Hydrographer’s Opinion--Continuation of Survey--Chain of Meridian
Distances--Efficient Arrangements--Repair and raise Deck--Outfit
--Boats--Lightning-Conductors--Rudder--Stove--Windlass
--Chronometers--Mr. Darwin--Persons on board--Changes--List of
those who returned--Supplies--Admiralty Instructions--Memorandum
--Hydrographer’s Memorandum.
When it was decided that a small vessel should be sent to Tierra del
Fuego, the Hydrographer of the Admiralty was referred to for his
opinion, as to what addition she might make to the yet incomplete
surveys of that country, and other places which she might visit.
Captain Beaufort embraced the opportunity of expressing his anxiety
for the continuance of the South American Surveys, and mentioning
such objects, attainable by the Beagle, as he thought most desirable:
and it was soon after intimated to me that the voyage might occupy
several years. Desirous of adding as much as possible to a work in
which I had a strong interest, and entertaining the hope that a
chain of meridian distances might be carried round the world if we
returned to England across the Pacific, and by the Cape of Good Hope;
I resolved to spare neither expense nor trouble in making our little
Expedition as complete, with respect to material and preparation, as
my means and exertions would allow, when supported by the considerate
and satisfactory arrangements of the Admiralty: which were carried
into effect (at that time) by the Navy Board, the Victualling Board,
and the Dock-yard officers at Devonport.
The Beagle was commissioned on the 4th of July 1831, and was
immediately taken into dock to be thoroughly examined, and prepared
for a long period of foreign service. As she required a new deck, and
a good deal of repair about the upper works, I obtained permission
to have the upper-deck raised considerably,[1] which afterwards
proved to be of the greatest advantage to her as a sea boat, besides
adding so materially to the comfort of all on board. While in
dock, a sheathing of two-inch fir plank was nailed on the vessel’s
bottom, over which was a coating of felt, and then new copper. This
sheathing added about fifteen tons to her displacement, and nearly
seven to her actual measurement. Therefore, instead of 235 tons,
she might be considered about 242 tons burthen. The rudder was
fitted according to the plan of Captain Lihou: a patent windlass
supplied the place of a capstan: one of Frazer’s stoves, with an
oven attached, was taken instead of a common ‘galley’ fire-place;
and the lightning-conductors, invented by Mr. Harris, were fixed in
all the masts, the bowsprit, and even in the flying jib-boom. The
arrangements made in the fittings, both inside and outside, by the
officers of the Dock-yard, left nothing to be desired. Our ropes,
sails, and spars, were the best that could be procured; and to
complete our excellent outfit, six superior boats[2] (two of them
private property) were built expressly for us, and so contrived and
stowed that they could all be carried in any weather.
Considering the limited disposable space in so very small a ship, we
contrived to carry more instruments and books than one would readily
suppose could be stowed away in dry and secure places; and in a part
of my own cabin twenty-two chronometers were carefully placed.
Anxious that no opportunity of collecting useful information, during
the voyage, should be lost; I proposed to the Hydrographer that
some well-educated and scientific person should be sought for who
would willingly share such accommodations as I had to offer, in
order to profit by the opportunity of visiting distant countries yet
little known. Captain Beaufort approved of the suggestion, and wrote
to Professor Peacock, of Cambridge, who consulted with a friend,
Professor Henslow, and he named Mr. Charles Darwin, grandson of Dr.
Darwin the poet, as a young man of promising ability, extremely
fond of geology, and indeed all branches of natural history. In
consequence an offer was made to Mr. Darwin to be my guest on board,
which he accepted conditionally; permission was obtained for his
embarkation, and an order given by the Admiralty that he should be
borne on the ship’s books for provisions. The conditions asked by Mr.
Darwin were, that he should be at liberty to leave the Beagle and
retire from the Expedition when he thought proper, and that he should
pay a fair share of the expenses of my table.
Knowing well that no one actively engaged in the surveying duties
on which we were going to be employed, would have time--even if he
had ability--to make much use of the pencil, I engaged an artist,
Mr. Augustus Earle, to go out in a private capacity; though not
without the sanction of the Admiralty, who authorized him also
to be victualled. And in order to secure the constant, yet to a
certain degree mechanical attendance required by a large number of
chronometers, and to be enabled to repair our instruments and keep
them in order, I engaged the services of Mr. George James Stebbing,
eldest son of the mathematical instrument-maker at Portsmouth, as a
private assistant.
The established complement of officers and men (including marines and
boys) was sixty-five: but, with the supernumeraries I have mentioned,
we had on board, when the Beagle sailed from England, seventy-four
persons, namely:--
Robert Fitz-Roy Commander and Surveyor.
John Clements Wickham Lieutenant.
Bartholomew James Sulivan Lieutenant.
Edward Main Chaffers Master.
Robert Mac-Cormick Surgeon.
George Rowlett Purser.
Alexander Derbishire Mate.
Peter Benson Stewart Mate.
John Lort Stokes Mate and Assistant Surveyor.
Benjamin Bynoe Assistant Surgeon.
Arthur Mellersh Midshipman.
Philip Gidley King Midshipman.
Alexander Burns Usborne Master’s Assistant.
Charles Musters Volunteer 1st Class.
