SECTION III., 1910. [3] Trans. R.S. C. 
I.—Methods of Investigation of Tides and Currents: A review of the 
general methods adopted in a new field of investigation, by the Tidal 
Survey of Canada. 
Presidential Address to Section III. 
By W. Bezz Dawson, M.A., D.Sc., M. Inst. C.E., F.R.S.C. 
(Read 27th September 1910.) 
It may be of interest, at the present stage, to review briefly the 
investigations of the Survey of Tides and Currents, as these are now 
sufficiently advanced to afford a good general knowledge of the nature 
of the tides on both coasts of Canada, and to exemplify the methods 
best adapted to deal with tides so diversified in character and with so 
little known about them for guidance in their investigation. This 
review may also be appropriate, as the Royal Society has always 
shown a real interest in the matter, and has taken notice of the pro- 
gress of the Survey in its annual reports to Council. 
Definite steps to obtain information as to our tides and currents 
were first taken by the Marine department some 16 or 18 years ago, 
and the Survey for the purpose was organized as a branch of that 
department. Although its primary object was to secure practical 
data for the benefit of navigation, it is interesting to note the directions 
in which the results have become of indispensable value to other de- 
partments in the Government service, as well as to our coast cities, 
for other than maritime purposes. It may be true that these accessory 
results have been obtained by extra work, outside the requirements 
of the Marine department for the interests of trade and commerce; 
but they serve nevertheless to show how any such investigation which 
the Government may undertake becomes of far reaching benefit to 
the country at large. 
To make the present review as brief as possible, it is only proposed 
to outline the work that has been done, sufficiently to explain the 
general procedure which has proved serviceable in obtaining the best 
results. The results themselves need not be enlarged upon, as they 
are already published; and this review may thus serve as an outline 
with which all the information published may be connected by refer- 
ences. It is hoped that this may also prove of some service to others 
who may undertake similar investigations in new fields in other parts 
of the world. 
