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THE PACIFIC AND BEYOND

Edited by Keith R. Benson and Philip F. Rehbock

U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n P r e s s

Seattle and London Proceedings of the Fifth International Congress on the History of Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, July 1993.

Copyright © 2002 by the University of Washington Press Printed in the United States o f America Design and composition by Magrit Baurechc

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Oceanograhic history : the Pacific and beyond / edited by Keit Benson and Philip F. Rehbock. p. cm. ' ISBN 0-295-98239-X (alk paper) 1. Oceanography—Pacific Ocean—History—Congresses. I. Benson, Keith Rodney. II. Rehbock, Philip F., 1942-2002. III. Tide.

GC771.I52 1993 551.46'5—dc21 2002016592

The paper used in this publication is acid-free and meets the m in im u m requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. «

Illustration credits: pp. iii and 59: “The Sea-serpent when first seen from H.M.S. Daedalus,” The Illustrated London News, October 28, 1848 p. 29: photograph by Dave Hosom, 1990 pp. 1, 85, 229, 287, 445, 479: Scripps Institution Archives pp: 357, 391,525: Smithsonian Institution, 95-20194, 98-1188, 95-20197 CONTENTS

ip F. Rehbock and Keith R.Benson Introducdon ix

The Scripps Heritage Deborah Day Scripps Benefactions: The Role of the Scripps Family in 2 the Founding of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Fred Noel Spiess . Charles Kofoid’s Role in Establishing the 7 Scripps Insdtudon of Oceanography Robert Marc Friedman Contexts for Cons true ring an Ocean Science: 17 The Career of Harald Ulrik Sverdrup (1888-1957)

Pacific Remembrances

Walter H. Munk The Sverdrup Years: A Personal Recollection 30 William'A. Nierenberg Deep Sea Drilling; Lessons Learned 32 Joseph L. Reid The NORPAC Expedition 41 George G. Shor, Jr. The Development o f Research Vessel Design ■ 45 Klaus Wyrcki Reflections on My Knowledge in the Indo-Pacific 53

Myth and Natural Knowledge 1of the Sea

Sherrie Lyons Sea Monsters: M yth or Genuine Relic of the Past 60 Alan Eugene Davis Suggestions for Study of the Native Knowledge of 71 Marine Animals in the Eastern Caroline Islands

Exploration: The Pacific and Beyond Joyce E. Jones and Ian S.F. Jones The Western Boundary Current in the Pacific: 86 The Development of Our Oceanographic Knowledge Arkady V. Alekseev and Russian Oceanographic Investigations of the Pacific Ocean: 96 Igor D. Rostov History and Some Results Svetlana G. Sivkova Research Vessel Vityaz: A Contribution to Oceanographic 103 Science in the Past and Present Gerhard Korturn Germania in Paciflco: Humboldt, Chamissp and Other 107 Eady German Contributors to Pacific Research, 1741-1876 Walter Lenz The Aspirations of Alfred Merz, Georg Wiist, and 118 Albert Defant: From Berlin, to Pacific Oceanography Maurice M. Raraty Some Aspects of Early Twentieth-Century Oceanography: 124 The German Antarctic Expedition Ramiro P. Sanchez Early Exploratory Voyages and Antarctic Expeditions: 133 The Argentine Perspective jrermama in Pacifico: Humboldt, Chamisso and Other Early German Contributions to Pacific Research, 1741-1876

