Volume II Part 16 (1/2)
The winter presents a marvellous contrast to that of England, which can often show one hour and five minutes' sunlight in the twenty-four, or 2.8 per cent. of its possible duration.
THE TIDES
In El-'Akabah are like Suez: first of month, flood, 6--12 a.m. and p.m.; ebb, the rest. But at Suez the tides rise one metre, and at times two metres; at El-'Akabah (February 7), one foot.
For the instruments NOT used in this Expedition, see Chap. I. p. 11.
The barometre aneroid sold by M. Ebner was partially repaired by M. Lacaze, and served for Mr. David Duguid's observations.
My pocket set by Casella (maker to the Admiralty and Ordnance) consisted of--
One watch aneroid (compensated, 1182).
Two sets wet and dry bulb thermometers (one broken).
One set maxima and minima thermometers, Nos. 12,877 and 12,906.
Two pocket hygrometers not numbered.
OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING FIRST MARCH BETWEEN DECEMBER 19, 1877, AND FEBRUARY 18, 1878
December 19, 1877, compared s.h.i.+p's (Mukhbir) mercurial barometer, 758 millimetres, with my aneroid by Casella (29.85) = 765 millimetres; difference in s.h.i.+p's, + 007 millimetre.
January 31, 1878, returned on board Mukhbir at Makna. s.h.i.+p's mercurial barometer, 773 millimetres; my aneroid by Casella, 764 millimetres; difference in s.h.i.+p's, + 009 millimetre.
Date. Time. Aneroid Aneroid Ther. Dry Wet Hygr. Remarks.
Inches. Milli. (deg.)Bulb. Bulb.(deg.)
Dec. 19. 7a.m. 29.85 765 76 - - 58 On deck of gunboat Mukhbir, at Sharm Yaharr, steaming to El- Muwaylah. Morning ugly.
Strong land-breeze, turned to Azyab (”south- easter”). Waves rising.
Dark-blue clouds to windward.
Noon. 29.80 757 77 - - 54 In big tent on sh.o.r.e, open east and west. Wind high. Everything feels damp; looks gloomy; mountains almost hidden by clouds. Landscape that of Europe. No sun nor suns.h.i.+ne all day.
3p.m. 29.09 - 86 - - 51 In my small tent.
Clearing to windward (north). Wind veering to north. Moon nearly full.
High fleecy clouds. Sea high. No sun all day.
Azyab (the wet wind) generally lasts two or three days; veers round by west to north. Much rain has already fallen (Arab lies). Land green (all brown); gra.s.s plentiful (not a blade to be seen). Rains here December 15th to February 15th; downfall one hour to four hours, then clears. On December 8th, violent rain for one hour; filled all the torrents (Sayl).
Dec. 20. 7a.m. 29.80 758 63 - - 40 In small tent open to east. Morning clear. Few fleecy clouds: cool and bright. ”Misri” from north-west; cold and rain.
3p.m. 29.92 759 78 - - 32 Hot in tents, cool in breeze. ”Misri” high and strong sea. At 1.10 p.m.
heavy clouds; expected rain--few heavy drops.
AT EL-MUWAYLAH AND RAS WADY TIRYAM.
Dec. 21. 6.35a.m. 30.02 763 71 - - 35 Inside tent. Full moon and clear. Dawn, 6 a.m.; night, 6.30. Speckled clouds.
Noon. 30.48 764 76 - - 48 Under umbrella. Air clear. Mottled clouds on mountains. Sea horizon.
Low white bank of clouds.