Excerpts from H.M.S. Beagle Logs 

  • Date: Each date link above is in two sections (note space between day and month):
    •     Day: View FitzRoy's Narrative for that date.
    • Month: View Darwin's Diary for that date.
    •   info : Additional details about a log entry.
  • Time: As entered in the logs. Daily noon entry is in boldface with white background.
  • Remarks: Text color scheme indicates source of excerpt. In the case of duplicate entries, only the Captain's log excerpt is given. Island name [in brackets] does not appear in log, but is believed to be as indicated.
    • Captain's log — ADM 51/3055
    • Master's log — ADM 52/4002
    • Ship's log — ADM 53/236
    • FitzRoy's Narrative 
    • Darwin's Diary 
  • Degrees: This column converts bearing entries in the Beagle logs to degrees, with respect to 0° = North. A correction of 9°30' is added, to account for the easterly compass variation recorded by FitzRoy.
    A few positions are not plotted on the accompanying chart. See the appropriate dated note below for further details.
    •   Entry on gray background  does not agree with the actual position given by other bearings, or the location of the cited landmark is uncertain.
    •  Entry on brighter yellow background  indicates a position so close to another one that it would overlap.

View map showing Beagle track (or press “M” key while reviewing entries below).

Date (1835) Time Remarks Degrees
14 September
info		 noon 1°53' S, 88°13' W
Hoods N 45° W 62 miles		 
324°30'
15 September
info		 10:00 amSaw land WNW to NW by W302°
313°15'
noonChatham NW 10 Miles324°30'
6:30 pmlost sight of Woods [sic, Hood's] 
6:50 pmVisible extremes of Chatham N by E and
NE 		20°45'
54°30'
15 & 16 (overnight) We worked up to Hood Island during the night. 
16 September
info		 5:00 amSaw Wood's [sic, Hood's in Master's Log] SW by S. 223°15'
daylight … lowered a boat down and prepared her for Mr. Chaffers, who, with Mr. Mellersh, was to examine this island and the anchorages around it.  
? The next day [i.e., today—JW] we ran near Hood's Isd & there left the Whale boat.  
noon Yawl left the ship, victualled for three weeks  
At noon, Barrington Island was visible from the deck, and appeared to be distant about twenty miles.
With Messrs. Stewart and Johnson, … Mr. Sulivan left us to examine the central islands of the archipelago.		  
Summit of Barrington N 60°30' W
SE Extremity of Hood's S 29 E		 309°
160°30'
1-3:00 pm Standing toward SW end of Chatham 
4:15 pm Under the NW end of Chatham 
? Summit of Barrington N 60°30' W
East Extremity of Chatham N 46°15' E		 309°
55°45'
? S.E. Extremity of Hood's S 28°30' E
West Extremity of Chatham N 46°30' E		 160°30'
46°30'
evening In the evening the Yawl was also sent away on a surveying cruize of some length.  
11:00 pm Dalrymple Rock N 57 W
Kicker Rock N 30 E		 312°30'
39°30'
17 September 8:35 am Weighed ... standing along the north side of Chatham 
11:00 am Kicker Rock N 10 E
Finger Peak N 45 E [now Cerro Brujo—JW]		 19°30'
54°30'
noon at Anchor in Stephen's Bay 
18 September
info		 8:00 am Weighed, running along the north side of Chatham 
noon at Anchor, Chatham
Mt. Pitt N 76° E [sic? N 86° E],
Kicker Rock S 50° W
95°30'
239°30'
19 September
info		 9-11 amStanding along NE side of Chatham 
noon Working round at E. end of Chatham 
6:00 pm Mount Pitt S 76° W265°30'
20 September
info		 daylight Mount Pitt W by N ¼ N [sic NW ¼ N?]327°18'45"
noon Mount Pitt N 24° E
W. extremity of island S 64° W		33°30'
253°30'
6:20 pm Came to in Stephens Bay. Mr. Chaffers returned in the whale boat, bringing on board David Walton who had been left on Hoods Island (without water or provisions) from the American whaler Hydaspe of New Bedford. [See 24 September entry for Walton's return to his ship—JW.] 
  Mr. Chaffers returned on board, having reached the anchorage in the morning. 
21 September noon at Anchor in Stephen's Bay. 
22 September noon at Anchor in Stephen's Bay. 
23 September
info		 6:30 am Weighed ... standing out of Stephens Bay 
noon Standing out of Stephen's Bay. 