Jonathan May Carpenter.
Edward H. Hellyer Clerk.
Acting boatswain: sergeant of marines and seven privates:
thirty-four seamen and six boys.
On the List of supernumeraries were--
Charles Darwin Naturalist.
Augustus Earle Draughtsman.
George James Stebbing Instrument Maker.
Richard Matthews and three Fuegians: my own steward: and Mr.
Darwin’s servant.
Some changes occurred in the course of the five years’ voyage, which
it may be well to mention in this place.
In April 1832, Mr. Mac-Cormick and Mr. Derbishire returned to
England. Mr. Bynoe was appointed to act as Surgeon. Mr. Mellersh
received a Mate’s warrant; and Mr. Johnson joined the Beagle as
Midshipman. In May Mr. Musters fell a victim to fever, caught in the
harbour of Rio de Janeiro:--Mr. Forsyth took his place.
Mr. Earle suffered so much from continual ill health, that he could
not remain on board the Beagle after August 1832; but he lived at
Monte Video several months previously to his return to England.
The disappointment caused by losing his services was diminished by
meeting Mr. Martens at Monte Video, and engaging him to embark with
me as my draughtsman.
In March 1833, Mr. Hellyer was drowned at the Falkland Islands, in
attempting to get a bird he had shot. In September 1833, Mr. Kent
joined as Assistant Surgeon. In June 1834, Mr. Rowlett died, at sea,
of a complaint under which he had laboured for years: and the vacancy
caused by his lamented decease was filled by Mr. Dring.
Mr. Martens left me, at Valparaiso, in 1834; and Mr. King remained
with his father, at Sydney, in Australia, in February 1836. After
these changes, and at our return to England in October 1836, the list
stood thus--
Robert Fitz-Roy Captain and Surveyor.
John Clements Wickham Lieutenant.
Bartholomew James Sulivan Lieutenant.
Edward Main Chaffers Master.
Benjamin Bynoe Surgeon (Acting.)
John Edward Dring Purser (Acting.)
Peter Benson Stewart Mate.
John Lort Stokes Mate and Assistant Surveyor.
Arthur Mellersh Mate.
Charles Richardson Johnson Mate.
William Kent Assistant Surgeon.
Charles Forsyth Midshipman.
Alexander Burns Usborne Master’s Assistant.
Thomas Sorrell Boatswain (Acting.)
Jonathan May Carpenter.
And on the List of supernumeraries were Mr. Darwin: George
J. Stebbing: my steward: and Mr. Darwin’s servant.
Our complement of seamen, marines, and boys was complete at our
return, and generally during the voyage; because, although many
changes happened, we had always a choice of volunteers to fill vacant
places.
Many of the crew had sailed with me in the previous voyage of the
Beagle; and there were a few officers, as well as some marines and
seamen, who had served in the Beagle, or Adventure, during the whole
of the former voyage. These determined admirers of Tierra del Fuego
were, Lieutenant Wickham, Mr. Bynoe, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Mellersh, and
Mr. King; the boatswain, carpenter, and sergeant; four private
marines, my coxswain, and some seamen.
I must not omit to mention that among our provisions were various
antiscorbutics--such as pickles, dried apples, and lemon juice--of
the best quality, and in as great abundance as we could stow away;
we had also on board a very large quantity of Kilner and Moorsom’s
preserved meat, vegetables, and soup: and from the Medical Department
we received an ample supply of antiseptics, and articles useful for
preserving specimens of natural history.
Not only the heads of departments exerted themselves for the sake of
our health and safety, but the officers subordinate to them appeared
to take a personal interest in the Beagle; for which I and those with
me felt, and must always feel, most grateful.
Perhaps no vessel ever quitted her own country with a better or
more ample supply (in proportion to her probable necessities) of
every kind of useful provision and stores than the little ship of
whose wanderings I am now about to give a brief and very imperfect
narrative; and, therefore, if she succeeded in effecting any of the
objects of her mission, with comparative ease and expedition, let
the complete manner in which she was prepared for her voyage, by the
Dock-yard at Devonport, be fully remembered.
On the 15th of November I received my instructions from the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty.
INSTRUCTIONS
By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High
Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.
“You are hereby required and directed to put to sea, in the
vessel you command, so soon as she shall be in every respect
ready, and to proceed in her, with all convenient expedition,
successively to Madeira or Teneriffe; the Cape de Verde Islands;
Fernando Noronha; and the South American station; to perform
the operations, and execute the surveys, pointed out in the
accompanying memorandum, which has been drawn up under our
direction by the Hydrographer of this office; observing and
following, in the prosecution of the said surveys, and in your
other operations, the directions and suggestions contained in the
said memorandum.
“You are to consider yourself under the command of Rear-Admiral
Sir Thomas Baker, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty’s ships on
the South American station, whilst you are within the limits of
that station, in execution of the services above-mentioned; and
in addition to the directions conveyed to you in the memorandum,
on the subject of your supplies of provisions, we have signified
to the Rear-Admiral our desire that, whenever the occasion
offers, you should receive from him and the officers of his
squadron, any assistance, in stores and provisions, of which you
may stand in need.
