HMS BEAGLE MARINE CHRONOMETER THAT ACCOMPANIED CHARLES DARWIN ON FIVE-YEAR VOYAGE IS DISCOVERED AT BONHAMS Our Coverage Sponsored by Hallak Cleaners the Couture Cleaner
The young scientist Charles Darwin was on-board HMS Beagle’s expedition to South America and the Galapagos islands. Darwin attributed his first real training in natural history to this five-year voyage
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An important two-day marine chronometer from HMS Beagle, the legendary Admiralty survey ship that took Charles Darwin on an epic five-year voyage to South America and the Galapagos Islands, has surfaced at Bonhams. It will be offered in the 9th July Fine Clocks sale at New Bond Street, London with an estimate of £30,000-50,000.
The previously unrecorded marine chronometer, dated 1825 and signed by William Edward Frodsham, was one of 22 that were on board HMS Beagle. Until now, only two other recorded chronometers from the ship are known to have survived, both of which are owned by the British Museum.
‘W.E.Frodsham 2’
The offered lot, ‘W.E.Frodsham 2’, was the second chronometer produced by William Edward Frodsham (1804-1825), second son of a famous clock making family. Tragically, soon after the chronometer was completed William drowned whilst swimming. The chronometer, however, was not overlooked and was sent to Greenwhich to take part in the chronometer trials. In testament to William’s skill, it performed so well that it was purchased by the Admiralty.
The chronometer had a long and distinguished career: It was present on the second voyage of the Admiralty survey ship HMS Beagle (1831-1836) along with a science graduate by the name of Charles Darwin.
The second voyage of H.M.S. Beagle (1831-1836) under Captain (later Rear-Admiral) Robert Fitzroy sailed west across the South Pacific towards the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand and Australia. Captain Fitzroy sought to recruit a “gentleman companion” with a scientific background to help record the geology of the region – but more crucially – to reduce the isolation and depression that had led to the suicide of his predecessor on the long voyage. Charles Darwin was chosen from a number of University candidates, but had to pay for all his own supplies, the Admiralty having refused to fund a civilian scientist.
The Beagle reached the Galapagos Islands in September 1835 where Darwin was fascinated by such oddities as volcanic rocks and giant tortoises. This proved to be a pivotal moment in modern scientific and theological thought that resulted in the overturning of the accepted, centuries old, Creationist view.
Darwin’s five-year voyage on H.M.S. Beagle has become legendary after he wrote extensively about his experiences in The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle and in his seminal work On the Origin of Species published in 1859. The book caused uproar in the established Church and amongst traditionalists and ultimately created a rift between Charles Darwin and Robert Fitzroy, a devout Christian.
History of the marine Chronometer
The marine chronometer was created in response to the 1714 'Longitude Act' that offered a £20,000 reward for developing a means by which longitude could be accurately measured in a form that could be economically reproduced. This was essential in aiding navigation at sea, which until that point had been reliant on complex astronomical calculations and clear skies. The invention of the Chronometer helped Britain establish not only the naval, but also mercantile advantage that allowed her to dominate the oceans until the early 20th century.
Top lot in the sale is an 18th century ebony table clock by Thomas Tompion and nephew Edward Banger, estimated at £150,000-£250,000
A fine early 18th century quarter repeating ebony table clock by Thomas Tompion and Edward Banger is the most valuable lot in the sale, estimated at £150,000-250,000. Tompion was Master of the Clockmakers Company when this clock was completed. In the early years of the 18th century, while in partnership with his nephew Edward Banger, he was creating some of his most impressive work.
Other fine pieces include an exceptionally rare early 19th century French night projection timepiece by Bofenshen, which is estimated to sell for £60,000-80,000. Night clocks allowed the owner to see the time in the dark - not only useful on waking in the middle of the night, but also more generally in the darker winter evenings.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is the world’s third largest auctioneer of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further two in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com.
