The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 415 - Voyage of the HMS Beagle - Live
Feb 4, 2020
Dive into the comedic chaos of the HMS Beagle's voyage! Discover Robert Fitzroy's rise from noble beginnings to the captain's chair. Laugh at the crew's absurd encounters with the Yagans and Darwin's quirky beetle obsession. Enjoy tales of culinary misadventures and superstition-fueled mishaps at sea. Marvel at the tension between Darwin and Fitzroy over science and religion, all wrapped in a lighthearted reflection on colonial misconceptions and the absurdities of maritime life.
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FitzRoy's Early Naval Career
- Robert FitzRoy, born in 1805, joined the Royal Navy at 13.
- He excelled, becoming a lieutenant at 19 and serving on the HMS Ganges in South America.
Stokes' Breakdown and Suicide
- Captain Pringle Stokes, commander of the HMS Beagle, suffered a mental breakdown.
- He locked himself in his cabin and later shot himself, dying of gangrene.
FitzRoy's Command and Yaghan Encounters
- FitzRoy took command after Stokes' death and surveyed Tierra del Fuego.
- He encountered the Yaghan people, who stole from the crew, leading to tense interactions.