All bearings and courses, unless it is specified to the contrary, are magnetic, according to the variation during the period of the Beagle's voyage.
The longitudes are generally given from meridians in Australia, as I much question whether any portion of the continent is accurately determined with reference to Greenwich. Sydney, Port Essington, and Swan River, have been the meridians selected; and the respective positions of those places, within a minute of the truth, I consider to be as follows:
Swan River (Scott's Jetty, Fremantle) 115 degrees 47 minutes East.
Port Essington (Government house) 132 degrees 13 minutes East.
Sydney (Fort Macquarie) 151 degrees 16 minutes East.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME 1.
[CHAPTER 1.1. INTRODUCTION.]
Objects of the Voyage.
The Beagle commissioned.
Her former career.
Her first Commander.
Instructions from the Admiralty and the Hydrographer.
Officers and Crew.
Arrival at Plymouth.
Embark Lieutenants Grey and Lushington's Exploring Party.
Chronometric Departure.
Farewell glance at Plymouth.
Death of King William the Fourth.