THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF APRIL 6, 1875. 
143 
We cannot speak too highly of the assistance which the expedition has derived 
from the intelligent aid of Mr. Alabaster. His thorough acquaintance with the 
objects of the expedition, aided by his knowledge of the language and high position in 
the country, had enabled him to make many arrangements before their arrival which 
saved a great deal of time, and, in fact, rendered the completion of the preparations in 
the short time left before the eclipse possible. The expedition called on His 
Excellency Chau Phya Sri Surawongse Way Wadhn-Kalahome (the Minister 
of War), His Excellency Chau Phya Bhanuwongse Kromatah (the Minister of 
Foreign Affairs), and His Excellency Phya Bashakarawongse (Private Secretary to 
His Majesty the King). One of the chief reasons which had induced Dr. Schuster 
to pass the day in Bangkok was to call on the English Consulate, with the request to 
send on, with as little delay as possible, the much-needed aid from the gunboat, which 
was hourly expected. The expedition was chiefly in want of intelligent workmen. In 
case any instrument had been damaged on the journey they were without resources to 
remedy the fault. The expedition was kindly received by Mr. Newman, the Acting 
Consul, who promised to do everything in his power to further the objects of the 
expedition. 
In the afternoon the expedition had an audience with the King. His Majesty 
expressed the great interest which he took in the objects of the expedition. He 
referred to the well known great knowledge of astronomy which his father possessed. 
The late King had died in consequence of a fever contracted on a journey made to 
observe the total solar eclipse which had taken place in 1868 in the southern parts of 
his kingdom. Finally His Majesty said that he had given orders that every possible 
help should be given to the expedition. 
Early on the next morning the expedition embarked on the Siamese S.S. ‘The 
Northern Siam Enjoying,’ which had been placed at their disposal. An unfortunate 
delay on the journey prevented them from reaching the observatory that night, and 
they had to anchor near the coast in a very rough sea. On the morning of 
Wednesday, at 10 o’clock, they at last arrived at the observatory. The ship had to 
anchor about half a mile from shore. At the observatory Captain Loftus had been 
engaged for some time to prepare for the arrival of the expedition. The spot had 
been judiciously chosen. A small brook ran into the sea close by. A landing stage 
had been erected in the brook. A channel had been marked out in the sea through 
which the boats which were to carry the instruments could enter the brook. The 
landing of the instruments was, therefore, greatly facilitated ; hut the strong wind 
and rough sea prevented any attempt to effect the landing during the first day. 
The place of the observatory, as determined by Captain Loftus, was latitude 
13° O' 30" N., and longitude 100° 2' 10" E., being about lij> miles S.W. of the central line. 
The longitude had been obtained by means of a magnetic bearing, which could be 
obtained from the top of a tree on a distant pagoda marked on the Admiralty Chart. 
It had taken considerable time and trouble to clear the ground from the jungle by 
