Historedia
Person

Charles Wilkes

Events
2
Episodes
4
Years
1840–1862

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Charles Wilkes, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. United States Exploring Expedition sights Wilkes Land

    1840

    Role: Commanding Officer

    1. 16 January 1840 · George V CoastDiscovery of the Antarctic Continent

      Henry Eld and William Reynolds sighted peaks along the George V Coast on January 16, 1840, marking the reported discovery of the continent.

    2. 25 January – 12 February 1840 · Coastline behind the Cook Ice ShelfSighting of the Antarctic Coast

      The Vincennes sighted mountains behind the Cook Ice Shelf on January 25, 1840, confirming the extent of the coastline.

  2. Trent affair: USS San Jacinto stops British mail packet Trent

    1861–1862

    Role: Union Captain

    1. Late November 1861 – January 1, 1862 · Fort WarrenDiplomatic Crisis and Resolution

      The incident threatened war, but calm diplomacy contributed to a peaceful resolution, leading to the quiet release of the envoys in early 1862.

    2. November 8, 1861 · Old Bahama Channel (unconfirmed legacy hint)Interception of RMS Trent

      USS San Jacinto fired shots across the bow of RMS Trent, forcing it to stop and allowing the arrest of two Confederate envoys as contraband of war.

Sources

  1. United States Exploring Expedition Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-21
  2. Charles Wilkes Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-11
  3. Wilkes Land Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-13
  4. Trent Affair Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-22