George F. Emmons papers, 1828-1957 (1828-1864).

11 v. : illus.

English

Gift of William Robertson Coe. Series WA MSS S-4386 purchased from James Cummins Bookseller on the William Robertson Coe Fund No. 3, 2011.

Eleven volumes: I.-III. Journals kept on board U.S. Sloop of War Peacock, 1838-1842 (WA MSS 166). IV.-V. Sketchbooks from U.S. Sloop of War Peacock, 1838-1842 (WA MSS 167). VI. Scrapbook of Official Letters, 1828-1850 (WA MSS 168). VII. Scrapbook of Mounted Clippings, 1842 (WA MSS 169). VIII-XI. Scrapbooks of Mounted Clippings (WA MSS S-4386).

George Foster Emmons (1811-1884), appointed a midshipman in 1828, served on the frigate Brandywine in the Mediterranean 1830-1833, served on the Peacock in the Wilkes Expedition 1838-1842, joined the ship Boston of the Brazil Squadron, and served on the Ohio as part of the Pacific Squadron. He was commissioned commodore in 1868 and spent the rest of his career on shore at the Hydrographic Office in Washington and as commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Three journals and two sketchbooks, created during the Wilkes Expedition, describe and illustrate surveys of Pacific harbors, an overland journey from Vancouver to San Francisco, Antarctic, and the South Seas. Family and professional letters and documents are inserted. A scrapbook of letters and orders documents George Emmons's active navy career and another volume of clippings records the 1842 court martial of Charles Wilkes and other members of the United States Exploring Expedition.

Available on microfilm.

June 01, 2002

George F. Emmons Papers. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Seamen United States.