B/1/5/20 (1826-1831)
B/1/8/12 (1837-1840)
At that time, the weather data were transmitted to the Meteorological Office, in UK, based in London (63 Victoria Street) and they were used to report and check the sea and air temperature. There was already a network of stations around the coasts of Ireland, and Lightkeepers’ Journals were requested regularly by the Commissioners of Irish Lights to check storm warning telegrams, to keep a “weather data system” real time. The loss of vessels was also included into the weather reports.
In 1936, it was decided that Ireland needed its own Met Office to manage the data, and for this reason a Meteorological Service was established in Ireland, based in Dublin (14/15 St. Andrew Street). The purpose was to transfer the responsibility for all meteorological services in Ireland, including the co-ordination of the meteorological work at the Light Vessels.
A letter (dated 1938) sent by the Director of Meteorological Office, Air Ministry, to the Secretary of Irish Lights, notifies that the meteorological equipment necessary for the purpose of observations of sea and air temperatures were supplied on loan with the concurrence of Irish Lights to certain Light Vessels.
MP/1/5/2201
Ireland continued to rely on the British Meteorological Office for weather services of stations around the coasts until 1940s.From the archival documents we are aware of weather journal reports that had to be forwarded to the Inspector & Marine Superintendent’s Office from the Principal Keepers who worked at the stations. Each Weather Report was charged £ 1.1.0 per Station.
MP/1/6/7
The Principal Keeper was responsible for the condition of the weather equipment and had the responsibility of reporting the status of these instruments.
In the Circular 202, which was forwarded for distribution to Lighthouse and Lightships stations in 1904, we can find the Daily Weather Report by the Meteorological Office which contains the change of units of measurement. It refers to the Observer's Handbook (whose edition 1913 was approved for the use of Meteorological Observers by the Met Office) and had the purpose to promulgate the change of units of measurement.
Why have these units changed? It was important to adopt a system of units which could become common to all nations, using the same unit, and following international standards.
This circular contains a detailed explanation of the units of measurement to be used in the weather reports such as Barometric pressure in pressure units, Rainfall data in millimetres, Wind velocities in metres per second. Appendix sections on Conversion Tables and Specification of the Beaufort Scale of wind force are enclosed.
Over recent years Irish Lights has used its extensive network of Buoys and Lighthouses to capture valuable real time data on sea state including wave height, wind direction and speed, air and water temperature, barometric pressure and transmit this data via our AIS networks to Twitter users and to Met Éireann. This data will not only be helpful for general weather analysis but will also contribute to a planned national flood forecasting and warning service.
Founded over 200 years ago, the Commissioners of Irish Lights continues to support and provide a valuable service of weather and sea data for maritime safety and to the meteorological service. The importance of our Heritage Archive for understanding the history of Ireland also from a scientific point of view is long-established.
References:
Lighthouse Journals Series 1
B/1/5/20 (1826-1831)
B/1/8/12 (1837-1840)
Minute Papers Collection Series 1
MP/1/1/145 (1891)
MP/1/2/373 (1902)
MP/1/2/463 (1902)
MP/1/2/1331 (1904)
MP/1/3/356 (1914)
MP/1/5/2201 (1938-1939)
MP/1/6/7 (1940)
