Burton Island (AGB 1) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 56 of the 1954 volume:

' U. S. NAVAL DISPATCH HND Gen 1007 ' CLASSIFICATION PRECEDENCE Action: C I Io: USCGC NORTHININD f USS BURTON ISLAND - 5525522 - BEAUFORT SEA EXPEPITION 1954 OBTAINED Hvnao AND ocEAuocaAPHIc DATA IN AREAS NEVER BEFORE REACHED CWI' I'ADE FIRST TRANSIT IAC FLURE STRAIT BY SHIP IN HISTORY OF ARCTIC EXPLORATION CIW AVOIDED ALL DAMAGE FROM' IPONTH EARLY NEW ARCTIC' PIISSAGE IIIIN IIIIu.s. SHIPS ......1l- Push 'Thru Ice in McClure Strait BY LLOYD NORMAN fPie-ture on back pagej lfChlclgo Tribune Press Servlcel Washington, Aug. 27-The 350 year old mariners' dream ' of the Northwest Passage as a navigable channel across North America has finally been negotiated by two American: icebreakers, the navy an- nounced today. tic for shipping because of imp ssable ice most of the year. The icebreakers were not trying to establish a new route. The ships that passed thru ice-locked McClure strait, west- ern gateway to the channel leading from the Pacific to the Atlantic, are the navy- -ice- breaker Burton Island and the coast guard icebreaker North- wind. Equipped with Copters .T li e Burton Island under Cmdr. Everett A. Trickey of' Arlington, Va., broke thru the ri. CAN ice 'of McClure on-'an east to west voy- 11 to 1,6 and then re- th Q northern 'narrow passage Started her ,THE HEAVY ICE THESE AREAS AND COf'.'PL SCHEDULED OPS UOOBTOOO TOR TOD DATE lil9IGIII'2l'3i'4Il5I'6IWI'BIWIZOINIT Novy-D Navy ice experts said, how-l ever, that the route is not prac-I Bl' 230 West 41st Street, New York 36, N. Y. ' ' Telephone PEm-isylvania 6-4000 SATURDA CANADA Direct Route The legendary Northwest Passage, a di- rect Water route across the top of North America, has beenlthe goal of navigators since Explorer Henry Hudson perished trying to find it in r6rr. Norway's famed Roald Amundsen made a trip across in the '47-LOD yacht Gjda in IQOSQ the 80-ton Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner St. Roch fTIME, Aug. zj, commanded by Mountie Superintendent Henry A. Larsen, in 1942 became the first vessel to make the passage from west to east. But both Amundsen and Larsen sailed through Prince of Wales Strait, detouring around the broader, more direct but more norther- ly western exit: fog-shrouded, ice-choked McClure Strait. Last week the U.S. Navy announced that two U.S. icebreakers, the Navy's Burton Island and the Coast Guard's Northwind, had successfully cut their way through McClure on a joint U.S.- Canadian expedition. Neither ship made a complete passage from the Arctic to the Atlantic Oceang the Burton Island sailed through the Prince of Wales Strait from the west and turned around Banks Island to push westward again through McClure Strait Csee mapjg the North- wind pushed eastward from the Arctic Ocean. Both ships used helicopters to scout the best passage through the ice. Unusually heavy melting of barrier ice eased the passage, even so, the big 269-ft. icebreakers cut and crushed their way through ice four to ten feet thick. Although the new shortcut made the headlines, Canadian and U.S. scientists aboard the expedition had a more impor- tant mission: taking soundings and record- ing data on the Arctic seas. With accurate charts, an atomic submarine, such as the U.S.S. Nautilus ITIME, Jan. IID, could cruise from the Atlantic to the Pacific under the Arctic icepack, virtually invul- nerable to search and counterattack. TIME, SEPTEMBER 6, 1954 6556 1111 rv Copyright, 19 4 28, New York Herald TIII-71109 IDC Ends 5-Century Search U. S. Icebreakers Clear 7 Northwest Passage Route WASHINGTON. Aug. 27 GPL- Two United States icebreakers have smashed their way through the frozen wastes of the last un- explored link of the fabled Northwest Passage to find a water route from west to east, the Navy announced today. Significance of the exploit is something for the future to disclose. Some Navy oflicials be- lieve the Arctic channel might be used by atomic-powered sub- marines moving under the ice pack from one ocean to another. The Navy already has con- ducted extensive tests with sub- marines in Arctic waters. In ad- dition, Russia is said to have established stations in some Arctic areas. 'Island and the Northwind en- countered thieknesses of ice ranging from four to ten feet in better than normal ice melting conditions. Two-Way Trip The Navy said the 269-foot Burton Island, skippered by Comdr. Everett A. Trickey, Ar- lington, Va., pounded its way through McClure Strait east to, west Aug. 11-16. It made the return trip Aug. 16-19. The 269-foot Northwind, com- manded by Capt. William L. Maloney, Bayside, Queens, en- tered the strait from the Arctic Ocean and went through along the southern edge between Aug. 13 and 21. The strait is named for Brit- LONG BEACH NAVAL SHIPYARD BEYOND THE ARCTIC CIRCLE BELOW THE ARCTIC CIRCLE - x 1 gg, - I Tis ' ii ,VI - I ' f ,iz,, I . X Q ' , A 2 I , 1 ff T . K , I , V , i f ix- A l IQ, f I f K fix-Xi' Y IZ, ZW! L ff USS BURTON ISLAND KAGB-H 15513, Commanding Officer Execufive Officer CDR. E. A. TRICKEY, 'USN CDR. R. W. DALE, JR., USNR l I I i 1 i HISTORY AND CHARACTERISTICS The U. S. S. BURTON ISLAND CAGB-15 is one of seven icebreakers built by the Western Pipe and Steel Company of San Pedro, California. The Coast Guard now possesses three of these icebreakers in the EASTWIND, the WESTWIND, and the NORTHWIND. The U. S. S. BURTON ISLAND is the only Navy icebreaker on the West Coast, the Coast Guard ship NORTHWIND accompanies her on many northern cruises. The sister ships of the BURTON ISLAND, the EDISTO KAGB-25, the ATKA QAGB-31, and the STATEN ISLAND CAGB-53, are stationed on the,East Coast and operate in the vicinity of Greenland. The Navy will place a new icebreaker, the U. S. S. GLACIER, in commission -in the near future. Admiral Byrd called these ships the toughest ships in the world, and they certainly are. The BURTON ISLAND is named after a small island on the Atlantic Coast of Delaware. Since commissioning in De- cember 1946, she has taken part in two Antarctic Expeditions, and since 1948 shefhas made two trips annually to the Arctic. As a part of the Beaufort Sea Expedition 1954 the USS BURTON ISLAND can take pride in the following- dispatch: The historic cruise of your Arctic pioneers adds a glorious new chapter to the annals of the Far North x CincPacFlt extends a hearty well done. In 1952 the crew of the BURTON ISLAND had a cruise book that ended with this sentence. There is still much work ahead for us and our ship, but that will begin another storyf' This then will be that other story. Duty aboard an icebreaker is like serving on every type of ship in the Navy at once. She does the work of a Service Force vessel, has the flightndeck of an aircraft carrier, the draft and armor of a battleship, the handling and characteris- tics of a motor launch, the power of a sea-going tug, the roll of a destroyer, and the battering power of the old Monitor, Two helicopters are carried on board to scout ahead of the ship for leads in the ice pack, and demolition experts go along on expeditions to blast the way clear in the event the ship gets stuck in the .ice. Civilian scientists from the United States Navy Electronics Laboratory and other United States and Canadian government agencies usually participate in the expedi- tions for the collection of oceanographic and hydrographic data from the remote areas that are visited. Logically enough Navy weathermen and clothing research officers have had occasion to make the trip in the past. The BURTON ISLAND has pioneered winter operations in the frozen Bering Sea between Russia and Alaska. When the ship arrived off Nome unannounced in February 1949, the people of that small Arctic city could hardly believe their eyes. No ship had ever been there in winter. It was