[Detail] Ships at the Erie Basin, New York. 
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Collection Overview
Westward by Sea: A Maritime Perspective on American Expansion,1820-1890, presents diaries, letters, logbooks, photographs and other materials that document sea travel and the role of maritime events in the westward expansion of the United States. Of special interest are writings of children describing their shipboard experiences and the adventures involved in traveling westward.
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Special Features
These online exhibits provide context and additional information about this collection.
Historical Eras
These historical era(s) are best represented in the collection although they may not be all-encompassing.
- Expansion and Reform, 1801-1861
- The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877
- Development of the Industrial United States, 1876-1915
Related Collections and Exhibits
These collections and exhibits contain thematically-related primary and secondary sources. Also browse the Collection Finder for more related material on the American Memory Web site.
- "California as I Saw It": First-Person Narratives of California's Early Years, 1849-1900
- The Capital and the Bay: Narratives of Washington and the Chesapeake Bay Region, 1600-1925
- Prairie Settlement: Nebraska Photographs and Family Letters, 1862-1912
Other Resources
Recommended additional sources of information.
Search Tips
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For help with general search strategies, see Finding Items in American Memory.
Last Updated: 11/03/2009