16 FUEGIANS RE-EMBAl lK. 1831.
steam-vessel, at Plymouth, and not a few boats were required
to transport to our ship the large cargo of clothes, tools,
crockery-ware, books, and various things which the families
at Walthamstow and other kind-hearted persons had given.
In the small hold of the Beagle, it was not easy to find places
for the stowage of so many extra stores ; and when dividing the
contents of large chests, in order to pack them differently,
some very fair jokes were enjoyed by the seamen, at the expense
of those who had ordered complete sets of crockery-
ware, without desiring that any selection of articles should be
made.
Instructions were given, by the Secretary of the Church
Missionary Society, to the young man who wished to accompany
the Fuegians, which will be found in the Appendix;
and although he was rather too young, and less experienced
than might have been wished, his character and conduct had
been such as to give very fair grounds for anticipating that
he would, at least, sincerely endeavour to do his utmost in
a situation so difficult and trying as that for which he volunteered.
CHAPTER II,
Hydrograplier’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.
W h e n 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 H o p e ;
I resolved to spare neither expense nor trouble in making our
Httle 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 (a t that time)
by the Navy Board, the Victualling Board, and the Dockyard
officers at Devonport.
The Beagle was commissioned on the 4th of J u ly 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
VOL. I I . c