Robert Fitzroy
Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836. Volume I. Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830
"Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle" by Robert Fitz-Roy is a scientific publication written in the early 19th century. This work documents the surveying expeditions of the ships Adventure and Beagle, focusing on their explorations of the southern coasts of South America and the Beagle's circumnavigation of the globe between 1826 and 1836. The narrative encompasses detailed accounts of geographical discoveries, observations of natural history, and depictions of the indigenous peoples encountered during the voyages. The opening of the narrative introduces the reader to the context of the voyages as commanded by Captain Phillip Parker King aboard the Adventure and Captain Robert Fitz-Roy aboard the Beagle. It discusses the preparations made for the expedition, the motivations behind the survey, and the officers involved in the missions. Fitz-Roy explains the decision to prioritize the southern coasts of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego due to their novelty and interest. As they set sail from Plymouth, the narrative hints at the challenges they anticipate facing even before the ships reach Rio de Janeiro, including difficult weather conditions and the complexities of navigating the various landscapes.