Narrow Your Results

Go Reset

Refine Your Results

Filter Your Results

Expeditions Information

Close Browse records and papers documenting scientific and collecting expeditions either affiliated with the Smithsonian, or with which Smithsonian researchers participated. Pre-set filters help narrow searches by geographic regions predominantly represented in expedition records.

Smithsonian Secretaries Information

Close Browse records and papers of the Smithsonian Secretaries, from 1846 until today. Pre-set filters help narrow searches by individuals who have held that office.

Smithsonian Records Information

Close Browse official records created at the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, research centers, libraries, and archives, now in the Smithsonian Institution Archives’ collections. Pre-set filters help narrow searches by major topics or disciplines.

Personal Papers Information

Close Browse papers and special collections created by institutions and persons who have contributed to and collaborated with the Smithsonian. Pre-set filters help narrow searches by major topics and disciplines.

Professional Societies Information

Close Browse records of professional societies closely associated with the Smithsonian, that focus on areas of scientific research and museum studies. Pre-set filters help narrow searches by major topics and disciplines.

Oral Histories Information

Close Browse oral and video history collections containing interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff, and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. Pre-set filters help narrow searches by major topics or disciplines.

SIA RU007253, United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856), North Pacific Exploring Expedition Collection, 1852-1861 and undated

Print Share Submit a reference request about this item
* required
Please succinctly provide us with any information pertinent to your inquiry. If you are writing to us about a research request, provide as much detail as possible about the collections in which you are interested (including collection numbers, box numbers, and folder titles).
(if known)
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Summary

Creator:
United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856)
Title:
North Pacific Exploring Expedition Collection, 1852-1861 and undated
Dates:
1852, 1852-1861, 1852-1861 and undated
Notes:
The North Pacific Exploring Expedition, 1853-1856, was organized by the United States Navy Department to conduct a naval and commercial survey of those parts of Bering Straits, the North Pacific Ocean and the China Seas frequented by American whaling ships and by trading vessels in their routes between the United States and China. Captain Cadwallader Ringgold was placed in command of the expedition, which departed from Norfolk, Virginia, in June 1853. After Ringgold was recalled to the United States in 1854, Captain John Rogers assumed command for the remainder of the expedition. The expedition explored along the coasts of China and Japan, Madeira Island, the California coast, and Tahiti before returning via the Cape of Good Hope in 1856. Extensive natural history collections were made on the expedition, mostly by William Stimpson, Chief Zoologist. Other naturalists serving on the expedition included Alfred H. Ames, Assistant Naturalist, and Charles Wright, Botanist
Summary:
This collection documents the natural history work of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition and consists of correspondence and notes, manuscripts, and drawings by William Stimpson on the crustacea collections made on the expedition. Also included is Stimpson's journal of the expedition
Topics:
Invertebrate zoology, Natural history
Subjects:
Stimpson, William 1832-1872, United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856)
Form/Genre:
Scientific illustrations, Collection descriptions
Local Number:
SIA RU007253
Physical Description:
0.3 linear meter

Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 7253

United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition, (1853-1856)

Records, 1852-1861 and undated

Repository: Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator: United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition, (1853-1856)
Title: Records
Dates: 1852-1861 and undated
Quantity: 0.3 linear meter.
Collection: Record Unit 7253
Language of Materials: English

Historical Note

The North Pacific Exploring Expedition, 1853-1856, was organized by the United States Navy Department to conduct a naval and commercial survey of those parts of Bering Straits, the North Pacific Ocean and the China Seas frequented by American whaling ships and by trading vessels in their routes between the United States and China. Captain Cadwalader Ringgold was placed in command of the expedition, which departed from Norfolk, Virginia, in June 1853. After Ringgold was recalled to the United States in 1854, Captain John Rogers assumed command for the remainder of the expedition. The expedition explored along the coasts of China and Japan, Madeira Island, the California coast, and Tahiti before returning via the Cape of Good Hope in 1856. Extensive natural history collections were made on the expedition, mostly by William Stimpson, Chief Zoologist. Other naturalists serving on the expedition included Alfred H. Ames, Assistant Naturalist, and Charles Wright, Botanist.

