The growth of the British Navy gradually brought a more serious purpose. Research voyages were undertaken to different parts of the world. The explorations of Anson and Cook helped to fill in many blank spots on the globe, and paved the way for later mass emigration to Australia and New Zealand.

When the Spanish colonies of South America revolted in the early 19th century, Britain seized the geopolitical opportunity, and provided material and technical assistance to several of the new republics.

To support its role as a global naval power, the British government subsequently sent hydrographic surveys to map the Patagonian coasts, including the innumerable fjords and channels of the west and south. The best known of these voyages were commanded by Fitzroy in the "Beagle": incidentally, on one occasion, he brought back local tribesfolk to Britain where they were treated as a public curiosity.