Magnetic Work of the Galilee, 1905-08 13 



new Ritchie liquid compass fitted with sea deflector No. 2 arranged to take the place of sea 

 deflector No. 1 for determining directly the horizontal intensity of the Earth's magnetic 

 field, as also the magnetic declination. Frnthermore, a spare gimbal stand was mounted 

 for the purpose of attempting certain atmospheric-electric observations. J. C. Pearson 

 having been continuously on sea duty as magnetic observer from January 1, 1906, to July 

 31, 1907, was relieved and assigned to magnetic-survey duty in Alaska, Observer P. H. 

 Dike being assigned to his place on board the Galilee. Mr. Dike, in addition to taking 

 part in the magnetic work, undertook the experimental work in atmospheric electricity, for 

 which he had specially qualified himself by work abroad and by further investigations at 

 Washington. 



The requisite instrumental determinations and comparisons having been completed at 

 the Sitka Magnetic Observatory, the Galilee put to sea once more on August 10, and arrived 

 at Honolulu on August 28, having had a favorable passage. Swing obsei-vations were made 

 on August 29, at Honolulu, and the vessel was overhauled and re-outfitted before continuing 

 the cruise. After the necessary instrumental determinations and comparisons at the 

 Honolulu Magnetic Observatory were secured, the Galilee left Honolulu September 26 and 

 reached Jaluit, Marshall Islands, October 21, where connection was made with the Galilee 

 observations at this port in 1906, harbor swings being made on October 24. 



Having completed the shore and harbor work, the Galilee set sail from Jaluit on Novem- 

 ber 5 for Port Lyttelton, New Zealand. November 11 found the vessel becalmed in the 

 Lagoon of Jaluit and in a very dangerous position because of the many reefs and the lack 

 of any auxiliary power. For 6 days she had lain thus, being aground on a reef at one time 

 for a period of several hours, when the opportune arrival of the German mail steamer offered 

 a means of towing out to sea. Course was then laid on November 1, directly for Lyttelton 

 via Cook's Strait. In this passage of the cruise the lack of auxiliary power was again sorely 

 felt, when for 4 days every effort had to be made to keep clear of the New Hebrides Islands, 

 towards which the vessel was carried by currents and contrary winds. Port Lyttelton was 

 reached late in the afternoon on the day before Christmas. Lieutenant Shackleton's 

 Antarctic Expedition in the Nimrod was found to be just in the midst of final preparations 

 for departure. This fact, in connection with the holiday season, delayed work until the 

 very end of the month. The New Zealand government, through the premier, the Rt. 

 Hon. Su- Joseph G. Ward, and the Port Lyttelton Harbor Board, extended to the Galilee 

 party every possible courtesy and aid, giving not only free wharfage but also transportation 

 faciUties on the railways and the service of a tug for use m swinging; the faciUties of the 

 Christchurch Magnetic Observatory were also put at the disposal of the Galilee party. 

 Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, of Canterbury College, and Mr. H. F. Skey, director of the Christ- 

 church Magnetic Observatory, rendered the party every possible assistance. Grateful 

 acknowledgments are due the New Zealand government and these gentlemen. 



Upon completion of the instrumental comparisons at the Christchurch Observatory, 

 and of the shore observations, the Galilee was swung on January 2, 1908, off New Brighton 

 Beach. Departure from Port Lyttelton was taken on January 17. The course followed was 

 practically along the parallel of 43° south to about longitude 108° west, from which point 

 the course was generally northeast until arrival in Callao Bay, Peru, on March 10. In this 

 passage from New Zealand, violent gales were encountered between February 7 and 11, 

 the vessel scudding at one time before the wind under bare poles, but thanks to her experi- 

 enced saihng-master. Captain J. T. Hayes, she safely outrode every gale, though somewhat 

 the worse for wear. (See Plate 2, Figs. 3-7.) At Callao a delay of some two weeks was 

 necessary for repairs, chiefly of the rudder. The land and sea work having been completed 

 at this port, and the Galilee having been swung on April 4, she entered on the final passage of 

 her cruise, setting sail on April 5 for latitude 1?5 south and longitude 114° west, whence a 

 north course was followed to latitude 12° north. From this position the track followed was 



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