TRANSIT OP VENUS, 1874. HONOLULU. 



VOYAGE, AND ESTABLISHMENT AT HONOLULU. 



1. The Expedition destined for the Hawaiian Islands left England in two 

 detachments on board the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamships 

 Illimani and Britannia, starting from Liverpool 1874, June 3 and June 17 

 respectively, and proceeding by way of the Straits of Magellan to Valparaiso. 

 At the latter port, H.M.S. Scout, Captain R. P. CATOR, R.N., by the orders of 

 Vice- Admiral the Hon. Arthur Cochrane, C.B., was awaiting their arrival, 

 and, having transhipped the baggage, she sailed on the 4th August with all 

 the Expedition, and arrived at Honolulu September 9. 



2. The time occupied by the long voyage was usefully employed in 

 preparing auxiliary tables to facilitate the reduction of time and other 

 observations on the spot. Thus the Apparent Right Ascensions of all the 

 Greenwich Clock Stars not included in the Nautical Almanac Fundamental 

 Catalogue for 1874 were computed for intervals of 10 days between the dates 

 likely to be required. 



3. An elaborate set of meteorological instruments having been lent to 

 the Expedition from the Meteorological Office in London by the Director, 

 R. H. SCOTT, Esq., an accurate journal was kept during the voyage, in which 

 the state of the instruments, weather, &c. was recorded every four hours.* 



4. On arrival at Honolulu the Expedition was most cordially welcomed by 

 His Majesty King KALAKAUA, and by the Ministers of State. The Expedition 

 was greatly indebted to His Excellency Mr. W. L. GREEN, Minister of Foreign 

 Affairs, and to Major James Hay WODEHOUSE, Her Britannic Majesty's Com- 

 missioner, who, from first to last, exhibited great interest in and materially 

 aided all the operations. 



5. A good site was obtained without difficulty, through the active co- 

 operation of Captain Daniel SMITH, the harbour master. 



His Majesty the KING placed at the disposal of the Expedition, rent free, a 

 suitable piece of open land in the southern extreme of the town. To enable 

 the party to be lodged conveniently near their instruments, H.R.H. the 



* It may be stated here that the Meteorological Journal was continued during the stay of the 

 Expedition at Honolulu, and has since been deposited at the Meteorological Office, Victoria Street, 

 Westminster. 



