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From warship to research vessel

The ship becomes a laboratory

Engraving of the Chemical Laboratory on HMS Challenger

Originally designed to police the ocean-highways of the world as part of Britain’s imperial navy, Challenger was modified to act as a scientific instrument to remotely gather information about our oceans.

Challenger was one of ten Royal Navy vessels designated as Pearl-class corvettes in the 1850s. Eighteen of the ship’s 20 guns were removed from the main deck, making space for the scientific expedition, including scientists, instruments, and specimens.

Zoological laboratory on the main deck

Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885

Before it became a research vessel, Challenger served the trade and colonial interests of the British Empire. While part of the North America and West Indies and Australia Stations, regional commands of the Royal Navy, Challenger was brought in to enforce colonial authority over indigenous peoples, sometimes with violent consequences.

As the flagship of the Australia Station, responsible for the waters around Australia and New Zealand, Challenger undertook a punitive mission in Fiji in 1868. Following increasing hostilities between locals near the Rewa River and white settlers over occupied land on the island of Viti Levu, the ship shelled and burned a village, killing more than 40 indigenous people.

Title: Zoological laboratory on the main deck
Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885
Creator Henry Nottidge Moseley
Creator John Young Buchanan
Creator John Murray
Object reference S.B. F. 5083 Cha.
From Narrative of the Cruise of H.M.S. Challenger with a General Account of the Scientific Results of the Expedition

Previous expeditions had modified ships for scientific work, but the transformation of Challenger was a turning point in the design of research vessels. The ship’s modifications allocated dedicated working spaces to scientists, giving credibility to a field that would become known as oceanography.

HMS Challenger as fitted for the expedition - upper and main deck

Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885

Title: HMS Challenger as fitted for the expedition - upper and main deck
Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885
Creator Henry Nottidge Moseley
Creator John Young Buchanan
Creator John Murray
Object reference S.B. F. 5083 Cha.
From Narrative of the Cruise of H.M.S. Challenger with a General Account of the Scientific Results of the Expedition

Chemical laboratory

Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885

Title: Chemical laboratory
Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885
Creator Henry Nottidge Moseley
Creator John Young Buchanan
Creator John Murray
Object reference S.B.F. .5083 Cha
From Narrative of the Cruise of H.M.S. Challenger with a General Account of the Scientific Results of the Expedition

Harmony on board: a shared space for scientists and seamen

Social cohesion between scientists and naval officers was essential for the success of oceanographic voyages. The plans of the lower deck not only reveal the large crew required to operate Challenger during the expedition, but how social relationships were organised through the use of space.

Unlike the extensive modifications of the upper and main decks, the lower deck was relatively unchanged. With its full complement at the beginning of the voyage, 20 naval staff, 5 scientific staff, and 213 seamen and marines slept, ate, and spent most of their free time on the lower deck. This shared space bridged scientific and naval cultures at sea.

HMS Challenger as fitted for the expedition - lower deck and hold

Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885

Title: HMS Challenger as fitted for the expedition - lower deck and hold
Creator Thomas Henry Tizard
Date 1885
Creator Henry Nottidge Moseley
Creator John Young Buchanan
Creator John Murray
Object reference S.B. F. 5083 Cha.
From Narrative of the Cruise of H.M.S. Challenger with a General Account of the Scientific Results of the Expedition