Seventy-Five Years at Willis Island
Preface
Foreword
Chapter 1: Willis Island Today
Chapter 2: Willis Island is Conceived
Chapter 3: Willis Island is Born
Chapter 4: The Early Years
Chapter 5: Life in the 1930s
Chapter 6: Willis Island at War (1941–42)
Chapter 7: After the War
Chapter 8: Willis Island—1960s Style
Chapter 9: The Value of Willis Island
Chapter 10: The Original Inhabitants
Appendix 1: Willis Island Milestones
November 1921
Late 1920s
1927
1929
1930
1931
1934
1937
1939
1941
Late 1940s
1952
October 1958
1958
May 1960
1960
1966
June 1967
November 1967
May 1968
Mid 1970s
1986
August 1991
1991
1994
1996
Appendix 2: Willis Island Officers
Appendix 3: Log of Willis Island Observations, December 1922
Appendix 4: References
Index
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Over the 75 years since it was established Willis Island has, in line with other stations, provided observations which have improved both in quality and range. The following is a brief summary of the main upgrades in equipment which has made this possible:
November 1921
Surface Observations began with descriptive reports of weather and cloud. Rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind and pressure were measured. Stevenson screens were used to house thermometers—wet bulb, dry bulb, maximum and minimum.Observations, and any other communication with the mainland was by hand Morse key.
Late 1920s
First coded messages allowing concise reporting.1927
Pilot balloon theodolite observations (assumed rate of ascent) commenced. A portable gramophone was also supplied.1929
Tramway from beach to wireless hut reconstructed.1930
Swimming pool constructed in a shingle platform.1931
Bureau observers withdrawn. Station manned by AWA staff alone who had some basic training in observations.1934
Tramway to living hut constructed.1937
Underground water tank (6000 gallon capacity) built.1939
Bureau Observers once again part of the crew. Normal staffing at this time—two AWA wireless operators, the senior being OIC, plus one observer. This also marks the beginning of the permanent continuous record of observations in the National Climate Database.1941
Swimming pool rebuilt.Late 1940s
Theodolite Neph reports commenced.1952
Station completely rebuilt.October 1958
Anemometer replaced by a Dines (previous type unknown). Thermograph, hydrograph and Dines pluviograph installed.1958
HF voice radio replaced the Morse key, which was maintained as a backup.May 1960
Installation of the 72 MHz radiosonde brought the commencement of combined pilot balloon/radio sonde flights (SOWIN) at 9am (2300 UTC).1960
Larger balloon filling/hydrogen generation shed built (dates of previous installations uncertain).1966
Major refurbishment of radio equipment with the installation of a Single Side Band radio. As a result, radio operators of AWA and OTC were no longer required. Administrative responsibility transferred from OTC to the Bureau.June 1967
First staff complement of all Bureau staff.November 1967
Last use of DUKWs and first use of Lighter Amphibious Recovery Craft (LARCs) in effecting the changeover. Both were used in this changeover.May 1968
WF2 radar and 401 MHz radiosonde system commissioned. This allowed measured rates of ascent for both upper wind and temperature flights. The restrictions on visual theodolite flights caused by cloud were also removed.Standard design balloon filling/hydrogen generation shed built.
Mid 1970s
Solar radiation measurements commenced.1986
Iterra satellite telephone system installed.August 1991
Micromac AWS installed—note the thermograph and hydrograph had been removed some time earlier.Mercury barometers were replaced by Vaisala electronic instruments.
1991
WF2 radar replaced by WF100 combined wind-finding and weather watch radar. Tropical Cyclone positioning close to the Island could now be done with great accuracy. Better estimates of intensity were also possible as forecasters were able to 'see' the 'back' of a cyclone as it got closer to the coast.Digital data link installed providing access to Weathernet (the Bureau's multiplex communications system) and facsimile.
1994
Installation of an electrolyser system to replace cylinder generation of hydrogen.1996
Remote balloon launcher installed.
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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