Recomputing historical barometric heighting

Abstract

This paper discusses the method of determining heights of mountains during the original geodetic survey of Victoria. From 1840 to 1875, more particularly the 1860s, geodetic surveyors were charged with the responsibility of mapping the colony. The subject of this paper is their efforts to determine the elevations by barometric heighting. A brief introduction to other methods is given while particular attention is paid to the determination of the height of Mount Sabine in the Otway Ranges, Victoria, by Surveyor Irwin in 1865. Attempts are made to recompute his original observations.