hailed as 'cthe biggest event in Nome since the gold rush. In the Spring Cruise of 1954 the ship made another record when she reached Point Barrow in May, the earliest any ship had ever reached that most northern point of land belonging to the United States. During the summer months the BURTON ISLAND usually operates north of Alaska in the Arctic Ocean where the ice never melts. Supply ships are escorted through the ice to Point Bar.row in May, the earliest any ship had ever reached that most northern point of land belonging to the United States. During the summer months the BURTON ISLAND usually operates north of Alaska in the Arctic Ocean where the ice never melts. Supply ships are escorted through the ice to Point Barrow. The BURTON ISLAND has also explored east of Point Barrow and well north into the permanent ice pack where the seals and polar bears make their homes. No other U. S. naval vessel has ever penetrated along the north coast to a point east of the Alaska-Canada boundary. No regular charts are in existence covering the area north of Canada's Mackenzie River as the probability of ships operating there is so small. In add'ition to this, very little is known of the area. It was long felt that an icebreaker could probably negotiate the long-sought-after uNorthwest Passage during the most favorable period of a normal summer. In this summer of 1954 the Joint Canadian-United States Beaufort Sea Expedition attained the historic passage across the roof on the North Amer- ican Continent. The BURTON ISLAND played her part. The BURTON ISLAND is not a small ship as she displaces over six thousand tons in spite of her short length of 268 feet. She draws 27 feet, the approximate draft of a cruiser, and is 63 feet wide. Icebreakers are notorious for their poor riding qualities in an open sea. The -ship has rolled as much as 65 degrees during winter storms in the Gulf of Alaska and in the roaring forties enroute to Antarctica. Once the ship is in the ice, however, she 'rides like the Queen Mary , and the men never tire of manning the rail on the forecastle to watch the blunt bow crush the oncoming floes. During a cruise the BURTON ISLAND carries approximately 280 men, that figure includes the regular complement of 220 men plus scientists and TAD personnel. The underwater demolition team and the helicopter detachment are assigned to the ship for the duration of the cruise only. The BURTON ISLAND has a doctor and a dentist permanently attached due to the unusual operating area and conditions. Work on board is plentiful, and on an expedition mail comes aboard infrequently. 'Liberty in an Eskimo village or on a floating ice floe is always a possibility. Icebreaker duty presents one of the little-known facets of Navy work, and it proves enjoyable to men who have a spirit of adventure and are tough enough to take this rigorous duty. IN PORT At Long Beach Naval Shipyard the yardworkers and crew simultaneously repair the damage of the last cruise and pre- pare for the next one. Frame damage is common due to the tremendous stress the hull is subjected to in the ice. Some- times a propellar blade, broken off in the ice, needs replacing, 'invariably in drydock the hull is sandblasted and receives a protective coating in preparation for the coming Arctic cruise. Though cruise damage accounts for part of the yard work, most of the shipyard activity on the BURTON ISLAND, like all Navy ships, is devoted to changes designed to improve something or to experiment. A portable reefer is added to provide a better storing space for the spuds than the open deck of the fantail. A hanger is constructed by the shipis force to give the helicopters protection. An icebox is brought on board by the scientists for the novel purpose of preserving ice samples. Countless seemingly unrelated tasks are being carried out to make this trip a better one than the last. In April, prior to loading, Captain T. D. Jacobs came aboard to award the ship a plaque for excellency in her class in competitive exercises held during the previous year. Later in the month the ship headed for San Diego to pick up the UDT and helicopter detachment that were to rwamm A make the trip. The following July the ship was again in San Diego for the same purpose, the Spring Cruise had TSM been successfully completed, and the gears were in mo- tion preparing for the Summer Cruise. The ship spent one month in port between the Spring and Summer cruises. N . v 325 A 1 ? .5 f Y ,wwf fihmqm vw A xx X N www if' , JS f x , qw - 1-fn ,. 11. 2 W sw y . :L X X X X X X A X v NAS, Son Diego Lost minute adjustment on the HUP l ?'1 Nlght Scene 1:51 nun 1:23 mann lllllu f The lost doy of worm sunlight. 1' 31 3 Q 1 m 4 ,A 'M .W A any I SPRING CRUISE' TRACK N VQCTHC fy -v!f2??e6Q 30 S' Ewdyd Pen I f I I Ij2S'qL3 fs 'P sift. .Barrow Cl' Q E A WJ oo 66' Ks RAN 'kia- -LA R CT -,'--I-E---21.3-C-EE ---,A I nba' 1' ,Y I C ME TANANA . N SZLEAVXRENCE 5 llwfzff Qounfgi 'f U K O L ND ' QL NHCHAE1. , M en H I ,NI 9 If A I MARSHALL GX V64-f? ' A v O K W1 NY vf:'C,M I NUNIVAK ' ISLAIZZ,-fgj x Y Q 11. fgE?au11f1J5 I ' ' QQ?-RIBILOP ISLANDS BETHEL DILLINGHAM 5 z kv l ,ff M Nfx .66OIge t L I Y. 4:0 COLD K ' .Q , fl X I cw 9 P A L,gLJTIPP M RV-I QPEKOO fx. -on NIK X yi, ,SL XX KOD QD fix-XA L u .AK PACIFIC N Ggjmu H6219 Q5 mf NY RMU Us f 2 x The navigator at work. :gag Helmsman Quartermaster at the flag hoist. Looking att from the bridge. UDT rounding into shape. Q THE INSIDE PASSAGE In July the BURTON ISLAND and the NORTHWIND stopped at Victoria, British Columbia to pick up the Canadian scientists who were scheduled to take part in the expedition. However, all of this was on a higher policy level than the ave- rage crew member cared about. Victoria to them meant only one thing, and that was Canadian hospitality. The scenic dif- ferences between San Diego and Victoria were extreme enough to convince everyone that the cruise had really started. After we had passed through Seymour Narrows, even the navigator enjoyed the beauty of the famed Inside Passage. For more than six hundred miles the ship threaded her way through the islands from Victoria to Brady Glacier. The purpose of taking this longer and slower route to Kodiak is to maintain as much comfort as possible before entering the Gulf of Alaska, renowned for being perpetually stormy. The Underwater Demolition Team attached to the ship usually utilized this interlude to keep themselves in conditiong the rest of the ship were making their preparations too. There was still time for some attempted salmon fishing though. The waters we were cruising in are some of the richest salmon areas in the world, and July is a good time for fishing. Both the BURTON ISLAND and the NORTHWIND slowed to several knots to allow trolling off the fantail for anyone who thought they could catch anything. Despite repeated and determined efforts no salmon were hauled up on the BURTON ISLAND deck. The two helicopters took two parties over to a nearby island to try their luck at the mouth of a river. On the return trip the second helicopter, carrying Dr. Gobar, Commander Dale, and the pilot Lt. Walloch, ran out of gas. By using autogyration the pilot rendered the descent harmless, but the landing on the rough waters was a different story. The rotor blade and the tail assembly crashed together destroying both. None of the occupants of the helicopter suffered the slightest injury. Emergency c'May Day procedures had been previously worked out, and therefore the ensuing rescue was smooth. The loss of a helicopter was the most serious result of the crash, the flight crew on board did not have the necessary equip- ment to effect repairs. However, a new helicopter was flown to Nome where it was later assembled by the flight crew. Needless to add, all the fish that this second fishing party