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

Vernay-Hopwood Chindwin Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (1934-1935)
event: 1935
Vernay’s trip to Upper Burma in 1935 occurred during what could be called the ‘golden age’ of scientific expeditions, aiming to represent both the indigenous cultural and animal inhabitants of far away regions.
Arthur S. Vernay’s trip to Upper Burma in 1935 occurred during what could be called the ‘golden age’ of scientific expeditions, aiming to more accurately represent both the indigenous cultural and animal inhabitants of far away regions. Vernay had noted that although there were surveys of Burma conducted in the past, there was no evidence of any study north of Singkaling Hkamti (north of the Chindwin River). It seemed only natural to Vernay that he would begin where these studies left off. By the time the AMNH had secured the necessary expedition members and supplies, however, legalities concerning expditions had changed throughout Britain’s colonies due to species conservation practices, reconfigured landscape ownerships, and native subsistence practices. Thankfully these restrictions on big game hunting were of little worry to Vernay and Hopwood, as the goals of their 1935 expedition would be considered a ‘survey mission’ over all else. The wildlife specimens collected would not encroach dwindling poulations, only serve as a representation of established norms. Henry C. Raven’s expertise in both print and moving picture photography along with the experience of the expedition’s members maintained a cultural delicacy in conjunction with ensured minimal impact on the natives, their animals, and their livelihoods. Along with natural specimens, Vernay's 1935 Chindwin expedition also returned with an invaluable selection of plaster 'life masks' of men, women, and children of various ages and Burmese tribes.
Vernay chose a diverse team to include on the expedition along the Chindwin River. Henry Raven, Lead Scientist and principle photographer was on hand to assist in collection and documentation for the AMNH; Major Guy Rowley, who was a former officer in the Indian army and experienced shikari; Col. Randolph C. Morris, an old friend of Vernay, was a sportsman-naturalist, wildlife conservation pioneer, and authority on the big game of India; Stephen F. Hopwood, Chief conservator of forests for the colonial government of Burma; and Charles S. McCann, Assistant curator of the British Museum (Natural History), Editor of the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (a publication Vernay relied heavily on for information on Burma), and established shikari. Sadly, out of the dozens of Yunnanese muleteers, Burmese guides, and other native assistants that helped Vernay and his team explore the region, Tha Det, Raven’s assistant in Rangoon, was the only one to be referenced by name. (1)
Henry Raven spent time aboard the S.S. Rohna with Ranolph Morris in May and June of 1935 en route to Madras, where they arrived on June 30th. During that voyage Raven photographed East Indian passengers in portraits that documented men, women, and children and their life on the ship. Morris mentions their passage on the S.S. Rohna in his article published in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society in April of 1936 (3) following a description of their search for a rhinoceros.
1935 Janurary 8 Rangoon
1935 January 10 Moguang
1935 January 10 Nanyaseik
1935 January 10Collecting had begun by McCann and Stanford. 110 mules were outfitted for the journey., Nanyaseik.
1935 January 15 Lonkin
1935 January 15Team visited and explored Jade mines., Lonkin.
1935 January 19 Tawmaw
1935 January 20 Mansum
1935 January 26 Gora
1935 January 26Trail to Gora crossed the upper Uyu River., Gora.
1935 January 28 Pumsin
1935 January 30 Tasu bum
1935 January 30At 4200 ft above sea level, this site was the highest point reachech throughout the expedition., Tasu bum.
1935 February 1 Tapa Hka
1935 February 3 Tumri Hka
1935 February 4 Dalu
1935 February 5 Taga Hka
1935 February 5Visited by Rowley and Morris; located the foot of the Naga Hills, west of the Cindwin River., Taga Hka.
1935 February 7 Lahkaw Hka
1935 February 7Visited by Morris and McCann, where a salt spring was found in the depth of the forest. Tracks of elephant, guar, sambar, and tiger were also found. , Lahkaw Hka.
1935 February 11 Dalu
1935 February 11Returned to Dalu., Dalu.
1935 February 12 Partip Gorge
1935 February 12Trip taken by Vernay, Morris, Hopwood, and Rowley., Partip Gorge.
1935 February 13 Dawazup
1935 February 13Trip taken by Vernay, Morris, Hopwood, and Rowley., Dawazup.
1935 February 15 Dalu
1935 February 15Returned to Dalu., Dalu.
1935 February 16 Rangoon
1935 February 16Hopwood returns to Rangoon, taking with him the specimens already collected and 58 of the mules. , Rangoon.
1935 February 18 Lakchang Ga
1935 February 18Small party leaves Dalu for a short trip down river. , Lakchang Ga.
1935 February 19 Rasa
1935 February 19Journey continues down river. , Rasa.
1935 February 20 Janka
1935 February 20Party divides: Vernay and Rowley continue down the stream in boats, while Morris, Raven, and McCann continue down the west bank of the Chindwin wth the mules.
1935 February 20Reached at noon., Janka.
1935 February 20Reached around mid afternoon.
1935 February 23 Chen-ga Hka
1935 February 23Party reconnects and travels together., Chen-ga Hka.
1935 February 24 Hai Bum
1935 March 3 Sailung
1935 March 3Sailung is along the Chindwin. Here the party paid off the muleteers and continued the journey in twin dugouts connected by bamboo platforms., Sailung.
1935 March 4 Sinkaling Hkamti
1935 March 4Vernay and Rowley met the rest of the party here, having gone ahead the previous day. , Sinkaling Hkamti.
1935 March 6 Hahti
1935 March 6Vernay, Morris, Raven, and Rowley leave for Hahti to visit the Naga head hunters. , Hahti.
1935 March 10Equipment is loaded onto the twin dugouts and the entire part proceeded down the Chindwin. Collecting was carried on, on both sides of the river.
1935 March 12 Kaunghein
1935 March 12Camp pitched on the west side of the river., Kaunghein.
1935 March 13 Moklok
1935 March 13Party spent the night in Moklok., Moklok.
1935 March 14 Munsin
1935 March 14 Phawzaw
1935 March 14Arrived in the afternoon and continued onward., Munsin.
1935 March 14Camp pitched on a sandbank. , Phawzaw.
1935 March 17 Tamanthi
1935 March 17Party took use of Tamanthi's post and telegraph offices to reconnect with civilization. , Tamanthi.
1935 March 18 Sinnaing
1935 March 18Party traveled down stream collecting on both sides of the river. Sinniang was reached by evening. Night travel down the river was continued with the use of head lamps. , Sinnaing.
1935 March 20 Hulaung
1935 March 20 Maungkan
1935 March 20Night camp pitched at Maungkan. , Maungkan.
1935 March 21 Homalin
1935 March 21 Kawya
1935 March 21Vernay and Raven left in small boats for a quick run to Homalin, while the rest of part followed more leisurely (arriving the evening of March 22), collecting along the way. , Homalin.
1935 March 21Night camp pitched at Kawya. , Kawya.
1935 March 22 Homalin
1935 March 22Rest of party arrives. , Homalin.
1935 March 28 Mawlaik
1935 March 28Party boarded a steamer and arrived in Mawlaik in the evening. Here, another steamer was boarded., Mawlaik.
1935 April 5 Rangoon
1935 April 5Party arrives. (2), Rangoon.