XXXIX.—On a Remarkable Oscillation of the Sea, observed at various places on the Coasts of Great Britain, in the first week of July 1843

Abstract

This phenomenon presented a remarkable interference with those laws which govern the ordinary movements of the ocean. It occurred at one place whilst the tide was flowing, at another whilst it was ebbing; in some cases, producing a sudden retrocession of the waters,—and in others, as sudden an impulse of them on the shore.The period during which the sea thus continued to retreat and rise respectively, was generally from ten to fifteen minutes. It then made a momentary halt—after which, it began to flow in the opposite direction, and which it continued to do, for about the same period which characterised its previous movement.In this state of alternate flux and reflux, the sea was at most places observed to continue, for three or four hours together.