Archeologists May Have Found Darwin’s Beagle

A group of marine archeologists may have solved one of the world’s most enduring maritime mysteries -- the final resting place of the Beagle, the ship in which Charles Darwin traveled the globe for five years as he developed his landmark theory of evolution. The group has taken a radar image of the outline of a hull under about 12 feet of mud in the marshes of Essex, east of London; further research is needed to verify that it is the Beagle.

After Darwin’s voyage, the Beagle was attached to Britain’s customs and excise department and was used to catch smugglers along the Essex coast. In 1870 the 50-year-old ship was sold to scrap merchants and the record ceases.