The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Usborne, A. B. to Henrietta Litchfield. 1882.09.15. [Recollection of Darwin on the Beagle]. CUL-DAR207.17. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 10.2020, further editing 2024. RN2

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library.

Alexander Burns Usborne (1808-1885), Master's Assistant on the Beagle, 1831-3, assistant surveyor 1833-5. Mount Usborne, the highest mountain in the Falkland Islands, was named after him. Surveyed the coast of Peru as commander of the Beagle's assistant vessel the Constitucion, 1835-6, and returned to England via Cape Horn. Narrative 2: 482-3. Mentioned in the Beagle diary, pp. 84, 160, 207, 272, 304, 351; Ornithological notes, p. 237 and the same words in Birds, p. 17 and Journal of researches, p. 67 "Mr. Usborne experienced during the survey a more severe loss, in their [carrion hawks] stealing a small Kater's compass in a red morocco leather case, which was never recovered."

An extract of this letter was published in Life and Letters vol. 1, pp. 221. The geological memoranda mentioned in this letter is in CUL-DAR207.14 and published in Correspondence vol. 1, p. 464.

[1]

Turnchapel, Nr. Plymouth.

Sept. 15th/82

Dear Madam,

The only record I have of your late father, Mr. C. Darwin, is the enclosed geological instructions, rec'd from him for my guidance, at the time I took command of a small vessel, to survey the Coast of Peru.

I have a perfect recollection of him during the time he was

[2]

with us in the Beagle, and at all times of his amicability.

He was a dreadful sufferer from seasickness, and at times when I have been officer of the watch, and reduced the sails on the ship, making her more easy, and relieving him; I have been pronounced by him to be "a good officer" and he would resume his microscopic observations in the poop cabin.

He was a general favorite on board and dubbed the "Philosopher", but we never anticipated he would have become so distinguished a man, as he afterwards proved to be.

I should have much pleasure in sending you any thing relating to him in my possession. – but the accompanying paper is all I have.

I am Dr. Madam

Yours truly

A. B. Usborne.

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)