In 1889 the U.S. Steamer Thetis cruised the coast of Alaska, returning with some of the earliest photos of the area. This and other 19th-century Alaskan journeys of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Thetis are legendary. Fortunately, a rich history of photographs and first-person narratives preserved many of the vessel's adventures. The Thetis encountered indigenous peoples, Russian settlers and had fascinating adventures while surveying and policing remote coasts and islands. This exciting collection of photographs, never before published in its entirety, will capture the imagination of lovers of maritime tales and northern history. These superb images are accompanied by a rich description by Robert Gordon Butler, aboard for this unforgettable journey....