<P> The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842 . The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones . Funding for the original expedition was requested by President John Quincy Adams in 1828 , however , Congress would not implement funding until eight years later . In May 1836 , the oceanic exploration voyage was finally authorized by Congress and created by President Andrew Jackson . The expedition is sometimes called the `` U.S. Ex . Ex . '' for short , or the `` Wilkes Expedition '' in honor of its next appointed commanding officer , United States Navy Lieutenant Charles Wilkes . The expedition was of major importance to the growth of science in the United States , in particular the then - young field of oceanography . During the event , armed conflict between Pacific islanders and the expedition was common and dozens of natives were killed in action , as well as a few Americans . </P>
who commanded the south sea exploring expedition from 1838 to 1842
United States Navy Lieutenant Charles Wilkes