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 Penas, 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 Sky ring's disappointment, I had no other 

 cause for dissatisfaction. 