Gerhard Kortum1 on Humboldt’s own recommenda­ of the history of ideas, are a chal­ tion in 1835, three yean before lenge for the modem reader and Chamisso's death. Most likely he historian of science, especially Introduaion: From Berlin alluded to Humboldt when he marine science.- to the Pacific explained his admiration o f a great In this paper some dew aspects man, who took no notice of him .3 are presented. Certainly Adelbert n ehe vicinity of ehe present Humboldt’s and Chamisso’s von Chamisso was no oceanogra­ unpretentious building occupy­ contributions to .early Pacific pher in the stricdy modem sense; ing the site in Oranienburger research within the more general the term “oceanography” did not traEe in central Berlin where framework of German scientific emerge until the end of the nine­ lexander von Humboldt (1769- activities in the Great Ocean, ac the teenth century. M. F. Maury got the 359) lived tor many yean compiling time we can summarize as the peri­ 'tide for his “Physical Geography of ' is Kosmos, until his death in 1859, is od of circumnavigations, have not the Sea” (1855) from Alexander le Montbijou Park. In one corner, been studied in detail up to now. von Humboldt, who, like Heinrich most hidden behind trees and The present chapter attempts to Berghaus, did not use this specific eher plants, there is. the monument direct attention to the early expression for maritime or oceanic f another important, although less German contributions to ocean studies. For them and many other •ell known Berlin natural scien- sciences in the days o f sail.4 ■ natural historians of the early 19th st, Adelbert von Chamisso (1781- Humboldt’s important general century, “hydrography” with its 338), He was indeed a “Weltbiir- contributions to marine sciences physical, nautical, and cartographic ;r, Naturforscher und Dichter ’ are well known, although not yet in aspects was part of'.general ;osmopolite, naturalist and poet), a popular edition. But why “Physical Geography of the Sea” as ; Robert- Fischer subdded his Chamisso and the Rurik as a subject first outlined by B. Varenius in His ¡cent biography.2 at a congress about the history of “Geographia Generalis”(1651). Both Humboldt and Chamisso marine sciences, especially in the Like many of his contempo­ id marine research work in the. Pacific? This French-born German raries in the age before the division acific in the early 19th century, poet with a background in botany and specialization of the natural hey had much in common: both and natural philosophy will be sciences Chamisso regarded him­ arted with botany and became known primarily to experts of' self a natural philosopher. He had a :spected and popular authors, German literary history, especial­ broad interest in biology (especially hey first met in Paris in 1810 after ly the period of romanticism. botany), geology, ethnography, [umboldt’s return from Latin Chamisso’s Pacific experience is physical geography and, last but not merica in 1804. The.relationship connected to an even less known, least, hydrography. In a way we ;tween these two natural histori- rather unpretentious Russian vessel return to this early state of natural is, however, remains unexplored of some 180 tons, sent arounti the philosophy in the modem- concepts 3 to now, Chamisso’s account of globe to the Pacific Ocean under of ecology, observing, and describ­ iS voyage around the worid con- the command of O. von Koczebue ing nature in its interrelated unity. ins a number of references to at the beginning of the 19 th centu­ Chamisso joined the Rurik Humboldt’s works published up to ry, mainly to promote Russian cruise and had almost four yean to 325, when the three volume commercial interests in Alaska. observe the natural phenomena at otzebue-report was printed in This oft forgotten poet, and this the surface of the sea and to study ienna. However, they did not poorly known scientific, but main­ the ecology of the Pacific and the ;come close friends, although ly exploratory and commercial Pacific rim. He assisted Johann hamisso was appointed a member enterprise, studied and newly Friedrich Eschscholz, another par­ * the Berlin Academy of Sciences interpreted in the broader context ticipant on the cruise, in making aerometer observations and sub­ and the national development of The more important German surface temperature measurements marine sciences in Germany can scientific contributors are listed with a Six thermograph. As deep only be fully understood in close according to the ship’s names, years sea research was not very well connection with the theoretical of cruise, nationality and ship’s developed at that dme, we m ay background of classical geography. masters, destination and mission as thus regard him as an “early” pio­ The special conceptual ideas of the well as the qualification and back­ neer of oceanography. German approach to marine sci­ ground of the scientists participat­ We agree with the basic assump­ ences may be summarized by the ing in the expeditions. All enter­ tion that there is a fundamental dif­ term “geographische Meeres- prises were interrelated in some ference between “Entdeckungs­ kunde.” 8 This tradition persisted in way. So this period, at least from geschichte” (history of discoveries) Germany until about 1945. the German perspective, may be , and “geographischer Disziplin­ In discussing “German Scien­ regarded as a specific period in geschichte” (history of geographi­ tists and the Sea,” we must not for­ ocean sciences. Many details are cal ideas). We are aware o f the fact, get those German scientists who known, others have to be rediscov­ that the conceptual development of joined the great number of circum­ ered.? From the beginning.it was innovadve scientific ideas (whether navigations as officially appoint­ an international and interdiscipli­ true or false) was often started by ed naturalists and their travel nary affair, qualities which have scholars, who never had the oppor­ accounts. This period of “scientific continued in modern marine tunity to personally collect empiri­ circumnavigations” with German research as well. cal environmental observations Objectives and methods scientists is well defined for the from the seas. As far as the develop­ changed considerably, and certain­ German cultural area by J. R . and ment of oceanography in the ly there was progress in under­ G. Forster, who joined Cook’s German cultural area is concerned standing the ocean. The qualifica­ expedition on the Resolution (1772- J. Fr.. W. Otto, H. Berghaus, A. tions of the scientists ranged from 1775); and the Erst two modern Petermann, and O. Krümmel rep­ natural sciences in general (“natu­ oceanographic cruises . of the resent this type of academic schol­ ral history”), botany and geogra­ Challenger (1872-1876, with Ger­ ars working hard in their private phy, astronomy, physical sciences, man participant R v Willemoes- study as collectors and compilers, biology and geology to oceanogra­ Suhm as marine biologist), and of looking for and finding some kind phy or hydrography, as it. was called of