American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Asiatic Expedition (2nd : 1918-1919); Asiatic Zoological Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (2nd : 1918-1919); Andrews Second Asiatic Expedition; Second Asiatic Zoological Expedition; Second Asiatic Expedition
birth: 1918
death: 1919
The American Museum of Natural History’s Second Asiatic Zoological Expedition (1918-1919) was led by Roy Chapman Andrews. It can be considered as a continuation of the preparatory work for the Central Asiatic Expeditions of 1921-1930. The main goal of the Second Expedition was to explore and collect mammal and bird specimens from the northeastern region of the Asian plateau, namely the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The specimens were to be used in the Museum’s proposed hall of Asiatic life. Further, Andrews saw the expedition as another step in his larger expeditionary plan.
In late 1918 Roy Chapman Andrews was stationed in Beijing for his Naval wartime work, which required him to make exploratory excursions that introduced him to Mongolia. Having already explored the Yunnan Province in 1916-1917, he realized the potential and necessity for more investigation of this region. “A beginning had already been made in the zoological work by the First Asiatic Expedition to southwestern China and along the borders of Tibet in 1916-17. The second expedition was to extend the work in Mongolia. It is hoped that in the near future expeditions will leave the Museum to initiate similar investigations in paleontology, archaeology, and anthropology.” (1) The expedition had a very moderate proposed cost of $7500, which was approved by Museum President Henry Fairfield Osborn and supplied by both Museum and sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Bernheimer, who had also helped fund the First Expedition. (2) The expedition would take part in the summer months of 1919 and use Urga (modern Ulaanbaatar) as base camp to travel south and north. By February of 1919, plans were in place and supplies and equipment were sent ahead by caravan. They would travel by automobile back and forth across the desert to their base camp at Urga. This was Andrews’ first foray with that means of transportation for expedition work. For the camping trips into the desert they would use horses and carts to travel.
On the trip from Kalgan to Urga in May 1919, the Andrews were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Coltman, and Mr. and Mrs. Ted MacCallie. Andrews nicknamed the group the “Grouchless Gang” and it appears to have been a very social journey. They were also joined by Owen, a soldier hired to drive one of the automobiles, Lu, the expedition cook, Chen and Kang, two Chinese taxidermists hired by Andrews to assist with collecting and preparation, and a young lama engaged as guide. Along the way across the desert they were able to photograph antelopes at great speed, as well as collect specimens. (3) After reaching Urga, Roy and Yvette, along with the expedition personnel, began a series of camping trips to collect and survey the area. They spent the summer between the plains in the south and the forests north of Urga. (4) By October the specimens were on a caravan to Beijing and Roy and Yvette Andrews were following by automobile.
In Beijing, Andrews reunited with Harry R. Caldwell, the Missionary and big-game hunter he had accompanied in the 1916 expedition. In November they traveled south from Beijing to the Shanxi Province in search of the large mountain ram, or argali which were desired for the Museum collection. (5) Andrews also hunted in Central Shanxi with Everett Smith to acquire wild boar specimens. In all, the expedition amassed almost 2000 specimens including the argali, elk, antelope, goral, wild boar, tiger, and serow, as well as smaller mammals. (6) Having completed collecting all that they set out to, by February 1920 the Andrews family had returned to New York, where he seemingly inexhaustible Roy immediately set out to plan and promote his next set of expeditions.
1918 June 28Roy Chapman Andrews sailed to China
1918 SeptemberYvette and George arrived, Peking.
1919 FebruaryMost of equipment in Urga
1919 May 17left Kalgan for Urga with group and more equipment, Kalgan to Urga.
1919 June 16returned from southwest excursion
1919 October 1specimen caravan set off, followed by them, Urga to Peking.
1919 Novemberreturned to Peking from hunting excursion with Caldwell, Shanxi Province.
1920 Februaryreturned to New York, New York.