POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Photograph of the Wallal eclipse expedition

Object No. P3549-194

On the 21 September 1922 an eclipse of the sun passed across the centre of Australia providing optimum conditions for observations. This photograph was taken by one of the members of the Wallal Eclipse expedition in Western Australia. In it we can see the unloading of stores which was supervised by the Australian naval party under Commander Quick. The shallow nature of the approach to Wallal meant the boats were anchored three or four miles from the high-water line and stores were transported by the donkey wagons seen in this picture. This activity took three days to finish being finally completed on September 1. Two vessels were used for the last part of the journey from Broome to Wallal. While most of the equipment and men were stowed aboard the 80 ton schooner Gwendolen the rest of the group were guests on board the steamer Governor Musgrave which towed the smaller vessel to her destination. For further information see the attached Powerhouse Theme, 'Australian Eclipse expedition to Wallal, Western Australia, 1922'. Geoff Barker, Curatorial, October 2008 References Campbell, W. W., 'The Total Eclipse of the Sun, September 21, 1922', Astronomical Society of the Pacific, provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System, May 2008 Evershed, J., 'Report of the Indian Eclipse Expedition to Wallal, West Australia', Kodaikanal Observatory, Bulletin, number LXI

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Summary

Object Statement

Photographic print, Wallal eclipse expedition unloading equipment, paper / silver gelatin, photographer unknown, used at Sydney Observatory, Wallal, Western Australia, 30 August - 1 September, 1922

Physical Description

A black and white photograph showing a cart being pulled over sand by a team of donkeys. An Aboriginal man is walking next to the donkey team. Another team of donkeys can be seen in the distance.

DIMENSIONS

Height

165 mm

Width

217 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Possibly taken near Wallal, Western Australia, Australia during the 1922 Lick Expedition.

SOURCE

Acquisition Date

12 September 1984

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