system or order in the flood the Gazelle (1874-1876), whose in those years. In most cases there of marine information that exist­ scientific staff for astronomy and were crude and sporadic observa­ ed even in those early days.6 deep sea oceanography and biology tions using instruments such as Humboldt on the other hand was was K. Borgen and T. Studer. For chronometers, barometers, and in the favorable and exceptional the Pacific Ocean, the list in prepa­ thermometers. Humboldt as well position to be both, as, his Kosmos ration for a systematic comparative as Chamisso and others used was based in many parts on his analysis of this time is longer and microscopes on their voyages as own personal experiences,7 and started with G. W. Steller (1709- well. Sometimes, however, it is not Humboldt had extensive Pacific 1746) and ■ V. J. Bering’s cruise, possible to specify their scientific 1 ambitions himself, as will be seen 1741-1742. Countries organizing role during the cruise, because they later. the circumnavigations in the 18th were obliged to register ail kinds of and 19th centuries had good rea­ observations made on board .for the The Age of the sons to attach scientists to the crew. official reports. Many of the Circumnavigations The general advancement of reports were published in ■ the Due to political and geographical knowledge sometimes was a wel­ German language. As far as marine circumstances Germany did not come alibi for the promotion of sciences are concerned, “German” emerge as a major maritime nation political and commercial interests with respect to scientific personnel with its own hydrographic institu­ overseas and made it easier for gov­ has no political implications here, tions before the 1870s. This may ernments or national scientific but is a cultural term^as outlined in explain at least pardy why the gen­ institutions to raise money for more detail in the history of the eral subject “Scientists and the Sea” those enterprises. Geography of the Sda. 'C Scientists of he German cultural area came from Humboldt's Pacific Interests partly published by Berghaus. Austria and the German Language Humboldt intended to go across W ithout covering all details here, it Jniversicy of Dorpat in Estonia. the Pacific from Acapulco to the seems clear that Humboldt was the 3rof. Behn of Kiel University Philippines, but he changed his first scientist who described the Galatea cruise, 1845-1847) and plan. So the Pacific Ocean as a regular anomalies of meteorologi­ ^illemoes-Suhm (Challenger cruise, whole remained closed to the per­ cal conditions in the coastal zone of .872-1876), came from Schleswig- sonal experience of this great che “El N iño” area. This evidence iolscein. When they were born, German natural philosopher of the has been neglected in the present jchleswig-Holstein belonged to 19th century. Humboldt was able day “El N iño” discussions up to Denmark politically.11 It is inter­ to go from Callao to Acapulco, now. Although 1802 was not an El ring to note that Willemoes- however, and so he could study at Niño-year, Humboldt advanced a , iuhm, the Forsters, and Chamisso, least the equatorial Eastern Pacific. very modem explanation of the vere all appointed in last minute He never stopped to acknowledge precarious ocean-atmosphere equi­ lecisions to replace others. To the strong influences Georg librium in that area. He even pro­ nention another Common point of Forster had on him. It was Forster posed a long-term observation he century of circumnavigations: who led Humboldt to the sea on research program near Cabo he expedition reports belong to the Belgian sea shore in 1790, Blanco. So, Humboldt’s contribu­ tions to Pacific research certainly he best of travel literature in when both studied the marine life are more than an episode.12 Jerman in literary history. This o f the tidal zone on their travel Humboldt in the Pacific Ocean spect is especially important for along the Lower Rhine to England. could be the subject of another spe­ Chamisso. None of the historians Humboldt recollected this fact cial paper. In this connection it is if-marine sciences has tried to with admiration, when he first saw more appropriate to draw attention tudy these cultural and literary the Pacific Ocean from a pass high to his classic description of the spects, e.g., the perception of the in the Andes. Furthermore it is ocean current ofFPeru later bearing ' louth Sea and North Pacific well known from several of his name.13 lescriptions by European readers. Humboldt’s statements that he had intended to make a circumnaviga­ Vnd what about the wonderful Political Background: Russian vork o f the artists and painters tion as Forster did, but he failed to Interests in the North Pacific ssigned to the expeditions for doc- join the French Baudin expedition. While in Mexico he planned to imentation in that pre-photo- Adelbert von Chamisso was luckier cross the Pacific from Acapulco to .Taphic age? A more complex and chan Humboldt in his Pacific Manila with one of the Spaiush opportunities, although he was far omparative analysis o f all impor- regular services to the Philippines. less prepared for his circumnaviga­ ant cicumnavigations will reveal Had he done this, the early history tion on board the Russian vessel •ther aspects of common interest. of natural sciences, especially in Rurik. Both men met in Paris and Lists that try to organize a vast their marine aspects o f the Pacific later in Berlin, but unfortunately ield of scientific information area, would have been mote com­ no intimate personal contacts ould be prepared for other plex. evolved between these scientists for lations. In a British list, Charles There are numerous hints of reasons unknown. Scientific coop­ )arwin’s cruise with the Beagle the Pacific Ocean in Hum boldt’s eration between them would tuve 1831-1836) would have a promi- works. A short look into the index- promoted Pacific research consid­ ■ent position. Humboldt’s name- volume of the Kosmos amply shows erably. oes not fit very well in the list, as how much the author was interest­ Wich the exception of the e made use of Spanish govern­ ed in Pacific affairs. In p lanning im p o rta n t activities of the Prussian ment ships on regular service for his South American expedition Maritime Trade Institute14 (See- is voyages. His oceanic observa- Humboldt changed his intention, handlungsgesellschaft, seven cruis­ ions, although valuable, were so he only made the voyage in the es o f Prinzeß Louise, 1826-1844) lore of a transient character and tropical eastern Pacific from Callao and the Commercial Mission to ot part of a planned circumnavi- E> Acapulco. His observations and East Asia (1860-1862) with F. v. ation. temperature measurements were Richthofen, the founder of the first German Institute of Oceanography down to California. A number of need to cake action in che North in Berim 1900, German scientists high-ranking Tsarist officials were Pacific in order to gam tull cor.trci were dependent on foreign ships among the leading shareholders. of the Kamtchatka and Aleut until the Gazelle