The Sailor's Horn-Book for the Law of Storms
Maker
Henry Piddington
Date1851
Object number00006448
NameBook
MediumCloth, gilt, Ink on paper
DimensionsOverall: 223 x 145 x 26 mm, 0.6 kg
Display dimensions (Open): 344 x 767 mm
Display dimensions (Open): 344 x 767 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThe Sailor's Horn-Book for the Law of Storms: being a practical exposition of the theory of the law of storms, and its uses to mariners of all classes in all parts of the world, shewn by transparent storm cards and useful lessons. By Henry Piddington, President of Marine Courts, Calcutta. The Second Edition: with additions.
"Wherein, if any man, considering the parts thereof which I have enumerated, do judge that our labour is to collect into an art or science that which hath been pretermitted by others as matters of common sense and experience, he judgeth well." Bacon, De Aug. Scient.
"Perhaps this storm is sent with healing breath
From neighbouring shores to scourge disease and death?
'Tis ours on thine unerring LAWS to trust,
With thee, great Lord! 'Whatever is, is just.'" Falconer - Shipwreck, Canto II. 884
London: 1851. Published by Smith, Elder and Co. 65, Cornhill; and sold by all naval and scientific booksellers in England, America and India.
HistoryThe book 'The Sailor's Horn-Book for the Law of Storms' describes for sailors the 'laws of storms' for all parts of the world and is intended as a guide to nautical conditions.It was written by Captain Henry Piddington who had investigated revolving storms affecting the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, and in 1855 he named these cyclones in a book.
[http://www.britannica.com]
Henry Piddington was an English scientist and merchant captain in East India and China who coined the name cyclone for tropical storms, referring to a storm that blew a freighter in circles in Mauritius in February 1845.
Piddington also wrote many scientific papers about geology, botany, mineralogy, and meteorology in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Piddington]
SignificanceIn a time without radar, weather surveillance or ship to shore communications, books and maps outlining potential hazards to shipping were a valuable resource to seamen.
