Explorers of the Pacific: European and American Discoveries in Polynesia
American Voyages, 1800 to 1842
American Voyages, 1800 to 1842
In the first half of the nineteenth century, the number of voyages made by American sealers, sandalwood traders, and whaling ships were numerous, but the men who went down to the sea in such ships were usually not gifted with language suitable for publication.
The United States Navy kept a small squadron on the Pacific station, and some information was recorded by warships when changing stations or visiting Hawaii. The responsibility of the government in promoting voyages to add to geographical knowledge was not realized until well toward the middle of the century, when after some opposition and criticism, the United States Expedition under the command of Commodore Charles Wilkes was approved. A few such voyages are herewith listed.
page 102Date | Authority | Ships | Polynesian Islands Visited |
---|---|---|---|
1812-1814 | David Porter | Essex | Marquesas |
1829-1830 | C. S. Stewart | Vincennes | Society, Marquesas, Hawaii |
1831-1834 | John Dowries | Potomac | Hawaii, Society |
1838-1842 | Charles Wilkes | Vincennes, Peacock, Porpoise, etc. | Tuamotu, Society, Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Penryhn, Tokelau, Ellice, Phoenix |