THE TOMAHAWK BEACH TIDES

Evening Star, Issue 12167, 11 April 1904, Page 4

THE TOMAHAWK BEACH TIDES

ro the inrrra. Sir,—Not only on the Tomahawk Beadi but everywhere nothing is mors erratic than the tides. They upset rhe enunciated rules of mathematicians. Many think, no doubt unwittingly, that the tides are generally highest at the vernal and autumnal equinoxi, because the days and nights are then equal in both zones. Again, others think that, the moon’s apogee (her greatest distance from the earth, some 20,000 or 50,CCD miles, as against perigee), in conjunction with full and change, is a controlling factor. Observation demonstrates, however, that it may or may not be so. In some instances the cone of the tide, or rather the apex of the tide cone, is higher by days than the date of full and change; and sometimes the apex is higher after (by days) full and change. The dedination of the moon is a decided factor in tidal weights and influences. For instance, in her south declination the tides at Tomahawk, at full and change, should he higher than at full and cbange when in north dedination. As she comes south we should have better tides; as she recedes north not so good. In other words, a variable quantity. In using the term “days” with reference to “full and changi ” I mean from one to two and a-half days. Marine surveyors always attach great importance to local information in the matter of tides.—l am, etc., Fredk. Matt. Ann April 11.