WEATHER STUDIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1939, Page 7

WEATHER STUDIES

AWATEA AS METEOROLOGICAL STATION FIRST MERCHANT SHIP IN WORLD SO EQUIPPED. FORECASTS FOR PROJECTED AIR SERVICE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. This Day. The Awatea became an official meteorological station from today when a meteorologist signed on. His duty will be to assist in forecasting the weather over the Tasman Sea for the projected air service between' Sydney-'and New Zealand. The necessary instruments were installed in the Awatea before her de-, parture tonight for Wellington. An officer of the Commonwealth Meteorological Department, Mr A. Martin, has been selected to make the weather observations. Weather station officers of the Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau, who installed the instruments in the Awatea, stated that she was the first merchant ship in the world to carry meteorological office instruments. These are' valued at thousands of pounds. They include a specially stabilised theodolite, which cannot be affected by the roll of the ship. They also include a thermometer which can be attached to a mast and the reading of which will be electrically recorded in Mr Martin’s office, also a seawater reading thermometer and an instrument to measure wind velocity aboard the ship. Other equipment comprises a barograph, and a liberal supply of balloons filled with hydrogen for gauging wind force and pressures. Mr Martin’s task will in some respects be difficult, as his calculations will be subjected to the ship’s speed and other considerations, which are non-existent on land. The Tasman Sea, it is pointed out, is a most interesting field for meteorological research as cyclones come from all directions, and it is expected that some time will elapse before the station is in full working order. _______