Bridgewater Jerry
{{Short description|Fog formation in Tasmania, Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
Bridgewater Jerry is a fog formation that occasionally appears over the River Derwent in Hobart, Tasmania and down the Derwent Valley. It is named after the suburb of Bridgewater, and the word "jerry" may have come from convict slang for 'fog' or 'mist'. It was probably first described in 1821, when Governor Lachlan Macquarie was stranded at Austin's Ferry because of fog.
The Bridgewater Jerry forms at night during the cooler months when cold air comes down the surrounding hills as katabatic winds and collects in the Derwent Valley.{{cite web|last1=James|first1=David|title=Bridgewater Jerry|url=http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/B/Bridgewater%20Jerry.htm|website=The Companion to Tasmanian History|publisher=Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies|accessdate=2 July 2015}}
During winter, the Bridgewater Jerry occurs once or twice a week.{{cite news|last1=Vowles|first1=Gill|title=Bridgewater Jerry a cool winter treat on River Derwent|url=http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/bridgewater-jerry-a-cool-winter-treat-on-river-derwent/story-fnj4f7k1-1227382659465|accessdate=2 July 2015|work=The Mercury|date=4 June 2015}}
Community responses
The local community has a strong appreciation for the Bridgewater Jerry, which is expressed through online community groups dedicated the phenomenon,{{Cite web |title=The Bridgewater Jerry - Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/bridge.water.jerry/}} as well as photography competitions,{{Cite web |title=Bridgewater Jerry photo competition is back – Brighton Community News |url=https://brightoncommunitynews.com.au/bridgewater-jerry-photo-competition-is-back/ |access-date=2023-10-13 |language=en-AU}} sculptures and performances.
In 2008 a sculpture dedicated to the fog, by Tasmanian artist Tony Woodward, was installed at Greenpoint Plaza in Bridgewater. The mosaic-based sculpture depicts a human figure - the fog personified - cradling a miniature town.{{Cite news |date=2021-11-08 |title=Tony died just days after his first exhibition opened, but he left a legacy of laughter |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-09/hobart-artist-tony-woodward-remembered-through-sculptures/100497430 |access-date=2023-10-13}}
In July 2023, Hobart-based artist Hannah Foley presented a series of contemporary performances on the river's commuter ferry boat, during its early morning services. These ritualistic performances, titled Wet Breath Exchange, were said to be created in collaboration with the Bridgewater Jerry, and aimed to draw attention to the material exchange between human bodies and the body of fog through breath.{{Cite web |title=wet breath exchange |url=https://www.hannahfoley.art/projects/wetbreathexchange |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=HANNAH FOLEY |language=en-US}} At this time, Foley also launched a participatory online artwork called [https://aeriform-archive.org Aeriform Archive]: a website which acts as a platform for a community generated archive of embodied experiences with the fog, and also provides a 7-day Bridgewater Jerry forecast.{{Cite web |title=aeriform archive |url=https://www.hannahfoley.art/projects/aeriformarchive |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=HANNAH FOLEY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Aeriform Archive |url=https://aeriform-archive.org/ |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=Aeriform Archive |language=en}} The forecast was made with the assistance of meteorologist Michael Conway of the Bureau of Meteorology.
See also
{{Portal|Australia}}