Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1869 — The Eclipse in Alaska. [ARTICLE]

The Eclipse in Alaska.

, , San Fkancisoo, August 20. A Special from Victoria says the eclipse expedition of the United States coast left .Sitka on July 15, in an : open boat for the Chelkal river. On account of heavy weather it waslldaysin reaching a proper position on the river in latitude 59:23, and longitude 135 degrees 58 minutes—only 20 milesfrotn the cental path of totality. It tons impossible to carry instruments and provisions over the Iron mountain range. ThbT9M Was the cloudiest day experienced, out a break in the clouds enabled the different phases to be watched, and thebeginning of totality wasaccurately noted. Instantly after obscuration, rpseeolored flamps were visible to the unassisted eye, and their extent, position, and elevation approximately measured on the southeast, and southwest jmrtsof the sun’s limbs. ‘•The corona was visible over a part of the limb only, The whole picture was magnificent. The end of the eclipse was not seen. The phenomena of coming darkness and grotofng light were very marked along the course <rf t|j< valley. Mr. Seward and party visited Prof. Davidson’s camp, and watched the phases of the eclipse, and saw all the phenomena, rose-colored flames, and corona. The parties on the steamer Active, at the mouth of the river, had the best view of totality. The clouds broke, and large, clear spaces enabled them to see the flame and corona; also, the planet Merguryjfld stars of the fourty magnitude. At Sitka the not quite total, and was widchm thflmgh broken clouds. AtiFort Wrangel the weather was densely cloudy. At Fort Tongass the -yreather was favorable, and the officers observed the time of beginning and endihg. The Indians, fear, fully alarmed, liid in their houses or took to'the bushes.