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time in proceeding, and found him deeply engaged in that
sei-ies of observations which has reflected so much honour upon
his memory.
Before he sailed, I made an arrangement to meet the Chanticleer,
either at Staten Land or Cape Horn, for the purpose of
supplying her with provisions, to enable him to proceed thence
to the Cape of Good Hope, without returning to Monte Video.
On the 13th of October, we sailed for Rio de Janeiro to procure
some stores, which had been sent from England for our
use, and to be caulked and refitted. The Beagle remained at
Monte video, to prepare for our next cruise. Before we were
ready to leave Rio de Janeiro, the Commander-in-chief, Sir
Robert Otway, arrived from Bahia, in his flag-ship, the Ganges.
Sir Robert acquainted me, that he considered it necessary for
the Beagle to be hove down and repaired ;—that he intended
to supersede Lieutenant Skyring; and had sent the requisite
orders to Monte Video. When the Beagle arrived. Lieutenant
Robert Fitz Roy, flag lieutenant of the Ganges, was appointed
as commander ; Mr. J . Kempe, mate, as lieutenant; and Mr.
M. Murray, second master of the Ganges, as master.
Although this arrangement was undoubtedly the prerogative
of the Commander-in-chief, and I had no reason to complain of
the selection he had made to fill the vacancies, yet it seemed
hard that Lieutenant Skyring, who had in every way so well
earned his promotion, should be deprived of an appointment to
which he very naturally considered himself entitled.
The conduct of Lieutenant Skyring, throughout the whole
of his service in the Beagle,—especially during the survey
of the Gulf of Peñas, and the melancholy illness of his captain,
—deserved the highest praise and consideration; but he was
obliged to return to his former station as assistant surveyor:
and, to his honour be it said, with an equanimity and goodwill,
which showed his thorough zeal for the service.
Captain FitzRoy was considered qualified to command the
Beagle: and although I could not but feel much for the bitterness
of Lieutenant Skyring’s disappointment, I had no other
cause for dissatisfaction. ' f i l
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