Note 360 — Chapter III · REYKJAVIK[359]—THE SUBURBS—THE LODGING-HOUSE—THE CLUB AND THE WAY WE SPEND THE DAY.
Reading edition
Taken at the cathedral. The longitude (G.) given by Norie is W. 21° 51´ 3´´, by Raper 21° 55´ 2´´; Norie gives the lat. 64° 9´ O”, Raper 64° 8´ 4´´. The variation of the compass is roughly 36° off Berufjörð; 35° 15´ off the eastern Jökull; and 45° off Reykjavik: it was in 1814 (Henderson, i. 250) “two points towards the west;” in 1840 (French charts) it was W. 43° 21´. M. Lottier (1838) made it 43° 14´; and in 1871 (Admiralty chart, by Captain Evans) it was 44°, still increasing at the rate of 5´ per annum. Consequently the people have two norths—north by compass and true north, the latter at Reykjavik fronting the mountain-block Akrafjall. The inclination (dip) of the magnetic needle (French chart of 1840) is 76° 45´. The vulgar Etablissement du port (Hafenzeit, high water at full and change), French chart, is at 5h. Om.; and the maximum height of the tides 5m. 35 cent. The Admiralty tables give spring-tides a rise of 17½ feet and the neaps 13¼.