Beaufort, Sir Francis
Published: August 18, 2006, 2:42 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 2:42 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857), as head hydrographer of the British Admiralty, led the development of the finest surveying and charting institution in the world. Some of his charts are still used today, some 200 years after their creation. He is most famous for his system of estimating and reporting wind speeds. The measurements are based on the Beaufort Force or Number, which is composed of the wind speed, a descriptive term, and the visible effects upon land objects and/or sea surfaces. A “0” on the Beaufort scale describes a wind speed of less than 1 knot and calm seas; a “12” describes hurricane conditions. The Beaufort system was originally based on the effect of various wind speeds on the amount of canvas that a fully-rigged nineteenth century frigate (warship) could carry.
Further Reading
The Beaufort Scale (BBC)
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Beaufort, Sir Francis". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved May 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Beaufort,_Sir_Francis?topic=48248>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857), as head hydrographer of the British Admiralty, led the development of the finest surveying and charting institution in the world. Some of his charts are still used today, some 200 years after their creation. He is most famous for his system of estimating and reporting wind speeds. The measurements are based on the Beaufort Force or Number, which is composed of the wind speed, a descriptive term, and the visible effects upon land objects and/or sea surfaces. A “0” on the Beaufort scale describes a wind speed of less than 1 knot and calm seas; a “12” describes hurricane conditions. The Beaufort system was originally based on the effect of various wind speeds on the amount of canvas that a fully-rigged nineteenth century frigate (warship) could carry.
Further Reading
The Beaufort Scale (BBC)
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