Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6916 = Sw. IX-94 on 26 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; F * close p; 2 single and 2 D stars in line n point to it." The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and not published until his 9th list in 1890, though Dreyer assumed it would be included in the 6th list. Swift's position is 2.3' too far northeast, although his description is a perfect match. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, this was the last discovery to make it into the NGC (published in 1888). Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 and noted the "F * close p" was 12th magnitude.

400/500mm - 17.5" (8/7/91): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W. A mag 14 star is at the west end 25" from center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb