Two Hundred Years After Darwin’s Expedition DARWIN200 Embarks On A Two Year, 40,000 Mile Voyage
Editor’s note: As we embark on expeditions to seek out life on other worlds it is important to look back at the first truly global expeditions that sought to understand the diversity of life on our own planet.
On August 15th 2023 at 08:00 the magnificent historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde will set sail from Sutton Harbour, Plymouth on a two-year, 40,000 nautical mile planetary conservation expedition called DARWIN200.
Sailing the ship between ports will be a mix of adventure travellers and environmental researchers, who will be tasked with steering, navigating and manning the ropes of the three-masted topsail schooner under the guidance of a professional crew. Along the way they’ll document ocean plastics and coral reef health, and undertake surveys of seabirds, whales and dolphins. The data collected will form part of a citizen-science outreach project and students and members of the public will be able to join in weekly interactive ‘nature hour’ sessions beamed live from the ship turning it into the “World’s Most Exciting Classroom!”.
Oosterschelde will drop anchor in 32 ports across four continents where exceptional young environmentalists, known as DARWIN200 Leaders, will join the ship.They’ll each spend a week working with local NGOs and conservation experts to study endemic species including many that Darwin documented during his expedition including looking at how the population of their chosen species has changed over the last two centuries, its current conservation status and existing threats; evaluating ongoing conservation efforts and carrying out novel research and investigative work to develop new ideas for action to ensure that their chosen animal or plant species has a brighter future.
The intent is to give each Darwin Leader real-world experience in studying conservation subjects, build new skills in investigating and solving problems, and practice working in collaboration with experienced partners to develop new strategies to save wildlife.
DARWIN200 Founder and Mission Director Stewart McPherson says:
“Charles Darwin was only 22 when he set sail from Plymouth on his life-changing voyage in 1831 aboard HMS Beagle, famously saying that it was by far the most important event in his life, determining his whole career. We wanted to create a similarly transformative experience for members of the public and 200 of the world’s brightest young environmentalists, who have the potential to be the STEM and conservation leaders of tomorrow and the catalysts to change the future of planet Earth for the better.”
The route includes many of the greatest wildlife sites and wonders on Earth – from the Atlantic rainforests of Brazil to the most remote inhabited island on Earth, smouldering volcanoes to tropical atolls in azure waters and the unique, endemic life of the Galapagos Islands.
The Route: Plymouth, UK > Tenerife, Spain > Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde > Fernando de Noronha, Brazil > Salvador de Bahía, Brazil > Rio de Janeiro, Brazil > Montevideo, Uruguay > Puerto Madryn, Argentina > Puerto Santa Cruz, Argentina > Stanley, Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas) > Punta Arenas, Argentina > Concepción, Chile > Valparaíso, Chile > Callao, Peru > Puerto Lucia, Ecuador > Galápagos Islands, Ecuador > Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile > Mangareva, French Polynesia > Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia > Rarotonga, Cook Islands > Tonga > Fiji > Auckland, New Zealand > Sydney, Australia > Hobart, Australia > Christchurch, New Zealand > Stanley, Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas) > Cape Town, South Africa > Saint Helena, United Kingdom > Ascension Island, United Kingdom Horta, Azores, Portugal > Horta, Azores, Portugal > Falmouth, UK
Oosterschelde is a three mast tall ship, and one of the world’s finest, fully restored historic tall ships and the largest sailing vessel ever to be restored in the Netherlands. She is registered by the Dutch Government as a monument of great cultural and historical value. The ship is one of the oldest and most authentic ships in the international fleet of Tall Ships. Oosterschelde relaunched after a major refurbishment in 1996 and was recommissioned by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of The Netherlands. She is a bastion of Dutch ship building and is described by the ship’s Director and Captain Gerben Nab as having had at least five lives, starting in 1917 as a cargo vessel. Over the past 30 years Oosterschelde has welcomed thousands of sailors and adventure seekers on board including royalty, politicians, presidents and pop stars, even once hosting a birthday party for Sir Tom Jones!
Oosterschelde was the first Dutch commercial tall ship to sail to both the north and south poles and successfully tackle the infamous Cape Horn, a rocky headland on Hornos Island, in southern Chile known for its hazardous waters. During the pandemic when the world was locked down, a team of Dutch ship builders worked tirelessly to elevate Oosterschelde to the next level in preparation for DARWIN200. As part of the DARWIN200 voyage Oosterschelde will once again navigate Cape Horn, considered the Mount Everest of sailing.
Oosterschelde’s Director Gerben Nab says
“Cape Horn was identified by mariners and first rounded in 1616 by the Dutchmen Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, who named it Kaap Hoorn after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands. In 1997 Oosterschelde was the first merchant sailing ship since 1911 to round “The Horn” again. In 2024 we will do it for the third time. Decades of experience safely navigating our oceans have prepared us well for this very special expedition and we can’t wait to set sail on this incredible DARWIN200 voyage and share it with as many people as possible.”
Charles Robert Darwin, (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory. In 1831, Darwin and the crew of H.M.S. Beagle had been forced to spend several weeks in Plymouth ahead of their departure, waiting for the ship to be fitted and for favourable winds. Darwin was desperate to start his journey. He was so excited, he could hardly wait, but soon found he lacked sea legs! The plan was to depart on Christmas Day, however, the ship’s crew had too much to drink and were so hung-over that they could not sail on Boxing Day. So HMS Beagle finally weighed anchor and departed on December 27th… and into the history books.
Dame Jane Goodall, Patron of DARWIN200 says
“I believe that this project is tremendously important. It comes at the right time. We all know we’re in the midst of the sixth great extinction with a lot of doom and gloom about the problems facing the environment, climate change and loss of biodiversity. This voyage will give many people an opportunity to see there is still time to make change. We all have a role to play. We can all help make a difference. But for those young environmentalists who are selected, this is an incredible opportunity to become real leaders that protect the planet and the environment for future generations.”
Plymouth Departure Activities: On 11th August at 16:00 Oosterschelde will arrive at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth. On 13th August friends of the DARWIN200 project will be attending a Send-Off party at The National Marine Aquarium Plymouth On 15th August at 08:00 the general public are invited to wave goodbye from Sutton Harbour Plymouth UK as Oosterschelde begins her two year 40,000 nautical mile voyage. DARWIN200 Ltd and Shipping Company Oosterschelde are both not-for-profit organisations.
For more information visit: www.darwin200.com
To apply to become a DARWIN200 Leader visit: https://darwin200.com/leader-application/
To book a place on board DARWIN200 visit: https://darwin200.com/globalvoyage/
Social media: DARWIN200 on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube
Social media: Oosterschelde on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
Friday 11th August
16:00
Oosterschelde approaches (limited media places to join aboard a chase boat to photograph / film the approach by RSVP only)
Sunday 13th August
Flexible
10:00 – 15:00
Ocean Squad 11-15 yr olds will board Oosterschelde
18:00 – 22:00
Private Send-Off Party The National Marine Aquarium Plymouth (media invitations with RSVP)
Monday 14th August
All day until 16:00
Media opportunities on board Oosterschelde by appointment
By Appointment
Media appointments to view and film first edition of Charles Darwin “On The Origin of Species”
17:00
Leg 1 guest crew will embark Oosterschelde
Tuesday 15th August
08:00
Public wave goodbye to Oosterschelde from Sutton Harbour Plymouth UK
For our press kit, interviews, images, videos please contact Larissa Clark on [email protected]
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