This article has been adapted from Chapter 3 of my research project entitled ‘An historic analysis of tide prediction machines using an adapted prosopographic approach and digital humanities tools’, which I wrote during the first year of my Master’s degree. A copy of the full text can be found at: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3265011.

As with many scientific theories, the development of tidal theory and methods of predicting the tides throughout history has been motivated by practical needs. Here are just a few of the reasons why tidal predictions have been and continue to be important:

The most primitive reasons that motivated the search for methods of predicting times and heights of the tides include coastal dwelling, fishing and marine navigation. A need for tidal forecasts came with the development of ports, docks and harbours for their successful operation and management, and for coastal surveying. Engineers also started to make use of tidal predictions for coastal zone engineering projects, which include the construction and destruction of bridges and platforms. As for recreational activities, tidal forecasts are useful for beachgoers and for the safe practice of watersports, as well as for houseboat living. More precise predictions were called for as commercial shipping and naval operations evolved, and for the building of effective coastal and estuarine flood defences. Tidal predictions today are used for many more purposes than ever before. They are used by biologists and ecologists to better understand floating animals and plants, for habitat restoration projects and to study the effects of pollutants in bodies of tidal water (NOAA 2019). Tidal predictions and weather forecasts have a symbiotic relationship as the tides and the climate both affect each other, meaning that meteorologists make use of tidal predictions just as oceanographers make use of weather forecasts. The most recent use for tidal predictions is for harnessing tidal power, which can be converted into renewable energy.

Bibliography
NOAA (2019). Tides and Water Levels: The Importance of Monitoring the Tides and Their Currents. en. URL: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_tides/tides09_monitor.html (visited on 02/05/2019).
Rawsthorne, Helen Mair. (2019). ‘The Development of Tide Prediction Machines’, Shaped by the Sea workshop. University of Manchester, 27-28 June. en. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3261817.

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