Top of Page

Introduction

This finding aid was digitized with funds generously provided by the Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.

Top of Page

Descriptive Entry

This collection documents the natural history work of the North Pacific Exploring Expedition and consists of correspondence and notes, manuscripts, and drawings by William Stimpson on the crustacea collections made on the expedition. Also included is Stimpson's journal of the expedition.

Top of Page

This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.

Name

Subject

Co-Creator

Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection

Top of Page

Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7253, United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition, (1853-1856), Records

Top of Page

Container List

Series 1

Correspondence, 1852-1861 and undated.

This series consists of correspondence concerning the natural history collections made by the North Pacific Exploring Expedition. The correspondence is directed mostly to Lieutenant John Rodgers, with smaller amounts to Captain Cadwalader Ringgold. Correspondents include Joseph Henry, Spencer F. Baird, William Stimpson, Asa Gray, and Charles Wright. Also included are specimen lists. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Box 1

Folder 1 Ames, Alfred H., 1853 and undated

Box 1 of 3

Folder 2 Baird, Spencer F., 1852, 1858. Included is a letter from Baird to Captain Cadwalader Ringgold (Nov. 12, 1852) concerning preparation for the expedition.

Box 1 of 3

Folder 3 Gray, Asa, 1858-1861

Box 1 of 3

Folder 4 Henry, Joseph, 1860

Box 1 of 3

Folder 5 Rodgers, Lt. John (Accession 06-220)

Box 1 of 3

Folder 6 Royal Gardens, Kew, England, 1860

Box 1 of 3

Folder 7 Stevens, H.R., 1853

Box 1 of 3

Folders 8-17 Stimpson, William, 1852-1860 and undated

Box 1 of 3

Folder 18 United States Navy Department, 1857

Box 1 of 3

Folder 19 United States Patent Office, 1855-1856

Box 1 of 3

Folder 20 Van Wyck, William, 1853

Box 1 of 3

Folders 21-27 Wright, Charles, 1853-1858 and undated

Box 1 of 3

Folder 28 Unidentified correspondence, 1857, 1860 and undated

Box 1 of 3

Folder 29 Specimen lists

Box 1 of 3

Series 2

Notes, Manuscripts, and Drawings on Crustacea by William Stimpson.

This series consists of notes, manuscripts, and drawings by William Stimpson on crustacea collected on the North Pacific Exploring Expedition. The drawings are mostly original pencil sketches, with smaller amounts of color drawings included.

Box 1

Folders 30-31 Notes of William Stimpson on crustacea collections made on the North Pacific Exploring Expedition

Box 1 of 3

Folder 32 Journal of a cruise in the U.S. ship, Vincennes, to the North Pacific Ocean, China Sea, Behring Strait, etc. by William Stimpson, 1853-1855

Box 1 of 3

Folder 33 Ledger book of specimen lists, equipment, and expenditures

Box 1 of 3

Box 2

Folders 1-4 Manuscript. "Report on the Crustacea (Brachyura and Anomura) collected by the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, 1853-1856." Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol. XLIX, 1907.

Box 2 of 3

Folder 5 Original pencil sketches and color drawings used in "Report on the Crustacea (Brachyura and Anomura) collected by the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, 1853-1856." Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol. XLIX, 1907.

Box 2 of 3

Folders 6-7 Manuscript. "Report on Anomura collected by the North Pacific Exploring Expedition," undated.

Box 2 of 3

Box 3

Typescript of "Journal of a Cruise in the U.S. ship Vincennes to the North Pacific Ocean, China Seas, Behring Strait, etc." by William Stimpson, 1853-1855

Box 3 of 3

Top of Page

Using the Archives' Collections

The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. Please cite the Smithsonian Institution Archives as the source of the content, and when possible, link to the Smithsonian Archives website (siarchives.si.edu). Please let us know how you are using our collections for your projects. For information on commercial licensing or other uses, visit Rights and Reproductions. More information available within the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use policy.