Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
HomeMagazineFeaturesWHATS’ UP WITH THE WEATHER ?

WHATS’ UP WITH THE WEATHER ?

Published
Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

Whether to put to sea is often dependent on the weather and for more than 100 years the voice of reason on the UK airwaves has been the Shipping Forecast.

The Shipping Forecast announcer warned of “a Force 9 westerly gale later for Fair Isle” in a not unsympathetic male voice, as we wearily leaned against the kitchen table near the radio. It had been a long day at sea working our creels and pulling them further off the rocky coast, but now more toil lay ahead.

For we knew intimately the parlance of the BBC2 broadcaster’s words and “later” meant the gale would hit us within a day. This required an early start to venture out into the Pentland Firth in growing seas to recover our fleet of creels; then battling home with a dangerously overloaded, top-heavy boat with low freeboard.

It took a whole winter’s work to build a fleet of creels but only a day to destroy it, should we get the weather wrong. And back in the 1970s the Shipping Forecast was our best source of weather information. So the English announcer in faraway Bracknell, London had our undivided attention in times like these.

- Advertisement -

By September the Arctic winds began to blow across the 500mile stretch of north Atlantic between us and Iceland, curving into wild westerlies that slammed into the far north of Scotland. It was also the time the lobsters and crabs were in the warmer, shallower waters to breed (our catchment area) – which meant gales at this time of the season were the most destructive.

Our other nearby waterway, the smaller North Sea to the east, brought equally bad weather with the added danger of fog. To warn us the announcer would declare “Visibility – very poor” which meant less than 1,000 yards.

These words – and many more that comprised the specific vocabulary of the Shipping Forecast – were ingrained in my young brain, along with the wistful music Sailing By that played on the late-night broadcast. Loved by sailors and landlubbers alike, the Shipping Forecast often heralded very different outcomes for these disparate groups of Brits.

THE SHIPPING FORECAST

The Shipping Forecast divided northern European waters into 31 gridded areas and our region was Fair Isle. It had a large percentage of gales for most of the year because of its high latitude (59o). This latitude was similar to southern Greenland to our west and, to the east across 270 miles of North Sea, Stavanger in Norway.

The Shipping Forecast’s history is fascinating, part of a science that shaped world events – such as WWII’s D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. Arguably the most important weather forecast of all time had to be issued for an event that involved 160,000 seaborne troops and 7,000 ships.

In charge of this was a tall Scotsman named Dr James Stagg, the country’s leading civilian weather expert who, under immense pressure from conflicting weather reporting groups, persuaded General Eisenhower to postpone the landing from the 5th to 6th June 1944. Stagg’s meteorological knowledge only went back to the previous century and even by 1944 the weather could only be predicted for a few days ahead.

Until the 19th century a real knowledge of meteorology didn’t exist – despite valiant attempts as far back as 340BC when Aristotle published his flawed Meteorologica – so major events such as the wrecking of the Spanish Armada fleet might have been very different with better weather information.

Unsurprisingly, a seafarer was one of meteorology’s major pioneers: Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy, the captain of the HMS Beagle – the ship famous for carrying naturalist Charles Darwin around the world on a five-year voyage of discovery, allowing him to formulate his theory of natural selection. But Fitzroy himself was also a brilliant scientist.

Rather than resting on the laurels of his aristocratic lineage (dating back to King Charles II), the 12-year old Fitzroy started naval college in 1818 and graduated with full marks at 17. He then went on to spend most of his young life at sea. By 23 Fitzroy was a seasoned sailor and commander of men, but like all mortals he had his flaws. He was an absolute perfectionist who didn’t suffer fools, but he was also plagued by chronic depression.

Command was intended as a solitary undertaking in the Royal Navy, where the captain was expected to be an absolute and sole ruler of the ship. So for his upcoming voyage he sought an amenable and gentlemanly companion to ward off his depression and was recommended Darwin. Darwin was a colourful young man who flunked Edinburgh University but had a known interest in the natural world and more importantly, influential family connections.

Fitzroy’s mission aboard the 90-foot, 11-year-old brig Beagle was hydrography – charting South America to improve Britain’s trade routes. His superior was an Irishman, none other than Sir Francis Beaufort, who guided the young Fitzroy on weather matters and of course went on to write the Beaufort Scale of wind measurement – that ‘Force 9’ gale mentioned at the beginning of this story.

During the five-year circumnavigation (1831-1836) and detailed charting of Tierra Del Fuego, Fitzroy encountered all kinds of weather – from near catastrophic katabatic downdrafts off the Andes to the fast-moving Pampero winds that on one occasion nearly capsized the small brig. This class of ship was nicknamed the ‘coffin brig’ because of its instability – 26 of the 107 built were lost at sea.

In his detailed diary – that was published in several volumes but greatly overshadowed by Darwin’s more eloquent and sensational writings – Fitzroy lambastes himself for not interpreting his barometer better before that particular storm.

