This is just a moderately brief history plug. Have you ever heard of the U.S. Exploring Expedition? I hadn't. It is the subject of Nathaniel Philbrick's excellent book "Sea of Glory" which I will comment upon in the future.
Six ships leave. One returns prematurely. Two sink. One is purchased. One is sold. Three return. Leave U.S. Go to Madeira. Rio. Cape Horn. Antarctic Peninsula. Valpairaso and Callao. South Pacific Island groups. Australia. Antarctica again. Hawaii. Vancouver, Puget Sound, and Columbia River. Singapore. Cape of Good Hope. Return to U.S. Four years. Around the globe. Multiples of maps and surveys created and in use 100 years later. Thousands of new species of plants and animals discovered and catalogued. Ships caught in severe storms. Sailors fight with Pacific islanders. Intense tension develops between the inexperienced 'captain' and his crews. Multiple court-martials ensue upon their return. Can you tell I like the story?
The main plug here is the Smithsonian Institution, whose founding legitimately was a direct result of the U.S. Ex. Ex. They have digitized all the relevant and rare documents of those who sailed on the expedition. Their website (with links) to the documents is very interesting and is: http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/usexex/
No comments:
Post a Comment