
   and light variable winds had prevailed for some days;

4. The state of the weather round the north of the
   Bay, on the 25th of June, approximated to that
   which usually indicates the formation of a cyclonic
   disturbance. Combined with the unusually low atmos-
   pheric pressure, light variable winds prevailed;—at
   Calcutta from E.S.E. to E. by N.; at Saugor from
   S.S.E. to E.N.E.; at Cuttack from N. through W. to
   W.S.W.; and at Akyab, a south wind, almost
   completely saturated with moisture. There was no
   immediate probability, however, that a storm was
   approaching Calcutta. Along with the experience
   that cyclones formed in the north of the Bay, so late
   in the season, seldom travel inland, some of the
   indications that precede cyclones were absent, viz.,
   strong gusts of wind from some point between E. and
   N.E., with frequent showers and masses of clouds
   drifting from N.E. to S. W.

5. On the evening of the 25th of June a sudden
   fall of the barometer was reported from Akyab and
   Chittagong. At Akyab the fall from 10h. of the 24th
   to 10h. of the 25th was 0.119; at Chittagong, for
   the same period, 0.133. The telegrams conveying
   this intelligence reached me between 7 and 8 o'clock
   in the evening. I then considered it advisable to
   draw the attention of the Master Attendant to the
   very threatening state of affairs in the Bay, and to
   suggest the adoption of any precautionary measures
   with regard to the shipping that he might consider
   necessary. I also communicated with the Deputy
   Harbour Master, in answer to a letter of his asking
   for information. I then proceeded to the Telegraph
   Office to get reports from Saugor and Cuttack, and
   to warn the Observers there to send hourly reports if
   any considerable fall of the barometer or increase in
   the force of the wind took place. The line to Saugor
   was closed. However, after some delay and difficulty,
   I got a report from Cuttack, which was not un-
   favourable. The barometer, though very low, was
   not falling. As before stated, there had been a slight
   rise up to evening of the 25th.

6. From the night of the 25th until after the
   cyclone had passed, I was in constant communication