George Davidson
George Davidson, one of America’s most distinguished and important scientists, conducted early research into Drake’s California landing with publications in 1886 and 1908.
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Perhaps no scientist has advanced knowledge of the North American Pacific coast as has George Davidson. The eminent scientist was also an early researcher who applied his maritime experiences to identifying Francis Drake’s 1579 landing at Drakes Bay. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary characterizes Davidson’s reputation:
George Davidson's impact on science and the Pacific coast was made as a hydrographer, geodesist, geographer, astronomer, seismologist, civil engineer, historian, and teacher. He worked tirelessly to improve our understanding of the natural world until his death in 1911. As a testament to his achievements, the United States government named a variety of geographic landmarks after George Davidson, including mountains, glaciers, inlets, and in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Davidson Seamount.
Davidson was born in 1825 at Nottingham England, and when he was seven years old, his family moved to the United States. When attending high school in Philadelphia, his scientific aptitude first blossomed. In 1843, he was hired by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey--the forerunner of today's National Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Among the academic institutions with which Davidson was associated include:
• California Academy of Sciences
• University of California
• Geographical Society of the Pacific
• Academy of Sciences
• American Philosophical Society
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
Davidson made numerous journeys with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, sailing along the Pacific coast to attain precise measurements of various landmarks’ latitude and longitude. The results of this, his 1858 publication, Directory for the Pacific Coast of the United States, eventually evolved into the Coast Pilot series, the premier source for safe maritime navigation in western coastal waters.
During his time of navigating and surveying the American Pacific Coast, Davidson firmly identified Drakes Bay as the location of Drake’s 1579 California landing. In 1886, he wrote, “Drakes Bay is a capital harbor in northwest winds, such as Drake encountered. It is easily entered, sheltered by high lands, and a vessel may anchor in three fathoms, close under the shore in good holding ground.” He final acknowledgment of Drake at Drakes Bay was published in 1908.
Further Reading:
• Choy, Steve. George Davidson (1828–1911): Pioneer Scientist and Surveyor. https://montereybay.noaa.gov/sitechar/george.html. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
• Davidson, George (1887). Annual Report of The Director. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
• Davidson, George (1908). Francis Drake on the Northwest Coast of America in the Year 1579: The Golden Hind Did Not Anchor in the Bay Of San Francisco.
• Oregon Historical Society. George Davidson (1825–1911). https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/davidson-george/. Retrieved March 29, 2022.