THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY'S ECLIPSE 

 EXPEDITION TO NORFOLK. VA. 



By Marcus Baker, 

 U. S. Geological Siirrei/ 



Among the most interesting periodic occurrences in the proceed- 

 ings of the National Geographic Society niust be counted the annual 

 excursion or Held meeting, held in the early summer, when such 

 members as are still in Washington are wont to visit, usuall}' by 

 special train or steamer, one or another of the many places of geo- 

 graphic or historic interest within a few hours' ride of the National 

 Capital. Harpers Feriy, M'. Va., Frederick and Annapolis, Md., Fred- 

 ericksburg, Charlottesville, Monticello, the Dismal Swamp, Manassas 

 Gap, and the Shenandoah Valley, Va., have all been exj)lored during 

 recent years under the leadership of men whose training or ex})erience 

 specially fitted them for their delightful task. 



When it became known that the path of totalit}' of the eclipse of 

 the sun that was to occur on May 28 of the present 3'ear would l)e 

 within easy reach of Washington, and that Norfolk, Va.. with all its 

 surroundings of scenic beauty and historic interest, would be a place 

 from which the eclipse could be well observed, it was decided V)y the 

 Board of Managers to charter a steamer and afford the members of 

 the Society an opportunity to take one of the most delightful of ex- 

 cursions, and at the same time witness that rare and interesting event, 

 a total eclipse of the sun. 



In accordance with these arrangements, some 250 persons embarked 

 on the steamer Neivport News on Sunday evening, May 27, to wake up 

 next morning in Hampton Roads, after a smooth sail of some 195 

 miles down the Potomac Kiver and Chesapeake Bay. The eclipse 

 was witnessed from the Portsmouth Navy Yard, under conditions 

 that left absolutely nothing to l)e desired. 



From Portsmouth the steamer proceeded to the shipyards of New- 

 port News, from Newport News to Yorktown, and from Yorktown to 

 Old Point Comfort and Fort Monroe, leaving for Washington in the 

 evening and arriving the next morning in time for breakfast. 



Tiie company included the veteran astronomer, Dr Simon New- 

 comb ; the revered and beloved author and divine. I)r Edward Everett 

 Hale, and a large rei)resentation of the various scientific departments 

 of the Government service. The excursion was unmarred by the 

 slightest untoward incident, and will long be remembered b}' those 

 wlio had the good fortune to participate in it. 



