HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin on board, drops anchor off the Chonos Archipelago.

The HMS Beagle was a 10-gun brig of the Royal Navy, launched in 1820 and famed for its role in scientific exploration. Initially intended for combat, the vessel gained historical significance as a survey ship, particularly during its second voyage (1831–1836) when Charles Darwin joined the crew as a naturalist. Under the command of Captain Robert FitzRoy, the Beagle conducted extensive surveys of the South American coastline and circumnavigated the globe. This expedition profoundly influenced Darwin, providing him with observations and specimens that contributed to his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection. The Beagle’s robust design enabled it to endure harsh conditions, making it a symbol of scientific discovery and maritime resilience.