United States Exploring Expedition Volume 2
Author
Charles Wilkes
(American, 1798 - 1877)
Publisher
Lea & Blanchard
Date1845
Object number00003577
NameBook
MediumCloth, gilt, engravings, printed text on paper
DimensionsOverall: 49 x 288 x 200 mm, 1.9 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionNarrative of the United States Exploring Expedition during the years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842 by Charles Wilkes, USN, Commander of the Expedition. Volume II.
HistoryThe United States Exploring Expedition was the first government funded scientific hydrographic survey undertaken by the United States. The four-year voyage from 1838-1842 was lead by Lieutenant Charles Wilkes and comprised a naval squadron of six vessel. Wilkes left Virginia in March 1838 and headed down the east coast of South America, calling into Rio de Janeiro. He rounded Cape Horn and crossed the Pacific and called into Samoa and Sydney before turning south to explore Antarctica. Wilkes was the first explorer to ascertain that Antarctica was a separate continent and he mapped a large part of the eastern coastline. He then headed north to Fiji and Hawaii.
In 1841 he explored the west coast of North America before crossing the Pacific again and returned to New York via the Cape of Good Hope. During the course of the voyage, Wilkes lost two ships and 28 men and was court-martialed upon his return. Although absolved for the loss of the ships and men, Wilkes was reprimanded for the harsh treatment of subordinates and for handing out illegal punishments. He undertook some more survey work but was mainly involved with writing the report of the voyage until 1861.SignificanceThe United States Exploring Expedition was the first government funded scientific hydrographic survey undertaken by the United States.
