METEOROLOGY AT SEA

Southland Times, Issue 23794, 17 April 1939, Page 8

METEOROLOGY AT SEA

AWATEA EQUIPPED AS OBSERVATORY FIRST STATION OF KIND IN WORLD (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) SYDNEY, April 15. The Awatea became an official meteorological station from today, when a meteorologist was signed on. His duty will be to assist in forecasting the weather in the Tasman Sea for the projected air service between Sydney and New Zealand. The necessary instruments were installed in the Awatea before her departure for Wellington. An officer of the Commonwealth Meteorological Department, Mr A. Martin, has been selected to make weather observations.

The officers of the Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau who inktailed the instruments in the Awatea said she was the first merchant ship in the world to have a meteorological office, the instruments in which are valued at £lO6O. They include a specially stabilized theodolite which cannot be affected by the roll of the ship. They also include a thermometer which can be attached to the mast and the readings of which will be electrically recorded in Mr Martin’s office; and a sea-water reading thermometer and an instrument to measure the wind velocity aboard ship. Other equipment comprises a barograph and a liberal supply of balloons filled with hydrogen for gauging wind force and pressures. Mr Martin’s task in some respects will be difficult as his calculations will be.subject to the ship’s speed and other considerations which are non-existent on land. The Tasman Sea, it is pointed out, is a most interesting field for meteorological research, as cyclones come from all directions. It is expected that some time will elapse before the station is in full working order.