V. E. B. NICHOLSON & SONS 
TRAVEL SERVICE 
YACHT CHARTER SPECIALISTS 
COMDR. V. E. B. NiCHOLSON, O.B.E., R.N. 
D. V. NICHOLSON 
R. A. NICHOLSON 
P. O. BOX 103 
St. John's, 
Antigua, B.W.I 
CABLE ADDRESS 
TRAVEL -'ANTIGUA 
Aug 29th 1958 
Dr Waldo Schmitt, 
Smithsonian Institution, 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Dr Schmitt, 
Thank you for your letter of the 23rd August, in fact thank you for many things. 
I have the rattle and markers and the extra booklets of the first cruise. I AM VERY PLEASED TO 
HAVE ALL THESE THINGS. 
It IS TERRIFIC NEWS TO US JO HEAR YOU WANT TO COME YET AGAIN ON THE FREELANCE. 
I AM VERY SURPRISED ABOUT THIS AS THE CONDITION OF THE FREELANCE WAS JUST TERRIBLE THIS YEAR. 
As I TOLD YOU BEFORE WE ARE DOING A LOT TO HER TO GET HER UP AGAIN. ThE OTHER DAY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT 
WHAT KIND OF NEW ENGINE TO PUT INTO HER, AND I SAID TO MYSELF WHAT WOULD DR ScHMITT SAY IF HE 
KNEW WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS! ALSO A NEW ENGINE EOR THE MOTOR LAUNCH TOO. 
I NOTE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE FREELANCE AROUND APRIL BUT UNFORTUNATELY SHE IS BOOKED 
UP TO THE 29th May. So she could be available for you in June and July, or alternatively November 
AND half of December. I wonder if this could ever be any good to Mr Bredin and yourselves? Also please 
LET ME KNOW IF ANY OTHER SHIP WOULD DO. YOU CAN RELY ON ME TO DECIDE FOR YOU WHETHER IT WOULD SUIT 
YOU AND Mr Bredin or not. Or how do you think you could use the Car i bee? 
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR REACTIONS TO THE ABOVE BEFORE I GIVE YOU ANY DETAILS, 
SO DO WRITE BACK SOON AND GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS. THE FREELANCE IS QUITE BOOKED UP AND TWO 
CANCELLATIONS TO FREE A SPACE FOR YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PLACE. THIS IS ALL VERY DISTRESSING 
I HOPE YOU COULD COME IN JuNE. SHE IS SCHEDULED TO SAIL FOR THE U.S.A. ABOUT JuLYISTH AND 
WHATS MORE SHE WILL BE GOING NEAR WASHINGTON AS THATS WHERE THE NEW OWNER LIVES. J. NOEL MaCY A 
VERY GOOD FRIEND OF OURS. |N FACT HE IS THE VERY PERSON THAT CANOED OUT TO US WHEN WE WERE ANCHORED 
OFF Bird I near Mill Reef, Remember? Twas from that moment on that he wanted to buy the ship. 
Perhaps we could bring back all your collections, what an idea it would save you mints! 
Thanks so much for all the information on the amphipods, bats etc. How interesting 
IT ALL IS. I am glad I FOUND A GOOD ONE, I HOPE YOU WILL SEND ME THE PAPER ONE DAY OR PERHAPS 
BRING IT WHEN YOU COME AGAIN. 
I THINK I TOLD YOU MANY OF MY FILMS WERE RUINED , WHAT BAD PHOTOGRAPHIC LUCK 
WE HAD LAST TIME. I THINK I WILL DEVELO! t AS WE 60 ALONG NEXT TIME. 
1 WILL SEE IF I CAN FIND OUT^DR GALODY FOR YOU, BUT ITS RATHER DOUBTFUL I AM 
AFRAID. ! LOOK FORWARD TO THE SLIDES . I HOPE THEY COME BY TUESDAY AS 1 AM TO GIVE A SLIDE LECTURE 
TO A CHURCH GROUP. 
I HOPE WE CAN HAVE DR HALSTEAD NEXT TIME . ONE OF THE YACHTSMEN WERE POISONED 
THE OTHER DAY BY A FRESH CAVALLY ( CaRANX HIPPOS ). It WAS COOKED IN WINE AND ANY WAY THE WIFE 
THREW IT AWAY BEFORE I GOT ON THE SCENE. THE WIFE WAS UNAFFECTED, THOUGH SIE HAD SOME. Of COURSE 
YOU KNOW Capt. Ian Spencer I forgot. He had to go to hospital, but not for very long. 
Looking forward to hearing from you again soon. 
P ! 
rr 