cruise. On che For a long ame A. A. Baranow areas. Accordingly, in July 1309. other hand, German scientists, wich (1747-1819) was the leading organ­ Krusenstern left St. Petersburg cheir academic potential, were wel­ izer of the commercial activities in with the two British-built vessels come on foreign vessels. Because Alaska and the Northwest Ameri­ Sadeshda (450 t) and Seiva (370 none of the German states at that can coast down to San Francisco, The Far East and America Com­ time had any colonial or ¿r-reach- then soil a Spanish outpost. On pany joined the expedition with ing maritime ambidons, national their Pacific cruise Chamisso and their agent Resanow, and the two jealousy and competition did not Kotzebue were involved in a diplo­ leaders often had quarrels about che stand in the way of German partic­ matic confrontation between the scientific and commercial objec­ Spanish governor of Monterey and ipation in voyages sponsored by tives of the enterprise. the Russian agent KuskotF at Port other countries. Krusenstern was unable to Bodega, the southernmost Russian Russian political interests in engage all the scientists he wanted base in California. Tzar Alexander the North Pacific and attempts to for the cruise. But finally his staff I (1801-1825) sponsored all activi­ develop the Kamcchacka Peninsula consisted of three well known and as a permanent base for regional ties of the company in the North qualified persons, all from the activities were inaugurated by the Pacific in cooperation with Admiral German cultural area: maritime expedition of Vitus Modusino, then Secrecary of the Bering (1680-1741), a Danish-born Navy, and Count Romanzoff, then • Johann Caspar Horner (1774- navigator, with the two vessels St. secretary of commerce of the 1834), a Swiss-born physical sci­ Peter and St. Paul (1741-1742). This Russian empire and patron of the entist and astronomer, was pro­ clearly exploratory enterprise, like Rurik cruise, hence the title of moted after return and became all che following cruises of Russian Charrusso’s account: Romanzoff sche adjunct of the Academy of Sci­ vessels in these North Pacific Entdeckungsexpedition.15 ences in St. Petersburg; he later waters were necessarily circumnav­ compiled the cruise instruction igations, because going west Krusenstern's Pioneer for che Rurik. 16 around South America was the Role in the Pacific • Wilhelm Gottfried Tilesius most convenient way to the Pacific All maritime activities in che fol­ (1769-1857) from Leipzig, a well and back to Europe. The German lowing years were closely related to known naturalist, was responsi­ G. F. SteUer (1704-1746) from Adam Johann von Krusenstern, ble for drawing and painting.17 Franconia joined that voyage as born 1770 in Haggard, Estonia. His studies of Mikroskopische physician and natural philosopher. After his school years in -Reval leuchtertde Meeresinsekien are the This was the beginning o f German (today Tallin) he joined the marine beginnings of plankton research scientific engagement in the cadet corps in Kronstadt until (there called “infusoria"). Pacific on Russian ships. The 1788. and was later attached to the • The German natural scientist Bering cruise took place thirty command of Captain Mulowski, Georg Heinrich von LangsdorfF yean before Cook’s second voyage who was appointed to lead the first (1774-1852), published his own in the Resolution. Russian circumnavigation with the account of the voyage under the The far trade between Alaska German natural scientist Georg tide Bemcrkungert auj einer Reise and China seemed to be a very Forster (1754-1794). But this expe­ um die Welt in den Jahren 1303- profitable business and the mer­ dition was canceled because of 1807. 13 chant G. I. Schelichow (1747-1795) political difficulties, and so the had established the first permanent Forsters left Russia for Britain and This well prepared Russian cir­ Russian trading post on Kodiak Cook’s expedition. Krusenstern cumnavigation cook almost four Island in 1784.. In 1799 the Russian was attached to the British Navy years. Krusenstern’s three-volume American Trading Company start­ •for some time and returned full' of account was published in Russian ed its activities and commercial new ideas and goals. In a report to (1809-1813) and ha German (1810- penetration of the American coast bis government he stressed the 1812).19 The illustrative and famous Krusenscem as well as to Forster. The nautical instructions for i t las zur Reise um die Welt20 pre­ Their discoveries and observations the Rurik w ere written by sented numerous well drawn charts in che Pacific are often given in Krusenstern himself. Obviously ind other figures important for the longer quotations. Tilesius and Kotzebue got some secret orders as ater Rurik cruise, as this voyage Langsdorfif are mentioned many well concerning che ,N orth East ollowed closely the course of the times as well. Passage, but they were not dis­ Crusenscem expedition in parts of Kotzebue was an experienced closed to Ohamisso or che ocher :he Pacific. All informadon we navigator and made three circum­ members of che expedition. lave shows that Krusenstern had navigations (1803-1806,1815-1818 Without going inco all details of tn excellent rapport with his scien- and 1823-1826). J. C. Horner was the cruise here, it is obvious thac ific staff. Later, he developed per- asked by Krusenstern to compile the scientific goals were only pardy onal academic ambidons as well, the sailing orders and scientific achieved on the Rurik expedition, is his hydrographic studies show .21 cruise instructions for Kotzebue. because in those years instrumen­ CrusensCem’s voyage was one of All of these documents are printed tation was rather simple. Kotzebue he most important scientific in Kotzebue’s, own account of picked up some modem instru­ mterprises in the Pacific after che enterprise.22 An excensive ments in Plymouth including Zook’s three cruises. He earned incroduction was wriccen by chronometers, barometers, aerom­ inexpected licerary and academic Krusenstern himself. Horner’s eters, and thermometers. At that isteem after his circumnavigation, time systematic temperature meas­ vloreover, his successful enter- Instruktionm fur die astronomischen und physikalischen Arbeiten auf der urements were possible only in a >rise laid the foundation for a glob- rather crude way. Nevertheless Reise zurn Nordpol' recommended 1 Russian maritime presence, Homer and later Eschscholz and observation of all natural phenom­ irusenstem became a member of Lenz made the first subsurface ena in as much detail as' possible nany leading scientific societies in ocean temperature observations and measurement o f all things iurope and received a doctor after Forster’s Erst attempts on which could be measured.23 As far legree honoris causa from Dorpat Cook’s expedition, using simple as oceanography (hydrography) Jniversicy. Furthermore he was water botdes on Kotzebue’s second was concerned, Homer asked for mong the founders of the Russian voyage (1823-1826) with the measurement of the tides, ocean geographical