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Observations made on board the ship while at sea, with an additional note on observations taken on 30 November on shore at Point Venus, on the island of Otaheita [Tahiti] [RGO 14/67: 114r].

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Sketchbooks of sketches made by Martens during his voyage with HMS Beagle around South America and in French Polynesia.

Scope and Contents The August entries begin with increased sightings of tropical birds, dolphins and flying fish as the ship approached Tahiti. Bayly notes that the crew caught a shark five foot long and later, a large albatross. On 11 August he records that they had discovered land, which he initially describes as ‘3 small sandy islands with a few trees on the most elevated parts’; the following day he states that it proved to be a long low sandy island [RGO 14/56: 80v-81r]. On 14 August they sighted three...

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Letter forwarding an account of a solar eclipse of 25 July 1767 observed by Captain Wallis from HMS 'Dolphin' in Port Royal Harbour, King George's Island (Tahiti). See also [RGO 4/187: 3].

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Concerning the publication of observations from Captain Cook's first voyage and of variations of the compass from the first voyage of the Dolphin.

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John Harrison reports that he no longer has any record of the observations he made as purser on HMS Dolphin of the eclipse observed from Port Royal, Tahiti, on 25 July 1767.

Scope and Contents Daily log entries until 21 April, travelling via the Marquesa Islands, Palliser’s Islands, King George Island and Matavai Bay (Tahiti). These are followed by summarised entries covering the period until the end of May, when the ship was anchored in Matavai Bay. The entries for 7-11 April include mention of being greeted in the Marquesa Islands by local inhabitants in canoes bearing fruit and plantains, records of observations taken, and descriptions of the islands [RGO 14/58: 102]. That for...

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...

Scope and Contents The log entries cover the journey from Tahiti to Tonga via Howe’s Island [Lord Howe Island], Palmerston Island, and Savage Island [Niue]. They consist of a single summarised log for 23 May-3 June, followed by daily entries. In the entry for 4 June, Wales records hearing from an islander who arrived by canoe from Huaheine that the Adventure was anchored there along with Mr Banks’ ship, and that he had boarded and they had made him drunk (RGO 14/58: 105v). On 14 June Wales notes that the...

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So called by Commodore Byron, 1765, and seen by Captain Cook in the Resolution, 1774. Taoukaá and a second, unnamed island are shown, along with a plot of the ship’s course. The latitude and east and west longitude from Greenwich are indicated in the border. Signed by William Wales.

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The map also shows the reef surrounding Point Venus (DDD), the location of the observatory (O), and places where tide levels were recorded by Captain Cook, William Wales and William Bayly (A, B and C). Further details on the tide levels are provided in a reference table. A scale rule in furlongs is also provided.

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Note; by Charles Robert Darwin

(Note)

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The observations begin with a note on setting up his observatory and equipment on shore. They include observations for the going of the clocks; reductions of the rate of Watch No. 1 from comparisons with Clock (B); observations on the tides; observed azimuths and amplitudes; and observations of the depression of the magnetic needle.

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These include daily observations; observations of the moon’s distance from the sun; observations on the dip of the magnetic needle; observations for the variation of the compass; observations on the tides; observations for the going of the two clocks; observations for the going of Mr Kendall’s watch; and observations for the latitude of Point Venus.

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These include daily observations; Azimuths of the sun; lunar observations; observations for the line of collimation of the quadrant; observations for the latitude of Point Venus by Hadley’s Quadrant; observations for the dip of the needle; observations for the going of the clock; observations for the going of Mr Kendall’s watch; and observations for the latitude of Point Venus.

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Daily observations, covering the voyage between New Zealand and Tahiti. The observations for 17-25 August were taken while the ship was anchored in Oaiti-piha Bay [Vaitepiha Bay, Tahiti].