A 
SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE 
IN THE 
GOVERNOR BLACKALL, 
BY 
stmt 
s. s. , 
MR, 
S« 
OtY O Y YTX Q 
I_7 1 "OCVJX X_>( aT( O 5 
BRISBANE 
AVatZ before the Queensland Philosophical Society , <m Thursday , February 22, 1872. 
Some months since this society received a 
communication from the Royal Society of 
Victoria, in which was suggested the desira- 
bility that the various Australian colonies 
should unite in forming an expedition to Cape 
Sidmouth for the purpose of observing an 
eclipse of the sun, which was to take place on 
the 12th December, 1871, and requesting that 
we should make enquiry as to whether any 
person or persons in this colony would be will- 
ing to join such an expedition. The probable 
expenses were also indicated. This society did 
not feel justified in sending one of their num- 
ber, principally on the ground of the expendi- 
ture required, though fully agreeing as to the 
desirability of so doing, but thought it would 
be very proper to communicate with the 
government on the matter. Accordingly, the 
letter from the Royal Society was sent to the 
Colonial Secretary, in the hope that some sci- 
entific man might be selected from this colony 
to take part in the expedition. A reply was 
received to the effect that the government did 
not see their way clear to move in the matter, 
thus leaving it open to any persons desirous of 
going from Queensland to do so on their own 
responsibility. 
The expedition had not then been actually 
determined upon, but subsequent steps were j 
taken by the scientific men in Victoria and | 
Sydney which resulted in the trip being made. | 
The steamer Governor Blackall being deemed 
very suitable for the purpose, and also lying 
unemployed in Sydney Harbor, was applied 
for, and the use of that vessel was very liber- 
ally granted by our present government, who 
also went to a considerable cost in repairing 
her machinery, reserving to themselves the 
right of sending any gentleman they chose to 
represent Queensland in the Australian Eclipse 
Expedition, as it was termed. Captain O’Reilly 
was applied to, but pressure of business 
at the time precluded his accepting the 
engagement, but that gentleman recom- 
mended myself as one likely to be useful in 
various ways, chiefly as artist and naturalist, 
I think, adding that I was also accustomed to 
the use of the telescope, having been in the 
habit of assisting him in his own observations 
for some time past. The Colonial Secretary 
was pleased to accede to Captain O’Reilly’s 
recommendation, and I was accordingly in- 
structed to proceed to Sydney to join the ex- 
pedition, which was to start from thence on 
Monday the 27th November, 1871. I left 
Brisbane on the morning of Thursday the 23rd, 
and reached Sydney after a fine trip of 42 
hours from wharf to wharf. The passage was 
pleasant, and I must record the kindness shewn 
me by Capt. Knight of the City of Brisbane, 
who wished me all success on the trip. 
Not having seen Sydney for about 19 years, 
I was wishful to ascertain whether I could 
easily recognise the scenes with - which I was 
then familiar, and certainly found that a great 
alteration had taken place, many of the open 
parts which existed at that time having been 
built upon. The main features were there 
however, and I felt no difficulty in find- 
ing my way. After calling at the office 
of Messrs. Eldred & Spence, the agents 
for the Governor Blackall, who informed 
me they had secured me the necessary 
accommodation on board ; I proceeded to the 
Botanical Gardens, curious to see whether Mr. 
Moore the manager would remember me after 
so long an absence from Sydney, and was 
gratified to find he did so. He informed me 
