The scientific voyage of the HMS Challenger changed the course of scientific history during its four year voyage that spanned more than 69,000 nautical miles. In 1870, the British government agreed to give the Royal Society the use of one of its ships for research use. The warship HMS Challenger was modified to a research ship by having ammunition and 15 guns removed and replaced with laboratories. It was the first expedition of its kind, organized and funded specifically to chart and record ocean features as well as to examine the deep-sea floor more closely than ever before. The expedition was led by Captain George Nares and the scientific work was led by Wyville Thomson and assisted by Sir John Murray. Captain Frank Tourle Thomson took over
