Joseph Workman

Founder of First Unitarian Congrgation of Toronto

DR. WORKMAN'S WEATHER JOURNAL (by Scott Somerville, reproduced from Chinook, Winter 1979) During the 1800's meteorology was a new and poorly understood science in Canada which made it a field ripe for misleading speculation, and fervent but dangerous weather prophets (see "Wigginism", Chinook Fall 1978). Based upon astrological misconceptions and other unfounded theories, the predictions produced by these prophets weren't worth the paper they were printed on. There were those who merely made fools of themselves, although some, aided by press publicity, caused disruption to commerce and the daily lives of the gullible. Fortunately, there were also capable, dedicated followers of the weather and its changes. One such man was Dr. Joseph Workman, whose life encompassed many interests including meteorology. As a hobby, he religiously studied daily weather by measuring barometric pressure and temperature. These readings, annotated by a large quantity of general comments concerning his weather observations, were recorded in a lengthy journal. The fruits of his labour are four leather-bound volumes which cover the years from 1860 to 1904. Dr. Workman was a well known and respected physician who, at various periods in his life, also toiled as teacher and writer. Born in Ireland during 1805, he emigrated to Canada with his parents and family in 1829. He enrolled as a student of medicine at McGill University and, as a 30 year old graduate, engaged in practice at Montreal. Shortly afterwards, he withdrew to a private family hardware business in Toronto until 1846 when he returned to his first love, medicine. Besides re-establishing his practice, he was also much in demand as a lecturer and writer, being a regular contributor to newspapers and journals. In 1854 he was appointed Superintendent of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1875. The weather observations began March 23, 1860, but perhaps the most significant contribution to the collection of data for the last century are his comprehensive summaries of the daily weather. Occasionally, when noteworthy events occurred, he entered elaborate descriptions of the particulars in his journal. When the weather was significant enough to attract the attention of the newspapers, he invariably clipped out the stories and pasted them among his writings. He also collected items dealing with the weather earlier in the century. One such article concerns the rigours of the winter weather during the Papineau rebellion of 1837-38, and appears to have been written by his brother Thomas who was a loyalist volunteer. Thomas talks about sharp frosts in October and November of 1837 which impeded the advance of artillery since it could not be dragged through the freezing mud. Some of the soldiers commanded by Col. Gore arrived at the village of St. Denis (held by the rebels) without boots or shoes on their feet, and so tired out by their exertions that they were defeated. Later that winter, the bitter cold (16 E°F below zero) aided in the defeat of the rebels at St. Eustache by permitting a large well equipped attacking force to cross the Ottawa River on an ice bridge. Such details, saved by Dr. Workman have proved invaluable to climatologists interested in the possibility of climate change, and the relationship between the weather and historical events. Another interesting point frequently demonstrated by the Workman journal is his keen sense of weather observing. Many of his written comments paint a vivid picture of sky conditions, and, from his observations, Dr. Workman developed theories which are sound even by today's standards. For instance, he described the varying currents of the upper winds and clouds from which he correctly theorized concerning the weather conditions of adjacent regions. As an example, he entered the following passage into his journal for Friday, July 6, 1877; "Wind continues northeast with small very sparse high scud. The northeast current is no doubt indicated by heavy precipitation in southwest regions. The papers today give reports of very severe rain, thunderstorms, in Ohio and West Pennsylvania." On occasion, Dr. Workman wrote letters to the Editor of various papers presenting his theories with lucid reasoning. For instance, in one letter he commented that the sinking of the Zealand in a November 1880 Lake Ontario storm. could in all probability have been prevented by some instruction in meteorology. "Had the master of the Zealand consulted his barometer", he wrote, "and noted the prevailing under and upper cloud carriages, he would not have left port until the result of the atmospheric antagonism had been decided." The doctor argued that sailors should be familiarized with simple weather observing techniques in order to prevent such a re-occurrence. He also criticized nonchalant attitudes which prevailed toward the application of meteorology; "it is however a too well known fact that no very small proportion of those in command of our inland shipping are not only imperfectly acquainted with meteorological science, but, actually regard the whole subject with self satisfied contempt." It was in this article too, that Dr. Workman demonstrated his profound understanding of atmospheric behaviour derived from common sense observation, "at this hour (the departure time of the Zealand) a strong northerly wind, with rapidly flying scud, was blowing; but up above this scud-run there was a majestically flowing dense cloud field, moving from S.S.W. to N.N.E. Anyone who has attentively watched these opposite cloud-runs, and has noted their relation to barometric descents, must have felt convinced that a severe storm was coming up from the region whence the upper current was flowing." Dr. Workman was right on! Another engaging item found occasionally pasted in the journal is the monthly meteorological summary from the Malden Lunatic Asylum in Amherstberg. Ontario. Weather observations were taken there which included daily readings at 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. of temperature, the barometer and wind. Remarks of noteworthy events such as thunderstorms etc., were also noted. Despite Dr. Workman's perceptive knowledge of the weather, he never labelled himself as a prognosticator or weather prophet. In fact he maintained a rather scathing attitude toward weather prophets such as Mr. Vennor (author of Vennor's .41rnanac). For comparison, Dr. Workman would sometimes paste a clipping of Vennor's latest predictions beside his own daily summary which usually spoke of weather much different from the prediction. The doctor's wrath was not only reserved for the likes of Vennor. Entered in the journal for July 6, 1877 is the following statement; "In Manitoba the season has been so very wet as to prompt the clergy to pray for cessation. It is always prudent, in such troubles, to defer the praying until the rain belt is about to move off; just as in Lower Canada the priests used to wait till the caterpillars had devoured all the tree foliage, before making their procession for the purpose of driving off the pest." By the 1880's age had commenced to take its toll on Dr. Workman. Although he never missed a daily observation, his handwriting wavered and his remarks dwindled to merely a few words if any. By the end of November 1892, his handwriting became so painfully illegible that someone. presumably his daughter, entered observations for him. In spite of this handicap, clippings of unusual weather events such as the blizzard of 1888, continued. Old age certainly failed to dull his enthusiasm. Observations ceased on February 14, 1894, exactly a month before his death. For an additional ten years afterwards, his daughter would occasionally narrate some unusual item, and even collected some newspaper clippings for the journal.