James Cook's scientific programme in the Southern Ocean, 1772–75

Abstract

ContentsI n t r o d u c t i o n 3 3 I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n a n d o b s e r v a t i o n s .

John Biscoe's meteorological and oceanographic observations in the Southern Ocean, 1830–1832

“…They are also compared to the observations made during earlier circumnavigations by Cook and Bellingshausen (for fuller comments on those observations, see Rubin 1982aRubin , 1982b. These observations and measurements not only provide a considerable body of reliable data, but substantiate the reputation of Biscoe as an assiduous and careful observer.…”

“…Although water temperatures at depth have doubtful value, two were recorded, presumably using the same method of retrieving sea water for subsequent measurement as had Cook and Bellingshausen (Rubin 1982a(Rubin , 1982bRoss 1982: 229). In the second season, 34 sea-surface temperatures were recorded to the whole degree and only one to the half degree.…”

“…In the second season, 34 sea-surface temperatures were recorded to the whole degree and only one to the half degree. Although water temperatures at depth have doubtful value, two were recorded, presumably using the same method of retrieving sea water for subsequent measurement as had Cook and Bellingshausen (Rubin 1982a(Rubin , 1982bRoss 1982: 229).…”

“…These observations and measurements not only provide a considerable body of reliable data, but substantiate the reputation of Biscoe as an assiduous and careful observer. They are also compared to the observations made during earlier circumnavigations by Cook and Bellingshausen (for fuller comments on those observations, see Rubin 1982aRubin , 1982b.…”

Thaddeus Bellingshausen's scientific programme in the Southern Ocean, 1818–21

“…In the western South Atlantic, where the tracks of Vostok and Resolution were nearly the same, the average pressure for Vostok is 992.1 mb and that of Resolution 991.8 mb (Table 4). This is not necessarily a validation of Vostok's barometer since we have no record of Cook's barometer having been compared with a standard (Rubin, 1982), but it does indicate that the pressure readings may be valid. Vostok reported less difference between maximum and minimum observed pressure, 29.5 mb compared with Resolution's 44.7 mb, which could be taken to indicate a weaker atmospheric circulation.…”