The Tanager Expedition was a series of five biological surveys of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands conducted in partnership between the Bureau of Biological Survey and the Bishop Museum, with the assistance of the United States Navy. Four expeditions occurred from April to August 1923, and a fifth in July 1924. Led by Lieutenant Commander Samuel Wilder King on the minesweeper , and Alexander Wetmore directing the team of scientists, the expedition studied the plant animal life, and geology of the central Pacific islands. Noted members of the team include archaeologist Kenneth Emory and herpetologist Chapman Grant.
The expedition began with the goal of exterminating domestic rabbits that had been introduced to Laysan island by the guano industry in 1902. Since that time, the rabbits had devoured Laysan's vegetation and led to the extinction of several endemic species. The rabbits were eventually eliminated on Laysan, and the crew witnessed the extinction of the Laysan honeycreeper (apapane). Throughout the expedition, new species were discovered and named, and unique specimens were captured and returned to laboratories for further study. Over 100 archaeological sites were found, including ancient religious sites and prehistoric settlements on Nihoa and Necker Island.
First expedition
The first expedition departed Honolulu on April 4, 1923, and returned on May 4. The team visited the island of Laysan, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Kure Atoll. When they spent a month on Laysan studying the endemic Laysan honeycreeper, a violent and sudden storm ravaged the island. After the storm, the crew concluded that the last three specimens of the honeycreeper had been killed.
Crew
Alexander Wetmore (assistant biologist) Stanley C. Ball (biologist) J. W. Thompson (Bishop Museum) David T. Fullaway (entomologist) David Thaanum (conchologist) Edward L. Caum (botanist) Donald Ryder Dickey (photographer) Charles E. Reno (rodent control specialist) John Baker Chapman Grant (Ornithology assistant, herpetologist) Eric Schlemmer (general utility)
Second expedition
The second expedition departed Honolulu on May 10. The team visited the island of Laysan, the French Frigate Shoals and the Pearl and Hermes Atoll.
Crew
Alexander Wetmore (assistant biologist) Stanley C. Ball (biologist) J. W. Thompson (Bishop Museum) David T. Fullaway (entomologist) David Thaanum (conchologist) Edward L. Caum (botanist) Donald Ryder Dickey (photographer) Charles E. Reno (rodent control specialist) John Baker Chapman Grant (Ornithology assistant, herpetologist) Eric Schlemmer (general utility) L. A. Thurston Gerrit P. Wilder (botanist) F. R. Lawrence Ted. Dranga Austin Jones
Third expedition
The third expedition departed Honolulu on June 9. The team visited the islands of Necker, Nihoa, and the French Frigate Shoals. An attempt was also made to visit Kaula. Tanager arrived at Nihoa on June 10 and dropped off scientists for a ten-day visit and moved on to Necker the following day to drop off a second team. Both teams used radio to keep in constant communication between the two islands. On Nihoa, botanist Edward Leonard Caum collected the first specimen of Amaranthus brownii and Alexander Wetmore discovered the Nihoa millerbird and named it Acrocephalus familiaris kingi, in honor of Captain Samuel Wilder King. Evidence of an ancient settlement on Nihoa was discovered, along with platforms, terraces, and human remains.
On June 22, the Tanager arrived in the French Frigate Shoals and remained for six days, completing the first comprehensive survey of the atoll. The expedition returned to Honolulu on July 1.
Crew
C. S. Judd (cartographer) C. M. Cooke (conchologist) E. H. Bryan Jr. (entomologist) H. S. Palmer (geologist) Edward Leonard Caum (botanist) Kenneth Emory (archaeologist) A. L. C. Atkinson Bruce Cartwright A. G. Rice W. G. Anderson