When the Thetis next Visited Lisianski on 12 September 1914 very few 
rabbits and turtles were seen, but terns and frigatebirds were numerous 
(Log of the Revenue Cutter Thetis for 12 September 1914). Carl ELscher, a 
chemical engineer, was aboard at this time, and reported (1915) that the 
I 
island was dreary and desolate, with the only vegetation a B ^ n o le tobacco 
patch which had been planted by Schlemmer, and two small Ipomoea plants. 
He found only brackish Water in the shallow wells. Only a few live rabbits 
were seen; they had apparently multiplied out of proportion to their food 
supply, eaten all the vegetation, and subsequently starved to death. He 
feared that the birds also were threatened with extinction. 
" " / , « - - 
The stopped at Lisianski on 24 March 1915* at which time the 
shore party reported large numbers of albatrosses, frigatebirds, boobies, 
terns, and shearwaters, saw Very few rabbits, and noted that very little 
vegetation was left on the island (Log of the Revenue Cutter Thetis for 24 
March 1915)* Lt. W. H. Munter made detailed observations on the avifauna 
at this time (Annual Report of the Coast Guard for 1915* P* 154-136). The 
landing party was struck with the lack of vegetation; what little which was 
found was in Very poor condition. The island was "wind swept, sandy, with 
bleached sea shells, and bird bones scattered everywhere." "A network of 
subterranean ... tunnels made by the petrels and shearwaters" made walking 
very difficult, ,T because every step or two one continually kept breaking 
through to the knee without the slightest warning into one of these burrows 
Only seven rabbits were seen, all of which were captured and brought to the 
ship. A party landed on Lisianski from the Thetis on 5 February 1916, but 
there are no comments in the log as to the state of the island at that time 
(ibid, for 5 February 1916). 
