Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1852-1861 and undated

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7253
Creators:
United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856)
Dates:
1852-1861 and undated
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
1.25 cu. ft. (2 document boxes) (1 half document box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
This collection documents the natural history work of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition and consists of correspondence and notes, manuscripts, and drawings by William Stimpson on the crustacea collections made on the expedition. Also included is Stimpson's journal of the expedition.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The North Pacific Exploring Expedition, 1853-1856, was organized by the United States Navy Department to conduct a naval and commercial survey of those parts of Bering Straits, the North Pacific Ocean and the China Seas frequented by American whaling ships and by trading vessels in their routes between the United States and China. Captain Cadwalader Ringgold was placed in command of the expedition, which departed from Norfolk, Virginia, in June 1853. After Ringgold was recalled to the United States in 1854, Captain John Rogers assumed command for the remainder of the expedition. The expedition explored along the coasts of China and Japan, Madeira Island, the California coast, and Tahiti before returning via the Cape of Good Hope in 1856. Extensive natural history collections were made on the expedition, mostly by William Stimpson, Chief Zoologist. Other naturalists serving on the expedition included Alfred H. Ames, Assistant Naturalist, and Charles Wright, Botanist.

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7253, United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856), Records

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Stimpson, William, 1832-1872 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ringgold, Cadwalader, 1802-1867 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rogers, John Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ames, Alfred H. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wright, Charles Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Navy Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Acquisitions Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Invertebrate zoology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Natural history Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scientific illustrations Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
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