Correlation between theoretical and experimental solitary waves

Experimental data on surface solitary waves generated by five methods are given. These data and literature information show that at amplitudes 0.2 $<a/h<$ 0.6 ($h$ is the initial depth of the liquid), experimental solitary waves are in good agreement with their theoretical analogs obtained using the complete model of liquid potential flow. Some discrepancy is observed in the range of small amplitudes. The reasons why free solitary waves of theoretically limiting amplitude have not been realized in experiments are discussed, and an example of a forced wave of nearly limiting amplitude is given. The previously established fact that during evolution from the state of rest, undular waves break when the propagation speed of their leading front reaches the limiting speed of propagation of a solitary wave is confirmed.