IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0402 LMG
Held at: Royal Geographical Society
Title: GRAZ, César L M Des
Date(s): 1837-1840
Level of description: Collection level
Extent: 1 box and 6 files
Name of creator(s): Graz | César L M | Des | fl 1837-1840 | Secretary to Commandant of the ASTROLABE
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
César L M Des Graz was Secretary to the Commandant of the ASTROLABE on the voyage, 1837-1840.
In 1836 Emperor Louis Philippe of France wanted France to play a part in the exploration of the Southern Seas. Dumont d'Urville in ASTROLABE would lead and would be accompanied by another ship LA ZELEE captained by Charles Hector Jacquinot. Seven scientists accompanied the crews on the voyage. The ships left Toulon 7 Sep 1837, the aim to locate the southern magnetic pole. On 22 Jan 1838 the ships came across Antarctic ice in the Antarctic peninsula region. They sailed across the Pacific in more temperate and tropical climes before heading south again to Tasmania arriving in November 1839. They set sail for Antarctica once again on 1 Jan 1840 and on the 19th sighted a part of the continent where the first ever landing on continental Antarctica was made. They determined the approximate position of the southern magnetic pole before heading back to Tasmania and New Zealand arriving back in Toulon France on 7 Nov 1840.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of César L M Des Graz on the voyage of the ASTROLABE, 1837-1840, including journal entitled 'Impressions et remarques pendant le voyage des corvettes l'ASTROLABE et la ZELEE', 7 Sep 1837-22 Jun 1840, in three volumes; a varient draft of the journal, 7 Sep 1837-6 Feb. 1838, including pen and ink sketches; 'Tableau comparatif des idiomes des disserents peuplades visitees par l'expedition' (French and fifteen native languages of Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand); eulogy of Dumont D'Urville, and some account of the expedition and 'Latitudes et longitudes et direction des vents de chaque jour pendant le voyage des corvettes l'ASTROLABE et la ZELEE', 1837-1840.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: French and fifteen native languages of Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand
System of arrangement:
As outlined in the Scope and Content.
Conditions governing access:
Accessed via the Foyle Reading Room. Free of charge for Fellows, Members and those with valid academic identification. All other users pay a charge and must bring identification in order to register on arrival.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Photocopying at the discretion of the Archivist and subject to completion of 'application for copies' form. No reproduction or publication without permission of the RGS-IBG Archivist.
Finding aids:
Hand list and card index.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Received from the family, 1952.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Prepared by an Archives volunteer using existing finding aids. Revised by Sarah Drewery.
Sources: http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/antarctic_ships/L'Astrolabe_Zelee.htm
Date(s) of descriptions: 17 January 2002; Oct 2008.