“But during the whole time of your continuing on the above
duties, you are (notwithstanding the 16th article of the 4th
section of the 6th chapter, page 78, of the General Printed
Instructions) to send reports, by every opportunity, to our
Secretary, of your proceedings, and of the progress you make.
“Having completed the surveys which you are directed to execute
on the South American station, you are to proceed to perform
the several further operations set forth in the Hydrographer’s
memorandum, in the course therein pointed out; and having so
done, you are to return, in the vessel you command, to Spithead,
and report your arrival to our Secretary, for our information and
further directions.
“In the event of any unfortunate accident happening to yourself,
the officer on whom the command of the Beagle may in consequence
devolve, is hereby required and directed to complete, as far as
in him lies, that part of the survey on which the vessel may be
then engaged, but not to proceed to a new step in the voyage; as,
for instance, if at that time carrying on the coast survey on the
western side of South America, he is not to cross the Pacific,
but to return to England by Rio de Janeiro and the Atlantic.
“Given under our hands, the 11th of November 1831.
(Signed) “T. M. HARDY,
“G. BARRINGTON.”
“To Robert Fitz-Roy, Esq.,
Commander of his Majesty’s surveying vessel
‘Beagle,’ at Plymouth.”
“By command of their Lordships,
(Signed) “GEO. ELLIOT.”
Admiralty Office, 11th November 1831.
“SIR;
“With reference to the order which my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty have this day addressed to you, I am commanded by their
lordships to transmit to you a memorandum, to be shown by you
to any senior officer who may fall in with you, while you are
employed on the duties pointed out in the above order.
“I am, Sir, &c.
(Signed) “GEO. ELLIOT.”
“To Commander Fitz-Roy,
‘Beagle’ surveying vessel, Plymouth.”
“Admiralty Office, 11th November 1831.
“Memorandum.
“My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having ordered Commander
Fitz-Roy, of his Majesty’s surveying vessel the ‘Beagle,’ to
make surveys of various parts of the South American station, it
is their lordships’ direction that no senior officer who may
fall in with Commander Fitz-Roy, while he is employed in the
above important duties, do divert him therefrom, or in any way
interfere with him, or take from him, on any account, any of his
instruments or chronometers.
(Signed) “GEO. ELLIOT.”
“Memorandum.
“A considerable difference still exists in the longitude of Rio
de Janeiro, as determined by Captains King, Beechey, and Foster,
on the one hand, and Captain W. F. Owen, Baron Roussin, and the
Portuguese astronomers, on the other; and as all our meridian
distances in South America are measured from thence, it becomes
a matter of importance to decide between these conflicting
authorities. Few vessels will have ever left this country with
a better set of chronometers, both public and private, than the
Beagle; and if her voyage be made in short stages, in order to
detect the changes which take place in all chronometers during a
continuous increase of temperature, it will probably enable us
to reduce that difference within limits too small to be of much
import in our future conclusions.
“With this view, the run to Rio de Janeiro may be conveniently
divided into four parts:--
“1st. Touching at Madeira, the exact position of which has been
admitted by all parties. Having obtained a four days’ rate there,
or, if the weather and the exposed anchorage will not permit,
at Teneriffe, the Beagle should, 2dly, proceed with the least
possible delay to Port Praya, in the Cape de Verde Islands, not
only to establish a fresh four days’ rate; but that point being
the pivot on which all Captain Owen’s longitudes turn, no pains
should be spared in verifying the position he has assumed for it.
From thence, 3dly, she should make the best of her way across the
Line to Fernando Noronha. This island, indeed, lies somewhat to
the westward of her track, and may retard her progress a little;
yet a series of chronometric observations there is essential
to the object in view, because it forms the third nearly equal
division of the whole run, and because it was the point of
junction of Commander Foster’s double line of longitudes. If
two or three days’ delay at either of these two last stations
will enable him to obtain satisfactory occultations, and moon
culminating observations, which are likely to be seen in this
country, the increased certainty of the results will well atone
for that loss of time. The Commander will, of course, be careful
to adopt, in all those stations, the precise spot of the former
observations, with which his are to be compared. The Governor of
Fernando Noronha was peculiarly obliging to Commander Foster,
and gave up part of his own house for the pendulum experiments.
There will be no occasion now for trespassing so heavily on his
kindness; but the difference of longitude between that station
and Commander Fitz-Roy’s must be well measured.
“However desirable it may be that the Beagle should reach Rio de
Janeiro as soon as possible, yet the great importance of knowing
the true position of the Abrolhos Banks, and the certainty that
they extend much further out than the limits assigned to them
by Baron Roussin, will warrant the sacrifice of a few days, if
other circumstances should enable her to beat down about the
meridian of 36° W. from the latitude of 16° S. The deep sea-line
should be kept in motion; and if soundings be obtained, the bank
should be pursued both ways, out to the edge, and in to that part
already known.
“Its actual extent to the eastward, and its connection with the
shoals being thus ascertained, its further investigation may be
left to more convenient opportunities.
“At Rio de Janeiro, the time necessary for watering, &c.
will, no doubt, be employed by the commander in every species
of observation that can assist in deciding the longitude of
Villegagnon Island.
