A RE-ENACTMENT of the moment Charles Darwin joined HMS Beagle off Plymouth at the start of a world-famous voyage is to be staged next week.

The re-enactment will mark the beginning of another global expedition with scientific significance for the world.

On December 27, 1831, Darwin left Plymouth on the voyage which later formed the basis of his book On the Origin Of Species By Means Of Natural Selection, and, on September 1, another ambitious expedition is to begin from Plymouth following the same route – complete with one of Darwin's descendants among the crew.

World-renowned historians, scientists and even Hollywood actor John Malkovich will feature on the voyage, to be filmed for a new series which will be broadcast to millions on Dutch and Belgian television, and a host of Plymouth organisations are to be involved too.

Marine scientists from the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science in Plymouth will be installing plankton monitoring equipment aboard the Dutch clipper Stad Amsterdam, and members of the Devonport-based Beagle Project are planning the re-enactment which will see 'Charles Darwin' and his descendant Sarah Darwin transported by a naval Montagu whaler to the Stad Amsterdam.

The rowing boat will leave Commando Beach in Devonport close to where Darwin lodged prior to the Beagle's departure.

The clipper will leave Plymouth around 2pm, with organisers hoping for an 'armada' of boats to accompany her.

Nigel May of the University of Plymouth, who has been co-ordinating city events involved with the expedition, said it was fitting that the voyage would begin in Plymouth. "Darwin left Plymouth on December 27, 1831, on a voyage that changed our view of the world," he said.

"Many of the crew were local men from Devon and Cornwall, so it's fitting that we have been able to invite many of their descendants to celebrate the voyage as it leaves Plymouth. It's a wonderful link to the past as the expedition investigates the state of the environment as it is now."

Prof Peter Burkill, of the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation, said his team would be fitting a Continuous Plankton Recorder aboard the clipper to sample plankton from the upper layers of the ocean.

Prof Burkill said: "The CPR Survey doesn't currently extend into the tropical Atlantic and the 'tow' will be a first.

"We hope this is just the start, as we hope to build upon this with a new survey between Europe and Brazil. It's fitting that this opportunity has arisen, as Darwin was fascinated by plankton and studied them while on the Beagle.

"Investigating plankton can shed light on how the oceans are changing through such phenomena as climate change, pollution and ocean acidification. It's never been more important to know what's going on with these tiny plants and animals. They're the base of ocean food chains and provide much of the oxygen we breathe."

The latter-day crew of the 'Beagle' will attempt to answer a range of questions during the voyage such as 'What is the true condition of the environment?' and 'What will our future look like?'

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th year since publication of his world-changing book.

The expedition will take the crew across the Atlantic to Brazil and Patagonia, around Cape Horn and up the west coast of South America, from the Andes mountain range to the Galapagos islands, across the Pacific to Australia and back to Europe via the Cape of Good Hope.

Website: http://onthefutureofspecies.nl.