RECORD: Usborne, A. B. 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. RN1
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), known as Jimmy, was master's assistant on the second Beagle voyage in 1831. He was promoted to the rank of retired captain in 1867 in her Majesty's fleet. (London Daily News, 25 September, 1867, p. 3). An extract of this letter was published in Life and Letters vol. 1, pp. 221. The geological memoranda mentioned in this letter, made by Darwin for Usborne, can be found in CUL-DAR207.14 and published in Correspondence vol. 1, p. 464.
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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
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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/)
File last updated 22 November, 2022