Rate of fall of tides.
State of Eqionoctial Ordinary Ordinary Lowest
Tide. Tides. Spring Tides. Neap Tides. Neap Tides.
High water — — — — 1/2 hour after 0.44 0.40 0.22 0.19 1 " " 0.96 0.80 0.40 0.31 1-1/2 " " 1.39 1.14 0.68 0.53 2 " " 1.85 1.56 0.72 0.59 2-1/2 " " 1.91 1.64 0.84 0.68 3 " " 1.94 1.66 0.86 0.70 3-1/2 " " 1.94 1.66 0.86 0.70 4 " " 1.91 1.64 0.84 0.68 4-1/2 " " 1.35 1.16 0.59 0.48 5 " " 1.27 1.09 0.57 0.46 5-1/2 " " 1.06 0.91 0.47 0.38 6 " " 1.04 0.89 0.46 0.37 6-1/2 " " 0.53 0.45 0.24 0.18 Totals…. 17 ft 6 in 15 ft 0 in 7 ft 9 in 6 ft 3 in
The extent to which the level of high water varies from tide to tide is shown in Fig. 7 [Footnote: Plate III.], which embraces a period of six months, and is compiled from calculated heights without taking account of possible wind disturbances.
The varying differences between the night and morning tides are shown very clearly on this diagram; in some cases the night tide is the higher one, and in others the morning tide; and while at one time each successive tide is higher than the preceding one, at another time the steps showing: the set-back of the tide are very marked. During the earlier part of the year the spring-tides at new moon were higher than those at full moon, but towards June the condition became reversed. The influence of the position of the sun and moon on the height of the tide is apparent throughout, but is particularly marked during the exceptionally low spring tides in the early part of June, when the time of new moon practically coincides with the moon in apogee and in its most northerly position furthest removed from the equator.
Inasmuch as the tidal waves themselves have no horizontal motion, it is now necessary to consider by what means the movement of water along the shores is caused. The sea is, of course, subject to the usual law governing the flow of water, whereby it is constantly trying to find its own level. In a tidal wave the height of the crest is so small compared with the length that the surface gradient from crest to trough is practically flat, and does not lead to any appreciable movement; but as the tidal wave approaches within a few miles of the shore, it runs into shallow water, where its progress is checked, but as it is being pushed on from behind it banks up and forms a crest of sufficient height to form a more or less steep gradient, and to induce a horizontal movement of the particles of water throughout the whole depth in the form of a tidal current running parallel with the shore.
The rate of this current depends upon the steepness of the gradient, and the momentum acquired will, In some Instances, cause the current to continue to run in the same direction for some time after the tide has turned, i.e., after the direction of the gradient has been reversed; so that the tide may be making—or falling—in one direction, while the current is running the opposite way. It will be readily seen, then, that the flow of the current will be slack about the time of high and low water, so that its maximum rate will be at half-ebb and half-flood. If the tide were flowing into an enclosed or semi- enclosed space, the current could not run after the tide turned, and the reversal of both would be simultaneous, unless, indeed, the current turned before the tide.
Wind waves are only movements of the surface of the water, and do not generally extend for a greater depth below the trough of the wave than the crest is above it, but as they may affect the movement of the floating particles of sewage to a considerable extent it is necessary to record the direction and strength of the wind.
The strength of the wind is sometimes indicated wind at the time of making any tidal observations. By reference to the Beaufort Scale, which is a graduated classification adopted by Admiral Beaufort about the year 1805. The following table gives the general description, velocity, and pressure of the wind corresponding to the tabular numbers on the scale:—
[Illustration: PLATE III