“It is understood that a French Expedition is now engaged in the
examination of the coast between St. Catherine’s and the Rio de
la Plata; it would therefore be a waste of means to interfere
with that interval; and Commander Fitz-Roy should be directed to
proceed to Monte Video, and to rate his chronometers in the same
situation occupied by Captain King.
“To the southward of the Rio de la Plata, the real work of the
survey will begin. Of that great extent of coast which reaches
from Cape St. Antonio to St. George’s bay, we only know that it
is inaccurately placed, and that it contains some large rivers,
which rise at the other side of the continent, and some good
harbours, which are undoubtedly worth a minute examination. Much
of it, however, from the casual accounts of the Spaniards, seems
to offer but little interest either to navigation or commerce,
and will scarcely require more than to have its direction laid
down correctly, and its prominent points fixed. It should
nevertheless be borne in mind there, and in other places, that
the more hopeless and forbidding any long line of coast may be,
the more precious becomes the discovery of a port which affords
safe anchorage and wholesome refreshments.
“The portions of the coast which seem to require particular
examination are--
“1st. From Monte Hermoso to the Rio Colorado, including the large
inlet of Bahia Blanco, of which there are three manuscripts in
this office that differ in every thing but in name.
“2dly. The gulf of Todos los Santos, which is studded in the
Spanish charts with innumerable islands and shoals. It is said
to have an excellent harbour on its southern side, which should
be verified; but a minute survey of such an Archipelago would be
a useless consumption of time, and it will therefore be found
sufficient to give the outer line of the dangers, and to connect
that line with the regular soundings in the offing.
“3dly. The Rio Negro is stated to be a river of large capacity,
with settlements fifty miles from its mouth, and ought to be
partially reconnoitred as far as it is navigable.
“4thly. The gulf of San Matias should be examined, especially its
two harbours, San Antonio and San José, and a narrow inlet on the
eastern side of the peninsula, which, if easy of access, appears
to be admirably situated: and--
“5thly. From the Bahia Nueva to Cape Blanco, including the Gulf
of St. George, the coast is of various degrees of interest, and
will accordingly require to have more or less time bestowed
on its different parts. The position of Cape Blanco should be
determined, as there appears to be an error of some miles in its
latitude, as well as much doubt about the places of two shoals
which are marked near it in the Spanish charts.
“From Cape Blanco to the Strait of Magalhaens, the coast has been
partially corrected by Captain King; and Port Desire, having been
carefully placed by him, will afford a good place for rating the
chronometers, and an opportunity for exploring the river.
“Port San Julian, with its bar and wide river, should be
surveyed, as well as any parts of that interval which were not
visited in the last expedition.
“The above are the principal points of research between the
Rio de la Plata and the Strait. They have been consecutively
mentioned in order to bring them into one point of view; but that
part of this service would perhaps be advantageously postponed
till after the Beagle’s first return from the southward; and,
generally speaking, it would be unwise to lay down here a
specific route from which no deviation would be permitted. Where
so many unforeseen circumstances may disturb the best-concerted
arrangements, and where so much depends on climates and seasons
with which we are not yet intimately acquainted, the most that
can be safely done is to state the various objects of the voyage,
and to rely on the Commander’s known zeal and prudence to effect
them in the most convenient order.
“Applying this principle to what is yet to be done in the Strait,
and in the intricate group of islands which forms the Tierra del
Fuego, the following list will show our chief desiderata.
“Captain King, in his directions, alludes to a reef of half a
mile in length, off Cape Virgins, and in his chart he makes a
seven fathoms’ channel outside that reef; and still further out,
five fathoms with overfalls. Sarmiento places fifty fathoms at
ten miles E.S.E. from that Cape; thirteen fathoms at nineteen
miles; and, at twenty-one miles in the same direction, only four
fathoms, besides a very extensive bank projecting from Tierra
del Fuego, between which and the above shoals Malaspina passed
in thirteen fathoms. In short, there is conclusive evidence of
there being more banks than one that obstruct the entrance to the
Strait, and undoubtedly their thorough examination ought to be
one of the most important objects of the Expedition; inasmuch,
as a safe approach to either straits or harbours is of more
consequence to determine than the details inside.
“None of the above authors describe the nature of these shoals,
whether rock or sand; it will be interesting to note with
accuracy the slope, or regularity, of the depths, in their
different faces, the quality of their various materials, and
the disposition of the coarse or fine parts, as well as of
what species of rock in the neighbourhood they seem to be the
detritus; for it is probable that the place of their deposition
is connected with the very singular tides which seem to circulate
in the eastern end of the Strait.
“Beginning at Cape Orange, the whole north-eastern coast of
Tierra del Fuego as far as Cape San Diego should be surveyed,
including the outer edge of the extensive shoals that project
from its northern extreme, and setting at rest the question of
the Sebastian Channel.
“On the southern side of this great collection of islands, the
Beagle Channel and Whale-boat Sound should be finished, and
any other places which the Commander’s local knowledge may
point out as being requisite to complete his former survey, and
sufficiently interesting in themselves to warrant the time they
will cost; such as some apparently useful ports to the westward
of Cape False, and the north side of Wakefield Channel, all of
which are said to be frequented by the sealers.
