The Voyage of Commodore Perry is a digital project following the path of the 1852-1854 Perry Expedition to Japan. Site under construction, map and card links are currently disabled.
Mapping the Perry Expedition
Follow the voyage of Commodore Matthew Perry though an interactive map.
Explore the map
The Perry Expedition
The story of the expedition.
Steam, Bases, and Coal
Coal was the lifeblood of exploration and naval power in the age of steam. The Perry expedition mapped out bases and coaling stations for future American expansion into the Pacific.
The Opening of Japan
The Perry expedition set out to force Japan to open to American trade and forge diplomatic ties.
Commodore Perry
The life of Commodore Matthew Caibraith Perry, father of the American steam navy.
The Black Ships
The ships of Perry's squadron, named "the Black Ships" by Japanese writers for their black painted hulls and the thick smoke billowing from the steam powered vessels..
The Men of the Expedition
The expedition was comprised of regular sailors alongside artists, scientists, and linguists.
The Expedition Today
360 images and photographs of the sites of Perry's encounter with Japan.
The United States and Japan in 1853
An overview of both countries at the time of Perry's visit to Japan.
The Science and Art of the Expedition
While primarily a military and diplomatic mission, the expedition brought along artists and scientists to record the voyage.
Bibliography and further reading
An annotated bibliography and reference page for academic and popular works about the Perry Expedition.
Mapping Perry's Voyage
The methods, tools, and objectives of this project