A semi-infinite body of liquid is in uniform rotation about a vertical axis for t < 0. A concentrated, vertical displacement of the free surface is imposed at t = 0. The motion of the free surface for t > 0 is calculated in linear approximation with the aid of Hankel and Laplace transformations, together with an intermediate transformation to parabolic co-ordinates. The result appears as an integral superposition of dispersive waves that divides naturally into two parts, corresponding to waves of the first and second class, with angular frequencies that are respectively greater or less than twice the angular speed of rotation. The waves of the first class, which are qualitatively similar to those in the classical (Cauchy–Poisson) problem, are found to dominate the asymptotic representation, as obtained through a stationary-phase approximation. The analysis is carried out in such a way as to separate the effects of Coriolis acceleration and free-surface curvature. Attention is focused on concave surfaces, such as would be realized in a laboratory experiment, but it is pointed out that striking differences exist between the dispersion laws for concave and convex surfaces, especially as regards waves of the second class.