“In the north-western part it is possible that other breaks may
be found interrupting the continuity of S^{ta.} Ines Island,
and communicating from the Southern Ocean with the Strait;
these should be fully or cursorily examined, according to their
appearance and promise; and though it would be a very useless
waste of time to pursue in detail the infinite number of bays,
openings, and roads, that teem on the western side of that
island, yet no good harbour should be omitted. It cannot be
repeated too often that the more inhospitable the region, the
more valuable is a known port of refuge.
“In the western division of the Strait, from Cape Pillar to Cape
Froward, there are a few openings which may perhaps be further
explored, on the chance of their leading out to sea; a few
positions which may require to be reviewed; and a few ports which
were only slightly looked into during Captain King’s laborious
and excellent survey, and which may now be completed, if likely
to augment the resources of ships occupied in those dreary
regions.
“In the eastern division of the Strait there is rather more
work to be done, as the Fuegian shore from Admiralty Sound to
Cape Orange has not been touched. Along with this part of the
service, the Islands of Saints Martha and Magdalena, and the
channel to the eastward of Elizabeth Island, will come in for
examination; and there is no part of the Strait which requires
to be more accurately laid down and distinctly described, from
the narrowness of the channels and the transverse direction of
the tides. Sweepstakes Foreland may prove to be an Island; if so,
there may be found an useful outlet to the long lee-shore that
extends from Cape Monmouth; and if not, perhaps some safe ports
might be discovered in that interval for vessels caught there in
strong westerly gales.
“It is not likely that, for the purposes of either war or
commerce, a much more detailed account will be necessary of
those two singular inland seas, Otway and Skyring Waters, unless
they should be found to communicate with one of the sounds on
the western coast, or with the western part of the Strait. The
general opinion in the former Expedition was certainly against
such a communication, and the phenomena of the tides is also
against it; still the thing is possible, and it becomes an
interesting geographical question, which a detached boat in fine
weather will readily solve.
“These several operations may probably be completed in the summer
of 1833-34, including two trips to Monte Video for refreshments;
but before we finally quit the eastern coast of South America, it
is necessary to advert to our present ignorance of the Falkland
Islands, however often they have been visited. The time that
would be occupied by a rigorous survey of this group of islands
would be very disproportionate to its value; but as they are the
frequent resort of whalers, and as it is of immense consequence
to a vessel that has lost her masts, anchors, or a large part of
her crew, to have a precise knowledge of the port to which she
is obliged to fly, it would well deserve some sacrifice of time
to have the most advantageous harbours and their approaches well
laid down, and connected by a general sketch or running survey.
Clear directions for recognizing and entering these ports should
accompany these plans; and as most contradictory statements have
been made of the refreshments to be obtained at the east and
west great islands, an authentic report on that subject by the
Commander will be of real utility.
“There is reason to believe that deep soundings may be traced
from these islands to the main, and if regular they would be of
great service in rectifying a ship’s place.
“Having now stated all that is most urgent to be done on this
side of the South American Continent as well as in the circuit of
Tierra del Fuego, the next step of the voyage will be Concepçion,
or Valparaiso, to one of which places the Beagle will have to
proceed for provisions, and where Captain King satisfactorily
determined the meridian distances.
“The interval of coast between Valparaiso and the western
entrance of the Strait has been partly surveyed, as well as most
of the deep and narrow channels formed by the islands of Hanover,
Wellington, and Madre de Dios; but of the sea face of that great
chain of islands which stretches from Queen Adelaide Archipelago
to Campana Island, little has yet been done. It presents a most
uninviting appearance, can probably afford but little benefit
to the navigator, and the chief object in urging its partial
examination, is to remove a blank from this great survey, which
was undertaken by Great Britain from such disinterested motives,
and which was executed by Captains King and Fitz-Roy with so much
skill and zeal.
“The experience gained by the latter in that climate will enable
him to accomplish all that is now required in much less time than
it would have occupied in the beginning of the former expedition.
“At the Gulf of Peñas the last survey terminated. Of the
peninsula de Tres Montes, and of the islands between that and
Chilóe, a Spanish manuscript has been procured from Don Felipe
Bauzá, which may greatly abridge the examination of that interval.
“From thence to Valdivia, Concepçion, and Valparaiso, the shore
is straight, and nearly in the direction of the meridian, so
that it will require no great expenditure of time to correct the
outline, and to fix the positions of all the salient points.
Mocha Island is supposed to be erroneously placed: and the depth,
breadth, and safety of its channel are not known.
“To the south of Valparaiso the port of Topocalmo and the large
shoal in the offing on which an American ship was wrecked,
require special examination; and according to Captain Burgess,
of the Alert, the coast and islands near Coquimbo are very
imperfectly laid down. Indeed of the whole of this coast, the
only general knowledge we have is from the Spanish charts,
which seem, with the exception of certain ports, to have been
merely the result of a running view of the shore. Of this kind
of half-knowledge we have had too much: the present state of
science, which affords such ample means, seems to demand that
whatever is now done should be finally done; and that coasts,
which are constantly visited by English vessels, should no longer
have the motley appearance of alternate error and accuracy.
If, therefore, the local Governments make no objections, the
survey should be continued to Coquimbo, and indefinitely to the
northward, till that period arrives when the Commander must
determine on quitting the shores of South America altogether.
