Freethought & Rationalism Archive

beejay · 10-28-2002, 08:16 AM

I know it's not an evolution question, but surely someone in this forum can tell me why Darwin's ship, HMS Beagle, got that rather strange name.

Surely not named after the Earl of Beagle, Lord of the Admirality.

But also, not after a dog?

DigitalDruid · 10-28-2002, 09:13 AM

<a href="http://www.wagoneers.com/pages/RocketCar/after.html" target="_blank">http://www.wagoneers.com/pages/RocketCar/after.html</a>

Extract:
On the other hand, lots of people who read my story do seem to be interested in how the Beagle got it's name. At first I simply admitted that despite all my research, I never found out. But a good sport named Henry (insert last name here) did a bunch of research on the subject and dug up a Website that contains a TON of good information about the HMS Beagle. If you care to take a look, it's at <a href="http://www.dropbears.com/brough/sweers/beagle.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dropbears.com/brough/sweers/beagle.htm</a> If you aren't THAT interested, here's the condensed version: Chuck's Tub was actually the NINTH "HMS Beagle". There were eight ships before her with the same name. Which means that the actual question travels back even further, since we can safely assume that Beagle #9 got it's name from Beagle #8, and so on down the line.

So, what about Beagle #1?

No telling. Henry assumes that "..it is the same reason all ships are named as they are...the beagle is a trustworthy hound, so maybe the first owners of the gallivat hoped for similar traits in their ship. The names of ships are hereditary, so the name was just given to the ship by chance.".

That's good enough for me.

But you gotta admit, it's STILL just speculation. For all I know, the boat was actually named after someone's Mom. Or maybe "beagle" was just the first word that popped into some admiral's head when he was filling out some paperwork. Or maybe it was actually a clever piece of British trickery, designed to fool stupid pirates into thinking they had their cannons pointed at a hunting dog instead of a ship fulla goodies. The only certainty is that a long time ago, a guy stood next to a ship with a bucket of paint in one hand and a brush in the other, and eventually he wrote "Beagle" on the boat. As to WHY he did it, I don't have a clue.

Liam · 10-28-2002, 09:27 AM

Evening Beejay,

Why the Beagle in particular, I'm not sure, but all 'B' class destroyers had names starting with the letter B. It was in fact the 9th ship of the same name, that means that there were others before her, although I haven't any info on why Beagle No. 1 got it's name, I assume that it would have been tens of years before Darwin's epic. Being a trustworthy type of dog could be an explanation, but I'm just surmising now.

Hope that helps a tiny bit

Cheers

Liam

Liam · 10-28-2002, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DigitalDruid:
[QB

[/QB]

Evening Digital, frightening stuff.. that's where I got my info from.. must have been reading it at the same time as you

Cheers

Liam

beejay · 10-28-2002, 10:54 AM

Thanks for the quick answers.

I guess "nobody knows" counts as an answer.

Since nobody remembers Lord Beagle, I guess it sounds like it was named for the good qualities the dog exhibits.

Duvenoy · 10-28-2002, 11:58 AM

Well, it could'a been worse. Could'a been the HMS Snoopy.

Charles Shults, we miss ya!

doov

GreggLD1 · 10-28-2002, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beejay:
<strong>I know it's not an evolution question, but surely someone in this forum can tell me why Darwin's ship, HMS Beagle, got that rather strange name.

Surely not named after the Earl of Beagle, Lord of the Admirality.

But also, not after a dog?</strong>

Why not? The beagle is a fine dog, who pilots a mean Sopwith Camel.

Gregg

Doubting Didymus · 10-28-2002, 02:05 PM

A lot of ships are named after dogs.

Look at the QEII.

Grumpy · 10-28-2002, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Duvenoy:
Well, it could'a been worse. Could'a been the HMS Snoopy.

You mean like <a href="http://razoredge.home.sprynet.com/snoopy.html" target="_blank">Snoopy</a>, the Lunar Module for Apollo 10?

Those crazy astronauts.

Duvenoy · 10-28-2002, 04:30 PM

Thanks, Grumpy. I enjoyed that!

doov

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10-28-2002, 08:16 AM	#1
beejay Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Richmond IN Posts: 375	Whywas it called the Beagle? I know it's not an evolution question, but surely someone in this forum can tell me why Darwin's ship, HMS Beagle, got that rather strange name. Surely not named after the Earl of Beagle, Lord of the Admirality. But also, not after a dog?

10-28-2002, 09:13 AM	#2
DigitalDruid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 712	<a href="http://www.wagoneers.com/pages/RocketCar/after.html" target="_blank">http://www.wagoneers.com/pages/RocketCar/after.html</a> Extract: On the other hand, lots of people who read my story do seem to be interested in how the Beagle got it's name. At first I simply admitted that despite all my research, I never found out. But a good sport named Henry (insert last name here) did a bunch of research on the subject and dug up a Website that contains a TON of good information about the HMS Beagle. If you care to take a look, it's at <a href="http://www.dropbears.com/brough/sweers/beagle.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dropbears.com/brough/sweers/beagle.htm</a> If you aren't THAT interested, here's the condensed version: Chuck's Tub was actually the NINTH "HMS Beagle". There were eight ships before her with the same name. Which means that the actual question travels back even further, since we can safely assume that Beagle #9 got it's name from Beagle #8, and so on down the line. So, what about Beagle #1? No telling. Henry assumes that "..it is the same reason all ships are named as they are...the beagle is a trustworthy hound, so maybe the first owners of the gallivat hoped for similar traits in their ship. The names of ships are hereditary, so the name was just given to the ship by chance.". That's good enough for me. But you gotta admit, it's STILL just speculation. For all I know, the boat was actually named after someone's Mom. Or maybe "beagle" was just the first word that popped into some admiral's head when he was filling out some paperwork. Or maybe it was actually a clever piece of British trickery, designed to fool stupid pirates into thinking they had their cannons pointed at a hunting dog instead of a ship fulla goodies. The only certainty is that a long time ago, a guy stood next to a ship with a bucket of paint in one hand and a brush in the other, and eventually he wrote "Beagle" on the boat. As to WHY he did it, I don't have a clue.

10-28-2002, 09:27 AM	#3
Liam Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 13	Evening Beejay, Why the Beagle in particular, I'm not sure, but all 'B' class destroyers had names starting with the letter B. It was in fact the 9th ship of the same name, that means that there were others before her, although I haven't any info on why Beagle No. 1 got it's name, I assume that it would have been tens of years before Darwin's epic. Being a trustworthy type of dog could be an explanation, but I'm just surmising now. Hope that helps a tiny bit Cheers Liam

10-28-2002, 10:54 AM	#5
beejay Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Richmond IN Posts: 375	Thanks for the quick answers. I guess "nobody knows" counts as an answer. Since nobody remembers Lord Beagle, I guess it sounds like it was named for the good qualities the dog exhibits.

10-28-2002, 11:58 AM	#6
Duvenoy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Just another hick from the sticks. Posts: 1,108	Well, it could'a been worse. Could'a been the HMS Snoopy. Charles Shults, we miss ya! doov

10-28-2002, 02:05 PM	#8
Doubting Didymus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: East Coast. Australia. Posts: 5,455	A lot of ships are named after dogs. Look at the QEII.

10-28-2002, 04:30 PM	#10
Duvenoy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Just another hick from the sticks. Posts: 1,108	Thanks, Grumpy. I enjoyed that! doov

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