1. Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer, ship's captain, and explorer.
21 Facts About Charles Wilkes
1. 2.
Charles Wilkes's mother was Mary Seton, who died in 1802 when Charles was just three years old.
3.
Charles Wilkes's fluency was demonstrated during his exploration of Puget Sound in 1841 with French-speaking guide Simon Plamondon.
4.
When Elizabeth was left widowed with five children, Charles Wilkes was sent to a boarding school, and later attended Columbia College, which is the present-day Columbia University.
5.
Charles Wilkes entered the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1818, and became a lieutenant in 1826.
6.
Charles Wilkes was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1843.
7.
In 1838, although not yet a seasoned naval line officer, Charles Wilkes was experienced in nautical survey work, and was working with civilian scientists.
8.
Charles Wilkes explored the west coast of North America, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, the Columbia River, San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River, in 1841.
9.
Charles Wilkes held the first American Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River in Dupont, Washington, on July 5,1841.
10.
Charles Wilkes was court-martialed upon his return for the loss of one of his ships on the Columbia River bar, for the regular mistreatment of his subordinate officers, and for excessive punishment of his sailors.
11.
Charles Wilkes was acquitted on all charges except illegally punishing men in his squadron.
12.
Charles Wilkes edited the scientific reports of the expedition and was the author of Vol.
13.
Charles Wilkes's work was used to illustrate the Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition.
14.
Charles Wilkes was promoted to the rank of commander in 1843 and that of captain in 1855.
15.
Charles Wilkes was officially thanked by Congress "for his brave, adroit and patriotic conduct".
16.
Charles Wilkes repeatedly exacerbated diplomatic relations with the British, Spanish, Dutch, French, Danes and Mexicans through his arrogant and illegal activities in the West Indies and Bermuda.
17.
Charles Wilkes justified his actions by calling the ports little short of operational bases for blockade runners.
18.
Charles Wilkes was recalled from his West Indies command in June 1863, a consequence of multiple factors.
19.
Welles had recommended that Charles Wilkes had been too old to receive the rank of commodore under the act then governing promotions.
20.
Charles Wilkes was found guilty of all charges and sentenced to public reprimand and suspension for three years.
21.
Charles Wilkes died in Washington, DC, with the rank of Rear Admiral.