APPENDIX
No. 48.
Previous to sailing from England in 1831, the Beagle was fitted
with the permanent lightning conductors inyentedby Mr. Wm. fenow
Harris, F.R.S. .
During the five years occupied in her voyage she was frequently
exposed to Ughtning, hut never received the slightest damage,
although supposed to have been struck by it on at least two occasions,
when- a t the instant of a vivid flash of Hghtning, accompanied
by a crashing peal of thunder-a hissing sound was heard on
the masts; and a strange, though very sHghtly tremulous, motion m
the ship indicated that something unusual had happened.
The Beagle's masts so fitted, answered well during the five years
voyage above-mentioned, and are still in use on board the same vessel,
on foreign service. .
Even in such small spars as her royal masts and flymg jibboom,
the plates of copper held their places firmly, and increased
rather than diminished their strength. ^
No objection which appears to me valid, has yet been raised agtunst
them • and were I allowed to choose between having masts so fitted
and tlie contrary, I should not have the sUghtest hesitation in decidin
»- on those with Mr. Harris's conductors.
Whether they might be farther improved, as to position and ot t o
details, is for their ingenious inventor to consider ¡md determine. He
has already devoted so many years of valuable time and attention to
the very important subject of defending ships agednst the sti-oke ot
electricity; and has succeeded 50 well for the benefit of others—at
great inconvenience and expense to himself-that it is earnestly to
he hoped that the Government, on behalf of this great maritime
country mU, at the least, indemnify him for time employed and private
funds expended in a public service of so useful and necessary a
character.
No. 49.
MEMOKANDUM OF SOME OF THE FEESH PROVISIONS, PROCURED FOR
THE BEAGLE'S CREW, BETWEEN 1831 AND 1835.
Many other animals and birds were shot at various places (besides
those enumerated in this list), by which every one on board
APPENDIX. C09
profited in turn. Fish were caught frequently, either with nets or
lines, sometimes with both ; so that, except in long passages, the crew
of the Beagle were seldom many weeks without a supply of fresh
and wholesome food; wliile the provisions carried on board were
always of the best quality that could be procured.
Number tod Weight of the Animals killed with two Rifles only.
DATK
1832.
Sept. 11
— 12
— )3
— 17
Oct. 16
1833.
August 25
— 30
— 31
Sept. 1
— 3
— 4
Dec. 28
1834.
April 24
— 30
May 8
— 9
— 11
ANIMALS. BT WHOM SHOT.
BLANCO BAY, EASTERN PATAGONIA.
One cavia
Three deer
One cavia
T\ro deer
Four deer
Two (leer
One deer
Two deer
Two cavias .
One deer
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
One fawn
Four cavias .
One cavia
One deer
Three cavias
I I . Fuller ..
Ditto
A. B. Bute
Mr. Stokes
H . Fuller ..
H . Fuller ..
Mr. Stokes
H . Fuller ..
Ditto ..
A. B. Bute
Mr. Bynoe
Mr. Stokes
H. Fuller ..
Ditto ..
Ditto ..
Capt. FitzRoy
Mr. Stokes
H . Fuller ..
WEIGHT.
PORT DESIRE, EASTERN PATAGONIA,
One guanaco. , j H. Ful ler ..
SANTA Ciiuz, EASTERN PATAGONIA.
One g-uanaco .
Two guanacoes
One guanaco .
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
I I . Fuller ..
Ditto ..
Mr. Bynoe
H. Fuller ..
Mr. Bynoe
Ditto ..
•22 lbs.
122
•19
81
107
95
•G2
79
35
43
45
39
46
12
T3
21
48
52
164
130
220
ISO
143
166
139
2,174 lbs.
• The weight of the whole animal. The rest are as served out to the
ship's company.
c c 2