That period will depend on the time that has been already
consumed, and on the previous management of his resources,
reserving sufficient to ensure his obtaining a series of
well-selected meridian distances in traversing the Pacific Ocean.
“The track he should pursue in executing this important duty
cannot well be prescribed here, without foreseeing to what part
of the coast he may have pushed the survey, and at what place he
may find it convenient to take in his last supplies. If he should
reach Guayaquil, or even Callao, it would be desirable he should
run for the Galapagos, and, if the season permits, survey that
knot of islands. Felix Island, the London bank seen by the brig
Cannon, in 1827, in 27° 6′ S. 92° 16′ W., even with the water’s
edge, and half a mile in length; some coral islands, supposed to
be 5° or 6° south of Pitcairn Island, and other spots, which have
crept into the charts on doubtful authority, would all be useful
objects of research if the Beagle’s route should fall in their
vicinity. But whatever route may be adopted, it should conduct
her to Tahiti, in order to verify the chronometers at Point
Venus, a point which may be considered as indisputably fixed by
Captain Cook’s and by many concurrent observations. Except in
this case, she ought to avoid as much as possible the ground
examined by Captain Beechey.
“From Tahiti the Beagle should proceed to Port Jackson touching
at some of the intervening islands, in order to divide the
run into judicious chronometer stages; for the observatory
at Paramatta (Port Jackson) being absolutely determined in
longitude, all those intervening islands will become standard
points to which future casual voyagers will be able to refer
their discoveries or correct their chronometers.
“From Port Jackson her course will depend on the time of the
year. If it be made by the southward, she might touch at Hobart
Town, King George Sound, and Swan River, to determine the
difference of longitude from thence to the Mauritius, avoiding
the hurricane months; to Table or Simon’s Bay, according to the
season; to St. Helena, Ascension, and home.
“If she should have to quit Port Jackson about the middle of
the year, her passage must be made through Torres Strait. In
her way thither, if the in-shore route be adopted, there are
several places whose positions it will be advantageous to
determine:--Moreton Bay, Port Bowen, Cape Flinders, and one of
the Prince of Wales Islands; and in pursuing her way towards
the Indian Ocean, unless the wind should hang to the southward,
Cape Valsche or the south-west extreme of New Guinea, one of the
Serwatty Chain, Coupang, or the extreme of Timor, Rotte Island,
and one of the extremes of Sandalwood Island, may be easily
determined without much loss of time. And, perhaps, in crossing
the ocean, if circumstances are favourable, she might look at the
Keeling Islands, and settle their position.
“Having now enumerated the principal places at which the Beagle
should be directed to touch in her circuit of the globe, and
described the leading operations which it would be desirable to
effect, it remains to make some general remarks on the conduct of
the whole survey.
“In such multiplied employments as must fall to the share of each
officer, there will be no time to waste on elaborate drawings.
Plain, distinct roughs, every where accompanied by explanatory
notes, and on a sufficiently large scale to show the minutiæ of
whatever knowledge has been acquired, will be documents of far
greater value in this office, to be reduced or referred to, than
highly finished plans, where accuracy is often sacrificed to
beauty.
“This applies particularly to the hills, which in general cost so
much labour, and are so often put in from fancy or from memory
after the lapse of months, if not of years, instead of being
projected while fresh in the mind, or while any inconsistencies
or errors may be rectified on the spot. A few strokes of a pen
will denote the extent and direction of the several slopes
much more distinctly than the brush, and if not worked up to
make a picture, will really cost as little or less time. The
in-shore sides of the hills, which cannot be seen from any of the
stations, must always be mere guess-work, and should not be shown
at all.
“It should be considered an essential branch of a nautical
survey, to give the perpendicular height of all remarkable hills
and headlands. It requires but a single angle at each station,
adds much to our geographical knowledge, materially assists the
draftsman, and by tables which are now printing it will afford to
the seaman a ready and exact means of knowing his distance.
“All charts and plans should be accompanied by views of the land;
those which are to be attached to the former should be taken at
such a distance as will enable a stranger to recognize the land,
or to steer for a certain point; and those best suited for the
plan of a port should show the marks for avoiding dangers, for
taking a leading course, or choosing an advantageous berth. In
all cases the angular distances and the angular altitudes of
the principal objects should be inserted in degrees and minutes
on each of the views, by which means they can be projected by
scale, so as to correct any want of precision in the eye of the
draftsman. Such views cannot be too numerous; they cost but a few
moments, and are extremely satisfactory to all navigators.
“Trifling as it may appear, the love of giving a multiplicity
of new and unmeaning names tends to confuse our geographical
knowledge. The name stamped upon a place by the first discoverer
should be held sacred by the common consent of all nations; and
in new discoveries it would be far more beneficial to make the
name convey some idea of the nature of the place; or if it be
inhabited, to adopt the native appellation, than to exhaust the
catalogue of public characters or private friends at home. The
officers and crews, indeed, have some claim on such distinction,
which, slight as it is, helps to excite an interest in the voyage.
