I have now exhausted every subject to which it can be necessary to call the attention of an officer of your long experience; and I have, therefore, only further to express my conviction, that if Providence permits you to retain your wonted health and activity, you will pursue the great objects of this expedition with all the energy in your power, and with all the perseverance consistent with a due regard to the safety of His Majesty’s Ship, and to the comfort of your officers and crew.

Given, etc. this 8th of June, 1837.

F. Beaufort,

Hydrographer.

...

Officers and crew.

The crew embarked in the Beagle in this her third voyage, consisted of: 

John Clements Wickham, Commander and Surveyor. 
James B. Emery, Lieutenant. 
Henry Eden, Lieutenant. 
John Lort Stokes, Lieutenant and Assistant Surveyor. 
Alexander B. Usborne, Master. 
Benjamin Bynoe, Surgeon. 
Thomas Tait, Assistant Surgeon. 
John E. Dring, Clerk in charge. 
Benjamin F. Helpman, Mate. 
Auchmuty T. Freeze, Mate. 
Thomas T. Birch, Mate. 
L.R.  Fitzmaurice, Mate.*
William Tarrant, Master’s Assistant. 
Charles Keys,** Clerk. 
Thomas Sorrell, Boatswain. 
John Weeks, Carpenter. 
A corporal of marines and seven privates, with forty seamen and boys.

(Footnote.  This officer I afterwards appointed to the assistant surveyorship (vacated upon my succeeding Captain Wickham) on account of the active part he had taken in the surveying duties:  an appointment most handsomely confirmed by Captain Beaufort.)

(**Footnote.  Mr. Keys was always a volunteer for boat work, 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.)