AIR MAIL 
February 1, 1957 
Mr. J ernes McConnaughey 
The Ketterlng-Oakwood Times 
2600 Far Hills Building 
Dayton 9, Ohio 
Dear Mr. McConnaughey! 
I have just heard from Jack Randall. He Is available and can serve 
as captain on the MAREVA during the course of our expedition, but, as 
always, there has to be a little fly in the ointment. He does not have 
master’s papers which he did not need on his own vessel. He adds that 
he cannot secure them in Tahiti. This raises the question of insurance. 
Do you think the company in question would 0. K, him for the cruise? 
He tells me that he has sailed his own boat, a 37-foot ketch, for seven 
years, and during that time has cruised from Los Angeles to Hawaii and 
from Hawaii to Tahiti. If you are unable to get acceptable clearance 
from the insurance people we shall have to pass him up, and I would then 
ask you to see if you could get in touch with the Captain Carlson whom 
you mention in your last letter. I shall be glad to reimburse you for 
cable charges both ways. 
It goes without question that we must have a competent captain 
approved by you. I feel that Jack Randall is such a man, and, more- 
over, would be very valuable to us because of his ichthyological 
knowledge and acquaintance with the marine fauna in the islands. Of 
course, if we cannot get clearance for him, we shall have to do with- 
out him. I will abide without dissent with your decision. I am quite 
sure we will take the responsibility for the first thousand of insurance, 
but I cannot reach the Secretary because he is attending budget hearings 
which are in progress at this writing. I was in Cuba myself the previous 
week. 
One further questions Can you tell me something of the space for 
stores on the MAREVA, also refrigerator capacity? Any experience that 
you may have had in the procuring of food stuffs would be helpful. 
Would you advise taking canned goods from the States? I ask this 
because Randall writes that we may have a little difficulty in getting 
the cook we want. If it comes to the worst, we can manage on our own. 
In fact, some of us have done a bit of cooking on various camping 
trips and one member of the party did some cooking for the Army. 
I would appreciate some word from you at your early convenience. 
With kind regards. 
Sincerely, 
Waldo £. Schmitt 
Head Curator 
WLS:eek Department of Zoology 
