Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

' Xviii INTRODUCTION. removed into the other, and with her, singly, to proceed in prosecution of the service, or return to England, according as circumstances shall appear to require ; understanding that the officers and crews of both vessels are hereby authorized, and required, to continue to perform their duties, according to their respective ranks and stations, on board either vessel to which they may be so removed. Should, unfortunately, your own vessel be the one disabled, you are in that case to take the command of the Beagle: and, in the event of any fatal accident hap- pening to yourself; Captain Stokes is hereby au- thorized to take the command of the Expedition either on board the Adventure, or Beagle, as he may prefer ; placing the officer of the Expedition who may then be next in seniority to him, in com- mand of the second vessel : also, in the event of your inability, by sickness or otherwise, at any period of this service, to continue to carry the Instructions into execution, you are to transfer them to Captain Stokes, or to the surviving officer then next in command to you, who is hereby required to execute them, in the best manner he can, for the attainment of the object in view. " When you shall have completed the service, or shall, from any cause, be induced to give it up ; you will return to Spithead with all convenient expedi- tion ; and report your arrival, and proceedings, to our Secretary, for our information.