This month in 1839 the USS Seagull was lost.
A small schooner and former pilot boat known as the New Jersey, she was part of the US Ex Ex, (Exploring Expedition) that charted the waters off of Cape Horn and Antarctica and included a group of scientist that gathered some of the original specimens for what is now the Smithsonian.
Though a collection was taken up for a monument to the two ships officers, Past Midshipman James Reid and Frederick Bacon, no mention was made of the brave and loyal sailors and scientist that made up the rest if the 15 man crew.
They met a cold and watery end somewhere near a collection of rocky islands known as the Milky Way. Never to be seen or heard from again.
RIP, heroes of the USN and the Smithsonian.