What did early explorers think of Elliot Bay, Seattle's major seaport, during their initial surveys in the 1840s? What hardships did the first white men who cruised through the San Juan Islands face? How was Puget Sound discovered? How did the highest volcano in the Cascade Range come to be called Mount Rainier? Such questions are answered in this examination of the early exploration and settlement of inland Washington. Illegible] unique text chronicles the history of many of these expeditions: George Vancouver's travels are described using his own journals, as well as those of his men, to explain both the route and Puget Sound Country; the early settlement history around the waters of Port Angeles, through Hood Canal, around Bainbridge and Whidbey Islands, south Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands is also recounted through journal writings of several explorers; and the author's own observations after his unique 30 day experience of tracing Vancouver's path and comparing what the early explorer saw with what exists today are offered. reasons for many names, as well. An appendix provides a muster table for the ship Discovery, between April 1st and May 31st, 1791 and for the ship Chatham, between May 1st and June 30 of the same year.

A follow-up to ""The Early Exploration of Inland Washington Waters: Journals and Logs from Six Expeditions, 1786-1792"" and 2007's ""With Vancouver in Inland Washington Waters: Journals of 12 Crewmen, April - June 1792"", this book offers another significant addition to maritime history in the Pacific Northwest. It follows naval officer and explorer Charles Wilkes, an experienced nautical surveyor who led the Wilkes Expedition through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Puget Sound, the Columbia River, and other inland Washington waters in 1841. Beginning his exploration at Discovery Bay 49 years to the day after George Vancouver's, Wilkes had the luxury of spending more time than Vancouver in inland Washington waters, utilizing more small boats and many more crewmen. This book includes the journals of Charles Wilkes and ten of his crewmen, including Augustus L. Case, George Colvocoresses, George T. Sinclair, and several other esteemed naval officers. Special attention is given to the many place names that Wilkes originated, several of which were created to honor members of the expedition team. The book also includes eighteen of the Wilkes Expedition's charts, the quality of which reflects the crew's careful attention to accuracy. Finally, it includes a complete muster list of the officers and crewmen attached to the Wilkes Expedition, featuring name, title, and, in most cases, a brief synopsis of the man's activity within the expedition.