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Williamstown Observatory, 1853-1863
Image: Transit Telescope - Portable, 3 1/4 inch,Troughton & Simms, circa 1850
Source: Museum Victoria
Williamstown Observatory was established in July 1853 to undertake astronomical observations in order to provide an accurate time signal to ship captains and navigators. Providing precise local time enabled mariners to correct their ship chronometers after the long voyage from Europe; accurate chronometers were essential for accurate and safe navigation across such long distances.
Robert Ellery was appointed Superintendent of the Observatory to undertake this work, initially with two chronometers, two 'indifferent' sextants, and an artificial horizon. In February 1854 a sextant by Potter [ST 22158], transit instrument by Potter, and regulator clock by Frodsham arrived. Ellery's observations controlled the dropping of a timeball at one o'clock each afternoon at the Flagstaff at Williamstown; from October 1854 a timeball was also erected at the telegraph office in William Street, Melbourne.
Having spent some time at Greenwich Observatory in London, Ellery had a clear view of the standards to be aimed at for both buildings and instruments. By 1857 he was noting that the piers of the transit instrument were shifting and disturbing his observations, while the altazimuth instrument he was using for observing occultations of stars was scarcely up to the task. The observatory comprised an 8 foot by 8 foot timber structure; the transit room was a canvas structure. The government provided funds in 1857 for a meridian room and a computing room, both wooden with stone foundations, but Ellery still awaited larger and more accurate instruments.
In 1858 Ellery was appointed to also superintend the Geodetic Survey of the colony. Often absent from the observatory, he relied on three volunteers for much of the observing and computing work.
By 1860 it had become clear that Williamstown was not a suitable site for the observatory. Dust from nearby quarrying, the increasing population in the area, the lowness and humidity of the site, and increased vibrations from the nearby railways -all meant a move to another site was essential. In 1860 the government appointed a Board of Visitors to oversee Ellery's astronomical work at Williamstown and Georg Neumayer's magnetic and meteorological researches at Flagstaff Observatory. With the approval of both Ellery and Neumayer, the Board recommended that the observatories should be merged at a new site.
The new Melbourne Observatory would not be fully operational until June 1863. In the meantime, in 1861 a transit room was erected at Williamstown in readiness for the arrival of a new transit instrument with 5 inch aperture by Troughton & Simms. Ellery finally received funds for the appointment of an assistant astronomer, Edward White. A new regulator clock by Frodsham (no 961) arrived in 1860, along with a Zenith sector by Troughton & Simms. Ellery implemented electrical circuits between the transit instrument, chronograph and clocks, which enabled time signals to be sent by telegraph.
By May 1861 Ellery could proudly report to the Board that 'our labours are now so far recognized by the older established Observatories of Europe and America as to have their regular place in most of the astronomical periodicals of the day.' The work of the Williamstown Observatory was wound down in mid 1863, as instruments were progressively moved to the new Melbourne Observatory, which formally commenced operation on 9 June 1863.
References:
Ellery, R.L.J. (1854/55). 'Account of Operations Connected with the Advancement of Commercial Astronomy in Australia', Monthly Notes & Records of the Royal Astronomical Society, 15, pp.153-156.
'First Annual Report of the Board of Visitors of the Astronomical and Magnetical Observatories', Victorian Parliamentary Papers, 1860-61.
'Second Report of the Board of Visitors to the Observatories', Victorian Parliamentary Papers, 1861-62.
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Negative - Timeball Tower, Williamstown
The timeball tower at Williamstown. A telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory at precisely 1pm each day lowered the brass ball. This allowed ships in Hobson's Bay to correct their c ...
From: Williamstown, Australia Images: 1 -
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Sextant - Potter, London, circa 1853
Sextant by J. D. Potter, London, in wooden case. This is probably the sextant that was in use at Williamstown Observatory from February 1854. The Victorian Government had ordered a nu ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
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Sextant - Hoppe, London, circa 1810
Sextant in wooden case, made by Hoppe London, circa 1810. Probably one of the two 'indifferent sextants' used by astronomer Robert Ellery when he established Williamstown Observatiry ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
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Marine Chronometer - Molyneux & Sons, London, No. 1438, circa 1830s
Marine chronometer by Molyneux & Sons, London, no. 1438, circa 1830s. This is one of the first two chronometers used by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery at the Williamstown Observat ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
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Measuring Rods - 10 Foot, Geodetic Survey of Victoria, 1860
Three iron measuring rods used in the Geodetic Survey of Victoria in the 1860s. The measuring rods were used to measure accurately a base line of approximately 5 miles near Werribee. Di ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Transit Telescope - Portable, 3.25-inch, Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1850
Portable transit telescope, 3.25 inch aperture, 42 inch focus, made by Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1850. This instrument was transferred from the Victorian Survey Department to Wi ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
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Painting - Williamstown Observatory, 1862
Watercolour painting of the Williamstown Observatory, August 1862, by "A.H.B.". Shows shows the transit telescope building, time ball tower, domed telescope building and associated buil ...
From: Williamstown, Australia Images: 0 -
Altitude & Azimuth Instrument - Troughton & Simms, London, 18 Inch, circa 1836
Altitude and azimuth instrument, or altazimuth, 18 inch circle, made by Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1836. This instrument was used for the Geodetic Survey of Victoria, 1858-71, whi ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 8 -
Artificial Horizon - Troughton & Simms, London, circa 1850s
Artificial horizon, made by Troughton & Simms, London. Used at both Williamstown Observatory and Melbourne Observatory, and for Geodetic Survey of Victoria. The artificial horizon was ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Plan - Williamstown Observatory, circa 1861
Plan of the Williamstown Observatory dating from 1861-62. The plan shows the main building of the Williamstown Observatory as it was after extensions in 1860, and as it stood prior to ...
From: Williamstown, Australia Images: 1
