188 CAPTAIN FOSTER—CHANGES. Oct. 1828. 
time in proceeding, and found him deeply engaged in that 
series of observations which has reflected so much honour upon 
his memory. 
Before he sailed, I made an arrangement to meet the Chanti- 
cleer, either at Staten Land or Cape Horn, for the purpose of 
supplying her with provisions, to enable him to proceed thence 
to the Cape of Good Hope, without returning to Monte Video. 
On the 13th of October, we sailed for Rio de Janeiro to pro- 
cure some stores, which had been sent from England for our 
use, and to be caulked and refitted. The Beagle remained at 
Monte Video, to prepare for our next cruise. Before we were 
ready to leave Rio de Janeiro, the Commander-in-chief, Sir 
Robert Otway, arrived from Bahia, in his flag-ship, the Ganges. 
Sir Robert acquainted me, that he considered. it necessary for 
the Beagle to be hove down and repaired ;—that he intended 
to supersede Lieutenant Skyring; and had sent the requisite 
orders to Monte Video. When the Beagle arrived, Lieutenant 
Robert Fitz Roy, flag lieutenant of the Ganges, was appointed 
as commander; Mr. J. Kempe, mate, as lieutenant ; and Mr. 
M. Murray, ‘second master of the Ganges, as master. 
Although this arrangement was undoubtedly the prerogative 
of the Commander-in-chief, and I had no reason to complain of 
the selection he had made to fill the vacancies, yet it seemed 
hard that Lieutenant Skyring, who had in every way so well 
earned his promotion, should be deprived of an appointment to 
which he very naturally considered himself entitled. 
The conduct of Lieutenant Skyring, throughout the whole 
of his service in the Beagle,—especially during the survey 
of the Gulf of Peias, and the melancholy illness of his captain, 
—deserved the highest praise and consideration; but he was 
obliged to return to his former station as assistant surveyor : 
and, to his honour be it said, with an equanimity and good- 
will, which showed his thorough zeal for the service. 
Captain FitzRoy was considered qualified to command the 
Beagle: and although I could not but feel much for the bitter- 
ness of Lieutenant Skyring’s disappointment, I had no other 
cause for dissatisfaction. 