Barometric pressure and its weather effects became an important part of Fitzroy’s theories. Similar work was happening around the world, most prominently by Dutchman Christoph Buys Ballot. He formulated the famous Buys Ballot’s Law: by standing with your back to the wind in the northern hemisphere there will be high pressure on your right and low pressure (with stronger winds) on your left; and vice versa for the southern hemisphere.

Fitzroy’s work eventually led the British Government (in 1860) to install so-called ‘Fitzroy Barometers’ in major UK ports, along with a user guide from the captain himself. One still stands only a few miles from my old home in John O’ Groats at the port of Stromness in the Orkney Islands.

THE MET MEN

Fitzroy’s Beagle voyage and experience of weather at sea on other ships led the dashing young captain to write his book – The Weather Book: A Manual of Practical Meteorology – after the voyage. Eventually he went on to establish the Met Office in the UK when he was appointed Meteorological Statist to the Board of Trade in 1854 with a staff of three.

Data for the new organisation was gathered by ships’ captains from basic barometers and wind instruments provided by Fitzroy’s new department. This led to an early form of synoptic chart and, even more controversially, the study of sunspots in determining the weather – a part of meteorology that continues to be debated to this day.

Fitzroy’s weather book also contained symbols to warn of gales – a series of triangles and cylinders – that would be deployed in ports around the world and was still in use when I was commercial fishing in Scotland in the 1970s.

While on the Beagle Fitzroy also, daringly, took the liberty to change some nautical terms: replacing the confusing ‘larboard’ with port as it sounded too like ‘starboard’ when shouted in a gale, and even coining the now ubiquitous term ‘dinghy’. Compass deviation caused by iron on ships was another topic he tackled.

But most famously of all, Fitzroy coined the term ‘forecast’, something that in the 1850s was considered blasphemous. Fitzroy realised that weather came from somewhere and went somewhere – so having advance warning of this by getting signals from the origin was the way forward. The solution was the 100-year old French invention called the telegraph.

For instance, a signal station where most of the prevailing winds came from in England – the south west coast of Cornwall – could allow a message to be sent eastward to warn the fleet at Portsmouth. Huge shipping losses was the impetus, including the loss of fishing fleets, so connecting this system to all the major ports followed and the Times newspaper published these daily forecasts.

Most famously, one day while relaxing at home with his family in London, Fitzroy was called upon by an emissary from Queen Victoria, asking if it was safe for her majesty to voyage over to the Isle of Wight for the day.

THE FISHERMAN’S FRIEND

But these weather forecasts remained controversial and were especially unpopular with owners of the fishing fleets who didn’t want their fishermen languishing in port needlessly when an incorrect forecast was issued. These ‘mistakes’ occurred about 40% of the time – so the stress levels on Fitzroy and his small department at the Met Office grew. The stress, along with his personal financial worries, eventually brought back his manic depression and eventual suicide in 1865, after which his office was disbanded.

When news of the end of Fitzroy’s forecasts reached them, fishermen rioted. Finally, some two years after his death the Met Office and forecasts were reinstated to create a legacy to which many seafarers owe their lives.

These, and other factors about Captain Fitzroy were long forgotten until 2002 when something very controversial happened to our beloved Shipping Forecast. A European Parliamentary directive required a change of name for the southern section of the Shipping Forecast (Finisterre) because it was also used by Spanish meteorologists.

Again, near riots ensued in the UK among seafarers and nostalgic landlubbers – until the Met Office had the last word and gave this sea area a new name: Fitzroy.

 

SHARE:

Related Articles

Previous article
Next article

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

Scott Coker executes a near-pe...

Lake Karapiro came alive this weekend with the thrilling spectacle of high-...
Powerboat RacingSports Artices

Emirates GBR claims dramatic v...

The final race of SailGP Sydney delivered everything fans could hope for—dr...
NewsSailGPSydney racing

The Flying Roos win final flee...

New Zealand’s SailGP team put in a steady performance in the final fleet ra...
NewsSailGPSydney racing

Black Foils bounce back with d...

New Zealand’s Black Foils returned to form in spectacular fashion during Ra...
NewsSailGPSydney racing

Super Sunday in Sydney: Emirat...

The Sydney leg of SailGP kicked off its Super Sunday in spectacular fashion...
SailGPSydney racing

Black Foils battle through tou...

After a promising build-up to the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney,...
NewsSailGPSydney racing
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

-- THINGS WE LOVE --

GET
STARLINK
HERE

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga

ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 8 & 9 Feb 2025 in Sydney

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, end of Jan 2026 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

HYDRO THUNDER

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Karapiro, 7 - 9 Feb 2025 at Karapiro

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Rotoiti, 8 - 9 Mar 2025 at Nelson Lakes

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Twizel, 29 - 30 Mar 2025 at Twizel

JET BOAT RACING

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R4, 23 Feb 2025 at Wanganui

2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS

25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

SHOWS

Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

METSTRADE 18 - 20 Nov 2025 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2025 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Boot Düsseldorf 17 - 25 Jan 2026 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, Jan 2026 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, Jan - Feb 2026 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco