Waterspout
Sea Terms
A vertical column of water having a gyratory motion, and moving along the surface of the sea, being uninfluenced by any wind that may be blowing. It is eccentric in its movements, and often emits a loud roaring as it rushes along. Waterspouts often form during dead calms, and are of the same nature with the tornado. At the commencement of a waterspout a cloud protrudes downward, and elongates in the form of an inverted cone, and meets the cloudlike mass or cone rising from the water. Vessels use every means possible to get out of the track of these terrific engines, a meeting with which would send the ship to the bottom. A gun directed toward one and fired with a heavy charge of powder will often break and disperse it. (See engravings.)
