Galilee (ship)

Galilee on her first cruise as a magnetic observatory, the added observation platform is clearly visible
History
Name:	Galilee
Owner:	Matthew Turner (1891-1909)
Builder:	Matthew Turner Shipyard, Benicia
Launched:	1891
Fate:	Beached in 1933
Notes:	Designed by Matthew Turner Chartered by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution 1905-1908
General characteristics
Tonnage:	328 tons
Displacement:	600 tons
Length:	132 ft 3 in (40.31 m)
Beam:	33 ft 3 in (10.13 m)
Depth:	12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Sail plan:	Brigantine

Designed by Matthew Turner

The Galilee was a brigantine, built in 1891, designed by Matthew Turner. She started on the packet line between San Francisco and Tahiti and was reckoned a very fast ship. In 1905 she was chartered by the Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism and converted into a magnetic observatory. She was used to make observations of Earth's magnetic field on three cruises over a period of three years from 1905 to 1908 in the Pacific Ocean.

Problems with magnetic materials that it had not been possible to replace on Galilee, led to the building of the Carnegie in 1909, which was constructed with virtually no magnetic materials. Galilee was later rigged as a schooner, had a diesel engine fitted and was used in the fishing industry before being beached in 1933, ending her active career. The stern and part of the bow are preserved in two different places in California.

The Galilee was built in 1891 in Benicia at the Matthew Turner Shipyard. She began her career on the packet line between San Francisco and Tahiti, carrying freight, passengers and French and US mail. On her maiden voyage she set a record of 21 days for the return trip from Tahiti.

The department was founded by Louis Agricola Bauer in 1904, becoming its first director. He recognized that the magnetic field over the oceans was little known and looked for a suitable vessel to make magnetic observations.

In 1905 the Galilee was chartered by the Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism to be converted into a magnetic observatory. The amount of magnetic materials on the ship was reduced to a minimum. The steel rigging was replaced by hemp ropes and a new observation bridge was constructed to lift the observation point as far as possible above the remaining iron parts of the ship, principally bolts in the vessel's sides. Additional cabin space was also provided to accommodate the scientists. Although the converted Galilee had magnetic constants lower than any equivalent ship at the time, corrections were still required to take account of the remaining magnetic material.