“Constant observations on the tides, including their set, force,
and duration, the distance to which they carry salt water up the
rivers, their rise at the different periods of the lunation, and
the extent to which they are influenced by the periodic winds,
by the sea currents, or by the river freshes, form so prominent
a part of every surveyor’s duty, that no specific directions
on this subject can be necessary. Nor is there any occasion to
insist here on the equally important subject of currents; for it
is only by a great accumulation of data that we can ever hope to
reduce them to regular systems, or that we can detect the mode in
which they are affected by change of seasons, or influenced by
distant winds.
“The periods and limits of the monsoons and trade-winds will
naturally be a continual object of the Commander’s observation
and study. It is true that he can only witness what occurs during
his voyage; but besides collecting facts on this and the last
subject, on which others can hereafter reason, it will be of
immense advantage that he should endeavour to digest them with
the remarks of former voyagers when on the spot.
“On the western coast of South America, for instance, some
skill is required in making passages at different periods, and
much scattered experience has been gained by seamen who have
been long occupied there; but this information has not yet been
presented to the public in an intelligible form; and it seems to
be the peculiar province of an officer expressly employed on a
scientific mission like this, to combine that information with
his own, and to render it accessible to every navigator.
“The local attraction of the Beagle will of course have been
ascertained before she leaves England; but when favourable
opportunities occur, it will be satisfactory to swing her again
in different latitudes, and under large differences of variation.
“No day should pass at sea without a series of azimuths, and no
port should be quitted without having ascertained not only the
magnetic angle, but the dip, intensity, and diurnal variation.
If these observations should have been well made in the same
places before, we shall at once obtain the annual change; and
by multiplying them in new places, we shall have the means of
inferring the magnetic curves.
“The Commander has been so accustomed to the management of
chronometers, that there is no doubt, with proper precautions
and with proper formulæ for determining their rates, that he
will succeed in obtaining good results in reasonably short
intervals of time and in gradual changes of temperature; but
after long periods, and sudden changes of heat and cold, it will
be absolutely necessary to check them by astronomical means.
“Eclipses, occultations, lunar distances, and moon-culminating
stars, will furnish those means in abundance: of all these,
the last can be obtained with the greatest regularity and
certainty; they have become part of the current business at the
establishments of the Cape of Good Hope, Paramatta, and St.
Helena, in the southern hemisphere; probably at Madras, and
in many of the European observatories, and it will therefore
be scarcely possible that there should not be corresponding
observations for all such as he may have made.
“The eclipses of Jupiter’s third and fourth satellites should
also be sedulously observed whenever both immersion and emersion
can be seen, as the different powers of the telescopes employed
by the observers do not in that case affect the results.
“There are also some remarkable phenomena, which will be
announced in the Nautical Almanacks, and which will occur during
the Beagle’s voyage. Some of these will be highly interesting to
astronomers, and if it would not much derange her operations, she
should be taken to some convenient anchorage for the purpose of
landing the instruments.
“If a comet should be discovered while the Beagle is in port,
its position should be determined every night by observing its
transit over the meridian, always accompanied by the transits
of the nearest known stars, and by circum-meridional altitudes,
or by measuring its angular distance from three well-situated
stars by a sextant. This latter process can be effected even at
sea, and the mean of several observations may give very near
approximations to its real position.
“Meteorological Registers may be of use in a variety of ways; but
then they must be steadily and accurately kept. The barometer
should be read off to the third place of decimals, and recorded
at regular periods of the day; nine o’clock and four o’clock
may be recommended as the best, as being the usual hours of its
maximum and minimum. The temperature should be marked at the same
time, and the extremes of the self-registering thermometer should
be daily recorded; care being taken that no reflected heat should
act on any of these instruments. The temperature of the sea at
the surface ought to be frequently observed and compared with
that of the air. An officer cruizing on the east coast of South
America, between the parallels of 20° and 35°, was enabled by
these means to predict with singular precision the direction and
strength of the current.
“In this register the state of the wind and weather will, of
course, be inserted; but some intelligible scale should be
assumed, to indicate the force of the former, instead of the
ambiguous terms ‘fresh,’ ‘moderate,’ &c., in using which no two
people agree; and some concise method should also be employed for
expressing the state of the weather. The suggestions contained in
the annexed printed paper are recommended for the above purposes,
and if adopted, a copy should be pasted on the first page of
every volume of the log-book; and the officer of the watch should
be directed to use the same terms in the columns of the log-board.
“The circularly-formed Coral Islands in the Pacific occasionally
afford excellent land-locked harbours, with a sufficient
entrance, and would be well adapted to any nice astronomical
observations which might require to be carried on in undisturbed
tranquillity. While these are quietly proceeding, and the
chronometers rating, a very interesting inquiry might be
instituted respecting the formation of these coral reefs.
“An exact geological map of the whole island should be
constructed, showing its form, the greatest height to which the
solid coral has risen, as well as that to which the fragments
appear to have been forced. The slope of its sides should be
carefully measured in different places, and particularly on the
external face, by a series of soundings, at very short distances
from each other, and carried out to the greatest possible depths,
at times when no tide or current can affect the perpendicularity
of the line. A modern and very plausible theory has been put
forward, that these wonderful formations, instead of ascending
from the bottom of the sea, have been raised from the summits
of extinct volcanoes; and therefore the nature of the bottom at
each of these soundings should be noted, and every means exerted
that ingenuity can devise of discovering at what depth the coral
formation begins, and of what materials the substratum on which
it rests is composed. The shape, slope, and elevation of the
coral knolls in the lagoon would also help the investigation; and
no circumstances should be neglected which can render an account
of the general structure clear and perspicuous.
