| Description | Copy of memorandum [for original, see MS/591/4/14].
Discusses the errors present in the meteorological data from the 'Discovery' Expedition. Where some doubt over accuracy was identified, the rule was to print the data as given and not subsitute in other readinges. Obvious errors were omitted entirely. Curtis discusses at length the wind direction readings from Lieutenant [Charles William Rawson] Royds south-east journey across the barrier. Curtis believes these are magnetic readings rather than true north readings. Royds was intitially unsure which was the case, and Curtis notes that the observations recorded in the rough book are not in Royds hand, but that of [Charles] Clarke.
Curtis explains that if these are magnetic readings, it resolves a discrepency in the data which shows a strong Easterley wind at the winter quarters, 'with an equally strong wind from South West at a point less than a days' journey from the ship'. Curtis dismisses Scott's suggestion that his analysis of the data was intended to support any specific conclusion. Curtis also criticises the use of anemometer, noting that the results from it would be more useful 'if it had been used in the way originally intended'. |