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Voyage U.S.S. Thetis, 1887-1889 Alaska & Arctic

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In 1884 the Thetis had made a voyage to the Arctic, and reached the remains of the Greeley party. This probably unique extensive archive, mostly covers voyages to Alaska and the Arctic regions in 1888 and again in 1889, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Charles Herbert Stockton, with some coverage of 1887 visits to the tropics, and layovers at Mare Island in California.

Information on the Thetis can be found in the "Arctic Journal" of the Arctic Institute of N. America, 30, No. 1 (1977) pp. 3 – 12, the "Alaska Journal" No. 1 (1979), pp. 50 – 47, and "National Geographic" 2, no. 3 (1890) pp. 171 – 198. Except for two on light gray mounts by Chas. H. Carlson, Mare Island, the views are uncredited, but clearly are by a photographer who participated in the voyages. They are enhanced by pen captions by a member of the party, made shortly after the 1889 expedition, that give revealing details, including the names of several of the crew.

There are 73 views, mostly on brown mounts, some cream mounts, most with negative numbers. There are 16 cabinet cards, 29 boudoir cards, 15 larger card-mounted, and 13 – 6" x 8 ¼" prints on larger mounts.

A large group of views portray Eskimos in Alaska, in their living areas. Many also reveal a very close and mutually happy relationship between the natives and the crew members, including intimations of romance between members of the crew and Eskimo "belles." Several views also deal with native Indians who are not Inuit, from Southern Alaska and King's Island. Another extensive group shows shipboard life in detail not usually found, with many people identified. There are also views dealing with events that occurred during these voyages, such as mining prospectors coming aboard, removing the dead Bishop at Unalaska, the capsized whaling schooner Jane Gray uprighted, digging coal at Cape Prince of Wales, visit of Alaska Governor Swinford. There are also early views of Alaska towns as well as other ports visited.

A complete list of every view can be supplied. Views are clean and generally without any damage. Some are lighter, but all show clear and interesting details. A fascinating and important collection. [3]

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