HMS Beagle

HMS Beagle was a Cherokee-class 10 gun brig of the Royal Navy, named after the Beagle breed of dog.

Second voyage

For more detail see The Voyage of the Beagle.

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It was originally intended that Chanticleer would make the second South American Survey, but due to her poor condition Beagle was substituted for the voyage. FitzRoy had been considering how to return the Fuegians who had trained as missionaries, and on 25 June 1831 he was re-appointed as commander. The Beagle was commissioned on 4 July 1831 under the command of Captain Robert FitzRoy.

Related Topics:
''Chanticleer'' - 25 June - 1831 - Commissioned - 4 July

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She was immediately taken into dock for extensive rebuilding and refitting. As she required a new deck, FitzRoy had the upper-deck raised considerably, by 8 inches (200 mm) aft and 12 inches (300 mm) forward. The Cherokee class ships had the reputation of being ?coffin brigs,? which handled badly and were prone to sinking. By helping the decks to drain more quickly with less water collecting in the gunnels, the raised deck gave the Beagle better handling and made her less liable to become top-heavy and capsize. Additional sheathing added to the hull added about 7 tons to her displacement. FitzRoy spared no expense in her fitting out, which included 22 chronometers and 5 of a kind of barometer he had invented.

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FitzRoy was concerned about the lonely position of a captain at that time, prevented by custom and position from dining with his officers. He asked his friend and superior, Captain Francis Beaufort, to seek a gentleman passenger who would act as a companion as well as having opportunities as a naturalist. This led to Charles Darwin joining the voyage.

Related Topics:
Francis Beaufort - Naturalist - Charles Darwin

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Beagle was originally scheduled to leave on October 24, 1831 but because of delays in her preparations the departure was delayed until December. She attempted to depart on 10 December but ran into bad weather. Finally, on December 27 at 2:00 pm, the Beagle left Plymouth harbour on what was to become a groundbreaking scientific expedition. After completing extensive surveys in South America she returned via New Zealand to Falmouth, Cornwall, England on 2 October 1836.

Related Topics:
October 24 - 1831 - 10 December - December 27 - South America - New Zealand - Falmouth, Cornwall - England - 2 October - 1836

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