Wilkes Expedition

Wilkes Expedition. The Wilkes Expedition, also known as the United States Exploring Expedition, was a major United States Navy expedition led by Charles Wilkes from 1838 to 1842. The expedition aimed to explore the Pacific Ocean, map the coast of Oregon, and search for a new Northwest Passage. During the voyage, the crew encountered various Polynesian islands, including Tahiti, Fiji, and Hawaii, and interacted with notable figures such as King Kamehameha III and Queen Pomare IV.

● Introduction

The Wilkes Expedition was a significant event in the history of American exploration, marking the first major United States expedition to explore the Pacific Ocean and surrounding regions. The expedition was authorized by Congress in 1836, with President Andrew Jackson signing the bill into law. The crew consisted of over 300 men, including sailors, scientists, and artists, such as Alfred Agate and Joseph Drayton. The expedition's findings and discoveries were later published in a series of reports, including the Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition.

● Background and Preparation

The Wilkes Expedition was preceded by several other American expeditions, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Astoria Expedition, led by John Jacob Astor and Donald McKenzie. The United States Navy had also sent several expeditions to the Pacific Ocean, including the USS Essex under the command of David Porter. The Wilkes Expedition was prepared with the help of notable figures such as Matthew Fontaine Maury, who provided navigational expertise, and Asa Gray, who assisted with botanical research. The crew also received support from institutions such as the National Institute and the American Philosophical Society.

● Voyage and Discoveries

The Wilkes Expedition set sail from Hampton Roads in 1838 and traveled to Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, and Cape Horn before entering the Pacific Ocean. The crew explored the coast of South America, including Chile and Peru, and visited various Polynesian islands, such as Tahiti and Fiji. The expedition also discovered several new islands, including Wilkes Land in Antarctica, and mapped the coast of Oregon and the Columbia River. The crew encountered notable figures such as King Kamehameha III of Hawaii and Queen Pomare IV of Tahiti, and interacted with British and French expeditions, including the HMS Beagle under the command of Robert FitzRoy.

● Controversies and Legacy

The Wilkes Expedition was not without controversy, as the crew was involved in several conflicts with native populations, including the Fiji and Hawaii islanders. The expedition also faced challenges such as disease, mutiny, and shipwreck, including the loss of the USS Peacock and the USS Sea Gull. Despite these challenges, the expedition made significant contributions to the fields of cartography, geology, and natural history, and helped to establish the United States as a major naval power. The expedition's findings and discoveries were later recognized by institutions such as the Royal Geographical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

● Aftermath and Impact

The Wilkes Expedition returned to the United States in 1842, with the crew receiving a hero's welcome in New York City. The expedition's findings and discoveries were later published in a series of reports, including the Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition. The expedition's legacy can be seen in the work of later American explorers, such as Robert Peary and Richard Byrd, who followed in the footsteps of Charles Wilkes and his crew. The expedition also helped to establish the United States as a major naval power, with the United States Navy going on to play a significant role in international relations and global exploration. The Wilkes Expedition is remembered as a significant event in the history of American exploration, and its findings and discoveries continue to be studied by scholars and researchers today, including those at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution.

Category:Exploration