alledgedly caught were lost in the crash. FLIGHT DECK OPERATIONS Ag ., ' 4- if ' .r I .kxi1,. Nbcwx -504 1' 4- X 9 W ' 5 X Helicopter rescue operations .1-offk T X3 '7 Zi? iifi is - fig . . . Eskimos welcome such gadgets as the outboard motor . ,I SOUTH OF ALASKA A Brady Glacier, situated at the base of 15,320-foot Mount Fairweather, represents one of the few glaciers to be found in western North America, and it was the only glacier seen by BURTON ISLAND personnel. The sight of this ice river marked a first .for many new crew members, but for the grizzled arctic veterans Brady Glacier meant something more sinister. The glacier marked the end of the Inside Passage, farewell to comfort. Chief Boatswain .Gene Lambson, the officer who has been aboard longer than any other, claims the Gulf of Alaska has been extremely rough on 25 of his 30 crossings. How- ever, in spite of expert predictions the Gulf was quiet and smooth as glass on all four crossings during 1954. A few were disappointed, but the majority felt relieved and like celebrating, in Kodiak, our next port, the majority had their chance. Kodiak, Alaska was our first touch with the spirit of the North. This spirit', is characterized by toothy grins while taking all your moneyg Alaskan prices are high. The crew visited scenic wonders that ranged from the Yukon Bar to the Kodiak Bar during our short stay. Dr. Gobar spent his time more judiciouslyg he capitalized on our stop to hunt the well- known Kodiak brown bear, the largest animal in sub-arctic North America. In an absolute minimum of time Dr. Gobar and guide flew to the hunting area, landed, shot the bear, skinned it, and flew back. We also acquired more scientists, who pre- fered to fly to Kodiak rather than ride the seldom-level BURTON ISLAND, and a conference was held to coordinate future operations. Now that everyone had just regained their land legs, the ship put back to sea. E Heading down the'Aleutian Chain the BURTON ISLAND passed through what is sometimes called the most miserable climatic conditions in the world. Shrouded in an almost perpetual fog and licked by cold, wet breezes, the Aleutian Chain is indeed a forbidding place. Soon we passed through Unimak Pass, our first entrance to the Bering Sea. The Pribilof Is- lands, the breeding ground of the rare and valuable Alaska fur seal, and St. Lawrenc the first few days in the Bering Sea, the ship did not have time to stop at either island this year. Nome, Alaska, once a booming gold rush town, was our next port, though possibly it should not be called a port since the ship was not able to t h ge any nearer t an two miles due to the ice. I'd walk a mile for a . . . , but hold on. Would you walk two miles for a beer? e Island, were the only landmarks for Entering Women's Bay, Kodiak, Alaska ,vm fft- ,WS , I .W .vs- f ,pc f ,eff 405 4 Q f' 'W ' X ,I JV., , V if . swf, msyy.: 2 34 W .g S K .- i K ,ls fi V frfjfy' if ,,f,, .,,wt.M,70 A K! f f1f,4!,ff, n Y f.Cw5'Qf?,3f W V V ff' ,fri -vw -W z AJW-1,4 f ' ff ,WfV'w.,f swf. ff A ff!-y. 417. Q 'f -,gwmvf ,K W ,M ff ,f. f M , wwf , M. 4 ,MQ ,f n f Wdwf, -f 77 X -l i 3 2 z i The Kodiak Naval Base guarded by Barometer Peak V Q. ln the event ot a fathometer failure there is always the lead line. 'Q' UDT retrieves gear lost overboard at Kodiak 42' 4:40- From Kodiak . ROUGH Bering Seo spring ice SEAS cmd the n Nome N '-M., ..,Qs,H-A nk 4 K S W KRW 1 X ff X f S ' Aw WD fm ip. X :X ,Q . 11,12- ,.: z N Ng 5, Hiiis x Sw X .V vs' w Mys- QV F-PM I 4 fx X ix X f 4 P 4 K X X Xxx PX W X NX X4 E 1 3 1 Xlfx x QS? X X f x N l X sg X 1 5 ' 'ki Q , ' XS 1 Wx X f . 1 Y if 0. X 5, xi SX x 7 1? ,Q i n43'4 4l se-s f' at 1 L ,cg f 7 . Wa' ' ' - E ..., h. w w , X - ,, X' j ,-.-..-if Q 15.5 . D , M. a , ' B6 E 1 2- 1 'Y' ' NOME LIBERTY Once the Fiwrst Division had planted the udeadmann, put the gangway over the side, and liberty had been declared there was no shortage of men who were willing to walk two miles for a beer. Ltjg. Ryder and Ltjg. Stichter with his UDT detachment preceded the liberty party with marker flags, ostensibly to show the way to Nome but in reality to show the way back from Nome to the ship for those not possessing all their faculties. It was an unusual experience walking two miles across shore-fast ice to go il liberty. All this ice-walking took place during the pring Cruise, by the time the ship had returned to Nome in the summer the ice had broken up enough to render any trans-ice migration-s unfeasible. Instead, the LCVP provided excitement for the liberty party since the waters were rough and cold, and the helicopters provided the excitement for a few others. I On both the Spring and Summer Cruises the Bering Sea Club seemed to be the hub of this small universe. Chrome Dome and his Frigid Five was the big drawing card, of course. This unique combination dedicated to refined music was made up predominantly from the BURTON ISLAND crew and patronized entirely by the BURTON ISLAND crew. An alert capitalist patroled the edge of the ice pack offering an unusual taxi service back to the ship. Lt. Ned Miller, the navigator on the Spring Cruise, and Tyler, TN on both cruises, were the only two that are known to have utilized the dog sled. ,l 'llllivllbl 1 I I W l Ml I XX ff agp 'iv so QT! j - '- ' bars and gambling houses never closed doors ,X ., --fm , , W U1 xii? 23m KING ISLANDERS The Eskimos of King Island lead What to most of us on the BURTON ISLAND looked like a precarious life. Their village of Ukivok is perched on the steep rocky sides of King Island, there they spend all the year excepting a few of the summer months. The village has a church and a school among the many stilt-mounted homesg blpth of these important buildings can be picked out in the picture of the village on t is page. Fishing is the livelihood of these hearty folk. When the ship visits these Eskimos one of their first questions is understandably concerned with the whereabouts of the Walrus herds. - The Eskimos utilize almost every part of the Walrus and seals they hunt. The oil is used for fuel, the blubber for food, the seal skins for clothes, the Walrus skins for boat coverings and the Walrus tusks are carved into a variety of saleable souvenirs. On the Spring Cruise the King Islanders had a chance to display the ivory carvings to the BURTON ISLAND when the ship stopped for a short visit. During this trading session the Eskimo children were welcomed aboard to see a movie, a traditional treat for them when the 'cship that leans against the ice comes. Anyone needing dental treatment can get emergency help on board. During the summer months the King Islanders leave their island and travel to Nome across the Bering Sea in their skin covered boats. There they sell their ivory carvings to tourists. During the Nome interlude the dogs are left on the island to fend for themselves, the dogs are able to live comfortably on eggs they rob from nests along the cliffs. Looking back o-n these people in retrospection we rank them high in interest among the many unusual features of any Arctic cruise. .. A ,iw H, . 1 f JW !! M. 6 -Au' E, 1 w B P r ,nina--' 1 7 1 l s F BERING STRAIT BEER PARTY 4 In sight of the eastern coast of Siberia the BURTON ISLAND stopped in the Bering Strait long enough during the Spring Cruise to have a beer party. Nothing could be simpler for an icebreaker. The ship stops, the Jacobs' ladder is thrown over the side, and there you have a beer party. During the festivities the UDT detachment desperately tried to justify their existence by uworkingn a short distance from the partyg to the best of anyone's knowledge all they did was to explode a few charges. Later when quizzed, the word se- creti' was over-used. The beer party was no more than twenty yards from the ship, and therefore the duty section on the bridge got a chance to demonstrate their ability for catching snowhalls. Any officer trying to get aboard via the Jacobs' ladder was a prime target, but all was in fun. z ff :X :Q-Nil Q 25.