The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-05-22
New Tide Register.

As our readers are probably aware, the keeping
OF an scc4rate and meihoaical record OF the daily
rise snd fall Of the tides is an impor,an, element
in the conducting Of hydrographical surveys. as
vel as furnishing valuable daia for reference. in
studying the effects Of lamar influence. and the
laws OF natural physics. Is almost all localities
where scientific records are made for the benefit
OF commerce and the world Instruments have
been arranged with view to make Observa-
tons Of the periodical recurrence q these phe-
nomena- and we are grati6ed 10 being able
10 say that Hawai- nei has not been behind
hand in the adoption Of appliances by means Of
which the records Of winds. rams. tides and
celestial phenomena are noted FOR present and
future use.
We have visited the Lighthouse in the harbor
lately, and have been 50 much pleased with the
workings of a new iide-re-isier invented by Mr.
F. L Clarke, Of this city. and now doing its
work silently and unerriugly. that We give our
readers slight description Of the instrument
which Is the result Of u desire expressed to Mr.
Clarke by Professor Alexander that some
means might be devised. simple vet accurate,
to faithfully record the tidal movements on our
coasts.
A copper foat 50 arranged rs to stand almost
submerged in the water and iuelosed in a copper
tube which admits the water freely wi,hOa; per
hitting foreign substances TO Interfere With its
movements. Is attached by means Of 4 lever to a
slide moving Up and down al the rate Of one inch
to each foot rise and fall Of the tide. This slide
carries with it I PenciipOint that IS kept con
s,anily pressed sgain=t the surface Of disc that
by means Of clOck-work, effects one complete
revelation 10 twenty-four hours the point moving
from near the centre Of the disc towards It's
upper edge aud back sgsin with each tide. Fast
ened TO the face OF the disc IS circular sheet Of
paper which BY lines radiaiing from its centre is
divided into quarter-hour spaces. Circles one
iach apart are also described on the sheet from
the centre to the edge, ard the lighthouse keeper
being provided with these sheets, turns Up the
slide-irame, which is hinged for the purpose. 50
As to expose the face OF the disc, aud removing
the sheet Of the last twenty-four hours. attaches
the fresh sheet. Replacing the slide-trame in
position. the instrument goes on tracing the rise
and tall Of the water as before. Examining the
sheet that has been removed, We fad 4 more or
less zigzagged ue traced on its face aud deserib-
ing for the last morning tide an elliptic curve.
pass nc through one, two or three Of the circles.
according as the tide rose one. two or three feet
and catJius ac5Ss the gaarter-bour lines 50 that,
the tine Of starting being marked at tie top O.
the sheet vten it was placed IN position. We can
tel at = glance how high or low the tide vas at
any Eve minutes during the hast twenty hours;
when it was high tide. what was the exact rise
and fan and as the 6oat is affected by the heavier
swslls. whether and when it has been rough or
smooth On the opposite side Of the centre Is
recorded in the sane manner the second tide
which lat present. Is here shown 10 be abou; one
half that Of the morning. that is We have full
and half tide esch dsy. By noting whether the
discrsms Of both tides are opposite each other or
not. We ca eel whether the rise or faIl has been
retarded or accelerated by the winds. and If so.
from what direction the wind was blowing, and
for how long. In the event Of tidal wave or
earthquake producing a sudden rise or fall IN the
water. our peneil-poiut Is sure to make immediate
and correct record Of its effect snd even The
exact tine when steamers pass the lighthouse
on entering or departing, would be regularly
Indicated
We Congratulate Mr. Clarke in 50 promptly
and successfully attaining the results required.
He proposes TO erect a second register on the
COST OF HaEaii. 50 thst comparative observations
Of The opposite COST lines mas be noted. We
understand that be has taken steps TO secure
to himself the right to make and use these
beautiful and complete registers, and that be Is
now completing other instruments for recording.
mechanically. interesting data in reference to
winds. rains. sc.