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Back: Charles Cleveland Nutting, Mrs. Nutting, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Stoner
Middle: Willis Nutting, Carl Nutting, Miss Mullin, Miss Sykes, Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Job, Mr. Job
Front: Mr. Wehman, Mr. Greenlaw, Mr. Dwight Ensign, A.O. Thomas, Mr. Ricker, Mr. Stoner, Miss Van Wegenen, Mr. FisherThe Crew
Charles C. Nutting, Eloise Nutting, Willis Nutting and Carl Nutting
Charles Nutting's family often accompanied him on his scientific excursions. Eloise Nutting held the title of matron of the Barbados-Antigua Expedition. Mrs. Nutting ensured the domestic comforts of the others and organized the hired staff. Willis Nutting was in charge of a collection of fishes. Carl Nutting was attributed for staying out of people's way and held the important title of conch-blower to announce that dinner was ready. The Nutting name continues to hold great importance in both science and education. Both sons went on to become professors - Willis Nutting at Notre Dame where he enjoyed a successful career as Professor of History and Philosophy. In fact, he was so well liked that people wanted to nominate him president of the university when he retired. Charles B. "Carl" Nutting went on to receive degrees from the University of Iowa and Harvard University before becoming a Professor of Law. He also held the positions of vice dean and chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh Law School and dean of the National Law Center at George Washington University. (Press Citizen, 10-25-93). More about C. C. Nutting...
Abram O. and Marietta Thomas
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Executive Committee as well as Geologist on the expedition. He was personally rewarded with C. C. Nutting's gratitude in regards to the success of the expedition. He was noted not only for his fortitude for his work but also for his good nature. Mrs. Thomas often accompanied her husband on Expeditions serving as both an assistant of geology and organizer of meals. More about A.O. Thomas...
Dayton and Louise Stoner
Dayton Stoner was Charles Nuttings right hand man both on the expedition and at the University. Dayton Stoner was a professor of zoology at the State University of Iowa. He also held three degrees including a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. On the Barbados-Antigua Expedition Dr. Stoner served as entomologist but his specialization was in ornithology. Dr. Stoner and his wife left the University in 1928. He spent some time with the United States Bureau of entomology before he became State Zoologist of the New York State Museum at Albany until his death in 1944. He and his wife who assisted with entomology on the expedition were known for their expertise in ornithology. Nutting devoted a paragraph to Stoner thanking him for his duties which included treasurer, entomologist, as well as instructor on the expedition. "No man could discharge the trying and often irritating duties more conscientiously than did he. He also saved himself from superman class by exploding just once, and, as Mark Twain said of the unsuspecting spider who stepped on a red-hot stove lid, 'first a moment of awful surprise and then he (we) shriveled up!" Not to be overshadowed by her husband, Louise Stoner was a valued and respected ornithologist herself and worked for twenty years for New York State. Both she and her husband made great contributions financially and intellectually to the field of ornithology.
Dr. and Mrs. Job
Dr. Thesle T. Job served as chairman of the Committee on Laboratory. His committee had the responsibility of creating a temporary lab for a month's work in each location. Compound microscopes as well as dissecting microscopes were used for examination of specimens. Careful records were kept of all work done in the laboratory. Dr. Job was loyal and energetic in going about his duties of collecting materials for both island and home study. Mrs. Thesle T. Job accompanied her husband on the expedition assisting in many domestic chores including meals and organization as well as assisting in the laboratory. Mrs. Job assisted the other married women with the general duties. In the group photo Mrs. Job is the only one who granted the photographer a full smile which leads us to believe that she was also responsible for the keeping the crews spirits up.
Dr. Walter K. Fisher
Dr. Walter K. Fisher, a civilian naturalist, who had previously accompanied Dr. Nutting on the Albatross Expedition of 1902 was in charge of the collection of echinoderms. He and Willis Nutting sailed to the islands two weeks ahead of time to prepare their quarters. Dr. Fisher later became a professor at Stanford University and was associated with the California Academy of Science. He supplied notes on the Holothurians as well as doing a good deal of digging for Synaptola vivipera (eel grass).
