Diary of H. M. Van Deusen January 29 to November 17, 1953 / Hobart M. Van Deusen.

Abstract

Diary kept by Van Deusen during the 4th Archbold Expedition to New Guinea in 1953. Dates encompass January 29 to November 17, 1953 and include the journey by ship from New York to Australia via the Panama Canal, the expedition, and then a brief itinerary of the return air journey. Information includes daily nautical updates, descriptions of acquaintances, environs, animals sighted and customs at various locales. Primarily documents the exploration and collecting activities of Van Deusen and other members of the expedition party, including Geoffrey Tate, Leonard Brass and Kenneth Wynn. Some collection tallies are also noted. Locations and camps mentioned include Baiawa, Samarai, Menapi, the Maneau peak of Mt. Dayman, Peria River, Gwariu River, Goodenough Island, Bolu Bolu, Wakonai, Garuwata, Waterfall camp, Cairns and Sydney. Hobart M. Van Deusen was a mammalogist and Assistant Curator of the Archbold Collections in the American Museum of Natural History Department of Mammalogy. He participated in the Cape York Expedition as well as three of the Archbold New Guinea Expeditions, leading the seventh in 1964.