| Reference number | MS/257/4/88 |
| Alternative reference number | Sa.1217 |
| Previous numbers | ES4/1/1217 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Edward Sabine, 13 Ashley Place to Lord Wrottesley |
| Date | 7 November 1864 |
| Description | Sabine addresses Wrottesley’s thoughts ‘that the existing trouble and its possible consequences might have been averted’ if Sabine had brought the subject of the ‘unsatisfactory character of the Greenwich dip observations’ upon taking his seat on the Board of Visitors. Sabine explains the course he took was to bring this to the attention of the Chairman [of the Board of Visitors] who could deal with this in a ‘proper and discreet’ manner. Wrottesley was President of The Royal Society at the time, and Sabine discusses his election to the Board of Visitors. Discussion regarding Sabine writing to [George Biddell] Airy regarding this, and having ‘no hope of producing an effect on account of the slight personal attention which Airy gave to the dip observations, and his general very superficial acquaintance with the instrument’. Sabine refers to Wrottesley as Chairman at the time he took his seat at the Board of Visitors, and had hopes Wrottesley ‘might advert to the subject’. Refers to a letter from Airy’s letter dated 17th January 1857 in which he details personally examining the dip circle and finding many faults with the instrument and being ‘wholly unfit for use’, however observations had been made with it for the last 14 years. Sabine notes that Airy in last years report to the Board of Visitors remarked the same observations were “made with the most accurate instruments”. Sabine describes bringing this to the attention of Wrottesley’s successor Sir [Benjamin Collins] Brodie in 1858. Discussion regarding Sabine’s published report in 1861 on ‘the investigation into the probable error of the dip observations’. Once taking the Chair of the Board of Visitors in 1862 Sabine describes the actions he took to address the ‘defects of the Greenwich observation and specially’ the dip. |
| Extent | 6p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | Ink on paper |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8279 | Sabine; Sir; Edward (1788 - 1883) | 1788 - 1883 |