A very good copy of one of the few private accounts of the Wilkes Expedition, 1838-1842.
Commanded by Charles Wilkes, the United States Exploring Expedition gave American entry to a field of endeavour long dominated by Britain, France and to a lesser extent Russia. "It was the first American expedition of any size, charged to "extend the bounds of Science and promote the acquisition of knowledge," and was one of the most ambitious Pacific expedition ever attempted" (Forbes).
"Colvocoresses, a naval officer, saw extensive service with the Wilkes expedition, which explored the southern seas, and also travelled overland from Vancouver Island to San Francisco. He continued his naval carrer, serving the Union along the Atlantic coast during the Civil War, and retired at the rank of captain in 1867" (Hill).
Although he didn't participate in the expedition's first voyage south, he was on the Vincennes on the second. His account of the Antarctic is on pp.99-119.
Forbes, 1574; Hill, 347; Howes, C635; Rosove, 74.A1; Sabin, 14907.
