The United States Exploring Expedition under the command of US Navy Lieutenant Charles Wilkes departs from from Hampton Roads for the Pacific Ocean and Antarctica. It was a significant scientific and exploratory voyage that took place from 1838 to 1842.
The expedition with the aim of exploring and surveying the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands, with a focus on scientific discovery and establishing a U.S. presence in the region. The expedition had many firsts including the US first formal entry into Puget Sound water.
