The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-29


WASHINGTON, May 2s.-Advices re-
ceived at the naval observatory from it's
agents in various points in the South
show that favorable weather prevailed for
observing the suns eclipse today that
the contact occurred very close to sched-
ule time and that the programme ar
ranged was carried out without a hitch
Three parties were sent out from the
observatory. viz One to Pinehurst. N.
c., in charge of Prof. Aaron N. Skinner;
one to GAINESVILLE Ga. In charge of Prof.
Milton Updegraff. and one to Griffin, Ga,
in charge of Prof. S. ]. Brown. Super
intendent c. II. Davis, of the observa-
tory. was in communication with these
officials by telegraph during the day.
Weather slightly Cloudy.
In Washington the weather was slight
ly cloudy. which somewhat marred the
opportunities for getting a satisfactory
observation of the eclipse. The eclipse
arrived just a few seconds ahead OF
scheduled time. but the irreguarity was
so slight that an ordinary observer could
not have discovered II. The trained star.
gazers claim that the contact came from
five to eight seconds before It was due.
but that the difficulty of telling Just when
the actual contact began was so great be-
cause of cloud which passed, that even
they cannot quite agree among them
selves. They do agree. however, that
1t was one of the most remarkable pre-.
dictions in the history of astronomy, II
being doubtful is ever before the time
of the arrival OF any eclipse was so ac.
curately announced in advance.
Looking Through Telescopes.
The watchers at the observatory gazed
at the phenomena through 26-inch and
l2-inch equatorial telescope while an
other official used a comet finder. There
were not any attempts at photography.
as all the instruments for such purposes
had been sent south The only object
of the watchers in Washington was to
catch and record the time of the first
and final contact and the exact moment
of the nearest approach to totality. The
The phenomena of the moons shadow
bands, which was promised as an accom-
paniment for the eclipse was not observ-
ed here Mr. Boeger. who watched
through the 26-inch instrument, took par
ticular pains to see whether the other
phenomenon promised, that caused by
the suns rays falling through the leaves
OF trees, present, and he was re-
warded for his pains. With an un-
shadowed sun the rays streaming through
leaves produced little circles of light on
the ground beneath While the shadow
was on the sun today Mr.. Boeger found
that these circles were changed to cres-
cents.
Observers Particularly Fortunate.
Unofficial reports which have reached
WASHINGTON indicate that the eclipse was
visible to a greater or less degree in its
entire path OF totality Particularly for
tunate were the observers in the South
ern sections of the country. where the
weather seemed to be unusually favorable
for securing the Photographic data which
the scientists were so anxious to obtain,
though in some portions toward the Gulf
the weather was cloudy, In some South
ern cities during the period of totally
stars we're visible almost directly over
head In Richmond most striking fea-
turc Of the eclipse was a short but bril-.
liant rainbow on the west or contact side
OF the sun The phenomenon was the
more surprising as there Was not cloud
| IN the sky.
FORT MONROE a. MAY - ! ne sun
was totally eclipscd at SIS. In a cloudess
sky Thousands of people crowded the
| piers. verandas and ramparts 20 watch
| the marvellous phenomenon. and at the
| moment the sun was suddenly snlGed
| out an involuntary cheer arose. and ev-
| cry vessel in the roads whisiled an ac-
| compartment The period Of totally
| was aaout thirty seconds. during which
| time a tiny star hung just below the
| maguincent corona which giowed around
| the inky disc. The twilight settled on
| land and water AMI the sky took on
| wonderful af;er-suHset tints Then, as
| though by magic. a star OF nTe blazed out
| on the southern boundary OF the disc, and
| the eclipse was over
| President watches the Phenomenop.
| The president and party watch the phe-
| nomenon from the Dolphin, near Lam
! berts POINT and Secretary Gage and party
| from the lighthouse tender Holly The
| Dolphin came over from Norfolk at s:55.
| and after a salute from the kearsarge
passed on up the hay for Washington.
Photographic work Successful.
| BARRESVILLE. Ga. May S.-Amld a
| perfect arrangement OF detail, with good
weather conditions and with no him
| drauces or defects to prevent success,