Background
Wilkes, Charles was born on April 3, 1798 in New York City. Son of John De Ponthieu and Mary (Seton) Wilkes.
Wilkes, Charles was born on April 3, 1798 in New York City. Son of John De Ponthieu and Mary (Seton) Wilkes.
Appointed midshipman United States Navy, 1818. 1st cruised Mediterranean in ship Guerriere, later in Pacific in ship Franklin. Engaged in surveying Narragansett Bay, 1832-1833.
In charge of Depot of Charts and Instruments, Washington, District of Columbia, 1833. Commanded Porpoise, engaged in survey St. George’s Bank and Savannah River, 1837-1838. On expedition to explore coast of Antarctic continent, islands of Pacific Ocean, American N.W. coast, 1838-1842.
Awarded Founder’s medal Royal Geography Society of London, 1847. Tried by court martial and sentenced to public reprimand for illegal punishment of his men, 1842. Commissioned commander, 1843, captain, 1855.
Overhauled British mail steamer Trent in Bahama Channel, 1861, took from vessel Confederate commissioner James M.
Engaged in surveying Narragansett Bay, 1832-1833. Made acting rear adm.
Mason and John Slidell, brought them to Boston, viewed as hero, congratulated by Secretary of Navy Gideon Welles, thanked by United States House of Representatives, event was actually act of war on England, case disallowed and.
Married Jane Jeffrey Renwick, April.; married second, Mary H. (Lynch) Bolton, October 3, 1854.