Society and was pro- Predprijatje.25 noted admiral and director of the currents, waves, depth and salinity, Following Chamisso’s account, and surface evaporation as well as It. Petersburg Navy Academy, the observatory of the Rurik was lumboldt met Krusenstern in sub-surface temperatures and color installed on shore whenever possi­ Dorpat on his expedition to and transparency of che sea wacer ble. This was a most important Central Asia in 1827. wich a whice disk. In addition, procedure, and it was the task of phosphorescence and meteorologi­ the captain who personally super­ Preparing,a New cal conditions were co be observed. vised this work an d cook care o f che Grcumnavigation Geophysical phenomena, such as chronometers thac were necessary The Rurik cruise was a follow-up deviation of the compass needle, co fix che exacc longitude. xpedition. One of Krusenstern’s polar light, and exacc fixing of Chamisso’s major instrument how­ ifficers on the Nadeshda was Otto positions by ascronomical inscru-, ever was the microscope, and he on Kotzebue (1797-1846) fronv mencs, were on che research pro­ made systematic “infusoria” studies Leval in Estonia, the son of a gram as well. Looking for mineral with ic on che expedition. He and Jerman author and dramatist liv- resources and drawing charcs of Tilesius, long before Ehrenberg, ig in Russia at that time. In this coastlines were other importanc may be regarded as among the nd ocher ways the great Russian casks che cruise inscructions re­ fathers of marine plankton dmiral was behind che Rurik expe- quired. Perhaps chis very excensive research. Chamissa's contribution ition, which started some eight lisc was coo long for che Rurik staff co naCural sciences on his voyage ears later with a much smaller ves- members considering che limiced clearly was more in che field of il. There are numerous references space on board and crude instru­ marine biology. This discipline was i Chamisso’s journal and noces co mentation.24 noc covered in che scientific instructions of Horner outlined (1804-1805), an anthology of him to get the , official assignment above. Eschscholz was responsible poems. He was a leading member as natural scientist (Titulargelehrte) for the physical measurements, but of the “Polarstembund,” a literary for the Rurik expedition replacing Chamisso assisted him. They coop­ circle. We must look at his literary in a last m inute decision by erated in a wonderful way. So die career more closely to understand Admiral Krusenstem, the Dorpat Rurik temperature transect from him as a natural scientist. Chamisso University Professor Ledebour, California to Hawaii is partly went back to France for some time, who had to resign because of his Chamisso’s work as well. where he first met Humboldt, bad health. Hitzig wrote a letter of Ludwig Uhland, and August recommendation to his long time Adelbert von Chamisso, W ilhelm SchlegeL The last two friend August von Kotzebue, His Life and Career were outstanding representatives of O tto's father, who was councilor of state in Königsberg at that time Before discussing some other sci­ the romantic period in German lit­ and brother-in-law of Admiral entific results of the Rurik circum­ erary history. Krusenstern. Chamisso received navigation in the years 1815 to Chamisso started his academic the letter of appointment from 1818, it might be useful to draw career rather lace. Like Humboldt, Reval on 12 June 1815 and had . to attention to some biographical and he found that botany was his door hurry to Copenhagen via Kiel (22 technical details. Throughout his into the natural sciences, and it was 'July 1815) to join the Rurik expedi­ life Chamisso, who was born his friend de la Foye who opened it tion. Details of the Runfc voyage 1781 at Boncourt Castle in the to him on excursions in Switzerland, around the world, which changed Champagne in France (as Louis where he had stayed in the compa­ his life completely, are well-docu­ Charles de Adelaide de Chamissot) ny of Frau von Stael. In October m ented and easily available in did not know whether he was or 1812 at the age o f chirty-one he modern editions of Chamisso’s should feel French or Prussian. In became studiosiis medkinale o f the complete works. They should be this respect he may be compared to newly established Berlin University. studied again for their importance Humboldt, who was cosmopolitan He studied anatomy, botany, and to early Pacific research. in his views and much attracted by zoology, later on classical lan­ Chamisso came back to Berlin French culture for a long time. guages, . mineralogy and, in 1814, in November 1818 with new ideas Chamisso’s farqily had to leave natural philosophy, magnetism, and numerous collections of speci­ France after the Revolution and and electricity. During his life-time mens of plants and minerals. The finally settled in Berlin in 1796, he witnessed major innovations in following year he received the doc­ where Adelbert was engaged as a technology, such as steam boats and immature painter for the Royal, telegraph lines, which he mentions torate honoris causa from Berlin China Manufacturing Company not without some enthusiasm sev­ University, and he became a mem­ for some time. Chamisso became a eral times in his narrative of the ber of important scientific societies popular poet in later life, but his Rurik voyage. in Vienna and Moscow. And, most important for him at che time, he scientific career and merits have But Chamisso was mainly fas­ not been well recognized. cinated by botany and made long got permanent positions as both In 1796 Chamisso. became excursions with his friends D. F. L. assistant of the Botanical Garden attached to the court of Queen v. Schlechtendahl and K. S. Kunth and curator of the ' Royal -Frederike Louise of Prussia and he- in the surroundings of Berlin. His Herbarium in Berlin. In 1829 he was given the chance to visit che first botanical publication and at was co-founder of the famous distinguished “college franchise” in che same time his most important Gesellschaft fur Erdkunde in Berlin, a well respected education­ and popular novel25 were written in Berlin. It was possible for him now al institution of the French emi­ Kunersdorf 1813, where he had to establish his own family, and he grant community in the Prussian retreated for some time to fbrgec married Hitzig’s fosterdaughter. So capital. From 1798 to 18Q6 he about the political upheavals of the his participation in the circumnav­ served in the Prussian Army. His Napoleonic wars. igation helped his career a great early literary ambitions started w ith His friend and admirer, J. E. deal. In 1835 he was appointed a some poems in French and the edi­ Hiczig, who later firsc published his member of the famous Berlin tion of the “Musenalmanacs” complete works and letters, helped Academy of Science on recom- lendarion of Humboldt and his escopes, hydrometers, thermome- But in his account of the journey ingtime friend K. S. Kunth. This cers, barometers, and even a small Chamisso did not hesitace Co criti­ osition endded him to give