Mr. John B. Henderson
Mr. John B. Henderson of Washington, D.C. worked as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution. Henderson was particularly interested in the Mollusca of which he was placed in charge. He had an inherent interest in this field as his father was also involved with scientific expeditions for the Smithsonian. He had collected Mollusca in other locations and had a natural talent for dredging. Henderson served as head of the Committee on Dredging and Equipment as well as supplying the launch for the expedition. Few members of the party were mentioned as often as Henderson and for good reason. Mr. Henderson's sense of humor and enthusiasm for his duties were contagious. He provided comic relief and entertainment throughout his stay with the crew. "We are all somewhat depressed over the fact that Henderson leaves us tomorrow to sail on the 'GUIANA' early Saturday morning, he is easily the most popular member of our party aside from the tremendous aid he has rendered with his launch and the services of Greenlaw, he has helped still more by his constant cheerfulness and good nature." "His scientific attainments and zeal as a naturalist have been an inspiration." Charles Cleveland Nutting described him as an invaluable aid and comfort, who upon his departure left "a big hole in the party".
Captain Sidney Greenlaw
Captain Sidney Greenlaw was Mr. Henderson's engineer. He had acted as Henderson's skipper on various expeditions for years. He was captain of the launch and provided expertise and assistance with the dredge work. He handled the boats skillfully and fearlessly.
Mr. Maurice Ricker
Mr. Ricker was responsible for all of photographs taken on the expedition. He was a pioneer in the development of movies using both sound and color and this passion for capturing a moment on film took him on many expeditions before he finally settled in New York. Even after his retirement he continued to work in the field of "moving pictures" and was a member of both the National Press Club and the New York Electrical Society (Annals of Iowa). His work in the pioneering of motion pictures is often overshadowed by the fame of his daughter Helen, who under the pen name of Elswyth Thane wrote several popular novels. Her father's passion for travel and adventure must have been in her blood because she went on to marry William Beebe, the famous naturalist and deep sea explorer.
Albert Ashby
One of the divers stood out to Nutting so much so that he was recruited by the crew to join them on their expedition party. "Albert Ashby, proved exceptionally good; one of the strongest, most willing, and most intelligent men that I have ever employed." He remained with the expedition crew until nearly the end of their trip and proved not only an excellent diver and boatman, but also a man of quiet dignity and humor. Charles Nutting was more than a little sentimental when speaking of his departure from this man. "May the world serve him as he served us!"
Mr. H. J. Wehman
Herbert J. Wehman completed his BA at Iowa in 1911 and his MS in Zoology in 1920. Mr. H. J. Wehman was in charge of the Protozoa and directed the Committee on Quarters. As one of the lucky few who did not suffer from sea sickness he assisted on the dredging launches with a small group of savvy sailors. He was also the artist of the crew, sketching in color many interesting specimens. What makes him most memorable, however, was his fateful photographic expedition to Sugar Loaf Mountain where he became lost and stranded in a thunderstorm.
Miss Catharine Mullin
Catharine Mullin, was in charge of Annulata (worms) and allied forms which were under her care to examine and preserve. She supervised many men in collecting the worms. In addition to her duties, she also provided moonlight serenades for the crew providing the vocals to Dayton Stoner's mandolin.
Miss Gertrude Van Wagenen
Gertrude Van Wagenen was chairperson of the Committee on Commissary as well as being in charge of collections of corals, anemones and medusae. She was also responsible for the notes on the Actinians. "She watched over her beautiful collection of living anemones, experimenting tirelessly to preserve them in good condition." Gertrude, in addition to her scientific brilliance, was also quite fashionable. She went on to become Dr. Gertrude L. Van Wagenen after she completed her PhD in 1920 at the University of Iowa.
Miss Mildred Sykes
Mildred had already completed her BA in Zoology at the University of Iowa in 1913 before she joined the expedition. In addition to her knowledge, she also brought with her the title of "coxswain" of the crew. Mildred Sykes was mentioned often for her bravery as the only woman who assisted the dredging parties, She also was the only one brave enough to don water wings to collect specimens. Originally in charge of the Alcyonaria, she later became assistant to Mr. Henderson in the collection of the Mollusca. "She was fearless and an irrepressible advocate of woman's rights."
Mr. Dwight Ensign (left)
Dr. Dwight C. Ensign received his MD from the University of Iowa in 1924 six years after the Barbados and Antigua Expedition. Nutting tributes Mr. Ensign as the man in charge of Crustacea. Pictures of Dwight and his fellow class mates remind us of how young they really were at the time of this adventure and what it must have meant to them to have the opportunity to work with people such as C. C. Nutting and A. O. Thomas during the course of their education at the University of Iowa.
