With little experience in sea duty, he more than made up for it in vision, intelligence and determination. His sense of mission and national pride demanded high standards of performance from himself and his crew. Unfortunately, he was not without flaws. A strict disciplinarian, he ran a taut ship...too taut for much of his crew. Many of the crew disliked him but, on the other hand, praised him for driving himself even harder. At final count, Wilkes would take with him 82 officers, nine naturalists, scientists and artists, and 342 sailors. Of the latter, only 223 would return to the United States with the expedition, or aboard other American vessels. During the voyage 62 would be discharged as unsuitable, 42 would desert, and 15 would die of disease, injury or be drowned. On August 18, 1838 Wilkes led his squadron to sea to begin the great United States Exploring Expedition.

 Their first stop was at Madeira and from there they made their way down the South American coast where they clustered in Orange Harbour near the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego. It was here that Wilkes split the expedition into three teams. Wilkes moved his command to the Porpoise and, with the Sea Gull as tender, prepared to push as far southwards as possible. The second group, comprised of the Peacock and Flying Fish, would be sent south-westwards to find, and hopefully better, James Cook's most southerly penetration. 

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