William Healey Dall - Notebook, Alaska, 1873

Did you know that the area of Western Alaska is slightly larger than the entire state of California--and much of it is coastal? In 1873, naturalist and US National Museum curator William Healey Dall set sail on the schooner "Yukon" to explore and document the region for the United States Coastal Survey. Dall's notebook details the over six month journey aboard the "Yukon," a ship built specifically for travel in Alaska. In addition to descriptions of his daily work and sailing conditions, Dall tracks air and water temperatures, weather, and wind. Dall later compiled his extensive notes into what became the "Pacific Coast Pilot - Alaska," a navigational guide to Alaska's coasts and ports. Come aboard the "Yukon" to travel the Alaskan coast, and help other volunteers transcribe Dall's notes!