lec- apparatus for desalination. Kotzebue cize Kotzebue’s ideas and actions ires at Berlin University. made best use of them, and he was whenever possible. Up to the last His Bemerkungen und Ansichten a good navigator and cartographer. minute che scientific staff had no •ere not published until 1825.27 Chamisso, then thirty-four years exact idea of the nautical instruc­ lhamisso did not start to work on old, was not the only scientist on tions and the mission of the Rurik, le Tagebuch (journal) before 1834, board. Officially he was assigned as which turned out co be of a more iur years before his death. But he Titulargelehrter. He was on very exploratory character in search of ad che opportunity co publish good terms with the twenty-two- the Northeast passage along the lany special resulcs of the Rurik year-old, physician and zoologist Alaska coast north of the Bering bservadons in scientific journals, (mainly entomologist) J. Eschscholz, Strait. It was there that the Rurik id co come back to his second— with whom he made most studies made its major new discoveries r first—profession as a poet. But it in close collaboration. Eschscholz from 3 co 13 August, 1816. The new clear that, apart from his success- joined Kotzebue’s next expedition discoveries were named Kotzebue il novel Peter Schleimihl, he firsc on the Predprijaqe 1823-1826 as Sound, Chamisso Island, Esch­ ot recognition in the public as a well. His scientific contributions scholz Bay, and Cape Krusenstern dentist, and not as a poet.. One of were published in Vol. Ill of (all about 66°N and 160‘‘-165°rW). is last scientific papers'was about Kotzebue’s Entdeckungs-reise.2a But the waterway they entered le Hawaiian language {1838). He In Copenhagen where Chamisso turned out to be a sound only, and ad to retire, because of bad health met the Kiel University professor not the Northeast passage they nd died the: same year. Paff, the Swedish natural scientist were looking for. In che next year, Wormskiold joined the expedition they could not penetrate farther The Voyage of the Rurik as a paying passenger (or visiting north, so the mission actually was a lhamisso embarked on board the 1 scientist in modem terms), but he failure. 80-ton cutterbrig Rjirik on 9 was unable to integrate in the The other discoveries made in iugust 1815 in Copenhagen. The research . team of the Rurik and. the Pacific were of less importance essel had left St. Petersburg on 27 finally disembarked in St. Peter and (e.g. RomanzofF Island). All of che jly and was entided to fly the Pauls, Kamtchatka. The artist other islands had been visited by Russian Navy flag. The ship was Louis Choris’ job was to paint and other European navigators before, ut into service only shortly before draw all objects of scientific inter­ although the positions given by a Abo (today Turku in Finland), est which could not be collected. Kotzebue were more accurate in .'he Rurik was rather small in com- Today a good camera would have many cases. The first leg of the •arison to the ships Krusenstern done his job only pardy, as his doc­ voyage began in St. Petersburg on sed ten years earlier. The crew umentation published in Voyage pit- 30 July 1815 and went co onsisted of Captain Kotzebue, taresque autour du monde became an Plymouth, the, Canary Islands, Sc. hen only twenty-eight years old, outstanding-piece of art itself29 Catarina in Brazil, around Cape wo deck officers, and twenty The twenty-nine persons on Horn to Chile (Talcatuano). Until ailors. board the Rurik had to live in a February 1818 che Rurik cruised in However, the Rurik turned out kind of microcosm moving round the Pacific, first crossing this ocean o be very suitable for the long voy- the globe. Life at sea was hard and co the norchwest visiting the Easter ge, and there were no damages or without convenience. Space was Islands and the Tuamotu group co cddents, even not in the Polar scarce, and there was no special Racak Islands of the Marshall icean north of the Bering Scraics. laboratory for the scientists. In the group (March 1816), which were :urthermore the ship had good beginning Chamisso’s relation to visited again in summer the follow­ ailing qualities, and Admiral the captain was rather difficult ing year. The Russian Far East base Crusenstern had ordered the best because of status problems and Petropavlowsk was visiced from nstruments then available in some misunderstandings. Later June 1816 to take on new supplies, ingland. In Plymouth, Kotzebue their relationship eased, with bene-, before the first attempt to find the ;ot che sextants, chronometers, tel­ fits for the resulcs of the expedition. Northeast Passage was undertaken. entific character. Furthermore Unfortunately there is no spe­ The eastern Aleut Island of Chamisso is the author of seventy- cific section about the physical Unalaschka was visited several . eight printed pages with zoological geography o f che sea. Oceanog­ times and San Francisco, then still descriptions, eighty-five pages raphic information, which' here Formally under Spanish rule, but dealing with geographical and geo­ mainly means surface information under commercial pressure of the logical matters, and a great number about the ocean, - is scattered over Russian-American trading compa­ of plates with descriptions of new all papers and observations made in ny, was visited from October 1816. or less known Pacific plants. The Sandwich islands (Hawaii) his journal. For example Chamisso His first scientific publication as a bocaniscwas a good interpreter were visited twice. The return voy­ as a result of his cruise with the age went west after stopovers in the of ocean currents. He collected and Rurik was De animalibus qttibitsdam e ' analyzed trees and fruit that had Philippines, Batavia, che Cape of classe__ This was a success for Good Hope, and the Rurik arrived drifted to tropical islands, so he was marine science because he (in col­ back safely in Sc. Petersburg on the able to outline che basic current laboration with. Eschscholz) actual­ , 3rd of August. 