~An Amalgam of Medical and Maritime History~

A medical student, an aspiring maritime historian, a man who always seems to find his passions in the most unorthodox of ways. I am all these things. Perhaps a bit of an overstatement, particularly the last part, however, my quest to find that which drives me has always led me down circuitous paths. Medicine and maritime history might seem a strange amalgam to some, however, the two are linked in the most extraordinary ways. Both have rich and multifaceted histories that are prime for exploration, discovery, and learning. I seek to learn about both; separately and together.

As a student of medicine, I am at once enthralled and inundated by the wealth of knowledge to be gained from such a course of study. Despite my passion for the subject, I have found that though we are more than sufficiently prepared for our roles as healers, we often times are left with little in the way of an historical perspective. How did we come to use the techniques and medications now endorsed by physicians, and what did it take to get to this point? These are questions that I seek to answer.

Though I have always been a history enthusiast, it was not until recently that I discovered my love of ships and the sea. I quickly gained a penchant for all things maritime. an historical subject that encompasses a broad range of topics from naval battles to the science of navigation. Recently, I came to find that surgeons at sea played an integral part in the orchestra of persons aboard a sailing vessel. They were to maintain the health of the sailors at all costs, despite the rudimentary tools and the unforgiving elements of wind and sea. This effectively bridges the topics, and provides a jumping point for my future knowledge and research.

Any feedback is welcome as I share what I have gained with you.
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What a fabulous 3D rendering of the CSS Virginia (or the Merrimack), and one for which I take no credit.  It is from the Maritime Texas blog, but I thought it was very interesting and so wanted to give it more publicity! This picture gives us a true sense of the size of this massive ironclad warship, and why it was such an imposing spectacle in the Civil War.  I have recently begun reading Craig Symonds’ Lincoln and his Admirals, and find the naval aspects of the Civil War to be absolutely fascinating.  It is a more subtle and understated aspect to that great war, but one that has no dearth of significance relative to the land war.  Symonds does an excellent job of not just rehashing the battles and encounters, but really giving the reader a sense of just why the maritime aspect was so crucial with regard to blockading the South and damaging their fragile economy.  As they said, “The anaconda would begin to constrict.”  Dampening their will to fight was a whole other matter though!   Thanks to Maritime Texas for posting this great picture.

What a fabulous 3D rendering of the CSS Virginia (or the Merrimack), and one for which I take no credit.  It is from the Maritime Texas blog, but I thought it was very interesting and so wanted to give it more publicity!

This picture gives us a true sense of the size of this massive ironclad warship, and why it was such an imposing spectacle in the Civil War.  I have recently begun reading Craig Symonds’ Lincoln and his Admirals, and find the naval aspects of the Civil War to be absolutely fascinating.  It is a more subtle and understated aspect to that great war, but one that has no dearth of significance relative to the land war.  Symonds does an excellent job of not just rehashing the battles and encounters, but really giving the reader a sense of just why the maritime aspect was so crucial with regard to blockading the South and damaging their fragile economy.  As they said, “The anaconda would begin to constrict.”  Dampening their will to fight was a whole other matter though!  

Thanks to Maritime Texas for posting this great picture.

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An updated rendering of the CSS Virginia, again from the Maritime Texas Blog.  These images are great, and this one is much more detailed than the previous version.  He provides a link to his Flickr gallery on the original post (here) that has some other versions of the same rendering. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it looks much more imposing with all the details added.

An updated rendering of the CSS Virginia, again from the Maritime Texas Blog.  These images are great, and this one is much more detailed than the previous version.  He provides a link to his Flickr gallery on the original post (here) that has some other versions of the same rendering.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think it looks much more imposing with all the details added.

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NOAA releases Civil War chart collection

Next year is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and in recognition of that fact the NOAA has crafted and released a package of Civil War era maps, nautical charts, and documents called “Charting a More Perfect Union”.  These documents were actually prepared during the Civil War (1861-65) by the U.S. Coast Survey.

From the statement by the NOAA:

 

Coast Survey’s collection includes 394 Civil War-era maps, including nautical charts used for naval campaigns, and maps of troop movements and battlefields. Rarely seen publications include Notes on the Coast, prepared by Coast Survey to help Union forces plan naval blockades against the Confederacy, and the annual report summaries by Superintendent Bache as he detailed the trials and tribulations of producing the maps and charts needed to meet growing military demands.

In the nation’s early years, the United States lost more ships to accidents than to war. In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson established the Survey of the Coast to produce the nautical charts necessary for maritime safety, defense and the establishment of national boundaries. By 1861, Coast Survey was the government’s leading scientific agency, charting coastlines and determining land elevations for the nation. Today, the Office of Coast Survey still meets its maritime responsibilities as a part of NOAA, surveying America’s coasts and producing the nation’s nautical charts.

This collection provides researchers and those interested with the opportunity to view historic documents related to the Civil War naval and riverine operations all in one place.  How convenient!  I look forward to perusing it.  If anyone finds anything interesting please let me know.

“Charting a More Perfect Union” can be found at the Office of Coast Survey’s website.

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