SOLAR ECLIPSE, MAY 6, 1883 



INTRODUCTION 



By ri;or. ('. A. Youxo. 



The unusual duration of the total eclipse of May, 1883, early attracted the attention of astron- 

 omers; but an examination of its track showed that it would not be visible at any well-known or 

 easily accessible stations, and no preparations were therefore made to secure observations. In May, 

 1882, Mr. Ohaeles H. Eockwell, of Tarrytown, N. Y., while in the Sandwich Islands for the 

 purpose of observing the trausit of Mercury, learned that there are two small islands lying almost 

 exactly on the central line of the eclipse, and he determined to endeavor to have an eclipse expe- 

 dition organized from the United States. He presented the matter before the Montreal meeting 

 of the A. A. A. S. in August, but various circumstances prevented any definite action of that body. 

 In November, 1882, the writer, at Mr. Rockwell's suggestion, brought the subject before the 

 National Academy of Sciences at their New York meeting, and a committee was appointed, con- 

 sisting of Messrs. Coffin, H. Drapeu, A. Hall, Hilgard, Newcomb, and H. A. Neavton, with 

 the writer as chairman, to commend the project of an eclipse expedition to some suitably situated 

 island in the Pacific, " to persons interested in the advancement of science, and^ to the Navy De- 

 partment of the United States for such aid and facilities as can be best afforded." Subsequently, 

 on the death of Dr. Draper, Professor Langley was appointed in his place, and Mr. C. S. Peirce 

 was added to the committee. Mr. Kockavell also, though not a member of the Academy, was 

 invited to join the committee, as having been the real originator of the project. Mr. Coffin was 

 chosen secretary, and to his energy and wise and skillful management our success in organizing 

 and sending out the expedition is due. 



It was at first proposed to raise the necessary funds for tlie expt^ditiou by private subscription, 

 and Mr. Eockwell was put in charge of the matter. His own illness, the lamented death of Dr. 

 Draper, and other untoward circumstances combined, however, to prevent his success, and on 

 January 24 he reported that this plan must be abandoned. It was at once decided to apply to tlie 

 Government. Early in February the committee presented the matter to the honorable Secretary ot 

 the Navy, representing that the Department could greatly aid tlie undertaking by detailing a ship 

 of the Pacific squadron for the transportation of the party, and by giving the use of certain astro- 

 nomical instruments under its control. The application met with a prompt and favorable response. 



A meeting of the committee was lield in Washington on February 15, at which plans for the 

 expedition were discussed and settled, and the chairman and secretary were directed to address 

 further communications to the Secretary of the Navy to arrange plans of operation to secure the 

 .services of suitable observers, to prepare necessary instructions, and, in short, to do wliatever was 



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