| Description | Daily meteorological observations kept on board the ketch HMS Arrow, anchored, or cruising in the South Atlantic between South America and the Falkland Islands, presumably by its then-Commander William Robinson. Double columned entries per page provide information on date and times of observations, usually at 4.00, 8.00 and 12.00 [am and noon?]. With columns for sympiesometer, air temperature, wind direction and force, and general weather remarks. The ship's position is given beneath each set of observations.
Although the manuscript cover sheet states that the records are from the Falkland Islands, the observations actually commence [p.3] in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the vessel remained from 20 April to 30 June 1840. The vessel's position in Buenos Aires Roads is noted until 22 July, when it anchored briefly in the harbour of Montevideo, Uruguay [p.14], before returning to Rio de Janeiro on 7 August 1840 [p.16]. The position of the vessel is not noted after 25 August 1840, recommencing on 12 April 1841 with 'weighed & made sail down Berkeley Sound', north-east of East Falkland in the Falkland Islands [p.47]. The final entry, 30 April 1841 has the ship 'Moored in Rio Harbour' [p.49].
Front cover sheet inscribed [p.1]: 'Meteorological Journal from the 20th April 1840 to the 29th of April 1841 kept at the Falkland Island on board H.M. Ketch Arrow'. With the addition of 'No.286...Communicated by Captn. Beaufort R.N. F.R.S. Hydrographer to the Admiralty &c &c &c. Recd. 25 Novr 1841 S.H.C.' [Samuel Hunter Christie]. Endorsed [p.56]: Meteorological Journal Falkland Islands April 1840 to April 1841'.
The paper is noted as having been read at the Royal Society on 25 November 1841: 'Meteorological Journal, from the 20th April 1840 to the 29th April 1841. Kept at the Falkland Islands on board H.M. Ketch, Arrow', Abstracts of papers printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, v.4 (1843), p.330. |