Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

CHAPTER II. Hydrographer's Opinion— Continuation of Survey— Chain of INIeridian Distances— Efficient Arrangements — Repair and raise Deck — Outfit Boats— Lightning-Conductors— Rudder— Stove— Windlass— Chrono- meters — Mr. Darwin — Persons on board — Changes — List of those who returned — Supplies— Admiralty Instructions— Memorandum — Hydro- grapher's Memorandum. When it was decided that a small vessel shovdd 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 thous-ht most desirable : and it was soon after intimated to me that the voyage might occupy several years. Desirous of add- ing as much as possible to a work in which I had a strong interest, and entertaining the hope that a chain of meridian dis- tances might be carried round the world if we returned to England across the Pacific, and by the Cape of Good Hope ; I resolved to spare neither expense nor trouble in making our little 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 (at that time) by the Navy Board, the Victualling Board, and the Dock- yard officers at Devonport. The Beagle was commissioned on the 4th of July 1831, and was immediately taken into dock to be thoroughly exa- mined, 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. II. c