VPRS 18779 Tide Gauge Books

This series consists of tide gauge readings observed at various locations within Port Phillip Bay, including Portsea Jetty, Portarlington, South and West Channel Pile Lights and also at Cowes Jetty, Phillip Island. The readings include information on tide heights, water depths, the time readings were taken and weather conditions at the time of the readings. A tide gauge is one component of a water level monitoring station. Before computers were used to record water levels, special ‘tide houses’ sheltered permanent tide gauges protecting them from harsh environmental conditions. Housed inside the ‘tide house’ was the instrumentation—including a well and a mechanical pen-and-ink (analogue) recorder—while attached outside was a tide or tidal staff. Essentially a giant measuring stick, the tide staff allowed people to manually observe tidal levels. The tidal data collected was critical for many coastal activities, including safe navigation, sound engineering, and habitat restoration and preservation. Before being transferred to PROV, this collection was in the custody of the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.