The Washington herald., 1906-12-17
CAPT. TANNER DEAD
Heart Disease Ends Life of
Noted Naval Officer.
WAS LEADING PHOTOGRAPHER
His Work in the study OF Fish in the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Was
Invaluable to Government - Re-
Earded as Genius I'm Taking Deep
Sea SOundIngs-CIvII War Veteran.

Commander Zera L. Tanner, L. S. N.
retired, one of the most promi-
nent photographers in the world,
and whose reports to the United States
Fish Commission are among its most val
liable papers, died suddenly early yester-
day morning at his home at 2204 street
He was seventy-One years Of age.
Commander Tanner, OF Capt. Tanner, as
ne was most generally known, had not
been in the best Of health for several days
prior to his death. An acute attack OF
heart trouble is given as the cause. For
several years he had been troubled with
slight attacks OF the heart, but none was
serious. When the final attack came yes
terday an effort was made to revive him.
but he never regained consciousness and
died with his wife and daughter beside
him.
The funeral OF Capt. Tanner will be
held tomorrow afternoon at O'Clock
from the family residence. The body will
be taken TO Arlington Cemetery with full
military escort.
Miss Ruth Tanner his daughter, made
her debut only ten days ago. and is one
Of the most popular of the seasons debu-
tantes. His wife survives him.
Was Civil War Volunteer.
Capt Tanner was born at Warsaw,
Wyoming County, n, Y, December .. 1885.
He was educated in the common schools.
and entered the merchant marine service
at the age Of seventeen years. When the
civil war broke out he volunteered as a
naval officer. and was appointed to the
regular service.
Shortly after the close Of the war
Capt Tanner was connected with the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and
commanded a vessel running along the
coast Later. lie took charge 81 the City
Of Pekin, and made regular voyages 10
the Orient. At this time ne was on leave
OF absence from the navy. When the
navy desired his services. he left the
Pacific Mail and again entered the regular
service Of the Fish Commission. Capt.
Tanner made the first cable survey from
San Francisco TO the Hawaiian Islands.
He was assigned 10 the naval tug Pedro
by the Fish Commission and remained
with this boat several years. Later he
+fDh AtAN NbilAAtAolAlu VI tiAE STEAMER X ISL
hawk for the commission and continued
exploration work and the study OF the
fish along the Atlantic coast
Continues His Researches.
He remained with the Fishhawk until
1853. when the steamer Albatross was
placed in commission 10 continue work
along the same lines. Capt. Tanner con-
tinued his photographic research and his
study of the FISH Of the seas from the
coast Of Newfoundland TO the Caribbean
Sea.
Early in 1855 he took the steamer Al
batross to the Pacific Ocean. A voyage
was made 10 the Bering Sea for the pur-
pose Of inspecting the fur seals OF that
locality The work done along the Pacific
by Capt. Tanner has been Of great benefit
10 the Fish Commission. and was the
first 10 any great extent undertaken jy
the government officials
At the time Of his retirement in Deem
Der. 1897. Capt. Tanner was in charge Of
the Albatross in the Pacific He came to
Washington shortly afterward, and had
remained here since
IN the work Of taking dredgings from
the oceans bottom and deep sea sound
ings Capt Timer was considered a
genius. His work along these lines, to-
gether with the methods he invented and
used were said TO be OF the highest class.
Regarding the fish of both oceans and
their habits, and the results OF his eX-
plOTatiOns Of different parts Of the seas,
special reports were published by the
commission. and have been retained by
It as its most valuable and reliable data