Dr G. C. Simpson 241 



of overhead transmission cables in connexion with the 

 new scheme of national electrification, facts were required 

 regarding the maximum pressure of wind likely to be 

 experienced in various parts of the country. It was of 

 vital importance that the towers supporting the cables 

 charged with high-power electrical current should not be 

 blown down. The Meteorological Office searched through 

 its records and supplied the facts. 



The weather information in the Admiralty handbooks 

 is supplied by Dr Simpson's Department, with the aid of 

 a fleet of five hundred ships which take meteorological 

 observations on the high seas. Information concerning 

 weather conditions is constantly being supplied to the 

 Army and Navy and Air Force. 



It was known, for example, that the firing of certain 

 heavy guns at Shoeburyness was liable to cause damage 

 in surrounding towns, chiefly in Southend. The assistance 

 of the Meteorological Office was asked for, and an inves- 

 tigation revealed that the intensity of sound is dependent 

 upon atmospheric conditions. In certain circumstances 

 firing can take place with little disturbance in Southend, 

 while on other occasions the disturbance is intensified 

 to the point of danger. The meteorologist in charge at 

 Shoeburyness now informs the Army officials when con- 

 ditions are suitable for firing, and since this procedure has 

 been adopted cause for complaint has almost entirely 

 ceased. 



When the Empire Marketing Board required regular 

 information concerning the rainfall at a number of places 

 in the Mediterranean, they went to Dr Simpson's Depart- 

 ment for the data. An entomologist in Tanganyika who 

 desired information concerning the structure of wind 

 gusts in relation to the flight of birds and insects had his 

 inquiry answered. When the Colonial Office wanted 

 weather information affecting the whaling industry in the 

 South Atlantic they asked for it at Adastral House, and 



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