Bridgewater Jerry
A dense river of fog which flows down above the Derwent River. It begins in the Derwent Valley above Bridgewater and flows into Hobart.
Bridgewater Jerry occurs in winter. Once/twice a week. Cold nights with light wind.
The Bridgewater Jerry is a katabatic wind. Air inland and at higher elevation cools more than coastal air. Inland air becomes more humid and denser than coastal air. The cool inland air flows downhill and down the valleys. The coastal air is light and is pushed up and away. The denser cooler air has a high degree of humidity and appears as fog.
Why is this river of fog called a Bridgewater Jerry?
Theory One: Jerry is convict slang for mist. Convict slang was common. Convicts didn't want their guards to know everything they talked about.
1812: A dictionary was compiled by convict J.H. Vaux. It is available and is called a dictionary of convict slang.
In the dictionary the word jerry is defined as fog, mist.
Theory Two: The Bridgewater Causeway was built in 1836 by convicts. One smoked a pipe and was called Jerry. He caused a cloud of smoke.
Theory Three: A bushranger called Jerry had a smoky campfire.
Theory Four: In WW1 the Gerrys were responsible for clouds of gas.
Bridgewater Jerry occurs in winter. Once/twice a week. Cold nights with light wind.
The Bridgewater Jerry is a katabatic wind. Air inland and at higher elevation cools more than coastal air. Inland air becomes more humid and denser than coastal air. The cool inland air flows downhill and down the valleys. The coastal air is light and is pushed up and away. The denser cooler air has a high degree of humidity and appears as fog.
Why is this river of fog called a Bridgewater Jerry?
Theory One: Jerry is convict slang for mist. Convict slang was common. Convicts didn't want their guards to know everything they talked about.
1812: A dictionary was compiled by convict J.H. Vaux. It is available and is called a dictionary of convict slang.
In the dictionary the word jerry is defined as fog, mist.
Theory Two: The Bridgewater Causeway was built in 1836 by convicts. One smoked a pipe and was called Jerry. He caused a cloud of smoke.
Theory Three: A bushranger called Jerry had a smoky campfire.
Theory Four: In WW1 the Gerrys were responsible for clouds of gas.