From: Charles Darwin, Bowlby, 1990

From: Charles Darwin, Sproule 1990

When Darwin came home on August 29, 1831, the most important letter in his life was waiting for him. Captain FitzRoy of the surveying ship The Beagle was looking for a naturalist/companion for a voyage around the world and Henslow had recommended Darwin. Darwin was extremely enthusiastic but his father put a damper on his joy by denying his consent. He feared that his son would not become a minister. However, he said that if Darwin could find a sensible man, who would advise him to give his consent, he could change his opinion. Next day Darwin met Uncle Jos (Wedgwood), who reacted very positively. He wrote a letter to Robert Darwin in which he refuted all Robert's arguments. Then Robert gave his permission (some sources even tell that Robert had advised Charles to ask Uncle Jos). From that moment on everything went very fast ... . On September 5th Darwin made the acquaintance with FitzRoy, an aristocratic man from a melancholic family, who was hoping to find a good companion in Darwin. Yet it went nearly wrong because FitzRoy thought Darwin's nose and chin insipid. FitzRoy happened to practise physiognomy; a 'science' which tried to read character traits from the face. But Darwin's charm and enthusiasm did overcome this obstacle. Know more? Robert FitzRoy

Darwin (read father Darwin) had to pay himself for all expences for the planned voyage of two years. In a short time all purchases had to be done: microscope, rifle, two pistols, materials for stuffing animals, books, geological compass, etc. The ship, the Beagle, in which they were going to carry out the trip around the world, was very small: 30 by 8 m. It was rebuilt by FitzRoy into a threemast bark and modernized. Darwin said that he had never seen a ship so beautiful as this one. He slept in a hammock above the maptable, 60 cm under the ceiling. There were 73 people on board, including three Fuegians, who were taken along by FitzRoy during an earlier voyage and who had learned English and other things. The intention was to bring them back to see if they could transfer something of the British civilisation to the wild Fuegians. Because of very bad weather the Beagle could only sail on December 27, 1831. The delay was a heavy burden for Darwin and his health suffered because of it. FitzRoy was a very pious and dogmatic man: he took every word of the Bible literally. Furthermore he had a bad morning mood. Darwin needed all his tactfulness to keep the relation pleasant. He knew when to disappear in order not to get into a quarrel. A difficult point was the difference in opinion about slavery. FitzRoy defended it and even praised it, while Darwin detested it. During the trip they had serious arguments about it. On the other hand Darwin respected his ability as a captain and as a surveyor. Know more? The Beagle

Darwin 11

Back

Stop

Next