| Reference number | MA/135/2 |
| Previous numbers | MA.136 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Meteorological observations at Madras [Chennai], India, by William Petrie |
| Creator | Petrie; William (d.1816); British civil servant of the East India Company |
| Date | 18 February-26 September 1787 |
| Description | Daily readings of temperature and barometric pressure, with general diary observations on weather during each day. Observations taken at sunrise, noon and sunset. From 30 May 1787, a second thermometer was employed, ['The first Thermometer was exposed to the winds hence the diffce. of the two']. From 23 June, a third temperature reading was being taken.
Commencing: 'Continuation of the Meteorological Diary kept at Madras [Chennai] in 1786 & 1787'. In a postscript [p.52], the author notes the observing points: 'The Thermometers which were used in the foregoing Diary are fixed in the following situations. No.1 Is hung up in the N.W. part of the House, elevated about 12 feet from the ground, having its face opposite the S.E. and has been used throughout the year. No.2 is placed in a detached Building at a little distance from the House, in a room fronting the S.E. its height above the ground is about 4 feet - this has only been used since June. No.3 is fixed in another detached Building, in a room facif the N.E., and in about 6 feet from the Ground - this has only been put up since last July. The Barometer is fixed in the House near No.1 & at the same elevation'.
An extended note on p.27, 19 May 1787, states that: 'Since remarking this day how sensibly the Barometer had been affected, have learnt, that a Gale of Wind, more or less violent, has been experienced all along the Coast from Bengal to Ceylon; but its most dreadful effects were felt at Coringah [Coringa, Andhra Pradesh], where after blowing a Hurricane for several hours, the Sea rose to an amazing height, washing up the Country with extreme violence & sweeping every thing before it. The Town of Coringah & adjact. villages were for the greatest part destroyed and it is supposed no less than 10,000 of the Inhabitants perished'.
Stamped upper right, p.15.: 'Soc. Reg. Lond. ex dono Auctoris', and with a note in ink, 'Nov. 27 1788'. Endorsed verso [p.54] 'Mr. Petrie recd July 17 88'. |
| Extent | 38p. [pp.10-52] |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | On paper |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA2987 | Petrie; William (fl 1795) | fl 1795 |