Letters and other documents relating to the life of William Gooch (Mm.6.48)

The Board of Longitude appointed William Gooch as astronomer to George Vancouver's expedition to the north-west coast of America. Sadly, he was killed on the island of Oahu before he was able to join Vancouver's ships, Discovery and Chatham. These papers were assembled by Gooch's father as a record of his son's life. They principally comprise letters from Gooch to his parents and from Nevil Maskelyne to Gooch's father. There are also extracts from Gooch's journal during the voyage.