Despite his ongoing research in Guiana, what Beebe desired most was to return to the Galápagos, this time with a properly fitted-out scientific research vessel that possessed the ability to dredge animals from beneath the ocean. In 1925, Beebe set out on a second Galápagos expedition, The "Arcturus" Oceanographic Expedition, backed by Williams and several other donors. His ship for this expedition was the steam yacht "Arcturus", presented to the New York Zoological Society by Executive Committee member Henry D. Whiton. "Arcturus", at , was considerably larger than the "Noma" and was capable of being at sea for extended periods of time. The "Arcturus" was outfitted with Beebe's pulpit and boom walk from the "Noma", as well as cages and tanks for live animals, chemicals and vials to preserve dead ones, and a darkroom for developing film and studying the bioluminescent animals they hoped to encounter.