Chauncey Thomas Jr.

Chauncey Thomas, as captain, commanded the US Fish Commission steamer, during a scientific expedition in the Hawaiian Islands and southern Pacific in 1902. Orders issued at the onset of the expedition made it unclear where ultimate authority in the expedition lay, with the ship's captain, or the scientist-in-charge, Charles Henry Gilbert (1859–1929). Before leaving port, Thomas requested clarification, which he received, confirming the norm: that the ship's captain always had ultimate authority regarding the safety of the crew and the ship. The expedition proceeded, but was marred by a barrage of complaints that pitted the scientific crew against the ship's crew, and was characterized by lengthy letters. ==Career==

Born in Barryville, New York and raised in Pennsylvania, Thomas served aboard multiple ships as a junior officer. He also had shore assignments in both the Nautical Almanac Office and the Hydrographic Office at the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. Thomas did not see action during the Spanish–American War, instead patrolling Alaskan waters aboard the gunboat . Thomas held a variety of commands in the United States Navy. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in March 1899 and given command of the monitor . Thomas was promoted to commander in September 1901 and given command of the Albatross. Thomas was promoted to captain in July 1906. Rear Admiral Thomas was promoted to rear admiral in March 1910. ==Family and residence==

On 12 September 1876, Thomas married Carrie Ella Flagg. ==Namesake==

Camp Thomas, formed in 1910 as a base for the 4th Marine Regiment, was named for him. The Regiment was deployed there against the possibility of the disorder in Mexico spreading to Southern California. Camp Thomas disbanded in June, 1911. ==References==