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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Fifteen letters from Maskelyne concerning the death of William Gooch and the sorting of his financial affairs. The series also includes a copy of a letter from William Gooch (senior) and his personal notes on dreams of his son following his death.

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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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Sent to Rev. Richard Belward, bursar at Caius College, Cambridge.

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Letters home, written during Gooch's final examinations at Cambridge and in the preparatory and early stages of his voyage on the Daedalus (up to the ship's arrival at Tenerife in September 1791). The series also includes a note received from a friend and various bills of receipt.

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Letters home, written during Gooch's final examinations at Cambridge and in the preparatory and early stages of his voyage on the Daedalus (up to the ship's arrival at Tenerife in September 1791). The series also includes a note received from a friend and various bills of receipt.

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Thanking him and the heads of Caius College for the kindness shown to his son.

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Thanking him for his assistance towards his education at Cambridge.

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Acknowledging her assistance in maintaining him at Cambridge. The letter is written in Greek characters and is followed by a translation of the same.

Scope and Contents From the Fonds: The letters were chiefly sent to his parents, William and Sarah Gooch, and to his sweetheart Miss Sally Smithson, but also include a number of letters to his sponsors while studying at Cambridge, and others written to Miss Smithson by Gooch's father. The letters cover the period of Gooch's studies at Caius College, Cambridge; his preparations for the voyage of the Daedalus; and the voyage itself, with descriptions of places and peoples encountered. The final letter from Gooch was written to...

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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...

Scope and Contents Outgoing correspondence regarding many astronomical and nautical subjects, including accounts with printers, the production of the 'Nautical Almanac', expeditions to Australia, a reward for a method of making glass of a sufficient quality for instruments, the trial of various timepieces and their employment on board Royal Navy vessels, replies to projectors proposing various methods of finding longitude at sea, and instructions for astronomers (including William Gooch on board the Daedalus...

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Referring to his forthcoming voyage and including a list of the instruments he was to take abroad.

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Reminiscing about his old school friend, William Gooch.

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Vindicating the reputation of Lieutenant Hergest and informing Gooch of the execution of those people who were an accessory to the massacre.

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Letter, dated 4 March 1796, concerning observations Vancouver had made during a voyage around the world on HMS Discovery. With a copy of a note to Sir Joseph Banks (on the back page) that the observations were to be reduced, dated 13 December 1796.

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Regarding money owed by and to his son.

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With a statement concerning monies owed to Gooch by the Board of Longitude.

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Concerning the bill of sale of his son's effects.

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On the proving of Mr Gooch's will and payment of his salary, and clarifying the date of his death (10 May 1792).

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Providing directions with regard to his son's will.

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Concerning the heavy percentage required of his son's money.