On the tides in the Port of London

Abstract

This paper contains a discussion of observations of the tides made at the London Docks, and registered in various Tables, showing the time and height of high water, not only at different periods of the moon’s age, but also for the different months of the year, for every minute of the moon’s parallax, and for every three degrees of her declination. The tables themselves were registered by Mr. Dessiou of the Admiralty: but the arrangement of the tables and the methods employed are due to the author. The tides in the river Thames are extremely regular; and as the rise is considerable, the observations on them are easily made. Those at the London Docks present an uninterrupted series from the opening of the Docks in 1804 to the present time: which is more extensive than any extant, with the exception only of that made at Brest by order of the French Government. Some observations are also given of the tides made during one year at the East India Docks, under the superintendence of Captain Eastfield, and which were undertaken at the suggestion of the author, and made with extreme care. The author gives an account of the mode by which the several tables were constructed; and enters at length into the various mathematical considerations which the subject involves.