1:30 pm Barrington WSW257°
4:00 pm SE end of Barrington S 88° W
NW end N 68° W		277°30'
301°30'
6:00 pm Barrington Summit N 20° E
South extremity of Island N 38° E		29°30'
47°30'
11:00 pm Barrington extremes NE by N and
N by E		43°15'
20°45'
Midnight Extremes of Barrington N & NNE9°30' & 32°
(overnight) This night was spent under sail between Charles and Hood Islands. 
24 September 3:00 am West point of Barrington NW 8 or 10 miles324°30'
4:00 am West point N by W ½ W 6 or 8 miles352°37'30"
West point NW by W ½ W 6 or 8 miles307°37'30"
6:00 am West extremity of Barrington N 10° W
East extremity of Barrington N 15° E		359°30'
24°30'
noon Gardner Hill S 41°30' E
Barrington Summit N 39°40' E		148°
49°10'
Gardner Hill S 41° E
Barrington Summit N 40° E		148°30'
49°30'
(time not given)Mr. Chaffers and Mr. Mellersh went away in a boat to visit the islets that lie near the eastern side of [Charles] island. 
1-5:00 pmWorking up to Charles Island 
6:00 pmat single anchor in Post Office Bay 
8:00 pmFound two American whalers at anchor. Sent David Walton on board the Hydaspe. 
25 September noon at anchor in Post Office Bay 
26 September noon at anchor in Post Office Bay 
3:00 pm Working to the Southward 
5:00 pm Saddle Point S 11°10 W200°40'
Saddle Point S by W
Round Hill S 73° E		200° 45'
116°30'
9:00 pm Mr. Chaffers returned, having been round the south side of this island after visiting the small eastern islets. 
27 September all day at anchor in Black Beach Bay 
noon Single anchor Black Beach Bay 
28 September 8:05 amWeighed and made all sail ... 
noon Running for the SE side of Albemarle 
2-6:00 pm Running along SE side of Albemarle 
6:00 pm SW point of Albemarle N 76° W, 12 miles293°30'
29 September
info		 noon At anchor Albemarle Island 
(time not given) I despatched Mr. Mellersh and Mr. King, to examine the depth of Elizabeth Bay, and rejoin us beyond Narborough Island. 
6:40 pm Near points of Albemarle NE and
S by W ½ W
Centre of Narborough N by E		54°30' &
 206°22'30"
 20°45' 
8:00 pm Point Christopher S ½ W, 3 miles off shore195°7'30"
30 September
info		 daylight Point Christopher SE
Showed colors to an American whaler (the Science)		144°30'
noon W end of Albemarle S 12° W
SW extreme of Narbro [sic] N 52° W		201°30'
317°30'
4-8:00 pm Running along the NE side of Narborough 
4-9:00 pm Running along the NE side of Narborough 
6:18 pm Came to in Blonde [Tagus] Cove 
10:00 pm Moored in Blonde Tagus Cove 
10:00 pm Moored in [blank space (Tagus)] Cove, Albemarle 
1 October all morning Moored in Blonde Tagus Cove 
all day Moored in Blonde Tagus Cove. Employed as most necessary 
noon Tagus Cove 
all afternoon Moored in Tagus Cove 
2 October 10:00-noon Standing to the Northward 
noon Nearest point, Narborough SW 1 mile234°30'
8:00 pm SW extreme of Albemarle NW ¾ N
NW extreme of Narborough SW		332°56'15"
234°30'
3 October 4-5:00 am Standing for Narborough 
(time not given) Mr. Mellersh returned, having examined Elizabeth Bay and the western shore of Narborough Island. 
