Scope and Contents From the File: 'Letters, Memoranda, and Journal, containing the History of Mr William Gooch [Fellow of Caius College], Astronomer of the Daedalus Transport: from the time of his entering College in 1786, to his premature end in 1792.' These letters, the greater portion of which are in Gooch's own writing,and written to his parents, give a complete history of his life, the assistance he met with in enabling him to come to College, the examination for his degree (1791), his appointment as Astronomer, and...

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Reporting from Rio de Janeiro on problems with his instruments and with discipline on board the Daedalus; transcribed by Sir Joseph Banks.

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A report by Thomas Dobson who had witnessed the death of Gooch, Lieutenant Hergest, and Portuguese sailor Manuel at Oahu.

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Letter written from O’Whyhee a few days before his death. Gooch mentions his concern upon discovering that he had used a false meridian, and subsequent corrections he had made to his observations. He also mentions his expectations of returning to England in 1794 or 1795.

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From the ship's departure from the Falkland Islands in December 1791 until its arrival at Nootka Sound in June 1792; transcribed by Sir Joseph Banks from a report by Thomas Dobson.

Scope and Contents A copy of journal entries written by Gooch while travelling on the Daedalus ship from Rio de Janeiro. In addition to accounts of daily life on the ship, the journal includes descriptions of Rio de Janeiro and his impressions of its people, customs and dress, with comments on the slave trade, crime and punishment, and the country’s natural resources [Mm.6.48: 139v-160v]. It also includes descriptions of the Falkland Islands and of a sea-lion hunt there [Mm.6.48: 161v-176r]; an...

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Concerning the date of his son's death and the payment of his salary, and including an extract from a letter by George Vancouver respecting the sale of Mr Gooch's effects at Nootka Sound.

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Concerning the money raised by the sale of his son's effects and the appointment of John Crosley as William Gooch's replacement as astronomer.

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Written immediately prior to embarkation and concerning his final preparations, his ship mates and his friendship with Lieutenant Hergest.

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Written at sea, describing the 'crossing the line' ceremony performed upon crossing the equator and their touching at St. Iago (Cape Verde Islands), with a drawing of a woman of that island. Gooch also mentions his plan to publish a history of the voyage upon his return.

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Written on the departure of the Daedalus from Rio de Janeiro, with mention of taking down his observatory and of his disappointment at observing in bad weather.

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Written as the ship left Rio de Janeiro, concerning journal entries he had sent to Miss Smithson.

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Providing a short account of their passage to the Falkland Islands and a heavy storm encountered there.

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Describing their passage to the Marquesas Islands, interaction with local islanders, and a solar eclipse observed there. The letter is partly written in Greek script.

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Concerning his salary, advice from William Wales on probable expenses during the voyage, his first meeting with Lieutenant Hergest, and his companions at sea.

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Concerning the time of the ship's departure, and describing the companions with whom he would associate during the voyage.

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Dated from Deal on route to Portsmouth, describing the Daedalus ship, the passage from Gravesend, and his friendship with Lieutenant Hergest, with mention of Hergest's entertaining accounts of places visited with Captain Cook. Gooch also discusses his attachment to Miss Smithson.

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Written from the Downs, giving a detailed inventory of the books, instruments and other belongings in his cabin; describing an accident in which a timekeeper by Earnshaw was broken by a cat [Mm.6.48: 56v]; and discussing their probable route.

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Describing their arrival at Portsmouth where he met Mrs and Miss Smithson. The letter begins with a drawing of a ship at sail.

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Continuing his account of the ship's arrival into Portsmouth and describing a meeting with Mrs and Miss Smithson. The letter includes a silhouette of Rev. R. Belward of Caius College, Cambridge.

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Concerning a delay at Portsmouth and his concerns that the ship would be obliged to sail without Mr Pitts who had been sent to London with the damaged watch by Earnshaw.

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Stating that the ship was obliged to turn back to Portsmouth due to a change of wind, and giving other news.

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Concerning further delays, his need for more money to pay the expenses of his equipment, and letters to Miss Smithson, his 'little Goody Two-Shoes'.

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Written on the first part of the voyage at sea and concluding at Tenerife. The letter includes a description of a storm encountered in the Bay of Biscay and mention of his plans to make Captain New's son and Mr Pitts computers of his observations.

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Thanking him for forwarding a letter from his son.