The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-22
THE KERGUELEN OBSERVATIONS.

THE KERGUELEN OBSERVATIONS.
THE PHENOMENON OBSERVED AND PHOTO
GRApHED UNDER FAVORABLE ELEMENTAL
AUsp1cEs-NEws FROM DEsoLATIoN ISLAND.
UNITED ST ATEs STEAMSHIP MoNONGAHELA,)
KERGUELEN ISLAND,
South Indian ocean, Jan. 10, 1874.
Having received orders TO find and convey home
the parties who were lett at Kerguelen Island by
the United States steamer Swatara, during the
month OF September, 1874, the Monon0ahea,
which was attached to the South Atlantic station,
left the harbor o, Rio Janeiro. Brazil, on the
1st day OF October. 1874, and proceeded on her
long cruise. II was expedition enthusiastic
caly entered into by officers and men. though
we were about entering unknown seas many
thousands OF miles from civilization. and having
comparatively little knowledge or the dangers OF
the navigation, being entirely without any data
or meteorological phenomena which 'Dlaze
out" as IL were. the more ireQuented portions OF
the globe.
After a long and tedious voyage through the
innospitabe seas OF the Southern Hemisphere we
at last sighted toe Crozet group Of islands; but,
10 our great disappointment, there was no Ameri.
can party there. We had been left under the i'm
preston that an expeditonary force was to be
landed on that island; put we thought, perhaps
as IL afterward proved-that they had been unable
to effect q landing. SO the ship was turned toward
Kerguelen, which place we sighted alter q few
days, anchorlng In Christmas Harbor.
no SIGN OF THE AMERICAN PARTY.
As at the Crozet Islands SO IL was at Christmas
Harbor; where We confidently expected to ind
our party they were non es: inrentus and 1t was
a source OF considerable annoyance and some
anxiety to us, as we mad not the slightest idea
where they might be. Visions OF serious weather
and disaster to the Swatara began to arise, as
she had not been seen or heard from since she
LETT Cape Town, IN August But, trusting
TO luck, the sailors STANDBY" and to that
"sweet little cherub which sits up aloit to watch
over the life OF poor jack" 1t was decided to pro-
coed at once along the coast and search out our
friends. Accordingly, on the 9th OF December, the
day OF the transit. we steamed out Of Christmas
Haroor and headed down the coast AS we
rounded the southern cape OF the harbor the sun
broke forth in all his glory from the eastern horl-
zon, and filling the whole heavens with brilliant
light presaged . magnificent day. And so It
proved.
BRIGHT SKY.
To our enthusiastic countrymen, standing on o
lone point IN the southern part OF the island las
we afterward learned, 1t was indeed a "sun Of
Austerlitz., Not O cloud dimmed the sky, and,
with anxious and beating hearts (for the
weather here Is most treacherousl. these
gallant men, In their efforts in behalf
/
TO catch the first moment OF contact 1t came pre-
clsely at en-. Aim. A. IA. A dark spot was
seen to touch the outer rim OF the SUMS disk and
our astronomers knew that Venus was in direct
line between them and the great luminary. Other
positions OF the planet being obtained, the rate OF
travel was established and the deed was DONE
AS the planet was In rdnsttu,
PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS
Of it we're taken by Professor ID. Il. Holmes, the
chief photographer OF the expedition, and his
assistant showing the relative position OF the star
at different times. These pictures, oeing "lnstan.
taneous," are very exact, and show the true posi-
tons and times OF the planet in its across
tue SUMS disk.
The first instant or contact was observed by
Commander c. p. Ryan, chief OF the ex-
petition, through his large telescope, one
minute before 1t was seen by Lieuten-
ant Commander Tram, who had charge
o. the smaller instrument 10y no means an
inferior one. thus showing the strength and per.
Iectness or tue former, winch IL Oh American
manufacture.
We nave every reason TO congratulate these
gentlemen, not only on the accurate ana splendid
instruments wnlcn tney possess Dut also on tne
sknl vita winch they we're managed. AprOpos,
/ VIII state that. owing to the bad weather and
her duties elsewhere the Swataa was
unable TO remain here any length OF
time; so, having landed the parry ana
leaving these gentlemen, with their household
godsp scattered around them, ana LOOKING Ike SO
many ''Mafluses amid the RUNS Vi ,a, o,aga
having some OF the zeal and perseverance OF mat
Ola Roman hero, they soou brought order out OF
| cnaos,u aud not taxing OF their coats, as the
state OF the thermometer would hardly admit OF
that, bat aroIng up their Ions, tney pitched
inn in true laDorer style and soon the neat little
TOWN OF EVANSVILLE
Logan TO assume local haoiatlon and name"
ura the arsnes' o. the me
back DSss o. sand isr 6SiiSiss psssSsss assrv I've