446692
- TitleCollection 15: Joseph Lepaute Dagelet - Letter to William Dawes, 3 March 1788
- Creator
- Call numberSafe 1/250
- Level of descriptionsub-fonds
- Date
3 March 1788 - Type of material
- Reference code446692
- Issue CopyDigitised
- Physical Description0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder)
- ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
William Dawes (1762-1836) volunteered for service with the First Fleet and was attached to the Marines on board the Sirius.
A competent astronomer, he was supplied with astronomical books and instruments at the recommendation of Astronomer Royal, Rev. Dr Nevil Maskelyne. In Sydney Cove he was employed on shore from March 1788 and built an observatory at Dawes Point. He also worked as engineer and surveyor.
He was part of Philip Gidley King's party sent to welcome the French expedition of La Perouse after their arrival in Botany Bay when he would have met Joseph Lepaute Dagelet (1751-1788?), the astronomer with the French expedition. This letter is written to Dawes from Botany Bay shortly before the departure and disappearance of La Perouse's entire expedition. Dagelet probably perished at the Vanikoro Islands in 1788. Dagelet writes of his regret at not being able to visit the site of Dawes' observatory before he leaves, and comments extensively on Dawes' plans for his observatory. - Language
- Finding AidsRead the transcription here: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2015/D36423/a1297.html
- General note
Microfilm copy available at CY 1414, frames 31-37 (Copied onto preservation microfilm, February 1989)
Digital order no: Album ID : 823542
Transferred from Ad 49/6-7
1788 letter, Safe 1/250: Transferred from Ad 31 to Ad 49/6 - Creator/Author/Artist
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