652 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 



4. The Voyage of the ' Nimrod ' from Sydney to Monte Video, 

 May 8 to July 7, 1909. By J. K. Davis. 



Acting under instructions from Sir E. Shackleton an attempt was to be made 

 to locate the positions of some charted islands marked 'doubtful,' viz. : (1) Royal 

 Company Islands, (2) Emerald Island, (3) Nimrod Islands, and (4) Dougherty 

 Island. In the event of being able to find any of these ' doubtful ' islands, we 

 were to land (if possible), obtain their precise positions and main features, &c. 

 In the event of no land being visible at or near the charted position, deep-sea 

 soundings were to be taken and vicinity searched. 



Meteorological observations were to be taken at intervals of two hours during 

 the voyage, and these are of some interest, as ships do not usually traverse these 

 latitudes in the months of May and June. 



We visited Macquarie Island, and obtained numerous specimens (skins, skele- 

 tons, mosses, rocks, &c). 



The question how the islands (marked ' doubtful ') came to be placed on the 

 chart, the precautions taken to secure reliable results in observations for latitude 

 and longitude during the voyage, and the weather conditions, currents, sound- 

 ings, &c, were discussed. 



Narrative of the voyage : — 



May 8. Sailed from Sydney. 



May 18. Sailed over charted position of Royal Company Islands. No land 



visible. 

 May 26. Anchored off Macquarie Island. What we found on the island. 

 May 30. Left Macquarie Island. 

 June 9. Search for Nimrod Islands. 

 June 17. Search for Dougherty Island. Ice met with. 

 June 27. Sighted Diego Ramirez Island at a distance of 14 miles. 

 July 7. Arrived at Monte Video. 

 Results of the voyage and reports furnished by navigators since the islands 

 were first charted were considered. 



FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. 

 Joint Meeting with Section C. 

 The following Papers were read : — 



1. The Geology of Sheffield. By Cosmo Johns. 



2. The Metallurgical Industries in relation to the RocJcs of the District. 

 By A. McWilliam, A.R.S.M., M.Met. 



Sheffield is situated on the outcrop of the Coal Measures, which consist of 

 alternating sandstones and shales, with beds of coal, clay ironstone, and fireclay. 

 The district was in ancient times thickly wooded, affording supplies of the then 

 principal metallurgical fuel, charcoal. The raw fuel of to-day ie coal, and the 

 enormous influence of this source of practically all our power, high temperatures, 

 reducing agent, and artificial light is so obvious that it need only be mentioned. 

 Different beds of this coal are suitable for making into the various kinds of 

 coke required for crucible, cupola, and blast-furnace work. There is coal that 

 is suitable for steam-raising and for making into producer gas for use in the 

 great open-hearth and other gas-fired furnaces, and there is even a bed that fulfils 

 the very exacting needs of the old cementation furnace. With regard to coal 

 the most striking development since the last visit of the Association is the estab- 

 lishment of a line of collieries down the outcrop of the Permian rocks to the east, 

 where the well-known beds of coal were found at reasonable depths. Recent 



