A Liberian Journey

Book 1 chronicles Loring Whitman's travels from Southhampton, England to Garmu, Liberia from June 23, 1926 to September 12, 1926. On June 23, 1926 Strong, Shattuck, Allen, Linder, Theiler, Whitman and Coolidge arrived at Southampton from London and joined Bequaert on the S.S. Wadai bound for the Canary Islands. After excursions to various islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the company of men continued on to Freetown, Sierra Leone for a short stop before arriving at their final destination, Monrovia, Liberia. The group of men resided in Monrovia, settling permit and route issues, unpacking boxes, and meeting dignitaries whilst taking short trips to surrounding areas such as the Firestone Plantation, Kru Town and camp sites along Du River to collect specimens and photographs. Around July 25, Loring Whitman contracts malaria and is laid up in bed, while the rest of the company set out for the camps along Du River. By August 2, Whitman was on the mend and heading up the river with Coolidge, Dr. Willis, and Dr. Strong to Firestone Plantation No. 1, 2, and 3 before journeying farther inland, to towns and villages such as Kaka Town, Miamu, and Suakoko before arriving at Gbarnga, which became the company's base camp for the coming weeks.