3-071-241 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Eclipse of the Sun, May 6, seen from [Flint and] Caroline Island, Pacific Ocean, 1883. '1, Encampment on the morning of the Eclipse. 2. Astronomers' House. 3. Spectroscope Hut. 4. Tents of the United States Coast Survey, 5. Lagoon... We are indebted to Mr. R. A. Lawrance for the views engraved, and Mr. C. R. Woods has supplied the descriptive notes...The astronomers were fortunate in finding two wooden dwellings. The one shown here in the shade of the cocoanut palms was situated on the shores of the lagoon, and here, under the verandah, the English and American astronomers slept at night, or rested in the shade during the hotter parts of the day. Close to the house was their encampment, the large tents of the United States Coast Survey being the most prominent objects. Near these tents stood the spectroscope hut and equatorials of Messrs. Lawrance and Woods. Just behind these instruments were the tents of Professor Holden, Dr. Hastings and Mr. Rockwell; and yet a little further to the rear...stood the flagstaff, which carried the British flag, hoisted by the friendly Kanakas on the arrival of the strange ship. The last Illustration shows the encampment...with the observers standing at their instruments waiting for the sun to disappear'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.