Details - Richard Archbolds journal : Second Archbold Expedition to New Guinea

Richard Archbolds journal

Title

Richard Archbolds journal : Second Archbold Expedition to New Guinea

By

Archbold, Richard.

American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History. Department of Mammalogy. Archbold Expeditions Collection.
Archbold Expedition to New Guinea (1936-1937)

Type

Book

Material

Archival material

Publication info

[1936]

Notes

Typescript and handwritten entries in string bound volume.

Journal maintained by Archbold for the 2nd Expedition to New Guinea which mainly describes his journey to the site and the arrangement and challenges of the expedition, containing limited collecting information. Bulk of the content concerns the technical aspects of the expedition, including the working of the seaplane (Kona), arrangement for the boats, including the 'Maira', the movements of the various parties, and the operation of the radio for communication. He also describes the weather and localities, fauna observed and the activities of the party members. Includes a log of part of the voyage from Balboa to Brisbane, Australia, reconnaissance flight observation logs from March 23-25, some radio log data, and transcriptions of radio and telegram messages, with some mention of the loss of the Kona to a storm. Expedition locations cited include Mount Leonard Murray, Daru, the Black River, and Palmer Junction.

Richard Archbold was a sponsor of scientific study, mountaineer, aviator and research associate at the American Museum of Natural History from 1931. He established Archbold Expeditions (formerly Biological Explorations) which sponsored field work, a collection and curatorial staff at the American Museum of Natural History. He also founded the Archbold Biological Station in Florida in 1941 as a center for scientific research and ecological study. One of the first to recognize the value of air transport in expeditionary work, Archbold led three of the New Guinea Expeditions, the third of which culminated in the seaplane Guba II's historic transcontinental flight.

Cataloged through a 2015 Leon Levy Foundation Archives grant.