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Nevertheless, Fitz-Roy exerted himself with such dedication and enthusiasm that he soon gained the loyal cooperation of Skyring, and raised the spirits of his demoralized crew, ranging from boys of fourteen to experienced sailors.

It is important to point out the enormous effort of will, skill, professionalism, health and physical conditions of the officers and crew;  to tolerate for more than three years the rigors of the southern region which some call the "horrid latitudes".

This description is quite understandable when we consider than less than a third of the initial crew completed the mission.  The remainder either died or were incapacitated and unable to continue on board as much due to illnesses or accidents.

In spite of the fact that discipline was made difficult by the long period away from home, the many difficulties, the lack of comfort, the logistical limitations and lack of space;   Fitz-Roy achieved a high degree of motivation, and was loved and admired by subordinates who appreciated his strength, goodness and professional preparation.

Darwin, who sailed on board during the last five years, mentions that the captain must have meted out no less than 600 lashes among his crew during those years.

Comparing this period with ours, I cannot help but remember the hydrographic tasks accomplished with the AP PILOTO PARDO south of the Straits of Magellan in 1975 and 1976, where I participated as a helicopter pilot and the General Services Officer aboard.

Frequently, near the markers that we installed by plane in high reference points, we would find cairns left by the English. Many of their references were at a higher altitude than our own. I haven't forgotten the risky situations, the tiredness, cold, illnesses and other problems faced on the AP PILOTO PARDO, including having family in Valparaiso and being based in the port at Punta Arenas. Nevertheless, we had radio communication, daily news, sufficient space, recreation, heat, hot water, varied food, warm clothing, helicopters, motorized boats and modern equipment for measuring soundings and distances.

What is even more important, we were aboard a ship with good engines, radar, echo sounding equipment, gyrocompass and good base navigational charts. Even so, I don't remember having spent more than a month surveying, without returning to our base port at Punta Arenas.

Comparatively the BEAGLE did not have a great difference in regard to the number of crew from the PILOTO PARDO, there were 62 and 81 members
respectively.

But while the PILOTO PARDO was 2,400 tons, 82 meters long and had wardrooms, cabins and ample crew quarters;  the BEAGLE was only 235 tons, 27 meters long and the small space available was occupied by equipment and supplies.

Given this comparison and adding that, at the time, there was no close port of for the Beagle; no-one to ask for help in the case of emergencies or accidents, (many of them fatal); one can   understand the enormous responsibility and sustained years of psychological pressure that befell the captain.

During the expedition, Captain Fitz-Roy left "memorials" of their expedition in important locations. These "memorials" consisted of coins, buttons and other objects in common use at the time inside a conveniently prepared receptacle. The location, usually, was indicated by a monolith or cairn.

My investigation of the "memorials", included the reading of Darwin's diary. Nothing was said mentioned about the first stage of the mission, nearly unknown today, because it didn't receive the publicity inspired by having the young and (later) famous naturalist aboard.

Upon finding out about the discovery in 1981 of a 'memorial' on the island of Skyring, in the area of Brecknock by a helicopter from the PILOTO PARDO, it seemed logical to assume there would be something similar at Cape Horn, a rather prominent geographic location. Vice-Admiral Pedro Anguita confirmed this possibility during his visit to the Naval District Beagle at the end of 1989.

Days later, taking advantage of a helicopter flight to the Vigilance and Signal Post HORNOS to verify the progress of the construction of the "Monument to the Unknown Sailor", I undertook a detailed investigation of Isla de Hornos and was not able to find a monolith, cairn, or any other visible signs of a 'memorial'.

While having a cup of coffee at the Post and trying to imagine myself in the position of Fitz-Roy, I deduced that if one were to leave something for posterity, it ought to be placed where it could be found in the future. Therefore, it had to be in a special or unique place. There is only one such place on the island and that is the highest point.

Taking advantage of the excellent weather conditions, I asked the Engineering Officer, 1st Lieutenant Eduardo Troncoso, to accompany me.  We took off together in the helicopter, taking an axe and shovel with us, and at the small level place at the peak, approximately 500 meters in altitude taking advantage of the excellent, prevailing weather conditions.