Commanded the south sea exploring expedition from 1838 to 1842. this six-vessel expedition surveyed south pacific islands, charted continental coastlines, proved antarctica is a continent, and collected natural history and ethnological specimens that formed the basis of the smithsonian institution's collections.

Charles Wilkes commanded the South Sea Exploring Expedition from 1838 to 1842. This six-vessel expedition surveyed South Pacific islands, charted continental coastlines, proved Antarctica is a continent, and collected natural history and ethnological specimens that formed the basis of the Smithsonian Institution's collections.

Explanation:

Charles Wilkes (1798-1877) was a naval officer from New York, widely commemorated for exploring the Antarctic and being a crucial element of the "Trent" affair in the time of the Civil War. Beginning his naval career when he was only 17 years old, he became part of the British navy in 1818, navigated in the Mediterranean for 3 years and later sailed to the Pacific.