noon Cape Berkeley N by W
Banks Hill E by S		358°15'
110°45'
8:00 pm Cape Berkeley SSW
Cape Albemarle E by N ¼ N		212°
96°41'15"
midnight Cape Berkeley SSW ½ W
Point Albemarle E by N		217°37'30"
88°15'
4 October
info		 1-2:00 amHead to the Northward. Drifting to the Eastward 
6:00 am Cape Berkeley S 25 W
Cape Albemarle S 76 E		214°30'
113°30'
9:00 am Saw James Island ESE [sic, SSE]167°
noon Standing toward Abington Island 
1-4 pm Standing towards Abington 
5:10 pm Centre Summit of Abington N 89 E
Supposed Summit of James S 29 E		98°30'
160°30'
5 October
info		 8:00 am Saw the land bearing SE144°30'
10:35 am Saw the land E by S110°30'
noon Centre of Abington SE by E 8 miles132°30'
1:10 pmTowers [sic, Abington?, Bindloe?] SE ½ E138°52'30"
??NE extreme of Abington S 42 E
SW extreme of Abington S 27 E		147°30'
162°30'
??High land on Albemarle S 15 W 204°30'
sunset Abington Summit S 33 E156°30'
8:00 pm Center of Abington S by E 12 miles178°15'
9:43 pm Abington S ½ E 13-14 miles183°52'30"
midnight Abington S ¼ W195°7'30"
6 October
info		 2:00 am Summit of Abington SSW 16 or 18 miles212°
5:30 am Summit of Abington SSW ½ W 18 or 19 miles217°37'30"
8:00 am Summit of Abington S 34 W223°30'
noon Summit of Abington [sic, James] S 45 W
Centre of Towers S 7°30' W		234°30'
197°
4:00 pm Towers S 29 W 25-28 miles218°30'
5:30 pm Towers S 40 W229°30'
7 October
info		 11:00 am Saw the land [Tower] bearing SW by W 18 or 20 miles245°30'
noon North point of [blank space (Tower)] island S 49 W
South point of [blank space (Tower)] island 12 miles		 238°30'
—
North point of James [sic, Tower] island S 49 W
South point of James [sic, Tower] island S 16°41' W 12 or ?? miles		 238°30'
206°11'
1:00 pm Saw (blank space [Tower]) WSW257°
2:00 pm Tower East Extreme S 56°40' E
Nearest point 3½-4 miles		 131°50'
 
?S. Extreme of Bradbier's [sic,Bindloe] S 75 W
N. Extreme of Bradbier's [sic,Bindloe] West		 264°30'
279°30'
? Summit of Abington N 70 W
Highest point of James SSW ½ W		 299°30'
217°37'30"
11:30 pm James SW by S223°15'
midnight James SW by S223°15'
8 October 6:00 am E. Extreme of James S 46 E
W. Extreme of James S 50 W		143°30'
239°30'
9:00 am Standing to the Westward along North Side of James 
9:30 am Saw a boat pulling towards us - fired guns as signals 
(time not given) Lieutenant Sulivan returned with his party, and I then detached Mr. Chaffers in the yawl, accompanied by Mr. Johnson … to examine Bindloes, Abingdon, and Towers Islands.
Mr. Darwin … was landed, accompanied by Mr. Bynoe, besides his servant and H. Fuller.		 
10:30 am Hove to for a boat from shore [which had dropped off Darwin, Bynoe, 3 others. See 17 October entry for their return to ship—JW] 
11:20 am (anchored) 
noon At anchor, James's Island 
8:00 pm NE extreme of James E ½ S
N lump of James S by E		105°7'30"
178°15'
midnight NE extreme of James E by S
NE bluff of James S by E ½ E		101°15'
172°37'30"
9 October 8:00 am E extreme of James S 44 E
Sugar Loaf S by E		145°30'
178°15'
noon Sugar Loaf on James S 18° E
Ext. of Island S 73° E		171°30'
116°30'
4:00 pm SE extreme of James SE by E ½ E127°37'30"
6:00 pm Sugar Loaf S 17 W
E extreme of James S 55 E		206°30'
134°30'
6:00 pm Sugar Loaf S 17 W206°30'
8:00 pm E extreme of James SE by E
W extreme of James SW by S
Highest point of James S		 133°15'
223°15'
189°30'
midnight Extremes of James W by S ½ S [sic, W ½ S?] &
S by E		273°52'30"
178°15'
10 October
info		 8:00 am Rocky Islet [Daphne Mayor?, Guy Fawkes?] S 14°30' W
Peak of Breakfast Isl. [Bartolomé?, Beagle?] S 52 W
West [East?] extreme of James S 81°40' W		 204°
241°30'
271°10'
noon Extremities of Indefatigable S 26 W &
S 48 W
High point of Barrington S 3° W		 206°
237°30'
192°30'
4:00 pm W extreme of Chatham S 20 E
Mt. Pitt S 65 E
Barrington S 43 W		 169°30'
124°30'
232°30'
sunset Kicker Rock S 27°30' E
Mt. Pitt (?)
Barrington S 57°30' W		 162°
   ?   
