Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition during the years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842
Description: The United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842 was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States. Funding for the original expedition was requested by President John Quincy Adams in 1828, however, Congress would not implement funding until eight years later. In May 1836, the oceanic exploration voyage was finally authorized by Congress and created by President Andrew Jackson. Eventually, command was assigned to Charles Wilkes who had a reputation for hydrography, geodesy, and magnetism. Additionally, Wilkes had received mathematics training from Nathaniel Bowditch, triangulation methods from Ferdinand Hassler, and geomagnetism from James Renwick. Personnel included naturalists, botanists, a mineralogist, a taxidermist, and a philologist. They were carried aboard the sloops-of-war USS Vincennes (780 tons), and USS Peacock (650 tons), the brig USS Porpoise (230 tons), the full-rigged ship Relief, which served as a store-ship, and two schooners, Sea Gull (110 tons) and USS Flying Fish (96 tons), which served as tenders.
Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: The United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842 was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States.…