Homepage

Record

RefNoMA/145/6
Previous numbersMA.146
LevelItem
TitleMeteorological observations at Port Jackson [Sydney] New South Wales, Australia, by William Dawes
CreatorDawes; William (1762-1836); British Royal Marines Officer
Date1 January-31 December 1791
DescriptionDaily observations of winds, weather, atmospheric pressure and temperature, usually with six readings, at sunrise, 8a.m., 12 noon, 4p.m., sunset and 8p.m. Wind direction and strength are noted, with general weather remarks on cloudiness, rain and storms.

The entry for 2 June 1791 includes the note; 'Pack'd up the Board of Longitude's Barometer', used in observations to that point. The subsequent observations commence with the note: 'Mr. Furzer's Thermomr. a very good one by Ramsden. My own Thermomr. by Nairne & Blunt, small, & divided only to every two degrees, the whole scale from 0 to 212 being in length 6,23 inch. Both kept constantly out of their cases so that the bulb might be fully exposed to the air...'. The journal concludes with an extended commentary on the instruments used: 'The barometer made use of from Septr. 1788 to the 1 July 1791 was a common Barometer made by Burton belonging to the Board of Longitude & had no gage point to it. It was my intention to have it examined on its return to England...it seems that the observations made with that Barometer cannot be considered as worthy of much dependence. With respect to Mr. Furzer's, which he was so obliging as to spare me; it appears to be a very good one of Ramsden's construction and is furnished with a gage point...'.

Stamped [p.189]: 'Soc. Reg. Lond. ex dono Auctoris' and inscribed in ink: 'Jany. 22. 1795'.
Extent53p; pp.189-241
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionOn paper.
AccessStatusOpen
Add to My Items
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

    Useful Links

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    The mammals of Australia
    The mammals of Australia
    Papers of Howard Florey
    Papers of Howard Florey
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance
    New Letter Books
    New Letter Books
    Browse Collections

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView