Book Review - The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans' Decline - Princeton University Press

 

     Gillen D'Arcy Wood has done a remarkable job with this book, presenting it on two levels. It may be read as a first rate, lively historical account of the fêted journey of the HMS Challenger, as a stand-alone story, or, it may also serve as a record of maritime abundance and its decline, as humankind continues to relentlessly pillage the riches of the oceans. 

     It is profoundly sad that we know more about the surface of Mars than we know of the seafloor and the watery realm that makes up two thirds of the surface of Planet Earth, our only home. In that pervasive, facile manner of humans to sugarcoat the truth, shifting baselines are used to suggest that all is well, when the results of staggering losses of biodiversity, polluted oceans, microplastics, increased acidity, overfishing, and other anthropogenic affronts are in plain sight. The science is abundantly clear, we know the facts, the need is pressing - indeed the Doomsday Clock ticks ever closer to midnight - yet we ignore them, or in some cases even deny them.  As Wood says, "In the Anthropocene ocean long-term beneficial relationships turn toxic and all creatures suffer." Is it not heartbreaking to contemplate that one estimate set the pre-Columbian population of Green Turtles at more than ninety million, now reduced to perhaps a few hundred thousand, a fraction of one percent of the original population?

     We twiddle our thumbs on our smartphones as the world collapses around us.

     The dark, mysterious abysses of the oceans are rich in the rare earth minerals and other materials necessary to fuel the expansion of smartphones and associated 21st century accessories, electric cars - and who knows what else? As well, the seabed contains vast reserves of oil and gas. Mining and drilling will transform rich ecosystems into lifeless deserts, and the associated noise will compromise the ability of cetaceans and other creatures to communicate. The degree of toxic byproduct associated with marine resource extraction is distressing to even contemplate.

     Yet it is naive to think that the lawless Wild West of deep ocean exploitation is not about to begin in earnest. Wars between nations have been fought over access to resources, and will be again. 

     The Sixth Extinction is gathering speed and we are doing our best to propel it forward. One could be forgiven for thinking that "Onward towards doom" is our mantra.

     The Challenger expedition yielded fifty volumes of scientific information; they remain benchmark publications to this day. 

     The voyage of the HMS Challenger was in every way a remarkable journey of discovery, with hardship and privation, desertion, and even death, accompanied by a dogged determination to seek scientific truth.

     Gillen D'Arcy Wood has rendered a great service to us all by chronicling the odyssey in so entertaining and illuminating a fashion. We will never see the likes of this journey again.

 The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans' Decline - Princeton University Press

Gillen D'Arcy Wood

Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691233246

328 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)

37 black-and-white illustrations

Publication date: 21 October, 2025

 

     

Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

"In the intricate dance of nature, insects are the true choreographers of biodiversity."

E.O. Wilson 

24 August, 2025

     This little gem in the heart of the city is well used by cyclists, dog walkers, pedestrians and all manner of people, yet there are still quiet corners where the nature lover can find solace and the pursuit of happiness. 

     On a hot August day Miriam and I spent an enjoyable couple of hours in the park; many discoveries marked our time there. 

     A Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) probed deeply for nectar.

     Tachinid Flies (genus Ptilodexia) were out and about in decent numbers.

     Cellophane Bees (genus Colletes) were present, too.

     This Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) showed the results of extensive foraging.

     Spiders are an eternal source of fascination; Typical Funnel Weavers (subfamily Ageleninae) never fail to intrigue.

     Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is one of far too many invasive insects to have found its way to North America, usually by means of human neglect, indifference or deliberate agency. 

     Goldenrods (genus Solidago) are victimized by various galls. What you see below is the gall of the Goldenrod Bunch Gall Midge (Rhopalomyia solidaginis).

     The rosette-type formation results when an insect lays an egg in a leaf bud. Upon hatching, the larva secretes a chemical that stops the stem from growing, while it continues to produce leaves in a dense flower-like cluster, providing shelter and food for the developing larva. 

     I think this spider is in the genus Mangora.

     You will always want to show a healthy respect for Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria).

     I can tell you from personal experience that its sting is quite painful.

Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumaris)

     The tiny wasps seen below (0.5 - 6mm) are found in the family Pirenidae. I don't know much about them at all, but I am sure it was the first time I had encountered them and was quite thrilled.

     A Green Lebia Ground Beetle (Lebia viridis) seemed to be a bit of an explorer.

     I am not sure how Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) got its name, but the plant has no connection to that troubled city.

     It is a member of the Aster family, and an exclamation of vibrant colour. Its tubers are edible and nutritious.

     A Northern Crescent (Phyciodes cocyta) was enjoying the fine weather, but photographing it was not easy.

     Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is ubiquitous.

     This attractive little flower is a type of Willowherb (genus Epilobium).

     Furrowed Ants (genus Myrmica) are widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

     A female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) was enjoying a few moments of solitude.

     A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) perched in a tree on the opposite side of the lake posed no threat to her. 

     Common Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a prolific autumn bloomer, and is very beautiful.

     Ancient people used the powdered leaves of sneezeweed to induce sneezing, thought to rid the body of evil spirits. 

     The following flower resembles sneezeweed in every respect except for colour.

     I wonder whether the type of soil influences this colour variant, or whether other factors are at play. It is in any event extremely lovely.

     Narrow-winged Damselflies (family Coenagrionidae) are not always easy to pin down as to species.

     A platoon of Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritus) enjoyed their time on the lake, with an ample larder of fish to satisfy their appetite.

     Tetanocera is a genus of Marsh Fly, quite widespread, containing at least fifty species.

     Here are sweat bees in the genus Labioglossum.

     Is a red-banded Leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea) not a gorgeous little insect?

     When you look at a Silky-striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon sericeus) it is not hard to understand why insects were favoured as models for jewelry.

     Slender Smoothtail (Epistrophella emarginata) is a common species of hoverfly.

     Its larvae prey on aphids, making it the gardener's friend.

     Here is an interesting juxtaposition of a Narrow-winged Damselfly and a Long-legged Fly (family Dolichopodidae).

     Miriam was able to capture this individual from a good angle, with enough detail to identify it as an Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis).

     Here is a crambid moth in the genus Agriphila.

     Eutreta noveboracensis is a common fruit fly of northeastern North America, specializing in goldenrod (genus Solidago).

     Small White (Pieris rapae) is among our most frequently observed butterflies.

     Meadowhawks (genus Sympetrum) are emblematic of southern Ontario dragonflies in the fall.

     A cohort of Mallards passing time immediately evokes tranquility.

     We were delighted to spot a Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).

     Not far away was its larger cousin, Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

     A member of the Dogwood family, (subgenus Kraniopsis).

     Here you see the work of the devastatingly destructive Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis).

     Freed from the restraints of its native range in Northeast Asia, it has wreaked havoc on our native trees.

     Common Ectemnius (Ectemnius continuus) typically preys on flies to provision its young, carrying them between its legs.

     Our joy at seeing the Black-crowned was magnified appreciably when we saw two other adults and a juvenile.

     A memorable day!

     Spotted Sandpipers (Actitis macularius), sans spots now that breeding is over for the year, will soon be departing Ontario for warmer regions to the south.

     Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) were catching the last warm rays of summer before burying deep into the mud to spend the winter in suspended animation.

     Here is a species of Lesser Meadow Katydids (genus Conocephalus).

     This is probably a member of the Casebearers (genus Coleophora).

     Holarctic Azures (genus Celastrina) were still fairly easy to see - but difficult to photograph.

     Everyone is familiar with European Earwig (Forficula auricularia), but I'd be willing to wager that not many are fans!

     It too has its role in the ecosystem, however.

     It had been a great day!