Bahama Expedition (1923)

Summary

Expedition to collect materials for AMNH coral reef exhibit.

Personnel: Miner, Roy W., leader; and Messrs Mueller, Olsen and Childs of the Prep. Staff, Williamson, J.E., sci., photog . and son of inventor of the undersea tube used to descend to the sea bottom and view the submarine world

Department: AMNH; Dept. of Lower Invertebrates

Sponsors: Angelo Heilprin Exploration Fund, the Morris K. Jesup, and the Trustees Emergency Preparation and Exhibition Fund, and with cooperation of Forsyth, Comm. Of S. Andros, the Submarine Film Corp. and the facilitation of the work by the Governor and officials of Andros, Sir Harry Cordeaux

"A trip to the Bahama Islands was made by the Curator [Roy Miner] during December [1923] in the interests of a new coral reef group for the Hall of Ocean Life. Through the courtesy of Mr. J. E. Williamson of Nassau, inventor of the famous undersea tube, the Curator was enabled to descend to the sea bottom and view the submarine world through a plate glass window an inch and a half thick. The Andros Islands, across the "Tongue of the Ocean," were visited through the cordial cooperation of Mr. C. F. Forsyth and of his nephew, Mr. E. W. Forsyth, the Commissioner of Southern Andros. Here a remarkable series of coral reefs, extending along the eastern shore of the islands, was examined, as well as many of the coral dumps or shoals which dot the mile-wide lagoon enclosed by the barrier reef. Many of these were examined in a preliminary way, while excellent sites for camping and safe anchorage were found, to be utilized in future work in the neighborhood of Mangrove Cay, the locality selected for active work for the group. The Governor of Andros, Sir Harry Cordeaux, and the Colonial Secretary, the Hon. P. W. Armbrister, have cordially consented to facilitate the work, and it is hoped that during the coming year an expedition may be equipped to make careful sketches and photographs from life, showing details of the reef necessary for reproduction in the proposed group. It is also hoped that the Williamson submarine tube and diving apparatus may be utilized in securing these data." (AMNH Annual Report No. 55, 1923, pages 95-96)

Additional sources: AMNH Annual Report No. 56, 1924, p. 55-56; Natural History magazine, XXIV, 3, May-June, 1924, p. 412, July-Aug., p. 534--535, XXIV, 5, Sept-Oct 1924, pp. 594-600

Topics

• AMNH Expeditions