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Article: Scientifics at sea; the Smithsonian Institution salutes the 1838 U.S. Exploring Expedition, which launched the national museums.
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- December 21, 1985
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1985 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Nearly a century and a half ago, an epic voyage around the world launched the young United States on its course as an international scientific power. Six wooden sailing ships--on which nine civilian scientists and artists joined U.S. Navy crews--set out on a perilous journey to explore Antarctica, Australia, South Sea islands and finally the uncharted Oregon Territory coast. The mission: to collect data and specimens in support of navigation, commerce, diplomacy and science. The expedition returned almost four years later bearing charts, maps and about 60,000 specimens.
The legacy of the Exploring Expedition, with its strict, headstrong and aloof commander ...