Philbrick, Nathanel. Sea of Glory: America’s Voyage of Discovery, The U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. U.S. Viking Penguin 2003.
The author wrote in detail about the United States South Seas Exploring Expedition of 1838 (U.S. Ex.Ex.), an unprecedented naval operation for a nation with a navy less than half the size of Great Britain’s, and consisted of six sailing vessels and 346 men, making it one of the largest voyages of discovery in the history of Western exploration. The Ex.Ex.’s ships covered the Pacific ocean from top to bottom, brought the United States international renown for its’ scientific findings, and enabled a young nation to take its’ first steps toward becoming an economic world power. By any measure, the Ex.Ex.’s achievements …show more content…
President Martin Van Buren replaced his secretary of navy with his secretary of war, Joel Poinsett in charge of organizing the Ex.Ex. but every navy captain he contacted refused his offer. Poinsett considered offering the post to Charles Wilkes, a lieutenant who lacked command experience, but was known and proven to be a competent surveyor, and after a personal meeting at Poinsett’s home, Wilkes agreed to accept the command of the Ex.Ex. Immediately, pressure descended on Poinsett to replace Wilkes with a naval officer of higher rank, which then began the underlying reason for relationship and discipline problems that would plague the Ex.Ex. voyage during its’ entirety and beyond. Despite intense criticism, Wilkes achieved in five months of planning and organization what others had failed to do in two years, but despite his progress, his rank was a matter of deep concern with the navy. Wilkes assumed that Poinsett would appoint him as captain, a rank higher than commander, and criticism continued to build over Wilkes’ selection as commander. When the voyage’s final preparations were completed, and with no captain appointment, Wilkes and the squadron set
The author wrote in detail about the United States South Seas Exploring Expedition of 1838 (U.S. Ex.Ex.), an unprecedented naval operation for a nation with a navy less than half the size of Great Britain’s, and consisted of six sailing vessels and 346 men, making it one of the largest voyages of discovery in the history of Western exploration. The Ex.Ex.’s ships covered the Pacific ocean from top to bottom, brought the United States international renown for its’ scientific findings, and enabled a young nation to take its’ first steps toward becoming an economic world power. By any measure, the Ex.Ex.’s achievements …show more content…
President Martin Van Buren replaced his secretary of navy with his secretary of war, Joel Poinsett in charge of organizing the Ex.Ex. but every navy captain he contacted refused his offer. Poinsett considered offering the post to Charles Wilkes, a lieutenant who lacked command experience, but was known and proven to be a competent surveyor, and after a personal meeting at Poinsett’s home, Wilkes agreed to accept the command of the Ex.Ex. Immediately, pressure descended on Poinsett to replace Wilkes with a naval officer of higher rank, which then began the underlying reason for relationship and discipline problems that would plague the Ex.Ex. voyage during its’ entirety and beyond. Despite intense criticism, Wilkes achieved in five months of planning and organization what others had failed to do in two years, but despite his progress, his rank was a matter of deep concern with the navy. Wilkes assumed that Poinsett would appoint him as captain, a rank higher than commander, and criticism continued to build over Wilkes’ selection as commander. When the voyage’s final preparations were completed, and with no captain appointment, Wilkes and the squadron set