COUNCIL - MARCH 1920 - REPORT — 56 — 



only be possible during the first year to carry out a certain part of the original British 

 programme and that the investigation would be carried on in collaboration with 

 Ireland. 



Mr. Farran outlined the part to be taken by the Irish vessel. 



Tidal Gauge Measurements. 



Professor D'Arcy Thompson explained that an informal meeting to discuss 

 Tidal measurements had been held Thursday afternoon at which the following con- 

 clusions had been arrived at — 



It was agreed that for a study of resultant currents in the sea, a very accurate 

 knowledge of the tidal movements was necessary. It is therefore most desirable 

 that there shall be a sufficient number of tidal gauges established from which 

 reliable data can be obtained, and the results be co-ordinated by some central 

 office. 



The data to be so obtained will give the following informations — 



(1) Movements of water from the points of view of - — 



(a) Fisheries. 



(b) Navigation, both surface and submarine. 



(2) Height of mean sea level, showing whether the land is rising or falling relative 

 to the sea. This is of importance both for Harbour work and drainage of 

 low-lying land. 



(3) Tidal predictions for Harbours, etc. 



This information is therefore required for widely different purposes and by 

 bodies which do not ordinarily cooperate in the course of their normal activities. 



The conference therefore recommends that a Committee or a Central Office 

 be established to study the water movements in the North Sea, and that in each 

 country some one body should become responsible for the collection of data from 

 the various observing stations, and also for the inspection and control of the various 

 gauges, so as to ensure that they are properly connected to fixed marks on shore 

 and that their results are of sufficient accuracy for the purposes outlined above. 



The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. 



(Signed) E. C. Jee. 



As for the hydrographical resolutions see pag. 28. 



