The Republican journal., 1881-01-13
The Eclipse Of 1880.
IT'S SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION FROM LONG ISLAND,
ENOBSCOT BAY .

| IT'S Scientific; OBSERVATION FROM LONG ISLAND,
IENOBSCOT BAY.
| The partial eclipse of the sun which occurred on
the last day of 1880, recalls striking event
which took place in this vicinity more than cen
tury ago How many of the Journal readers know
that the first phenomenon of a total and central
| eclipse of the sun, ever scientifically observed in
this country, was witnessed from Long Island, or
isesboro, in Penobscot Bay, on the 9th of Octo-
Der, $780,
The United States was then engaged in its great
struggle for independence. Penobscot Bay was
in possession of the English. Capt. Henry Mowatt
of the British squadron, the notorious destroyer Of
Falmouth, and the same who leveled Fort Pow
nal in Stockton, was ia command Yet in the
face of many difficulties the general government
could not allow the important event of a total
eclipse of the sun to pass unobseryed. Upon ap-
plication of the American Academy of Arts and
Science, and the University of Cambridge, the Board
Of War Of Massachusetts, on Sept 10Th, 1880, pass
ed the following resolve
"WLereas, representation has been made to this
court by the Hon James Bowdoin, Esq and
other lovers of learning and mankind, that on the
It'll day of October next there will happen in the
neighburhood of Penobscot central and total
eclipse Of the sun, a phenomenon never apparent
in these states since their settlement and as OBJ
! servatlOns thereon may be OF much consequence in
| science particularly In geography and navigation ;
| and that the Rev Samuel Williams, professor of
! mathematics and natural philosophy in the L nj
versity at Cambridge in this state, Mass,) will be
ready to give his and with such assistance as NAV
be proper, to make the necessary observations at
| the most convenient place near Penobsc0t there
| fore
| Resolved, That the Board be, and they hereby
ordered and directed to fit out the state galley
| with proper stores and accommodations for the
| conveyance Of the Rev. Samuel Williams and such
| attendance as he may think proper to take with
! him to make the aforesaid observations on the
central and total eclipse OF the sun, which will hap
pen the said z tn day of October at or near Pc
nobscot and that the Council be and they are here
by requested TO write proper letters to the British
| commander the garrison at Penobscot, that the
| important designs OF the said observations may not
| be frustrated
| The British commander gave permission for the
expedition to enter the Penobscot, but with a
positive order to have no communication with any
Of the inhabitants, and to depart on the 18th, the
day after the eclipse. The country here was
paratjvely new, Belfast had been settled bat ten
years and slesboro, where the observations were
70 be made, but one year longer
| GA the 9th Of October the Rev Mir. Williams
| with corps of assistants sailed for Penobscot Bay
where Ne arrived on the l1th, The expedition was
not SO well equipped as was the one sent ont few
years ago by this country to observe the transit OF
| Venus Prot. Williams in eIumerating his insru
! ments said-.We took with us an excellent clock
an astronomical quadrant Of two and half feet
radius, several telescopes and such other apparatus
AZ were necessary" The vessel came to anchor in
cove probably what is called Ryders) on
the east side Of Long Island. Mr.. Williams in his
report said y
After several attempts to find better situation
for observation, we fixed on this place as the most
! convenient On the 18th we put our instruments on
Shore, set UP the clock and quadrant in building
! facing towards the south, near the house of Mr..
| Shubael Williams where the observations were
| taken From the beginning of the eclipse
to the time of the greatest obscurlty the color and
| appearance Of the Sky gradually changing from
an azure blue to a more dark dusky color until
| it bore the appearance and gloom of night As the
| darkness increased chill and dampness were very
sensibly felt In one hour and nineteen
minutes, when the light and heat OF the sun were
rapidly decreasing, there fell two thirds as much
dew Tell the night before the night after the
! eclipse To this we may add unusual dark
| ness. damFness ami chill i'll the midst of day,
| seemed TO spread general amazement among all
/ sorts OF animals: nor could we ourselves observe
such unusual phenomenon without some disagree
! able feelings