Year: 1873

The ship Lebu arrived at this port from
Liverpool, yesterday, after passage of
1870 days. The following narrative Of
some very remarkable phenomena which
we're observed while the ship was ON the
Equator, in the Atlantic, is obtained from
tbs lips Of her Captain.


Captain Mackenzie states that while
the vessel was crossing the Equator. ON
the sth of May, she was seized by


STRONG EAsrERLY CURRENT,


Which continued until she had reached
latitude three degrees S. In three davs
the vessel was carried 240 miles due East
During this time there were very light
\. W. winds and calms. Such a current
is very rare in that latitude, and Captain
Mackenzie says that he has never before
experienced it in the whole course of his
sea life. On the 18th of May, about ten
o'clock in the forenoon, and while tbe
current was still running, heavy and
confused sea began to strike the ship on
all sides. The rain was pouring in tor
rents at this time, and continued to do so
at intervals during the day. The water
from the pumps were found on examina-
ton to be very warm, and test of the
surface water showed its temperature to
be 81 degrees, Water ten feet below the
surface had a temperature of Sc degrees.
The Captain at once surmised the cause
Of the phenomena to be


A VOLCANIC ERUPTION,


And subsequent occurrences proved that
bis surmise was correct. The air was at
first very close and sultry, and not q
breath Of wind was stirring. 1t was no.
ticed that the current had suddenly
ceased running. Soon the wind began
to blow in strong gusts all around the
compass, and what between the running
sea and the heavy wind, the vessel was
kept spinning round and round. The
barometer stood very steady at 80 de-
grees, I minutes. Everybody was on
deck wondering what would come next,
but affairs remained in about the same
condition until-sx o'clock in the evening.
when


LOUD RUSHING NOISE


Was heard in the air right over their
heads, instantly followed by very heavy
squall. The noise was not over half
minute in duration, but is described as
being terrific while it lasted. The Cap
tain cannot say from what quarter the
squall came; it seemed to him to strike
the ship on both sides at once. Every
thing was in confusion, but the Captain
had the presence of mind to order the
sails lowered, and the ship was soon all
snug under three lower topsails. The
quall did not last long, but settled into
lsrEoNG GALE FROM THE WEST SOUTHWEST.
In few minutes the terrible noise was
again heard, but this time it did not ex-
cite the fright that it did at first. The
heavens were partially obscured by light
rain clouds. Presently the confused
running of the sea ceased, and the ship
secured before the gale. At IL o'clock
in the evening the gale had subsided,
and all was quiet. During the heaviest
Of the wind and rain large numbers of
small fish were showered upon the deck
The rushing noise, which was the most
noticeable feature of the phenomena.
Captain Mackenzie describes as not at
all resembling thunder but seeming
rather to be caused by commotion
under the waters. The ship India, which
left Liverpool in company with the
Lebu, has since been spoken, and reports
having experienced the easterly current
which Captain Mackenzie describes. S.
/. Bulletin Aupust Dist