The Literature Network - America's greatest voyage of discovery: he was the American naval officer in charge of one of the most successful exploration expeditions of all time. He was revered by Darwin and seen as Cook's equal. But in spite of his achievements, Charles Wil

America's greatest voyage of discovery: he was the American naval officer in charge of one of the most successful exploration expeditions of all time. He was revered by Darwin and seen as Cook's equal. But in spite of his achievements, Charles Wil

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From: Geographical
Date: 20040401
Author:Philbrick, Nathaniel

By almost any measure, America's first ocean-going voyage of discovery, the US Exploring Expedition (widely known as the US Ex Ex) of 1838, was an extraordinary success. After four years at sea, and having covered 140,000 kilometres, this six-vessel, 346-person fleet returned with more specimens and artefacts than all three of James Cook's voyages combined. The expedition's scientific reports were so comprehensive that none other than Charles Darwin looked upon them with admiration while developing his theory of evolution.

Just as impressive were the expedition's contributions ...

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America's greatest voyage of discovery: he was the American naval officer in charge of one of the most successful exploration expeditions of all time. He was revered by Darwin and seen as Cook's equal. But in spite of his achievements, Charles Wil

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