| Description | Table of daily meteorological observations, made at 8.00am, 2.00pm and 8.00pm, presented as a dodecogon, recording barometric pressure, temperature by attached and external thermometers, wind direction and force, and general weather observations. A note states that 'The form of this Register has been adopted from that arranged by Lieutt. [Alexander Bridport] Becher R.N. for Greenwich'.
Headed [p.1]: 'Meteorological Register for 1840 kept at Port Arthur, Van Diemen's Land'. There are keys to abbreviations used in describing the force of the wind, and for the weather, and a summary of annual rainfall, and maximum and minimum readings of the the barometer and thermometers. An explanation of the diagram contains the note that longitude and latitude were 'as determined by the Master of HMS Conway' [Captain Charles Ramsay Drinkwater Bethune (1802-1884)]. This section concludes with the note: 'In the month of October, Captains Ross & Crozier R.N. [James Clark Ross (1800-1862) of HMS Erebus and Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier (1796-1848) of HMS Terror] visited Port Arthur, they brought with them two portable Barometers, compared with the Royal Society's Standard. On comparing these instruments with the one used here Capt. Ross found an error of .642 minutes ...The thermometer was correct'.
Signed [p.1] by Thomas James Lempriere. Endorsed [p.2]: '59. Port Arthur. Meteorological Register for the year 1840, kept at Port Arthur by T.J. Lempiere'. |