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Captain Charles Wilkes: Man of Science on the U.S. Exploring Expedition

Learn about Captain Charles Wilkes, who led the U.S. Exploring Expedition and made significant contributions to science. Discover the scientific crew and their findings during this groundbreaking expedition.

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Captain Charles Wilkes: Man of Science on the U.S. Exploring Expedition

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  1. The U.S. Exploring ExpeditionPeople and Science Charles Wilkes was not just a captain of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, but also a man of science. Find out more about him and his science crew.

  2. Charles Wilkes • Before leading the U.S. Exploring Expedition, Wilkes headed the Navy’s Department of Charts and Instruments, where he worked on synchronizing marine chronometers. • The U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842) was a success. However, Wilkes was convicted in a court-martial for his harsh command. • Later, during the Civil War, he was a ship’s commander. His command was successful, but he was convicted again at a court-martial.

  3. Drawing by Wilkes of His Dog and Crew in Antarctica Wilkes became very unpopular with his men during their four years at sea. His best friend on the voyage was his dog Sydney, a giant breed called Newfoundland. This breed can swim well, haul fishing nets, and retrieve people or objects that fall into the sea.

  4. The Scientific Corps of the U.S. Exploring Expedition As a group they were referred to as the “Scientifics.” They published 19 volumes on their findings. The group included botanists, naturalists, artists, taxidermists, and other scientists that collected and cataloged plant, animal, and cultural artifacts throughout the newly charted territories. They included Titian Peale, James Dwight Dana, William Rich, Horatio Hale, Charles Pickering, Joseph Couthouy, William Brackenridge, Alfred Agate, and James Drayton. Even Wilkes contributed two volumes on meteorology and hydrology.

  5. Titian Ramsay Peale, Naturalist James Dwight Dana, Geologist

  6. Horatio Hale, Ethnographer Charles Pickering, Naturalist

  7. William Dunlop Brackenridge, Botanist Charles Wilkes, Meteorologist

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