United States North Pacific Exploring Expedition (1853-1856)

The United States 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 the 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.