1818. system of the Pacific Ocean in a ly was the first to discuss the simple way. Humboldt used chis two-generation cycle in the repro­ Chamisso as a Natural Scientist method in the Atlantic. duction of molluscs (Saipen), an and his Marine Interests It is true chat Horner’s and achievement which has been Eschscholz’s scientific contribu­ Chamisso’s Bemerkungen und A n ­ ascribed to W. Hofrneister (1849) tions to Pacific oceanography are sichten were compiled in Berlin in for a long time. In addition, more important, but Pacific 1819 as an official contribution to Chamisso contributed some notes research by that time was more the report of the expedition long concerning plants, algae, volca­ complex and involved charting and before his diary was published noes, and coral reefs to Louis surveying as well as botanical and (1835). The notes were revised six­ Choris own work Voyage pit­ geological studies and ethnography teen years later according to toresque. .. (1820-1822). of islands and the Pacific rim. The Chamisso’s “Vorwort" without . The first half of the 19th cen­ Rurik cruise is an early example of referring to new discoveries and tury produced perhaps a larger the international character of recent scientific literature about number of great scientists and marine research in che age o f the the Pacific. Chamisso often criti­ scholars as well as poets' and circumnavigations. At the same cized Kotzebue and Choris and philosophers than any other time, time it shows that German natural their publications about the expe­ and Chamisso knew most of them scientists were in high demand dition. Furchermore he refers to his personally. He had close contacts worldwide and especially in Russia. numerous contributions in Linneai, with Paul Ermann (1773-1858), an It is only today that these old tradi­ a scientific journal of botany edit­ old friend from the “collège fran­ tional ties between Germany and ed by his long time friend çaise" in Berlin and later physical Russia are being rediscovered for a Schlechcendahl.30 Chamisso’s sci­ scientist on the circumnavigation new age of cooperation in marine entific notes contain sixteen papers o f che Russian vessel Saenjaurin concerning regional matters with research. under Captain Lüthke 1826-1829. According to Schmid, who much ethnographical, geographi­ Ermann was a specialist in terrestri­ made a first assessment of cal, and local inform ation about al magnetism like Humboldt. The Chamisso’s scientific work in his Chile, California, the Philippines, list of Chainisso’s personal and sci­ Guam and the Mariaaes, Radack bibliographic approach,31 Chamisso entific friends is long; only some Group, RomanzofFIsland, Hawaii, was the author of 119 scientific can be mentioned here: contributions and co-auchor of and Easter Island. All fie well into a • Louis de la Foye (1780-1847), like sixty-two other papers. The first complex maritime geography of Chamisso a French emigrant in edition of his complece works the Pacific, and therefore his paper Berlin, later professor o f physics (Hitzig) consists of 500 pages of Überblick des großen Ozeans, seiner and mathematics in France; lyrical poetry and cwo longer Inseln und Ufer Included in the col­ * Julius Klaproth (1783-1835), a prose works T he second pare lection o f notes is the m ost inter­ .32 specialise in Oriental Studies and "Bemerkungen und Ansichcen” esting from che geographer’s point chemistry; o f view. (Observations and Notes) has a sci- geschichtliche Entwicklung seit 1650 schartbe grenzte rotgelbe monriamge cruise (1357-1859) shortly berbre his und heutiger methodischer Sand," Scheibe darbietet, faßte ich schon in death. Kieler Geograph. Schriften, 60, (1984). Truxillo, bei der ersten Annäherung in 25. Eschscholz Rank "List of 11. WUletnoes-Suhm, who joined die Küste, die seitdem durch viele See­ 116 stations” was published in the the Challenger seaff as a biologist, died fahrer bestätigte Ansicht, daß die peru­ expedition report (Kotzebue, 1325, in che Pacific on the way from Hawaii anische Strömung eine Polantrömung Vol. 3. Annex, 300-309, "Aerometer- co Tahia on 13 September 1875 (cp. sei A. von Humboldt, Der Perustmm. Beobachtungen vom 13 July 1316 Obituary notes in “Challenger"- 575-583. Also in O. Krümmel, ed., bis zum 13 April 1813, Temperatur Reports, voL I, 2nd Parc, 1885, 769- Ausgewählte Stücke aus den Klassikern des Meer-wissen, in verschiedenen 771). der Geographie für den Gebrauch an Hoch­ Tiefen) and commented and ina- 12. O n 30 December 1802, schulen, 17-26. lyzed by H om er (C. Homer Humboldt registered 20.4'C at che 14. H. Berghaus, Sammlung physi­ “Bemerkungen...,” Ibid., 310-315). surface o f che sea and 22.2*C in che kalischer und hydrogmph ucher Beobacht­ 26. Peter Sdiieimihl’s wundersame atmosphere 12 English nautical miles ungen, welche an Bord der Preußischen See- Geschichte. west o f Punta Panna (4"42'S, 4*13’ west handlungsschiß! auf ihren Reisen um die 27. See note 22. of che Calho). The depth was 90 fath- Erde und nach Amerika angestellt worden 23. Ibid. oms. A more detailed appreciation of sind, 1. Abt. Reisen um die Welt 29. L. Choris, Voyage pittoresque Humboldc’s Pacific activities and (Breslau. 1842). autourdu monde, (Paris, 1320-1322). research perspectives is in preparation. 15. A. von Chamisso, Reise um die 30. D. F. L. von Schlechtendahi, El Nino: Ic was on Christinas Welt mit der Romanzoffischen Entdeckungs- ed., Linnaea, Ein Journal Sir die Eve 1802, when Humboldt went Expedition in den Jahren 1815-1818 Botanik in ihrem ganzen Umfange, to sea in the Pacific. H e arrived in auf der Brigg Runk, Kapitän Otto von vol. 1 (Berlin, 1826); and Contribution Acapulco on 22 March 1804. His Use Kotzebue, 1. Theil: Tagebuch, 2. Theil of Chamisso, “De plantis in expeditione of the cemperature measurements Anhang. Bemerkungen und Ansichten Rjamanzoffiana observacis" between Callao and Guaququic (13 (Wien. 1825). 31. G. Schmid, Chamisso als stations between December 24th 16. J. C. Homer, m O. Kotzebue, Naturforscher, eine Bibliographie, (Leipzig, co 31st) is an importanc document - (1825); see note 22. 1942). o f early Pacific research (Table: 17. W. G. Tilesius published his less­ 32. Peter Schleimihl and the 800- “Meeres- und Luftwarme von Callao er knownbook Naturhistorische Früchte der page-long Rurik macerial Reise um die de Lima nach Guäyaquit," cp. ersten Kaiserlich Russischen Weltumsegelung Welt mit der Romanzojpchen Entdeckungs­ Humboldt in Krümmel 1904, p. 26). in St. Petersburg. 1813. expedition in den Jahren 1815-1818 auf der 13. “Das erste Geschäft eines 18. G. H. LangsdorfF, Bemerkungen Brigg Rurik, Kapitän Otto von Kotzebue. reisenden Physikers, wenn er nach auf einer Reise um die Welt in den Jahren 33. Hitzig 1842, Hoffmann 1975; langer Abwesenheit in Gebirgsgegen­ 1803-1807, 2 vols. (Frankfürt/M., 1813). Biographies: J. E. Hitzig, ed., 1842, den an die Meeresküste gelangt, ist die 19. A. J. von Krusenstern, Reise um “Leben und Briefe von Adelbert von Bestim m ung der Barometerhohe und die Welt in denJahren 1803, 1804, 1805 Chamisso,” in Werke, Bks. 5 and 6, der Temperatur des Wassers. Ich war und 1806, 3 vols. (St. Petersburg, 1810). (Leipzig, 1839); K. Fulda, Chamisso und mit letzterer beschäftigt in der Gegen 20. Atlas zur Reise um die Welt, seine Zeit, (Leipzig, 1881); W. Feudei, zwischen Truxillo und Guaman, bei unternommen auf Befehl ¡einer Kaiserlichen Adelbert von Chamisso, (Leipzig, 1980); P. Callao de Lima und auf der Schiffahrt Majestät alexander I auf den Schiffen Lahnstein, Adelbert von Chamisso. Der von Callao nach Guayaquil und • Nadeshda und Neva unter dem Kommando Preitße aus Frankreich. Lebensbilder, Acapulco in einer Strecke des Stillen es Kapitäns von Kotzebue, (St. Petersburg, Ullscein-Buch 17547 (Frankfurt/M, Meeres von mehr als hundert deutschen 1814). 