“A set of observations connected with the theory of the tides
might likewise be carried on with peculiar propriety in one of
these coral basins, provided the openings should be sufficiently
wide and deep to admit the flux and reflux without material
impediment. The island selected for such a purpose should be
nearly midway in the ocean, and not very far from the equator.
There the tidal wave, uninfluenced by the interrupting barrier
of one continent, and equally far from the reaction of the
other, might be measured with very beneficial results. Delicate
tide-gauges should be prepared beforehand, and immediately
fixed in some snug nook, where the undulation of the sea could
not reach. The rise and fall of the tide should be registered
every hour, during the stay of the Beagle, as well as the moments
(stated whether in apparent or mean time) of high and low water,
as nearly as they can be obtained; and the periods at which
the sea and land breezes spring up and fail should likewise be
noted, with their effects on the tide, if they can be detected.
A boat should be detached, on each tide, to some distance from
the island, in order to ascertain the strength and direction of
the stream; and all these operations should be continued, if
possible, through a whole lunation.
“Compiling general and particular instructions, for the
navigation of all the places which he may visit, will of course
be an essential part of the Commander’s duty; but he will also
have innumerable opportunities of collecting a variety of
auxiliary information, which, when judiciously combined with the
above instructions, of a purely nautical character, will much
enhance their utility to all classes of vessels. Such as the
general resources on which ships may depend in different places:
the chief productions that can be obtained, and the objects most
anxiously desired in return: the effect of seasons, of climate,
and of peculiar articles of food on the health of the crew, and
many others which will readily occur to his mind, and which
become of great value to a stranger.
“On all the subjects touched on in these memoranda, Commander
Fitz-Roy should be directed to draw up specific reports, and
to transmit them from time to time, through their Lordship’s
Secretary, to the Hydrographic Office, so that if any disaster
should happen to the Beagle, the fruits of the expedition may
not be altogether lost. Besides such reports, and with the same
object in view, he should keep up a detailed correspondence by
every opportunity with the Hydrographer.
“The narrative of every voyage in the Pacific Ocean abounds with
proofs of the necessity of being unremittingly on guard against
the petty treacheries or more daring attacks of the natives.
It should be recollected that they are no longer the timid and
unarmed creatures of former times, but that many of them now
possess fire-arms and ammunition, and are skilful in the use
of them. Temper and vigilance will be the best preservatives
against trivial offences and misunderstandings, which too often
end in fatal quarrels; and true firmness will abandon objects of
small importance, where perseverance must entail the necessity
of violence; for it would be a subject of deep regret that an
expedition devoted to the noblest purpose, the acquisition of
knowledge, should be stained by a single act of hostility.
(Signed) “F. BEAUFORT.”
“Hydrographical Office, 11th November 1831.”
FIGURES
TO DENOTE THE FORCE OF THE WIND.
0 Calm.
1 Light Air Or just sufficient to give steerage way.
2 Light Breeze } Or that in which a man-of-war, {1 to 2 knots.
} with all sail set,
3 Gentle Breeze } and clean full, would go {3 to 4 knots.
} in smooth water from
4 Moderate Breeze} {5 to 6 knots.
5 Fresh Breeze } {Royals, &c.
} {
6 Strong Breeze } Or that to which a well- {Single-reefed topsails
} conditioned man-of-war { and top-gall. sails.
} could just carry {Double-reefed topsails,
7 Moderate Gale } in chase, full and by { jib, &c.
} {Treble-reefed topsails,
8 Fresh Gale } { &c.
} {Close-reefed topsails
9 Strong Gale } { and courses.
10 Whole Gale Or that with which she could scarcely bear
close-reefed main-topsail and reefed foresail.
11 Storm Or that which would reduce her to storm staysails.
12 Hurricane Or that which no canvass could withstand.
LETTERS
TO DENOTE THE STATE OF THE WEATHER.
b Blue Sky; (whether clear, or hazy, atmosphere).
c Clouds; (detached passing clouds).
d Drizzling Rain.
f Foggy----f Thick fog.
g Gloomy (dark weather).
h Hail.
l Lightning.
m Misty (hazy atmosphere).
o Overcast (or the whole sky covered with thick clouds).
p Passing (temporary showers).
q Squally.
r Rain (continued rain).
s Snow.
t Thunder.
u Ugly (threatening appearances).
v Visible (clear atmosphere).
w Wet Dew.
. Under any letter, indicates an extraordinary degree.
By the combination of these letters, all the ordinary
phenomena of the weather may be expressed with facility and
brevity.
Examples:--Bcm, Blue sky, with passing clouds, and a hazy
atmosphere.
Gv, Gloomy dark weather, but distant objects remarkably
visible.
Qpdlt, Very hard squalls, with passing showers of drizzle,
and accompanied by lightning with very heavy thunder.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Eight inches abaft and twelve forward.
[2] Besides a dinghy carried astern.