The Thetis, a three-masted, wooden-hulled steamer built in Scotland, was acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1884 to search for Lt. Adolphus W. Greely's polar exploration party. The Thetis made several trips to Alaska. In May, 1888, Gov. Alfred P. Swineford was one of the distinguished guests invited to accompany a voyage to the outlying ports of the Territory. The trip lasted four months and five days, exploring 10,000 miles of Alaskan coastline from Sitka to Point Barrow. It joined with the Revenue Cutter Bear to search for the missing schooner, Jane Grey. The Thetis was transferred to the Revenue Cutter Service in 1899 to transport Siberian reindeer to Alaska. It served under the American flag for 32 years before becoming a sealer for the next 34 years. In 1950, the Thetis was grounded outside of St. John's, Newfoundland where it finally broke up.
Mrs. Allen Shattuck (Agnes Swineford) was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1879, to Wilhelmina ("Minnie") Smith, who would later become Mrs. Alfred P. Swineford. Agnes came to Alaska in 1886, with her family when her stepfather, Alfred P. Swineford, was appointed first residential governor of Alaska. She lived in Sitka and Ketchikan until 1901, and married Allen Shattuck of Juneau. They lived in Juneau until Allen died in 1960. Agnes died in San Rafael, California, on March 15, 1973. [From: Juneau Empire, 3/26/1973, MS 150.].
From the description of A summer on the Thetis [graphic], 1888. (Alaska State Library). WorldCat record id: 50855991
