Skip to main content

Bayly, William, 1737 - 1810 (astronomer)

 Person

Found in 23 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

Account with William Bayly, 1772 - 1785

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/17: 55-64
Scope and Contents From the File:

Papers regarding payments for work done on behalf of the Board.

Dates: 1772 - 1785
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Astronomical observations made during Captain Cook's last voyage., 1776 - 1780

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/61
Scope and Contents

Observations from Captain Cook's last voyage.

Dates: 1776 - 1780
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Calculations of observations made on the voyage, 1778-05-29 - 1780-08

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/61/2: 38r-49v
Scope and Contents

Table of rough calculations of observations; these include records of the time by the watch, the apparent time, and the altitude of the sun and moon. Many entries are checked and marked 'done' or 'correct'.

Dates: 1778-05-29 - 1780-08
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Computation of the Sun's place, 1765 - 1766

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/72
Scope and Contents

Computations relating to the Sun, including those on the Sun's place using Johann Mayer's tables, 11 May 1765 - 29 April 1766, with reference to the obliquity of the ecliptic. There are calculations of the mean time of the transit of the Moon between 31 May 1765 and 28 April 1766, and on the Moon's longitude and latitude using Mayer's tables, 31 May - 19 November 1765. The calculations were made by William Bayly.

Dates: 1765 - 1766
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Computations for the Sun, Moon and planets, 1762 - 1768

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/42
Scope and Contents Computations of the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets performed by William Bayly and Reuben Burrow from observations taken when Nathaniel Bliss was Astronomer Royal.1. The Sun's right ascension and declination, clock errors, and longitude and latitude derived from observations and Johann Mayer's tables for 11 May 1765 to 10 May 1767.2. Moon's right ascension and declination, clock errors, and longitude and latitude derived from observations and Mayer's tables for 31 May...
Dates: 1762 - 1768
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Daily log of time by the watch, 1776-06-11 - 1780-09-08

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/61/4: 1r-4v
Scope and Contents

Daily record of the time by the watch or timekeeper [Kendall’s K1] between 10 December 1779 and 8 September 1780, signed by William Bayly, John Gore and James Burney (or occasionally John Rickman). It includes a note by Bayly on first receiving the watch in June 1776 [RGO 14/61/4: 1r], occasional remarks concerning when it was carried on shore or stoppages, and a brief note on 4 September 1780 of ‘a fire in the cabin’ [RGO 14/61/4: 4v].

Dates: 1776-06-11 - 1780-09-08
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Letter book containing outgoing correspondence, 1782 - 1810

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/9
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...
Dates: 1782 - 1810
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Letter from Nevil Maskelyne, 1782-08-12

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/16: 315-317
Scope and Contents

Regarding the observations made by William Bayly during the voyage of HMS Discovery.

Dates: 1782-08-12
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-01-25

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/48: 249-250
Scope and Contents

Concerning a fault in the sextant and requesting a replacement instrument; also concerning his desire to be placed in the land detachment.

Dates: 1787-01-25
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-02-18

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/48: 253-254
Scope and Contents

Concerning a replacement sextant and black index glass from Ramsden.

Dates: 1787-02-18
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-05-20

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/48: 261
Scope and Contents

Sent from HMS Sirius, concerning a timekeeper [K1] received from William Bayly.

Dates: 1787-05-20
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1786-12-28

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/48: 239-240
Scope and Contents

Concerning the rate of the Board of Longitude's watch and the provision of books and instruments.

Dates: 1786-12-28
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Log book of HMS Adventure, 1772 - 1774

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/56
Scope and Contents

The log book of HMS Adventure compiled by W. Bayly during his passage to the South Seas as part of the expedition led by Captain James Cook in HMS Resolution.

Dates: 1772 - 1774
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Log entries for August, 1773-08-01 - 1773-08-31

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/58: 54-58
Scope and Contents Daily log entries are provided from 1-16 August, followed by summarised entries. On 12 August they passed a reef and small island which they named ‘The Devil’s Girdle’ (map is enclosed). On 14-15 they sighted the island of Maitea [Mehetia], and on 15 August, Wales describes the arrival of local inhabitants in canoes filled with coconuts and fruit which they got in exchange for glass beads [RGO 14/58: 57v]. The following day he records that the ship struck a reef and was eventually moved to...
Dates: 1773-08-01 - 1773-08-31
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Log of the time by the watch and observations, 1776-06-11 - 1780-09-08

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/61/4: 1r-9r
Scope and Contents

This section is inverted in the volume and consists of two series: a daily log of time by the watch [K1], and further observations covering December 1779 to September 1780.

