Overview

The HMS Challenger, a 200-foot warship converted for scientific use, left the English port of Sheerness on December 7, 1872, for a four-year voyage of exploration. Unlike previous expeditions, Challenger left to explore the sea itself, the first scientific expedition of oceanographic exploration. During Challenger's four years away from home, her crew and scientists founded the era of modern scientific study of the ocean and its creatures. Challenger returned to England on May 24, 1876, having traveled 68,890 nautical miles (79,277 miles or 127,584 km) with scientific specimens from over 350 sampling locations. These specimens included samples of bottom materials, samples of bottom animal life, water samples at a variety of depths, and samples of aquatic life from various depths. In addition, seawater temperature at different depths was measured, as were surface weather conditions, measurements of ocean currents, and other information. Following her return...