20th Mar 1832

Bahia to Rio de Janeiro
This morning to the astonishment of every body the opening into Bahia was distinctly visible. In the forenoon a water-spout took place at a few miles distance & was to me a very interesting phenomenon. From a stratus or black bank of clouds, a small dark cylinder (shaped like a cows tail) depended & joined it self to a funnel shaped mass which rested on the sea. It lasted some moments & then the whole appearance vanished into an exceedingly heavy rain storm. When they approach near to a vessel, it is usual to fire a big gun in order to break them. A large shark followed the ship, & was first struck by a harpoon; after this he was hooked by a bait & again being struck broke the hook & escaped. Such an adventure creates great interest all over the whole ship. —

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