Dates: 1776-06-11 - 1780-09-08
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Observational log, 1779-12-10 - 1780-09-08

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/61/4: 6r-9r
Scope and Contents

Daily log of observations from December 1779 to September 1780, showing barometer and thermometer readings (in the morning, at noon, and in the evening), the latitude and longitude, magnetic variation and dip [of the needle], the wind direction and remarks on the weather. The entries also include occasional mention of the location of the two ships on their return journey (travelling via Macau, Pulo Condore [Côn Đảo], Krakatau, and the Cape of Good Hope).

Dates: 1779-12-10 - 1780-09-08
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Observations from Cook's last voyage, 1779-06-15 - 1780-08-26

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/61/3: 50r-100r
Scope and Contents Tabulated observations made by astronomer William Bayly. These include records of the time by the watch, apparent time, altitudes of the sun, moon and stars, observations of lunar distance, barometer and thermometer readings, estimates of latitude and longitude, and magnetic variation.Occasional remarks on the observations are included: for example, in [RGO 14/61/3: 57r] Bayly records that his instruments were taken on shore at Kamchatka, Russia, where observations were made from 26...
Dates: 1779-06-15 - 1780-08-26
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Observations made on a voyage, 1776-1777, 1776-08-02 - 1777-04-27

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/67: 71-80a
Scope and Contents Observations made on Captain Cook’s third voyage. Includes summarised daily entries providing the date, estimates of latitude and longitude, bearings and distance, variation of the compass, and thermometer readings, along with intermittent entries of astronomical calculations. The ship travelled via Madeira and via Port Praya in St. Iago towards the Cape of Good Hope, anchoring at Table Bay on 10 November 1776 [RGO 14/67: 76v]. There are no entries for December 1776 or January 1777....
Dates: 1776-08-02 - 1777-04-27
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Observations of the going rates of the two timekeepers, 1772-05-06 - 1774-06-27

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/57/2: a, 1-9
Scope and Contents

Observations of the going rate of the two watches, first from Nevil Maskelyne before the voyage, and then daily during the voyage with signatures from each of the three keyholders, William Bayly, Captain Tobias Furneaux, and First Lieutenants Joseph Shank or later, Arthur Kempe (sometimes signed instead by James Burney, Peter Fannin, Thomas Woodhouse, Robert Browne, Mr Lanyon, or William Hawksey).

Dates: 1772-05-06 - 1774-06-27
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Observations on HMS Adventure, 1772 - 1774

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/57
Scope and Contents

Observations made on board HMS Adventure during her passage to the South Seas as part of the expedition led by Captain James Cook in HMS Resolution.

Dates: 1772 - 1774
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Rating of longitude watches on HMS Adventure, 1772

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/322
Scope and Contents

'Account of the going of the two longitude watches on board His Majesty's sloop, the Adventure Captain Furneaux Commander bound towards the South Seas.' Only two pages of the account and the front cover survive. The rating of the watches covers the period 13-29 July 1772.

Dates: 1772
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Reduction of the Moon's place, 1762 - 1792

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/131
Scope and Contents

Reductions of the Moon's place in comparison with tables, 1763-1771, and calculations by Mr Hollins of the Moon's transit, 1772, by George Gilpin on the Moon's places, 1768-1776, by William Bayly on the Moon, 1766-1775, and by Reuben Burrows on the Moon, 1762-1770. There are also reductions of the Moon's place, 1781-1782, and references to reduced observations, 1783-1792.

Dates: 1762 - 1792
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Trials of Harrison's chronometers, 1766 - 1771

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/311
Scope and Contents

Observations and comparisons during the trials of John Harrison's chronometers (H1, H2, H3 and H4) and Kendall I, with mean solar time, 1766-1767, and the rating of the Royal Observatory transit clock, 1771. The volume is comprised largely of tables of measurements, with some descriptions of how the results were achieved.

Dates: 1766 - 1771
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Additional filters:

Subject
Astronomy 4
Geographical exploration 4
London 4
Longitude 4
Marine navigation 4