247°
7:30 pm Kicker Rock SE by S155°45'
11:40 pm Centre of Barrington W by S ½ S [sic, W ½ S?]273°52'30"
11 October 3:00 am Lost sight of Barrington W ½ S273°52'30"
7:00 am Dalrymple Rocks N 43 E
S nearest extreme N 78 E		52°30'
87°30'
9:00-noon Standing along the SW side of Chatham 
noon at anchor 
12 October all day at anchor 
13 October 8:10 am Rocky Islet N 37 E
Highest part of Hood's S 22 W
W. extreme of Chatham S 82 W		 46°30'
211°30'
271°30'
noon W. summit of Hood's S by E
Extreme (W?) of Chatham N 42 E		178°15'
51°30'
midnight Hood's S by W ½ W206°22'30"
14 October 4:00 am Chatham NNE ½ E
N. side of Hood's SW by S 4 miles		37°37'30"
234°30'
11:30 am Running round N. side of Hood's 
noon Running round north side of Hood's Island 
4:00 pm Gardner's ENE
Round hill, Charles N by E ½ E		77°
26°22'30"
5-7:00 pm Standing to west along Charles 
8:00 pm Standing to northward 
9:00 pm at single anchor 
15 October 9:00 am At single anchor in Post Office Bay 
noon At anchor Post Office Bay 
16 October all day (at anchor in Post Office Bay) 
noon NE Extreme NE by E,
South Sand(?) Hill E		65°45'
99°30'
3:00 pm Weighed and made all sail to the SW 
4-8:00 pm Working up to Black Beach Bay 
8:20 pm Extremes of Charles NE by E & (?)
Round Hill ESE		65°45'
122°
17 October 12:35 am Rocky Islet [Crossman?] NW by N335°45'
4:00 am Rocky Islet [Crossman?] NW by W ½ W307°37'30"
5:00 am Bowles Rocks [Crossman?] N 71 W
Centre of Brattle S 44 W		298°30'
233°30'
8:30 am Running along Albemarle 
noon Running along SE side of Albemarle, to the Northward 
2:00 pm American whaler at anchor in Stephens [sic, James] Bay 
2:30; 3:50 pm Sent 2 boats on shore; Boats returned, up ditto
[boats sent to pick up Darwin and others—JW]		 
9:00 pm Sugar Loaf SE
NE ext [of ?] ENE		144°30'
77°
midnight N extremity of Albemarle NW by W
S extremity SE by S
James centre E		313°15'
155°35'
99°30'
18 October
info		 2:30 am Small island [Albany] off James ESE 2 miles 122°
4:00 am N end of Albemarle NW by W
Centre of James E by S		 313°15'
110°45'
7:00-noon Standing to NW along Albemarle  
noon Centre of Abington NE ½ N
Sugar Loaf S 46 E
Abington [sic, Albemarle] S 57 W
Albemarle S 57 W		 48°52'30"
143°30'
246°30'
246°30'
4:00 pm Centre of Abington NE by E
Centre of James SE ½ S
NW extreme of Albemarle S 47 W
Summit of Abington NE by E
Summit of James S ¼ W		 65°45'
150°7'30"
236°30'
65°45'
192°18'45"
6:00 pm NW extreme of Albemarle S 47° W
Summit of Abington NE by E		 227°
56°15'
7:00 pm Centre of Abington NE ¾ E 62°56'15"
19 October
info		 daylight Saw Abington Island ENE77°'
6:00 am N extremity of Abington N 48 E
S extremity of Abington N 70 E
Highest point of Abington N 60 E		 57°30'
79°30'
69°30'
8:00 am S extremity of Abington N 78 E
N extremity of Abington N 9 E [?]
Peak of Abington N 70 E
Centre of Bindloes S 70 E		 87°30'
19°30'
79°30'
119°30'
(time not given) Mr. Chaffers soon came alongside, … the boat was hoisted in, … . 
noon Extremes of Abington S 65 E &
N 72°10' E
Centre of Abington S 64°45' E		 124°30' &
81°40'
124°45'
6:50 pm Highest part of Abington S 69°40' E119°50'
20 October 5:35 am Peak on Wenman N 15°20' W354°10'
11:00 am Running along West side of Wenmans 
noon Wenman summit S 33 E
Culpepper N 43 W		156°30'
326°30'
4:00 pm Culpepper, highest part S(?)
Wenmans S 81 (?)		 
Culpeppers N 48 E
Wenmans S 81 E		57°30'
108°30'
21 October noon 0°51' N
93°3' W		10°21' N
102°33' W