- L' U' : 9 -q , ll ll A ff 2 Q , 5 Q f 'fx T .J klfxjkjgggi'-1 ' V ' . J If N . ' O KQQZDQJ .PBOQA J t LL arab THE UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAMS The Spring Cruise UDT detachment was under the charge of Ltjg. D. M. Stichter, from UDT 11. During the rela- tively short duration ofthe Spring Cruise, Stichter and men exercised violently and often on the flight deck, blasted a channel for the liberty boat in Nome, and conducted ice demolition experiments in the Bering Strait. The rest of the time Stichter wrote a report and fed a pet he had with him, his stomach. A UDT crew member unaccountably won a prize for the best beard during a contest judged by Ltjg. Stichter among others. , Underwater Demolition Team Thirteen was ordered to accompany the ship on the Summer Cruise, the Beaufort Sea Expedition 1954. Ltjg. R. C. Davis was in charge, and with him went J. D. Stringer QM1, J. B. Reed GMI, D. L. Cun- ningham QM2, J. Fell ENF N, J. C. Martin SN, and I. F. Lightfoot, SN. Activities of the summer group were somewhat restricted due to the almost constant movement of the ship. However, a dive to check the condition of the screws and rudder was made at Dealy Island in Bridport Inlet at Latitude 744o58' North, believed to be the farthest northern swimming ever done by UDT. A later dive served to check the intake strainers and fath- ometer, with the use of the ship's lowpressure air system in a modified diving rig. Although the water temperature was 29OF and movement in the water was sometimes hampered by floating ice, exposure suits kept the swimmers warm and comfortable at all times. Although the UDT was prepared to blast the ship free if .it became stuck in the ice, it was not necessary even during passage through dangerous ice concentrations. In the past UDT has had occasion to place charges on all sides of the ship to attempt to blast free from pressure ridges. Other than probably being the most northern swimming UDT in history, Davis and company hold another modern record. No other team has been aboard the BURTON ISLAND for three months without setting off a single charge. The UDT detachment did have opportunity to stand their share of the watches though. iff! W! M N ..,,. T, , f 7 11 f ,f-,f,,,. ff-Maw ,f N 1 MN fContinued on Page 421 SCIENTIFIC WORK Dr. Little and Mr. Hicks of the U. S. Navy Electronics Laboratory were the scientists who made the Spring Cruise. Their primary endeavor was to take water samples from pre-selected oceanographic stations throughout the Bering Sea. However, when the opportunity presented itseif, neither scientist missed a chance to obtain ice samples, which they stored in a deck reefer. The results of the study of this cruise will be of particular interest since relatively little data is available for this time of the year. - .IOINT CANADIAN-U.S. BEAUFORT SEA EXPEDITION-1954 This year marks the fifth consecutive summer the USS BURTON ISLAND has been engaged in scientific :research in the Beaufort Sea. Although for the past four years the expeditions in which she has taken part have been in cooperation with Cana- dian activity, her efforts and findings far outweigh those of any other ship operating in the western Arctic. Moving eastward through the Beaufort Sea and making extensive sorties into the Arctic pack her work has taken her gradually closer to the Canadian archipelago. Last year our efforts took us into the first important link in the Northwest Pas- sage, Prince of Wales Strait. The expedition of 19541 represented the most intensive effort to date. McClure Strait was the target and the availability of both the USCGC NORTI-IWIN D and the USS BURTON ISLAND permitted a maximum effort. Our purpose was to sound McClure Strait, to study the oceanography of the area, and to explore any parts of the Beaufort Sea that might open up. We had already confirmed the existence of a good channel through Prince of Wales Strait-what we wanted to know was whether the Strait to the north represented a deep water channel which would serve as another western entrance to the Northwest Passage. Due to favorable ice conditions, and the support of the USCCC N ORTHWIN D, we were able to answer the question that had been put. Not only that, but the NORTHWIND was able to penetrate well into Viscount Melville Sound and survey a large area north of Victoria Island which opened up after a long spell of southerly winds. Finally, late in the season, HMCS LABRADOR surveyed a large area north and west of Point Barrow that had been a blank area on our charts since 1951. A very important part of the expedition's effort was the establishment of EPI stations. These electronic aids to navigation are essential to hydrographic surveying in the Arctic, for there is no point in running sounding lines if you don't know where you are. The shore station-s had to be placed on or near the north coast of Banks Island, and the problem of their recovery had to be kept in mind continuously. We were more fortunate in our choice than the NORTHWIND-the EPI station we established at Rus- sell Point operated continuously during the entire season. The N ORTHWIND had to pick hers up just a few days aftefr it was established, and after that she was saddled with the responsibility of lying at anchor as a fixed EPI station while the BURTON ISLAND crossed and recrossed the McClure Strait. Mr. Chuck Richardson of USNEL was the civilian attached to the Point Rus- sell EPI station. I-Ie reported that its efficient operation was the result of faithful work on the part of the entire shore comple- ment under the capable direction of Chief Reeder. On board, Chief E. I. Mayer and G. F. Clay, ET3, kept the EPI equipment running, and the EPI operators brought in the fixes in spite of atmospheric and radio interference. RECREATION Q One of the more unpleasant aspects of icebreaker duty is the absence of liberty for long periods of time. Needless to say, morale problems can develop from such a situation unless some thought is given to it. Everyone has a favorite pastime for spare time and holiday routines. V The hobby shop carries a wide assortment of goods. Model building, painting, and leather Working are popular means of fighting boredom and keeping occupied. As an added interest 'prizes for the best in hobbycraft are awarded at the end of each cruise. -' A Another distraction is the privilege of growing a beard. Here again the most successful are in line for prizes at the beard contest. Almost everyone has secretly considered the possibility of growing a beard at one time or another, but in the civilized world the interim between a clean-shaven face and a bearded one is too long. What better opportunity presents itself than an Arctic cruise? Of course, beards must be neatly trimmedi' at all times, but the phrase is subject to interpretation. When the work load permits, Wednesday afternoons have been devoted to bingo games, another popular diversion. If-none of these pastimes appeal, then there is always recourse to the shipis libralry. M y W li f,QZ ftlTxmWNX ...f X-as cc f ff .MI K! A NM X XM't ' , 9 M XS t l ' Q , X X ,. 1-ffxjg lr +...fWh N e if in , 1 . . . a 'volcano may begin to spew ashes and lava , , , there are many i,,di,,,5duaZ Sports Such as Swimming ANURTI-IWESTZ rl 4 gl il BEAUFORT SEA ALASKA. W, CANADA KEY -ii--Track of Burton Island - - - - - - - Return track of Burton Island NOTE-See chart on page 50 for more detailed 5 track in Melville Sound. V L, 1 Q . .s V L .bn ,4- iv TERRITQRIES - . , 492' Q - X wp.. X V' - X ,-'MSw1A,V,V- . -7.1 .f LQ,- gif 3 , as 5 9 9 . f - C Q,- 1' f . ,, t I , .521 Q.. fm- - A . ., - mfwmw X wwe 4, V QV-nw V - gm.. VV Q' f X pf. .ff V -f., , , , .2 A 4, V 'Z' W iff' , ' XXX-If ffl.,-X' +hJ'MfL fCQ' FW ' , 3. fy ,ffry 4, f,.,fk,,,,,g,fz, ,. , , Q f , . , ' fum-Mff f . , . ,J V -ff' . ' ' V1 .