Darwin embarks on the second voyage of HMS Beagle

Background. HMS Beagle's second expedition began on 27 December 1831. The mission intended to finish the survey of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego started in 1826, survey Chilean and Peruvian shores, and perform global chronometrical measurements. Diplomatic goals included visiting disputed territories. Captain King retired after the ship's 1830 return, leading to FitzRoy's appointment as commander.

Preparation. FitzRoy was commissioned as commander on 27 June 1831, with Lieutenants Wickham and Sulivan appointed. The ship was commissioned on 4 July 1831 and extensively refitted at FitzRoy's expense. Although originally scheduled to leave on 24 October 1831, delays in preparations postponed the departure until December. Darwin had been told the ship would sail in late September.

Darwin. Darwin studied geology with Sedgwick in 1831, developing a strong interest during their field trip. He had previously studied marine invertebrates at Edinburgh. His professional natural history notebooks reflected skills learned earlier. He read Herschel's Preliminary Discourse and Humboldt's Personal Narrative, which influenced his scientific approach before the voyage began.