It was
seriously damaged by a cyclone a dozen years ago; but they are still at
work upon it, though it is said to be doubtful whether or not it will ever
be safe for ships in a violent storm. There is always a heavy surf rolling
in on this coast, even in what the commander would call a smooth sea."
"Then how shall we get ashore there?" inquired Mrs. Belgrave.
"The natives construct a boat, which is a sort of raft of planks, tied
together with ropes, called a _masulah_, which passes through the surf
very well in ordinary weather; but no boat could live in a cyclone in a sea
there, for the waves are fourteen feet high."
"I should like to try it with the second cutter, so far as the waves are
concerned; but bumping on the bottom might spoil the attempt," said Mr.
Gaskette, who was standing by his map.
"It would not be prudent in a cyclone, and I trust you will have no
occasion to try the experiment," added Sir Modava. "But cyclones are rare
here, except from the last of May and into June, and in October, November,
and early in December; so that the port is not liable to more than two
storms a year. The average rainfall is forty-nine inches, falling on
ninety-five days; but in seventy-four years, ending two years ago, it
varied from a foot and a half to seven feet and four inches. It is dry here
some years, and rather damp when they get eighty-eight inches.
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