Dawes, William, 1762 - 1836 (astronomer and colonial administrator)
Found in 44 Collections and/or Records:
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-06-05
Reporting on the timekeeper [K1], and on his observations during the passage to Tenerife (en route to New South Wales).
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-06-05
Concerning observations taken (including observations for the rate of the timekeeper, K1).
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-06-09
Concerning observations made and including revised calculations of latitudes and longitudes by the timekeeper [K1].
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-08-06
Reporting on their progress (the ship had arrived at Rio de Janeiro) and on observations made en route. Dawes also mentions that his cabin was partially under water and that his Requisite Tables had been damaged and needed replacing.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-09-03
Reporting on observations made at the Island of Enxadas, Rio de Janeiro. The letter includes mention of a visit by two astronomers from Portugal employed to settle the limits between the Spanish and Portuguese settlements in Brazil.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-04-23
Reporting on observations made in Rio de Janeiro and on meeting Colonel Gordon, Commandant of the troops at Cape Town and a keen astronomer. Dawes reports that he had arranged with Gordon for observations to be made at Cape Town of the comet which was expected the following year; he also lists Gordon's instruments and books to show his ability for the task.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-04-30 - 1788-05-05
Written from the new settlement at New South Wales. Dawes reports on his work there, mentioning the lack of resources and the clearing of land for an observatory. He includes a rough sketch of the observatory.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-07-10
Reporting on his activities between leaving the Cape of Good Hope and his arrival at Sydney. The letter also includes an account of constructing the observatory in Sydney, and of the practical difficulties involved, particularly in finding suitable materials and craftsmen. He mentions, for example, that the forty marines employed in the work had to be provided with rum, water and new shoes (due to the damage from brushwood). Dawes also seeks further money and provisions.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-07-12
Reporting on the status of the observatory (which was nearly complete), on expenses incurred, and on his role there.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-10-01
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-11-17
Informing Maskelyne that he had a sent a letter via the Fishburn under Captain [Robert] Brown.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-11-17
Reporting on his work at the observatory in Sydney. Dawes reports that he had seen nothing of the comet and complains that his duties as Engineer and Officer of Artillery were preventing him from attending to the observatory, which had soured his relationship with the Governor. He asks that a suitable person be sent out to take over the Observatory before his six years there had expired. He also reports the naming of Maskelyne Point.
Letter from William Dawes to [Nevil Maskelyne?], 1799-12-05
Concerning astronomical observations.
'Memorandum book from July 30 1791 to the end of 1796', 1791 - 1796
Memorial from William Dawes for remuneration for his services on HMS Gorgon, 1799-12-06
Miscellaneous petitions and memorials making requests of the Board of Longitude.
Note concerning William Dawes' manuscripts of astronomical observations made at Port Jackson and Rio de Janeiro, 1798
Astronomical observations made on Flinders' voyage on HMS Investigator, with an extract from Flinders' memoir and a related letter [RGO 14/68: 70-83]. Also astronomical observations made by William Dawes, with a related note and letter [RGO 14/68: 84-90].
Orders and memoranda for paper and the sending of copies of the 'Nautical Almanac', 1790 - 1804
A diary of work performed on the 'Nautical Almanac' and arrangements for its compilation and publication.
Papers regarding the loan of instruments and books to Lieutenant William Dawes on a voyage to Botany Bay, 1787 - 1791
Papers regarding the loan and return of instruments belonging to the Board of Longitude and concerning persons entitled to receive Board publications.
William M. Dawes' correspondence during the establishment of an observatory at Port Jackson, New South Wales, 1786 - 1792
The UK Archival Thesaurus has been integrated with our catalogue, thanks to Kings College London and the AIM25 project for their support with this.

