Title To my dearest wife, Lide : letters from George B. Gideon Jr. during Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan, 1853-1855 / edited by M. Patrick Sauer and David A. Ranzan

Published Tuscaloosa : The University of Alabama Press, [2019] ©2019

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Description 1 online resource (xiii, 255 pages) : illustrations, map, portrait Series Maritime currents : history and archaeology Maritime currents : history and archaeology Contents Chronology -- February 13-April 19, 1853 -- August 30-December 29, 1853 -- January 1-June 23, 1854 -- July 3-December 28, 1854 -- January 1-June 27, 1855 -- July 2-December 23, 1855 Summary George B. Gideon Jr. served as second assistant engineer aboard the USS Powhatan from 1852 to 1865. From his position on the steam frigate, Gideon traveled to Singapore, Labuan, Borneo, Hong Kong, and many other Asian lands. During his time at sea, Gideon penned dozens of letters to his wife, Lide, back home in Philadelphia. Recently discovered in the attic of his great-great-grandniece were fifty-one letters penned by Gideon providing thorough and insightful commentary throughout the voyage. Through these correspondences, Gideon laboriously documents the details of his daily life on board, from the food they ate to the technical aspects of his work, as well as observations concerning the historical events unfolding around him, such as Chinese piracy, the Taiping Rebellion, the Crimean War, and the devastation of Shimoda. [This book] is a rare first-person account of the landmark American naval expedition to Japan to establish commercial relations between the two countries. Gideon's letters have been meticulously transcribed and annotated by the editors and are an invaluable primary historical source. Gideon's letters are candid and revealing, delving into the rampant dysfunction in the navy of the 1850s--sickness and disease, alcohol abuse, and poor leadership, among other challenges. Gideon also unabashedly share his own cynical views of the navy's role in supporting American economic interests in Japan. This firsthand account of the political mission of the Perry expedition is a unique contribution to naval and military history and gives readers a better view of life aboard a navy ship. -- Dust jacket flap Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-248) and index Notes Online resource; title from PDF title page (EBSCO; viewed July 3, 2019) Subject Gideon, George B., 1827-1863 -- Correspondence Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858. SUBJECT Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858 fast Subject United States. Navy -- Officers -- Correspondence United States. Navy -- History -- 19th century -- Sources SUBJECT United States. Navy fast United States Naval Expedition to Japan (1852-1854) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2002022183 United States Naval Expedition to Japan (1852-1854) fast Subject Marine engineers -- United States -- Correspondence Seafaring life -- History -- 19th century -- Sources Armed Forces -- Officers Marine engineers Seafaring life Travel SUBJECT Japan -- Description and travel -- Sources East Asia -- Description and travel -- Sources Subject East Asia Japan United States Genre/Form History Personal correspondence Sources Form Electronic book Author Gideon, Eliza, 1827-1871, correspondent. Sauer, M. Patrick (Michael Patrick), 1972- editor. Ranzan, David A., editor ISBN 9780817392376 0817392378

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