"By Aeroplane to Pygmyland" Accounts of the 1926 Smithsonian-Dutch Expedition to New Guinea

Interpretive Essays
Browse Photos and Film
Expedition Source Material
About this Project

browse photos and film

Expedition Photograph and Film Collection


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Location Subject:
 Java (Soerabaia)
Filename:
 Arb228
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 M. W. Stirling on the dock of the Fomalhout preparatory to leaving Java for New Guinea.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Spent part of the day looking over the ship. (April 7)


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Location Subject:
 Java (Soerabaia)
Filename:
 Arb105
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Similar to Arb119
C2:
 Loading the "Ern" on board the "Fomalhout" at Soerabaia
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The plane arrived about 11 A.M. and was hoisted on the after deck without much difficulty. (April 9)


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Location Subject:
 Miscellaneous
Filename:
 W102
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Stirling and company first meet the Dayaks and their leader, Anji Ipoei, in Macassar on April 11. This particular photo was possibly taken at Albatross camp.
C2:
 Ipoei
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...Anji Ipoei, the leader of our Dyaks. (April 11)


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Location Subject:
 Makassar
Filename:
 ER021
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Dyaks boarding the Fomalhout at Macassar
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...Anji Ipoei appeared with his Dyaks; forty of them, each carrying his personal equipment on his back. (April 12)


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Location Subject:
 Makassar
Filename:
 ER107
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Dyaks and Ambonese getting their first look at an airplane
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The greatest mystery of all however, was the aeroplane… (April 12)


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Location Subject:
 Ambon
Filename:
 ER104
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 The Fomalhout at Ambon. Taken from the Albatross as we were leaving.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 At 3 P.M. we cast off… (April 24)


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Location Subject:
 Soeroei (Soeroe), Japen
Filename:
 A026
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 Outrigger canoes at Soeroe on the south coast of the island of Japen (or Jobe).
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Their canoes are both single and double outrigger with elevated prow and stern. (April 28)


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Location Subject:
 Mamberamo River
Filename:
 ER064
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Deserted Papuan village on banks of the Mamberamo River, Dutch New Guinea
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...up the river could be seen deserted shelters at the water's edge, built by Papuans. (April 29)


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Location Subject:
 Mamberamo River
Filename:
 House
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Drawing of house in Stirling's original handwritten journal
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 [V2: drawing of a house] (April 30)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 ER061
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Boats landing from the Albatross with supplies at Albatross Camp on the Mamberamo River
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 This morning we began the work of unloading the Albatross… (May 2)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 ER063
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Temporary shelter of Dyaks at Albatross camp, Mamberamo River, Dutch New Guinea
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...temporary shelters for the soldiers, Dyaks and convicts have been erected… (May 2)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 B005
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 Beginning the construction of our base camp on the Mamberamo. The structure to the right is a temporary shelter used while the buildings were being made.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Work continued making camp. (May 3)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 W016
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 air view of Albatross Camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...we passed over Albatross camp… (May 9)


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Location Subject:
 Miscellaneous
Filename:
 B037
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 The Americans: (in front, L to R) Richard Peck and Matthew Stirling (back row, L to R) Albert "Prince" Hamer, Stanley Hedberg, and Hans Hoyte
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...the five Americans. (May 10)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 B008
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 P50, May 10th; The Dyaks placed elaborately carved ornaments at the gables of their house.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The Dyaks are making good progress on their big house. (May 10)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 Arb250
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 His majesty, "Moon Mullins" a native of the Island of Celebes, a convict with the expedition standing in front of the aeroplane workshop.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ..."Moon Mullins" who is our "strong arm" man as chief assistant mechanic. (May 11)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 B014
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...seven empty gasoline drums are put under each side of the float to lift it from the water... (May 12)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 W083
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Alb. camp; flashlight [flash photo] taken by our temporary shelter in Albatross Camp. Ipoei teaching Prince Malay.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Ipoei visited us again last night. (May 13)


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Location Subject:
 Airplane Flights
Filename:
 Arb218
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Me [Stirling], standing by our cargo of food brought in the plane to the upper Rouffaer river at the base of the Nassau Mts., central New Guinea. Hans took the picture from the plane.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...went back to the plane to unload our cargo of a dozen or so heavy tins of rice and canned goods. (May 15)


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Location Subject:
 Airplane Flights
Filename:
 W091
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Similar to Arb101
C2:
 About to start a reconnaissance flight. Hoyte & Stirling in the plane. Hamer at the crank. Albatross camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Prince stood on the wing and cranked her and when the motor started jumped into the motor boat and let us go. (May 15)


