The Chronicle prints the times of high water at the harbour mouth for the seven days from the day of publication. This is how to use them.
There are two high waters on most days. The second comes about twelve hours and twenty-five minutes after the first, so each day’s tides fall about fifty minutes later than those of the day before. Now and then the second high water slips past midnight, and that day has one.
Low water comes about six hours and a quarter after high water. At low water the boats inside the harbour wall sit on the mud.
Springs are the large tides. They come a day or two after the new moon and the full moon. Neaps are the small tides and come a day or two after the half moons. At springs the water rises higher up the wall and goes further out. At neaps it does less of both.
The times are clock times. From the last Sunday in March they are given in British Summer Time.
The times are also predictions. A strong wind off the sea brings the water in early and holds it in late. The Chronicle prints the table in good faith and takes no responsibility for the sea.
The week’s table is posted at the harbourmaster’s office. Tables for the whole year may be had there and at Bennett’s Chandlery on the quay. Anyone walking on the shingle below the sea wall should look at the table before setting out, and then at the sea.