XI. On the tides of the Arctic Seas. - Part IV. On the tides of Northumberland sound, at the Northern outlet Wellington channel

• Published in: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 1875
• Subjects: Arctic; Belcher; Northumberland Sound; Wellington Channel
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstl.1875.0011; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rstl.1875.0011

These Tidal Observations were made on board H. M. S. ‘Assistance,’ Captain Sir Edward Belcher, R. N., K. C. B., from 24th May to 6th July 1853, the exact position of the ship being 76° 52' N. lat. and 97° 00' W. long. Sir Leopold M‘Clintock kindly procured for me, from Sir Edward Belcher, a copy of the Observations; and in forwarding them to me writes thus:—“Sir Edward Belcher wishes me to tell you how his Tidal Observations in 1853 were made. He says they did not depend upon the guess of any one, but resulted from machinery connected with the bottom, which moved a ratchet-wheel, each cog or inch of gauge ringing a bell; and the rise and fall was not that of the ship, but of the whole floe in which she was fixed. This machinery is described in his narrative, 'The last of the Arctic Voyages,’ vol. i. p. 141. He further states that this rise was repeatedly verified by Theodolite Observations.”