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Location Subject:
 Mamberamo River
Filename:
 W061
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Ambonese holding flying fox with wings extended.
C3:
 Two photographs [W061, W061b] showing an Ambonese soldier holding a Kalong or flying fox, one of the giant bats which are very numerous along the Mamberamo. These animals are nocturnal in their habits, during the day hanging in great clusters from the trees or sailing in low circles over the top of a cane swamp.
C4:
 War Bkgd. #9, plate 18, Netherlands New Guinea; a: giant fruit bat from the Mamberamo River
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 These giant bats have a wing spread of about four or five feet. (May 17)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 B035
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 Takutamesa Papuans from the Van Rees Mountains on the Mamberamo near the base camp of the expedition.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...we too finally saw a canoe containing nine men... (May 17)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 A036
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 In front of Albatross Camp at low water
C3:
 The Mamberamo in front of our base camp 95 miles from the mouth of the river.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The river continues to drop rapidly… (May 20)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 A057
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Nebaya
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...they showed no objections to being photographed and would hold a pose with considerable patience. (May 24)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 Arb193
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Repairing the radiator in our "hanger" on the Mamberamo
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 They are resourceful mechanics and used old gasoline tins to get their strips for soldering around the edge of the radiator. (May 25)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 W057
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Same as W055
C2:
 Bisano; group
C3:
 A group of men under the men’s house watching the approach of our party under the guidance of a member of their own tribe. They are still somewhat suspicious. The Kawerawet subsist principally upon sago and might be said to practice agriculture to a very limited degree, in so much as they grow a few banana and papaya trees and some sweet potatoes in the immediate vicinity of their village. This constitutes a very unimportant portion of their food supply, however. Their principal game consists of kangaroos, wild boars, cassowaries, and birds of many sorts.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 This is the men's house and women are not permitted to enter it. (May 27)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 W054
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Bisano; house
C3:
 Family house. Two family houses and the men’s house at the village of Bisano in the Van Rees Mountains. The floor of the men’s house is elevated about 7’ above the ground level. The space under the floor is generally used as a lounging area during the heat of the day. Women are not allowed to enter this structure and do not approach it closely. However, small boys of any age are permitted to go in and out freely. Each morning at sunrise and each evening at sunset the men congregate and for a ten minute period make music with bamboo pipes which are cut after the fashion of organ pipes.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 There are nine houses in all in the village. (May 28)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 W074
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Bisano; women of Bisano; costume
C3:
 Kawerawet women standing in front of a family house. The women and children live in houses of this type in which the male head of the household also resides when he sees fit. Married men usually eat their meals in the family house where they are cooked by their wives. Bachelors as a rule cook their own meals under or near the men’s house. Unmarried men sleep in the men’s house.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The costume of the women is very simple. A cord around the waist supports a small bark apron in front and a somewhat larger one behind. (May 28)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 B036
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 The ghost house at Bisano, Van Rees Mts.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 War Bkgd. #9, plate 20, In the Van Rees Mountains, Netherlands New Guinea; c: men's clubhouse
C5:
 451070 – THE MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUB IN TOWN. – "The Ghost House" at Bisano, which is used only by the men of the tribe, women never [missing text] allowed to enter it.
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 This evening le Roux, Sally and I again visited the ghost house… (May 29)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 Arb337
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 A dog stands just inside the ghost house in the background
C2:
 Men by the ghost house, Bisano; no. 3 Peguwa, No. 6 Poka
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Oh yes, I forgot. Female dogs are permitted in the ghost house. (May 30)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 W076
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Bisano; women & girls of Bisano, interrupted at their sago making to have a picture taken; Papuan women
C3:
 A group of women from the village of Bisano gathering sago. The decorations on the arms and shoulders are made with sago flour. Typical women’s costumes are shown – bark aprons, nose and ear ornaments, shell and seed necklaces, etc.
C4:
 War Bkgd. #9, plate 20, In the Van Rees Mountains, Netherlands New Guinea; b: women and girls wearing bark loin clothes
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Although they had never seen a camera before, they would strike a coquettish attitude that would do credit to a professional Follies actress. (May 31)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 A062
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Kanagua? / Base Camp; Masuka, Papuan of Bisano
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...I hiked into the jungle with old Kanagua as guide… (May 31)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 Arb043
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Same as A071
C2:
 Papuans near base camp; Papuans
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 War Bkgd. #9, plate 20, In the Van Rees Mountains, Netherlands New Guinea; a: Papuan men from the Mamberamo River, showing admixture of Melanesian and Papuan types
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The young men here are great dandies...The older men wear practically no adornment. (June 1)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 W012
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Whipping post at base camp, 1926; Albatross Camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 A big whipping post in the shape of a cross was erected back of our house… (June 3)


