Oceania -- Discovery and exploration

The collection consists of five letters written by Charles Wilkes between 1835 and 1857 and some items of U.S. Navy correspondence, 1838-1852. Also included is a copy of the journal of S. Stearns, written aboard the U.S.S. Vincennes, 1838-1852.

Charles Wilkes was a naval officer and explorer. Of the total microfilmed collection of 26 reels, the Library holds 10 reels. These consist of: Reels 1-4: Journals and diaries,1841-1875 (24 volumes); Reels 5-6: Letterbooks, May 17 1841-December 30 1846; November 22 1848-February 16 1850; February 16 1850-January 17 1851; Reel 9: Family correspondence 1836-July 1850; Reel 10: Family correspondence August 1950- May 1853; Reel 14: General correspondence 1835-1856.

This item is John Whittle's journal as a surgeon of the Vincennes and Peacock, on their voyages of exploration around the South Seas.