Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/143

1841

that of the ebb nearly one mile and a quarter per hour; but both are considerably modified by the very heavy rains which occur at this period of the year, and by which the velocity of the ebb tide is much increased, whilst that of the flood proportionally retarded.

On any other day than that of full and change of the moon, the time of high water occurs, on an average, at 7^h 22^m after the moon passes the meridian.

The state of the tide was registered by the petty officers on duty at the observatory, and the velocity of the stream measured every half hour by one of the quarter-masters of the Erebus, under the direction of the officer of the watch.

I have been the more particular in stating these phenomena of the tides, in consequence of our observations differing widely from those of others who have visited this place. Captain Fitzroy states the time of high water, at full and change, to be 9^h 16^m, and the amount of tide six feet; and Captain Cécille, who made his observations at Kororarika, states that the establishment of the Port is 5^h 40^m, and the amount of tide six feet six inches.