Wm H. Dall, Sci. Corps W.U.S. Exp., San Francisco, January 1866 Search this
Collection name:
William H. Dall Papers, circa 1839-1858, 1862-1927
Physical Description:
1 diary
Physical Location:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Sublocation:
Box 20 Folder 2
Record type:
Fieldbook record
Object Type:
Field notes
Diary
Illustrations
Place:
Alaska
United States
California
Date Range:
1866-1867
Start Date:
01011866
End Date:
05251867
Abstract:
The diary documents the daily activities of William Healey Dall and his colleagues in the Scientific Corps on the Western Union Telegraph Expedition while in San Francisco, California as well as during their field work in Alaska. Entries are dated from January 1, 1866 to May 25, 1867. First entries describe daily work while in California including writing reports, studying specimens, preparations and acquisition of equipment for field work, personal activities, and weather. Later entries describe travel by ship to Alaska, observed marine life and birds, specimens collected and prepared (including fossils), illustrations of accommodations, personal and professional interactions with local inhabitants and expedition participants including participating Russians, as well as personal impressions. In the middle of the book, miscellaneous lists are included such as a cash account, a list of letters sent, a list of recipients of a copy of Memorial on Bridges to other papers, and synopses of letters of importance.
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