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Location Subject:
 Airplane Flights
Filename:
 Arb126n
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Today Hans and Prince took off with the plane...with a load of 26 tins of food weighing 321 1/2 kilos... (June 5)


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Location Subject:
 Airplane Flights
Filename:
 B025
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 Airplane view of the Mamberamo River just before it emerges from the Van Rees Mountains. In the foreground are the Edi Rapids. This picture was made during high water. Normally rocks project above the surface of the water at this place.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...I was afraid we would not be able to get fine air pictures without a special air camera. (June 6)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 Arb311
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 A study in expressions. Papuans of Bisano watching the plane take off. Korteman & le Roux also present.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The Papuans were all on hand, rather badly scared and ready to bolt if anyone said Boo! (June 7)


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Location Subject:
 Batavia Camp
Filename:
 Y006
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 This photo of C.C.F.M. le Roux was taken at Batavia Camp (July 15-18)
C2:
 Batavia camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 This is Roux'[s] 41st birthday and this was his first ride in an aeroplane. (June 8)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 Arb463n
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Hans wearing a Dyak hat in which he flew with Ipoei [right] to Batavia camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Today Hans set up a new record for the plane by making three round trips to Batavia camp...The first trip in the morning he brought Anji Ipoei with him... (June 9)


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Location Subject:
 Papuans of Bisano
Filename:
 A068
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Same individual as in A059
C2:
 Komaha
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Here Komaha, the Papuan with us, got the thrill of his life… (June 12)


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Location Subject:
 Albatross Camp (Base Camp)
Filename:
 W033n
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 Dick’s model airplane
C2:
 Albatross camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Dick is busy making a model aeroplane… (June 29)


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Location Subject:
 Mamberamo River
Filename:
 Arb403
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 View in the gorge of the Mamberamo in the Van Rees Mountains. This particular section is called Edi Rapids. A dyak canoe transport resting.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 At this point the Mamberamo breaks through the main range of the Van Rees mountains. (July 13)


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Location Subject:
 Batavia Camp
Filename:
 Arb058n
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 Batavia Camp. We built this camp on an elevated shelf of land at the edge of the lake plain where the Mamberamo River enters the gorge through the Van Rees Mountains.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 On a point of one of the foot-hills in a very pretty location is Batavia camp. (July 15)


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Location Subject:
 Batavia Camp
Filename:
 A047
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 The "Ern" at her last resting place at Batavia Camp, after glue had given away on the pontoons
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 She is perched on the bank about 200 yards below the camp - her final resting place after as eventful a career as any plane ever had. (July 16)


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Location Subject:
 Sebit Tribe
Filename:
 B044
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Sebit
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 …a Papuan canoe with seven men came out in the stream to meet us. They belong to the Sebit tribe… (July 18)


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Location Subject:
 Sebit Tribe
Filename:
 B045n
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Rouffaer papuans in canoe with sago
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 They tied their canoe alongside our big canoe and we towed them a couple of miles upstream with us as we traded with them. (July 18)


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Location Subject:
 Junction of the Rouffaer and Van Daalen Rivers
Filename:
 Canoe
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 A drawing of a Papuan canoe from Stirling's handwritten journal
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 [V2: drawing of a canoe] (July 20)


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Location Subject:
 Junction of the Rouffaer and Van Daalen Rivers
Filename:
 C061
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 N/A
C3:
 A Papuan house and canoes along the Rouffaer River above the junction with the Van Daalen. The tress are breadfruit trees. Dugout canoes and houses made from the midribs of sag palm leaves. These canoes are poled and not paddled.
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 ...saw a good many Papuan houses along the banks and a few canoes and small rafts tied along the shore… (July 21)


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Location Subject:
 Rouffaer River
Filename:
 D030
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 July 23; Papuan houses on the Lower Rouffaer river. This home was one of the best.
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 The houses are very flimsy affairs and this was one of the best. (July 23)


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Location Subject:
 Motor Camp
Filename:
 Y026
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Motor camp
C3:
 N/A
C4:
 N/A
C5:
 N/A
Quote from Stirling Journal:
 Motor Camp is located on the north bank of the river… (July 24)


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Location Subject:
 Brown River
Filename:
 Y064n
Captions [about captions]
C1:
 N/A
C2:
 Brown River
C3:
 N/A
C4: