Burton Island (AGB 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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5 X Helicopter rescue operations .1-offk T X3 '7 Zi? iifi is - fig . . . Eskimos welcome such gadgets as the outboard motor . ,I

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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