****
** ** ** **
"
503
"so much is based on conjecture, and that accurate information,
"on some essential points, could possibly be got for the asking.
"Sufficient information might be got from the Hydrographer to
"enable you to explain the whole matter plainly, by one or two
"drawings, and two or three sheets of foolscap".
7.
1
When, therefore, I read Messrs. Coode, Son
and Mathews' report, 1 was not at all surprised at their expres-
-sions of misgiving ((10)) about the extent of shoaling. No one
will be surprised who sees Chart No. B-8785, which arrived here
a fortnight after the report. Co this chart will be found a note
(nct alluded to in the report) to the following effect:- "Low
"Water Extraordinary Springs are by Captain Moore's estimate
"about 2'6" below the datum of L.A.0.S. used by Captain Belcher".
8.
This note, lithographed in the Hydrogra-
-pher's Office 13 years ago, turns the bulk of my former report
into mere waste paper.
9.
My experience of sailors has given me the
impression that they are inclined to err on the safe side in
estimates of sounding, and for this reason it did not seem to me
to be likely (28, 29) that Captain Belcher had adopted such a
high zero as it now appears probable that he did adopt.
10.
It is not stated how Captain Moore arrived
at his estimate, but I have no doubt he had good grounds for it.
Mis note has directed me to a point that previously escaped my
attention. The following remark appears on the first edition of
chart 1466, and on succeeding editions of the same down to at least 1874:- "High Water B. & C. X4. Kise 4 ft. 9 in."
11.
Leaving exceptional tides out of account,
the range is constantly fluctuating between nothing at all and 9' 3". The average range happens to be about 3' 5". Captain Eelcher seems to have taken a range of about half the extreme
one,
and adopted the Low Water of this moderate range as the
zero
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