1987); R. Fischer, Adelbert von Chamisso. Meilen. Zu meinem größten Erstaunen 21. A. J. von Krusenstern, Beiträge Weltbürger, Naturforscher und Dichter, fand ich das Meer an der Oberfläche zur Hydrographie der großen Ozeane, (München, 1990) But there are some unter Breiten, wo es außerhalb der (Leipzig, 1819). exceptions: As early as 1913 Möbius Strömungen 26' bis 28',5 ist. bei 22. O. von Kotzebue, Entdeckungsreise discussed Chamisso’s importance Truxillo, Ende September, 16*,0; in die Südsee und nach der Bering-Stmße zur for che development of botany. Du bei Callao, Anfang November 15\5. Erforschung einer nordöstlichen Durchfahrt, 3 Bois-Rjsymond (1888) described Die Lufttemperatur war in der ersten vols. (Wien, 1825). Chamisso as a natural scientist. Epoche 17",3, in der zweiten 22",7, 23. Ibid., vol. 1, p. 106. Furthermore one should loot at also (was wichtig zu bemerken ist) 7* 24. It should be mentioned here in the dissertation of Keim discussing warmer als der Ozean in der Scromung. the more general concext that a detailed Chamisso’s role as ethnographer of Die Luft konnte also nicht das M eer comparative analysis o f all cruise the South Sea. Schmid worked on erkältet haben, und ohne noch eine instructions for the 18th and 19th cen­ Chamisso as a important natural nähere Kenntnis von dem Klima von tury circumnavigations is the most scientist and Krüger was the first Luna oder der Epoche zu haben, in der rewarding way to outline the progress of to discuss Chamisso and the Rurik die “Garua” herrscht, d.h. in der die marine scientific ideas. After all it was expedition in the context of che his­ Sonne von einer Nebelschicht ver­ Humboldt himself, who compiled the tory of German-Russian scientific schleiert ist und Monate lang eine instruction for the Austrian Novaia cooperation in coastal and ocean Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg poet? He stands for the Janus char­ 3. A. von Chamisso, Sämtliche '1795-1876), geologist and pale­ acter of his age. Certainly there are Wirte in zu*r. 3ämkn. ed. V. H otsiunn, ontologist, usually recognized as (München, 1975). some interactions between both 4. K. H. Piden and G. Kortrum, one of the first plank.cologiscs as spheres not very well understood “Die Geographie des Meeres. well, who introduced the micro- ' up co now. But a careful analysis of Diszipüngeschichtiiche Entwicklung scope to systematic studies in Chamisso’s ideas reveal some new seit 1650 und heutiger methodischer Stand," Kieler Geograph. Schriften 60 • biology; relations becween romanticism and B.G. Niebuhr (1770-1831), son (1984); and lan Jones and Joyce Jones, sciences and che history of scientif­ Oceanography in the Days of Sail (Sydney, of Carscen Niebuhr, the famous ic ideas at the beginning of the 19 th 1992). traveler to Middle Eastern coun­ cencury. Many descriptions con­ 5. Nikolaus Schweizer wrote his version A Pott among Explorers: Chamisso tries; cerning natural phenomena. and Christian S. Wiess (1780-1851), in the South Seas; and, in 1986, a first the human ecology of Pacific cul­ English translation of the journal geologist in Berlin, wich whom tures clearly have a romantic back­ A Voyage a round the World unth the Chamisso studied the minerals ground. In the end, perhaps, there is Romanzov Exploring Expedition in the yean collecced on the Rurik cruise; 1815-1318 in the Brig Runk was pub­ no fundamental difference between Georges Charles Cuvier (1769- lished 1986 by Henry Katz in Honolulu. the arts and sciences, as some feel 1831) and Joseph Banks (1743- 6. J. Fr. W. Otto, Abriß einer Natur­ today. After all jmany mathemati­ geschichte des M ara, 2 vols., (Berlin, 1820), whom Chamisso met in cians or biologists were good musi­ 1792-1794). H. Berghaus, Sammlung England; physikalischer und hydrogmphisdier Beob­ cians at the same time. To illustrate Johann Christian Poggendorf achtungen, welche an Bord der Preußischen (1796-1877), founder of the this final and summarizing point it Seehanälunpschijfe auf ihren Reisen um die famous journal Annalen ' for will be appropriate to close wich Erde und nach Amerika eingestellt wurden sind. 1. Abt. Reisen um die Welt (Breslau, chemistry and physics; some rather melancholic lines of a poem Chamisso composed in the 1842); A. Petermann, “Der Große furthermore Chamisso met Ozean, Eine physikalisch-geographische Dumont d’Urville in Paris in Bering Strait. It must be an adven­ Skizze,” Peterm. Ceqgr. Mitt. 3 (1857): 1875, had contacts with ture to study poetry and marine 27-48; and O. Krümmel, Handbuch der Alexander and Wilhelm von sciences in their interrelation! Ozeanographie, 2 vols, (Stuttgart, 1907- 1911). Humboldt as well as Cad Ritter Bering Strait Summer 1816 7. A. von Humboldt, Der Perustrom (1779-1859)— founders of mod­ 4th Strophe in H. Berghaus, Allgemeine Länder- und ern geography—and Carl Völkerkunde, Bd. 1, (Stuttgart, 1837), O, Brother, 1 quiver on my Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855). S7S-583. Also in O. Krümmel, ed., stray track Ausgeuxihlte Stücke aus den Klassikern der hamisso read papers at the con- through the fogs about the sea. Geographie fur dot Gebrauch an Hoch­ resses of the “Versammmlung Icy rocks I evoke with love. schulen, 2 Reihe, (Kiel und Leipzig 1905), 17-26; Kosmos. Entwurf einer eutscher Naturforscher und But the cold walls echo in rzte” in Berlin in 1828 and physischen Weltbeschreibung, 4 vols., emptiness, (Tübingen, 1S45-1862); Reise in die .amburg in 1830, then the most in tongue and life I am the man Aequimxtial-Gegenden da Neuen :spected forum for natural sci- putting each syllable on a scale Continents, 6 vols., (Stuttgart, 1861- ices in Germany. This amply 1862). with care. tows that he was highly accepted 8. G. Kortrum, “Berlins Bedeutung Home I come as I left before. Sic die Entwicklung der geographischen i the academic world, a fact not A child of old age. Meereskunde, Das Vermächtnis der jnsidered by most of Chamisso’s Georgenstraße,” Berliner Geograph. iographers, critics, and editors up (Translation G. Kortum)34 ■ Studien, 25 (1987): 133-156. ) the present day.33 9. G. Kortum, “Scientist and the Sea Notes (1650-1980) — The German Perspec­ tive,” in Aquatic Information Resources. New Horizons 1. Insritut Sir Meereskunde la dec Tools of our Trade, eds. E. Fuseler and S. Universität Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg . final question, however, remains Wüst, Proceed. 18th Ann. IAMSLIC 20, D—2410S Kiel, Germany. pen. Chamisso’s character and Conference. IAMSLIC Conference 2. FL Fischer, Adalbert von Chamisso. Series, 1993, pp. 21-33. ersonality were ambiguous: was Weltbürger, Naturforscher und Dichter 10. K. H. Paffen and G. Kortum, e a natural scientist or romantic (München, 1990). “Die Geographie des Meeres. Disziplin- research. These last mentioned papers ;over the main points of Chamisso's jeographical, morphological, geological, ind biological ideas. W hat was missing jp to now, is a synopsis o f his hydro- jraphie and oceanographic as well as ■narine biological observadons. 34. Aus der Behnngstmße im Sommer 1316 (4th strophe): So, Bruder, schauderts mich auf irrer Bahn, Wann düstre Nebel ruhn auf trübem Meer; Beeiste Felsen ruf ich liebend an, Hie kalten Massen uriderhallen leer; ich bin in Sprach und Leben ja der Mann, Der jede Sylbe uxiget falsch und schwer; Ich kehre heim, so ivie ich ausgegangen, Ein Kind, vom greisen Alter schon umfangen.