"The was organised by the during the years 1871 and 1872 at the suggestion of the . The ship was fitted out under the direction of , at that time , and she sailed from in December 1872. The special object of the Expedition was the scientific exploration of the physical, chemical, geological, and biological conditions of the great s. In addition to a full complement of specially selected Naval Officers, the Expedition comprised a scientific staff of six civilians, under the direction of . After circumnavigating the globe, and carrying on deep-sea and other investigations in many regions of the ocean, the Challenger returned to England in May 1876, and the crew was paid off after the ship had been in commission for over three years and seven months."