TIDAL OBSERVATORY

In May 1896 Lieutenant Morice RE visited Perim to site a tidal observatory. The tide gauge was erected in July at the extremity of the Government pier in Fisherman’s Bay (aka William Bay).

Readings were taken by the police clerk from then until the end of January 1897 when they were discontinued due to the pier being lengthened by some 60 feet.

The observatory was then moved to the end of extended pier and quarters for the Tidal Observatory clerks (initially a father and son) were built on the hillside above the condenser.

This photograph, from a postcard published around 1900, shows the tidal observatory soon after the Government pier had been extended.