k, and is
entitled to honourable mention as being, even where all were zealous, of
great value upon more than one occasion.)

During our six years' voyage the following changes occurred:

Mr. Usborne invalided, in consequence of his wound, in May 1839; Mr.
Birch exchanged, in August 1839, with Mr. Pasco, into the Britomart; Mr.
Freeze exchanged, in September 1839, with Mr. Forsyth,* into the Pelorus;
in February 1840, Mr. Helpman joined the colonial service in Western
Australia; Mr. C.J. Parker was appointed, in December 1840, to Mr.
Usborne's vacancy, superseding Mr. Tarrant, who had been doing Master's
duty since Mr. Usborne left; Lieutenants Emery and Eden returned to
England in March 1841. Late in the same month Commander Wickham
invalided, when the writer of this narrative was appointed to the vacant
command, by Commander Owen Stanley, H.M.S. Britomart, senior officer
present, an appointment subsequently confirmed by the Lords of the
Admiralty. In April 1841, Lieutenant Graham Gore succeeded Lieutenant
Emery.** Commander Wickham, myself, Mr. Bynoe, the Boatswain, and two
marines, had served in both the previous voyages of the Beagle.

(*Footnote. From this officer's previous knowledge of the duties of
surveying, having sailed in the Beagle on her former voyage, he proved a
very valuable addition to our party.)

(**Footnote. Lieutenant Gore had been appointed to H.M.S. Herald and came
down from India, expecting to join her at Sydney: on his arrival, he
found she had left the station; and though he might have spent some
months among his friends there, he in the most spirited manner, at once
volunteered to join the Beagle, and proved himself throughout the
remainder of the voyage of the greatest value, both to the service, and
the friend who here seeks to do justice to his worth. This deserving
officer would seem to have an hereditary taste for the duties of a voyage
of surveying and discovery, his grandfather having accompanied the
renowned circumnavigator, Cook, and his father, the unfortunate Bligh.
Besides Lieutenant Gore's valuable services in H.M.S. Beagle, he was 1st
Lieutenant of H.M.S. Volage, during the early part of the Chinese war,
and present at the capture of Aden: he served under Captain Sir George
Back in the Polar expedition, and on board H.M.S. Albion at the battle of
Navarin.)

DEPARTURE FROM WOOLWICH.

On the 9th of June we left Woolwich, in tow of H.M. Steamer Boxer,
furnished with every co