TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF AUGUST 9, 1896. 
21 
birds began screaming. A few seconds before mid-totality a faint glare or reflection 
became visible on the clouds about the sun’s position, lasting several seconds. 
“ Just about 5 seconds before the end of totality, the sky became clearer, the shadow 
could be seen sweeping across the fjord, looking like a huge catspaw moving rapidly 
to leeward. 
“ Directly after totality was over, land, sea, and sky gradually regained their normal 
appearances, the lightening process being much quicker than the darkening.” 
T. Makepiece [Chief Engine-room Artificer ):—“The left limb of the sun was 
visible for the space of 5 seconds (before totality). At ‘ 75 seconds left,’ a luminous 
body was visible, having at the right upper side a smaller body of the same nature, 
both appearing as through a haze. 
“ At ‘ 35 seconds left ’ there occurred, a great commotion among the sea birds settled 
on the surrounding rocks.” 
Mr. Makepiece afterwards expressed the opinion that the larger of the bright 
cloudy patches was in the position of the sun, and appeared as if it were the sun seen 
through several thicknesses of muslin. It may be remarked that the two patches in 
question are very distinctly shown in a photograph taken by Lord Graham during 
totality with the If' X 5" camera. 
A. Duncan and T. Brown [Engine-room Artificers ):—“At 5.52 the left limb of 
the sun was visible for 5 seconds; colour, very faint white. At ‘ 35 seconds to go,’ 
birds fly off screaming.” 
A. Wright [Second Yeoman of Observed a silvery-white crescent 
from about N. by W. to S. by W., with a horn pointing in a direction S.E. on the 
S.W. part of dark moon. The part of the crescent visible was about one-eighth the 
diameter of the dark moon.” 
Immediately on my return to England, as the “ Volage” was practically going out of 
commission, I reported to the Royal Society that the arrangements made by the 
Admiralty to assist the ol)serving party had been carried out in the most admirable 
manner, and I suggested that, the President and Council of the Society should mark 
its appreciation of the attempt on the part of a large ship’s company to further the 
cause of science. I am glad to say that a letter of thanks was sent by the Society to 
the Admiralty, and another by the Admiralty to the officers and 'men of H.M.S. 
“ Volage.” 
In the erection of the huts and instruments, no one could have wished for more help 
than was given. Everyone in the ship showed the keenest interest in the work, and 
help was afforded in every possible manner. Had the weather been fine, I am con¬ 
vinced that the results obtained by the “ Volage ” observers would have been far more 
complete than any previously obtained by a single party. 
I am anxious, also, to state my entire satisfaction with the manner in which 
Mr. Fowler and Dr. Lockyer conducted the operations before my arrival. 