- 5 in P' - xy ' X 7 KW XM fl ' ? 7i.54i 'PQI I? ,,., ,,L. , ,, V . , , . ff gf4,1ff My.,f C , 4, .1711 ,, MQ ,V ' w fa 5 . ' -VM, .- Eff-ffffw ' :f.f'mf-Y-7 ,, f Aff. '. 59 . 'Z-Xi? 4 f -' ' , f .- ' . 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Q:'iZSZ-Zskfvffsvscxf V r 4 X' it 'fi - fy 'PX 9' A ' I I 91 A Wi Q W Q 22 f WX xfvvaslpwdixfx N if ,,'W'i,V ,H f.WZMw4,,,, .,, ,, QQ .ga ,, ,. ,X r E mmmiasw is . aw mm2,s:,.,f- W A we 2 X Qwziismwxw sX'35'fz2S'f asus 5 Q 4 Ywkefsvsfx-zwfswsca,X-V y -, -f Q al 5- BEYOND THE ARCTIC CIRCLE During 1954 by far the majority of the time spent north of the Arctic Circle was on the Summer Cruise. On the spring cruise the BURTON ISLAND operated independently, but became part of a task group commanded by the C.O. of the NORTH- WIND for the summer cruise. New personnel expected frigid cold weather, but found that the temperature rarely, if ever, went below 25OF during the summer months that we operated in the area. However, coupled with damp winds, 250 was more than cold enough for the bridge watch. Everyone on board was conscious of the fact that they were seeing an area that they would never have seen on any other h s ip in the Navy. Naturally, there were a few who were thinking less romantic thoughts, but it is hard not to be interested, especially if it's the first or even second cruise on an icebreaker. 'ig --'X--N in ll f'qQ-ff -f! v' S x ' 4 5 A xx ' tx Wwgxt ,.,.x ' . -fl 0 L I ? S' fi 7 I 5 'X 435419 5' ' i X fi ,s P ' ' f g kk -XF A gf-:. V f-'MV 1 A X Ill , w T- 'M . . . some places can be reached only by dogsled f ' 2 G F The Sister Ships USS BURTON ISLAND ond USCGC NORTHWIND . fy,-f A Wfw 9,6 JIMWPQ f' x f 9 f X I 457 f f f ffff ,M f' fan .2 S L-1'-S Hx. tiff' WM , if Heovy going f ff 75 f,,ffQ gl , f X . 7 f 1 f i . 4 Jw, 4 PM Nw. A .,4- 4 ,f f, ..., W'2f2t 1N,,, . V' 'Y . A V , ,F ,A . V ,X f I 1: ' 'M , if ff ' 4' f fm 57 4 . f ,f 2 'K ' , ,4 f, f, Myfwzzy 0 , A , X - 1, ARCTIC WILDLIFE The fauna of the Arctic are shown in part on these pages. Only 14 polar bears were sighted in the past 18 months-not plentiful. The walrus were numerous in the lower latitudes of the Arctic in that the male and female herds after separate existence for the majority of the year meet and mate in the Chuckchi Sea area, which we traverse going to our operational alrea. The ship's doctor, Lt. Gobar, better known as Mogambo , successfully bagged three polar bear, two Arctic car.ibou, and a Kokiak brown bear. His hunting forays from time to time were the basis of many stories, 'rumors and a pleasant diversions for him as well as sidewalk superintendents before and after the hunts. The tro hies wer ll f always tasty, as side dishes for our menu. Other animals encountered in the Arctic are wolf, fox, seal, Arctic hare, and musk ox, which unfortunately cannot be shown. The bird life included sea gull, albatross, Eider duck, among other less numerous species. Fish above the Arctic circle are scarce. There are a few ice cod 13 -6 J and a few salmon, but usually not found beyond the Mackenzie River area. Incidentally, the doctor was the sole catcher of the salmon, bringing aboard the limit of the medium size. The variety of Arctic wildlife is amazing to most of us. The Arctic seems so desolate that life of an kind would ear un- aPP likely, the plant life is restricted to licbens and willow shoots for the most part. And yet on Melville lrsland shore parties saw an Arctic hare, wolf tracks, musk ox skulls, and a fox skull. Caribou were seen from the helicopter, seals were seen from time to time around the ship. The shore party was alert for a ossibl l b ' ' ' ' wildlife can survive nature's Arctic adversities. p e exce ent sources or camera fans, the meat was interesting, if not p e po ar ear VlS1t. Actually it 1S amazing that so much 4.4 bu FIRST DIVISION The First Division is charged with the upkeep of most topside spacesg thus this division carries on a never- ending war with the weather and salt water. Handling lines, running the boats, and standing bridge Watches underway are also common duties. The gun gang is a part of the First Division and, naturally enough, cares for the guns and the ordnance spaces. Many extra jobs arise on Arctic cruises. Diesel oil barrels were loaded and then off-loaded on the Summer Cruise. The weasels, the ,Iamesway Hut, and other gear for the EPI station had to be taken ashore and set up. The motors whaleboati had to be manned during flight quarters. There is a tremendous variety of tasks that the First Division may be called on to perform, and they always produce. ff' x s-...,,,, S DIVISION The S Division performs a varied list of services for the ship. The BURTON ISLAND must be self-suilicient since she is often away from civilization three months and longer. Many of the daily needs of the crew are satisfied by the various branches of the S Division. The cooks prepare three meals a day despite the rolling of the ship. During the night the galley personnel make sandwiches for the watchstanders, and bake. The laundry personnel wash all the dirty clothes and linens each week. The stewards take care of officersi country and the ward- room chores. The ship's store provides the necessities of toilet items and candy. All pay and allowances are kept track of in the supply oflice. The storekeepers requisition supplies as needed by the other departments and main- tain the ship's allotment records. The foul weather gear is in the custody of the S Divi- sion and is distributed by them. To this list add the bar- ber and you have the realm of S Division. 5 ffm!!! 5 254515555 C DIVISION The C Division personnel comprise the Operations Department. The three main components of the C Division are the yeomen, who work in the ship's oilice, the radio- men, who maintain communications, and the CIC watch- standers. However, the ship would feel the loss of some of the other parts of the C Division, such as the aerogra- phers, who keep the weather charts, the ET's, who service the electronic equipment, and the photographers. The quartermasters, while working for the navigator, are considered a part of the C Division also. . f Q E DIVISION The Engineering Department is almost twice as large as any of the other three departments on board. Despite the fact that the Engineers provide such prime commodities as fresh water, heat, electricity, and main propulsion power, they get very little ugloryn. There is plenty of work, though, to make up for the lack of glory. The Engineers are in charge of the maintenance and repair of all the machinery aboard the BURTON ISLAND. Wheree the C Division has its radar, the S Divi- sion has its typewriters, and the First Division has the fresh air, the E Division has a bewildering maze of pipes, valves, and noisy engine rooms or so it seems to everyone else. Most of us do not know what they are doing, but are willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are doing a good job. Ask them to make it runv, and they usually do. A t Q mfm-Am X Q: ww f-9 :, N-FQ 9' I ' f 4- ' an , f f - ' f f V 1 X w X f 1 41 X mf X f f f 1 ,,,,.,,,Q,f,,,,:,:,f. ,TGP 5 V f ' -Q f KR NN X 1-02 ,fx ZY27'7f-'i74?0f'1f5'WWf7M5W5'! 'fl EN 'Q ,. m --4 , 2 z MAIL DROP The sight of the mail plane overhead was always welcome. The planes came from the Kodiak Navy Air Station and usually performed an ice reconnaisance while in the area. While the ship was setting up the EPI station on Banks Island, the mail cans were parachuted near the shore party. During the Spring Cruise the cans were dropped on the ice. Occasionally the cans, which were supposedly watertight, would be dropped in the water, invariably one or two of the cans would leak. Despite all efforts to dry the mail in the boiler room immediately, a few letters written in ink were all but illegible. Of course, the mail from home was the most welcomed and important part of the delivery, but the official mail sometimes brought good news. The official letter everyone wanted most to arrive was the confirmation that the overhaul originally scheduled for San Francisco had been changed to Long Beach. - Although the BURTON ISLAND carried gear for a mail pick-up, it was never used. The pick-up gear was set up once in the ice as an experiment. f a.,,4 4 , X 1 2 W. f r. PM x ,. x - . A ph Q wg K! Q , 3 V. I , H , , ' W.. I ,, W t -, V- 4.-.sw m sawa mf, I. X f , r r f -K 'em , s .f ' ,sw ,r if f JK, Q y H ar ' W 4 K r -SW - i Wi I 4 ' A mi f ., ., ' ,f ..-, HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE The search for the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific spans a period of over 450 years since the pioneering voyages of explorer John Cabot in 14-96-97. A Southern route was finally negotiated in 1903-06 by Roald Amundsen fNor- wayj, but this 'route that avoided the hazardous Melville Sound is not suitable for deep-draft vessels. Long before- even this partial success, it had been concluded that the Northwest Passage had no commercial value, but the search continued. Existence of a deep water route was iirst indicated by Parry's first expedition of 1819-1820, when he sailed with HMS HECLA and HMS GRIPER through Lancaster Sound, Barrow Strait, and Northern Viscount Melville Sound as far west as longitude 113O46' West. His expedition thereby won a prize of five thousand pounds which had been offered to the first ship to cross the 1100 W. meridian in the Northern hemisphere. On his second trip Parry, searching for yet another lroute, concluded that the Fury and Hecla Strait could be traversed, though he was unable to do so. It was not until 194-8, however, that this route was proven practi- cal when the USS EDISTO and the USCGC EASTWIND finally navigated the strait. With this accomplishment, all possible routes across the top of the continent had been udiscoveredn, though not all had been conquered. A ' When the ill-fated Franklin expedition disappeared in the EREBUS and the TERROR in 1845, the resultant search for sufrvivors spurred greater exploration of the Canadian North than any previous event. Among the searchers was Commander Robert McClure, who in 1850 in HMS INVESTIGATOR approached from the Pacific side to pass through Bering Strait, along the Northern Alaskan Coast, through Amundsen Gulf, and into Prince of Wales Strait. While wintering in the strait near the Princess Royal Islands, McClure sledged to Point Russell at the northern head of the strait to discover its connection with Vis- count Melville Sound and thus confirm the existence of the Northwest Passage. Bylinking his sled excursion with Parry's first expedition of 1818-20, it may be said that the Northwest Passage was thereby completed in 1851. Several years later Captain Kellett, also part of the great Franklin search, found a note at Winter Harbour left by McClure, a note lending substance to his claim of having linked up with Parry's first voyage. McClure completed the Northwest Passage by sled, but it was not until over a hundred years later that the BURTON ISLAND completed this phase of the Pas- sage in a sixty-five hundred ton sea-going vessel and thus proved the feasibility of an Atlantic-Pacific sea transit across the top of the American continent. The next summer, having been prevented by heavy ice from sailing north in Prince of Wales Strait, McClure headed south around Banks Island and up its west coast to discover McClure Strait and establish this alternate route of the Northwest Passage. He penetrated McClu1re Strait as far as Mercy Bay, where he wintered in 1851-52. The next summer ice remained firm across the exit to Mercy Bay and the INVESTIGATOR was unable to break out. McClure was therefore forced to abandon his ship early in 1853 in order to sledge across the ice in Melville Sound to join Captain Kellett who had wintered with the HMC RESOLUTE and INTREPID at Dealy Island, Bridport Inlet. These ships had left England as part of Sir John Belcher's expedition in search of Franklin and had attempted the passage from the Atlantic side. Transit of the deep water passage was not accomplished until 1944, when Sergeant Larsen of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the motor schooner ST. ROCHE completed the voyage from east to west via Lancaster Sound, Melville Sound, and Prince of Wales Strait. The second passage, and the first by a deep-draft vessel, was not accomplished until this summer. SUMMER 1954-THE BURTON ISLAND Approaching the southern tip of Banks Island, the NORTHWIND and the BURTON ISLAND separated. The NORTH- WIND was to follow McClure's final route up the West Coast of Banks Island to McClure Strait, while the BURTON ISLAND proceeded- via Prince of Wales Strait to attempt the hitherto unaccomplished South-North of the McClure Strait-Melville Sound junction. Good ice conditions in the strait enabled the BURTON ISLAND to run rapidly to its northern exit at Point John Russell on Banks Island. While placing navigational control stations ashore here, a reconnaissance party located remnants of a cache of sleds and tools left by famed Arctic explorer Stefansson in 1917 as he sledged northward. Here Stefansson had found docu- ments left by McClure attesting to his 'discovery of the Northwest Passage. Helicopter reconnaissance by the Commanding Of- ficer revealed that the ice along the north coast of Banks Island should be negotiable by the NORTHWIND. A report of condi- tions sent to the Task Group Commander in the NORTHWIND, then operating to the west of Banks Island, was ,profitably em- ployed hy the NORTHWIND in her subsequent passage through McClure Strait to Mercy Bay. Now the BURTON ISLAND was ready to attack the previously impenetrable ice barrier across Melville Sound. fSee chart on page 50.1 Despite the giant ice Hoes of blue, polar pack ice, pressured into ridges and hummocks to thicknesses of fifteen feet and more, the icebreaker managed to smash through the final link in the Northwest Passage. After investigating the area around Cape Dunas, Melville Island, which no other vessel had been able to negotiate, she returned to Prince of Wales Strait along the boundary between McClure Strait and Melville Sound. . Next the BURTON ISLAND proceeded northwest along Banks Island to meet the NORTHWIND neariMercy Bay, then she turned north alone to attempt to cross McClure Strait toward Cape Russell, Melville Island. Soon heavy pressure encountered in the giant Hoes made bucking the ice so difficult that profitable advance could not be. made. Only 1500 yards were gained in one period of 17 hours. So the BURTON ISLAND turned back from a point a littlenorth of west from Cape James Ross on Dundas Peninsula. This represents the furthest northerly penetration ever attained in McClure Strait. A Departure was now taken from John Russell Point for Bridport Inlet to the northeast of Cape Dundas. Bridport Inlet has been reached in the past from the east but never from the west. Again the BURTON ISLAND successfully crossed the rugged ice barrier to reach her destination. The BURTON ISLAND operated in and through the most difficult section of the most northern of the so-called Northwest Passages. The section between Mercy Bay and John Russell Point on Banks Island was never before conquered. The BURTON ISLAND pushed through to the Northwest on 15-16 August and returned on 16-18 August via nearly the middle of McClure Strait. She also battered directly across McClure Strait from Banks Island to Melville Island four times in one