Charles Wilkes and the Exploration of Inland Washington Waters

A follow-up to the editor’s two previous collections of primary documents of maritime history in the Pacific Northwest, this book reproduces the journals and narratives of Charles Wilkes, an experienced nautical surveyor who led the U.S. Exploring Expedition through inland Washington waters in 1841, and ten of his crewmen. Special attention is given to the many placenames that Wilkes originated.

Richard W. Blumenthal’s first nautical experience was with an eight foot homemade dingy. After a 30 year career with phone company US West, he has devoted his energies to researching the early exploration of inland Washington water and investigating himself the Puget Sound aboard his forty-four foot Hatteras. He lives in Bellevue, Washington.

Edited by Richard W. Blumenthal
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 320
Bibliographic Info: 18 maps, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4316-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5397-9
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1
1. Wilkes’ Narrative      3
2. Charles Wilkes’ United States Exploration Expedition: Instruments and Methods      51
3. Oregon Territory, Strait of Juan de Fuca      70
4. Volume XXIII Charts      112
5. The Journal of Augustus L. Case      131
6. George Colvocoresses: Four Years      156
7. The Journal of Acting Master George T. Sinclair      167
8. The Journal of Joseph Perry Sanford      197
9. The Journal of James Alden      215
10. The Journal of Samuel B. Elliott      225
11. The Narrative of Joseph B. Clark      242
12. The Journal of Purser R. P. Robinson      250
13. Private Notes of J. W. W. Dyes      263
14. The Journal of Charles Erskine      268
Appendix: List of Officers and Men Attached to the United States Exploring Expedition      275
Bibliography      303
Index      305

“Another significant addition to maritime history in the Pacific Northwest”—Sailing Magazine.