What is a waterspout?

A waterspout is a remarkable phenomenon occurring for the most part at sea, but occasionally on land, though generally in this latter case in the neighborhood of water. A waterspout at sea is usually formed in the following manner: A dense cloud projects from its center a body of vapor, in form something like a sugar loaf with the point downward. This cone is agitated by the wind till it assumes a spiral form and gradually dips more and more toward the sea, where a second cone is formed having its point upward. The clouds above and the water below are violently agitated by the physical influences at work. Suddenly the descending and ascending cones of water or vapor meet in midair and form one united pillar which moves onward vertically in calm weather, but obliquely to the horizon when acted on by the wind. The junction of the two cones is generally accompanied by an electric flash. After continuing in this form for a short time the waterspout bursts, in some cases with terrific violence and to the destruction of any-thing in the vicinity. Many a ship has been overwhelmed in this manner and sunk in a moment with all on board. In November, 1855, five vessels were destroyed by a water¬spout in the harbor of Tunis. Waterspouts on land are cones or pillars of vapor descending from the clouds. Land water spouts are usually very destructive in their effects. On Aug. 30, 1878, the town of Miskolez in Hungary, was destroyed by a waterspout with considerable loss of life. These phenomena are, however, more common in India than in Europe. One which occurred at Dum-Dum, near Calcutta, was ascertained to be 1,500 feet in height, and it deluged half a square mile of territory to a depth of 6 inches.
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