season, where only one ship had been able to penetrate previously. Continued from Page 231 Mr. H. Blandford of the Canadian Hydrographic Service and Mr. P. Jamison of the U.S. Hydrographic Office spent their time ashore trying to move down the Banks Island coast to make an accurate survey for the improvement of the Prince of Wales charts. They had 'cweasel trouble -it seems those versatile vehicles cannot stand up in the Banks Island mud. HMCS LABRADOR providedc helicopter support for this party toward the end of the season and only foggy weather prevented them from completing their tas . Mr. J. S. Hogenson and Mr. T. Hillman were in charge of the mass of hydrographic data the ship gathered during the summer. During the coming winter they will process the material in Washington and prepare the fair charts which will sum- marize the miles of soundings made by the BURTON ISLAND. Frequently the ship would stop for an oceanographic station. Then Dr. Willis Tressler and Mr. B. Swanson of the U.S. Hydrographic Office and Mr. J. A. Strickland of the Pacific Oceanographic Group, Canada, would collect water samples, read thermometers and stuff sticky bottom samples into bags. Their findings will be studied at Nanaimo, B. C., this winter and from their studies should come a better understanding of the movement of ice in the Beaufort Sea. As often as possible, Mr. P. Jamison was flown ashore to take a gravity measurement. His delicate instrument could detect the variation in the ea.rth's gravity field as the ship moved from one locality to another. t ' ,Q Q. 5712 . ff , kgsxf ., gk u if , , 'M e 3 1 P- W . M 6 AAN? ,- It 14 fi U., U I , H 4 f,5j!f1 ffyf, , ,, ,, , fweva, , , 717 iff Aw The Brain Trust fX N-...J . EPI Station Dr. Comeron Big Horv The summer expedition of 1954 represents a fitting climax to the five years of continuous research in the Beaufort Sea. Not only was the most formidable task-the exploration of McClure Strait-completed successfully, but important gaps in the explorations of previous years were closed. The USS BURTON ISLAND has added hundreds of thousands of square miles of sounded Arctic waters to navigational charts, she has thoroughly investigated the western portion of the deep water North- west Passage, her oceanographic observations describe the movement and character of the waters of the Beaufort Sea. Heir scientific accomplishments are those of which she can well be proud. Yr 2 DEALY ISLAND Dealy Island is located at 74O58' toward the eastern part of Melville Island fsee chart on page 501. Dealy Island figures in Canadian Arctic history, there are two points of interest, a monument and a house. The monument is a pyramidal heap of stones situated on the highest part of the island. It forms an unmistakable landmark for twenty miles or more on a clear day. Within the crevices of the rock that form the monument a tin can and a glass jar containing copies of records of those who visited the cairn since its building by Captain Kellett in 1853. Kellett, like McClure, was a part of the search organized to find the uintrepid Arctic exploreri' Sir John Franklin. The house is located near the beach on the southern side of the .island, directly below the monument. It was never used as a dwelling but was built as a storehouse to contain provisions for Hsixty-six men for two hundred and eighty-eight daysfi In- side is a tumbled mass of barrels, coal, rusty cans of preserved meat, remains of blue sweaters, boots, tent poles, bottles, and other materials which one would expect to find in an Arctic storehouse. At the far end are two or thfree large riveted iron containers which have been broken open and which contain oblong tin cans, paper covered and filled with such items as Nor- mandy Pippinsn, and other preserved foods. The whole display is now in what might be called a mess, but as late as Stefans- son's visit in 1917, between one-third and one-half of the food and clothing were still in usable condition, while mittens, sweaters, pea ackets, currants, and some other items were as good as new. Toward the east of the house and about one thousand yards away were three marked graves of men who died during the winter of 1852-53, members of Kellett's crew of the BESOLUTE. Although just one hundred years have passed since the death of these men, the lettering on the crosses marking their graves was still visible. Prior to the BURTON ISLAND's visit the island more recently was visited by the iceblreakers USS ATKA in August, 1951, and the USS EDISTO in August, 1952. Both these ships approached the island from the east and not from across McClure Strait from the south. The ATKA carried the 70 tons of prefabricated building material and the 200 drums of Arctic diesel oil to the Bridport Peninsula, where it was contemplated a weather station would be established. All of this equipment has just been rusticating along the sholre of the Bridport Peninsula since then because the idea of a weather station was abandoned. This summer the oil barrels were loaded into the LCVP and then onto the fantail of the BURTON ISLAND. The drums were subse- quently unloaded at Cape Kellett on Banks Island. The First Division needs no reminder of this arduous task, the barrels were loaded on a 'round the clock schedule. Q- The LCVP wos used extensively for . . . l V ' x 1 f sick 8.35154 -Q Awoy the motor wholeboot Q- ' Transporting the diesel oil off Chief Yggkly was useful in Deoly lslond. the somerole. -Q' The bridge slightly iced over. gbhw wwwwmw, if Q This kind of ice presents no problem. Q5 3999 C' The pride of Rogue River. dwwt my 4,-ws-0 A ---- r its L Meng 'f My Q With complete ice coveroge os pic- tured obove, the ship con expect rough going. Best to send the HUP to scout for possible Ieods. ' , 0 Q., f ,, ,, ,A , ,. .f ,, , 'H , f ' M ,N 7,2 W,,,M,, ,, ,, . I I W, . MEETING THE LABRADOR While the BURTON ISLAND waited at Bridport Inlet and loaded the diesel oil, the Canadian icebreaker LABRADOR drew steadily closer. ' Finally the LABRADOR appeared from the east. For the first time in history the Northwest Passage had been completed in one season by major ships. Here at Bridport Inlet, Melville Island, the Canadian icebreaker from the Atlantic joined the American icebreaker from the Pacihc. Together, they proceeded to rendezvous with the NORTHWIND so that the three ships might conduct further work in Prince of Wales Strait. ' A few days 'later the BURTON ISLAND crew hadla chance to board. the LABRADOR for ea closer look when all three ice- breakers tied up alongside one another. The LABRADOR has a cargo hold in place of the 5 gun turret found on the Ameri- can icebreakers of the 4'Wind class. The BURTON ISLAND oHicers were well entertained in the LABRADOR walrdroomg the conversation invariably returned to the favorite topic of the LABRADOR oflicers, namely the LABRADOR. However, their pride was justifiable since the LABRADOR had just been commissioned and was meeting all their expectations of her. One fea- ture that was of particular interest was the -stabilizing planes th at the Canadian ship uses in open water to reduce the usual heavy rolling to a minimum. The arrival of the LABRADOR at least added interest to the routine dispatches between the three ships. While the NORTHWIND and the BURTON ISLAND were operating to the north of the LABRADOR, the Canadian ship sent a dispatch that read, Fourth Chapter Song of Solomon Verse Sixteen First Sentencen. Translated it read, '6Awake, O NORTHWIND, come thou south . Later, after completing a rendezvous, the BURTON ISLAND picked up the lead and sent dispatch, '4Proverbs 7:l5 . Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee . On 5 September 1954. -Z Amifwf-wi WZ sf? f, 'rf fa '7 5, .1 , , :M Z - 4-tt We V' ,S:4x nx4.f:.ff ' Q X, 7 1,235.55 qi., fy A- 1, f,.,.,,. ,,fZ asf ,X ,sf fp ,X-geihffs ff : 4 W fn? V' F f, 'L .9'Ks ,lw?' . ' - - . eedvkx 'fff -'f -1 MW efaesgff 'ri . 3 . Y .3 5, Q. Zyiii Wee amen? mwsfmme me 3 4 n 'wgmgivl 2 QQ J M a t Xe V3 'V 1 s . A X, .. QM, , , 'ewes-, xx X? N, oxq Q, be f' ,. Q:-V ,.- Q I If K XQNWS . X .. ,. , ,Mig JA: WT., X ,Q X X X Q X X K cb X A .W . Q , Ag es 1 Q A i il e2 ee t p J, ' M' 5 'G Dr. Gobor testing the woter. WATER suPPl.Y CRITICAL A common shipboard problem is that of distilling enough fresh water daily to meet the needs of the ship. Not only is fresh water in demand for drinking, but the galley, laundry, showers, and lastly the photo shop, also make heavy inroads into the water supply. Another source of demand is water for heating the ship. When more water is being consumed daily than is being pro- duced by the boilers, then the Engineering Officer militates for a save-water campaign. Vifhen the crew and officers do not respond to his satisfaction, then other methods are used. Durin a shortage on the' Summer Cruise half the crew complained bitterly when awater hours , a careful regulation of the time that water is available, were insti- tuted. The next move was to go off water hours, but in its place there was no heat during the night. Now, the other half of the crew complained, so, on alternate days, we were first cold and then thirsty. On 5 September the BURTON ISLAND elected to seek fresh water from a unique source. She resorted to a practice once common to the old whaling ships by pump- ing water from extensive melted puddles formed on top of polar Hoes. Through the years the salt crystals had settled from the old ice so that the puddles were salt-free and potable. Thirty-nine thousand gallons of water were pumped aboard by means of the emergency fire pumps, and the water shortage problem was solved. U 1 'UDT workingf'. Mail pick-upigeor. ff -Q L,-af'M ' -Q. Pumping the woter on board Q More UDT tricks 1 xxx N u 3 Q .x R . ,,. Q i y 5 uk X 2 l 5 N x EGSLINTON ' Q g X X ' X ff IBLHND 'X R 1 -I , Y S K H T 30 + T P1XELVllA LE HWSLH Y il lx 3 q l h xx 1 X X EN .awvpfang , 1 Casisw ' ' f 1 TQ o 44- X X C1 K , x Y 5 f7 . + ,f WF' ws.-ND O0 3 , - . ' www- 195 S Q X 9959 'J 'auf' XX so X 0. 7596, 3 Q J 3 , F, ' , ..,, . ' ' ll 4 X Q 1 H -, 30' f f M Q HUGQ H Xl 25- X ' 4 - all , 7 ul?-HUB' I ' i -. 534 69' ' U 59 ff l , P W.. 55 , 0 f fi 1 T vnsusoum MEu.vn.p.E . 609' . 'WJG' '-X SOUN ,xi N, V x x I BHNKS ISLHND ' lfaenue. ax ' I osonuc. A ', I , A 'mf 30' ' ' K. x X Joan Russell ' EP a x P0lNT 4?,4 Ry . X I ' 3l . 1, X H - '39, F - ' If , . . S BRD ' . u 5 , nzuqe. Bgg::lTN X xxx B 5 5 Racunao , p X x PRINGES Rovm COLLINSQN Y ' X nskmno VlOf'DRIH ,pNLET X X . 'N R mx ,dp MY -llu 'ix' ISLHND X ,,,. + f 4' W 0 13 .6, 7 .1 .3 X 4,522 0 U Q-Q ink, X Q 6 x H 'H' I5 u -, l, N. CMS U55 BLURTON ISELH NDx cneem Q59 O2 oboe HU .10 TC? osoo' SEP. IXQSH g' Q T f 4' , .'TlONS xf NOG 3 ue' na' nf H6o A HSQ ll'-Ii H31 mix nl' no' 10-9.x m, ?+d,4-, , A ' HOMEWARD BOUND W-A, V f . MMV, I A x V ,, ..,. fx W -xx A W H-X NJA! .qw K- ,a., . - x , 's x ,Imam Q, . - 1-.Msg s. K 5 L , ' , Q. 1, ,X w f A x ,,s.,., ,xl ,,,.v.4 ,.: Q NIL ' - m if-. . , , 1, , ,, .x. '- , Sf 36 '4 wg 'f Vim, --:Jaws I , v , V, , twfiffxii, V ww.. ., 'ff .M '7 ', sg ff , Mfwf' 5-fl. ' 0 in -. V gy 'f V -agp xmlw ,QA L Y .ff iv l,'w X' . ,.'f, ' W K 341 ,K -N M, V sk- ,,.n Yfwyx ,a 'V xv,,'H, 'f ,fs-yi-h.K.w,yA, yrs ,, ,Vg 1 ,, M4 ,ffm 1 fs -'f ' rw: xxx Q, I, 5,1 -, 4 Z 'fm ww Hg, G 2 f wixrfh gk 7? ' ' N' 5, 4 A , .VM MQW A f V' ' ,, 4k,,x':,,,' QR 5 1 K ASAUV' u ' w. 4 +.m.L,, I x :fffx, ' gk nun.N , Em 1 V f , X .f If ff N7 3 2 Q , 'L A as W 'Ns 1 E15 November 1954 ' ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1 ' ' The following men either wrote articles directly for the cruise book or wrote articles for some other purpose that in- Q directly found their way into the cruise book. a Dr. WELQ Tressler - Dealy Island E E Dr. W.M. Cameron - Scientific Work a r Lt. J.A. Jandrall - Northwest Passage History Lt. R.F. Gobar CMCJ - Arctic Wildlife JQDQ ' , K . Lt, W. Detrick - cruise book layout t The cruise book would have been impossible from the be- - ,-.,., ginning without the assistance of two groups.. ., Pacific Fleet combat camera Group cUt111ty squadron sevenb ,A BURTON ISLAND photographers, past and present y Thanks are also due the supply office personnel, who helped keep the finances straight, ,' ' 1 y H.C.Carr, Editor fr, 1954, by The New York Times Company. ' ' Eqggmigcggg-gig? SATURDAY, AUGUST -28, 1954. 1 rimegdsgm-Lfygaggggasglofk Y. Uf S. Ships Sail Northwest Passage, I cebreakers Navigate ' QQ 5 'A Kay McClure Strait ,,,. , ,, ' t i ' forFnsf1vme aaaaaaeaaaaaaaaii AAA AA AAAAAAAAAAAA gafaefi gii AA aaesagaaraeearaeeaat ibgaeusea ant 1 Waiel'S of By ELIE ABEL ,ggi gzl: ,151 .':f:f:2 szifgqiggigzggg f4f-2 r1'f: Q Q, is 1-1: ' and lhe Pacific. Special to The New York Times. I 9? CANA A I' 15:25. made it while conducting WASHINGTON, AUS- 27-Two' IQAAWD 3 ue! survey of the strategic region. United States icebreakers have' b Zii S' Q forged the final, stubborn link in BANKJI. - 11, H 5 fifll 5 Q' ' '11,ul,, tho NorthWoStPaSSago across the :1.A.A -121 2 1f-- -'v1: 2 fs :,:.4. ..... at i L 5 V' K5'v ' W' Cciicdicii Arctic- 1 :: Zfll :,.1.U DEV fn? ' i The goal Of a Short, navigable . :AA 1 :': 1 1 1:: i Water route between the Atlantic ': 1:1 V223 -:,:1:.:1 fezlf ':'W om 1 and thc Pacific has iiiicfi and 4 ----ta i i ' 'iii 'E Q 'i 5 ' mcckcd cxpicccfs for fivc ccii' ct ' 5-lv' 'l:iZ ,lr . tunes' It Was iii Search of this X ' Q iif f'i: i , Q iiiiii Strait of Aman that Henry X, 'W iii' 'zil : :.z,: ..,.,.,., HUCISOII, Martin Frobisher and Qcbcx ' c U' iii, .,.,::::::,:::1:::::: other navigators sailed into the lxxxx Vqz' QL '1 t': 2 g 1'1- Arctic, where they discovered. C '2Qf-- -P U inudson Bay and Frobisher sound, - , 'Q 5 ,.,1 :,, I but failed to reach the Sea of C. A 1,1 ID5 N i the Wcstf' r,:i 22?2Qei15:ti.ii ': '4 --a- ' 0 Although the Canadian ice- J V V1,11 ...r:.V..,..,.1. ' ....,.... r.......- ,. cg -.4:-..1-.-..1-1-.,:r:,. . . -.-,..........,...,.1.1.1.1.-,f .1 breaker St. Roch made the pas- Tholtew York Timer ' Au:.28.1954 sage in 1941 and again in 1944, McClure Strait, through which ships passed Ccross on map! it went through Prince of Wales . Strait on the southern 'side of land and the Coast Guard ice-lveyg in the Beaufort Sea, and i Banks Island, avoiding McClure breaker Northwind, the Navy De- McClure Strait. ' ' ---W----rf K Strait, which geographers regard partment announced today. The Burton Island, whose skip- NAVY ICEBREAKER BURTON 'SLANDU ON 'Ts Ancnc Pnabmn as the western entrance to the' The ships are on' a joint Cana- per is Comdr. Everett A. Tiickey Northwest Passage. dian - United States- expedition of Arlington, Va., smashed McClure Strait was conquered carrying scientists of both coun- through the middle of McClure for the first time this month by tries, who are conducting hydro- ' +4-' - the navy icebreaker Burton Is- graphic and oceanographic sur- Continued on P1150 3,C0ll1ll1ll7 I . r' UEN ew trim' CL P-SSW X L QE Cpfl' WON orit- SERVRON L msv PITCH N9 f CGX NPV A o7 1 X r.,. 1 N u , .,u-55, GCP-N9 c . , A N09 A I 1 1 n MN - QCLT 9589 A . fm... ciiicp ,non xstrrii I BU A6106 P I x XN GOV V ' NATC 5 Pe SF-VN 9552 y-119 info: 5 59 EQBS A 1 on HP' QXON Acti- EQXTX 'UC I WCP roar SEP' dp E or wyoiiii has we uoaiti 1 C AU UVB E F or BE 1C CP' QF 'W paooaiss ,L we views we mxm,S xurttesx new QHAPTER To one 5 D GLOPXXOU ,renew new-' ...atv- trii N05 A X Ivy Rendezvous: Icebound McClure Strait, in the Canzldiun Arct 9,1 GP-- Q ognized by geogruphers as the western entrance of the Northwest P2 W N which lured and mocked explorers for five centuries, has been truv ' Where nuvigators like Henry Hudson and Martin Frobisher failed, Dr-Ti '11 QA My