NEWS FROM THE CLOVER PATCH
It's been quite some time since we’ve had a trip. Just enjoying three weeks of
maintenance status and a cancelled logistic trip to Attu. However, at 2100, Mon -
day, 25 September, we got underway on our fall aids to navigation trip. The wea
ther was not in our favor - rain with strong southerly winds. We arrived ooff of
North Cape on Atka at 0600 the next morning, but were unable to make a landing,so
continued on to the the village to deliver groceries to the schoolteacher, Mr.
Slattery, and his family. This task accomplished we continued on to Seguam Is.Lt.
but again were unable to make a landing.
At 0530, Wednesday the 27th we anchored in Nikolski Bay and at 0730 the A to N .
party went ashore to recharge Anaiuliak Is.Lt..Whey they returned at 0930 we were
on our way. At 1545 off Chernofski. Harbor, we lowered away no, 3 boat with the
A to N party to recharge the light. Continuing on to Kashega Bay we anchored at .
1715 and since there was no longer any operational need for this light the lantern
was removed and the structure torn down. Since the light was oh top of a 300 foot
cliff no one mourned its passing. At 1940 we weighed anchor and returned to Chern
ofski to pick up the A to N party. While awaiting our return they had a pleasant
visit with the sheep rancher at Mailboat Cove. A
Weather conditions had been improving so we decided to by-pass Dutch Harbor foi^
the time being and proceeded on to Billings Head It. on Akun Is.,where we arrived
at 0521, Thursday. The A to N party went ashore at sunrise and when they returned
we continued on to Akutan Harbor It.,arriving at 1000. This light is in a shelt
ered location so presented no problem and we were on our way again soon after. At
120© we were at North Head It. on Akutan Is., and after the usual inspection were
on our way.
At 1850 we moored at Ballyhoo Dock, Dutch Harbor having checked Priest Rock &
Ulakta Head Its., and Iliuliuk Bay Entrance LBB#2 enroute. As soon as we had off
loaded excess buoys, sinkers, chain, & battery, racks that were being returned to
Base, Ketchikan, we got underway again, to take care of the good weather while it
lasted. At 0945, Friday the 29th we arrived at Sea Lion Rock. While the A to N
party was checking the light, camera fans got closeups of the sea lions. At 2110
the same day we anchored off Cape Seniavin. The following morning the A to N par
ty went ashore to recharge the light & the beachcombers to look for glass fishbal^^
When they returned we set course for Kuskokwim Bay anchoring there at 0200 Sunday
At 0740 a party went ashore to tear down Goodnews Bay It. This light was a ker
osene light that rio longer served an operational need. They returned at 0900 & we
proceeded up the bay to begin withdrawing buoys for the winter. By 1545 we had re
moved 3 buoys but weather conditions worsened so we anchored for the night.
At 0800 Monday, 2 October we got underway & by 1000 had picked up the last two
buoys so we set course for Ugashlk River, where we anchored at 0200 Tuesday. We
got underway at 0800, made one pass at the buoy but sea conditions were tood rough
and we anchored again. Not improving by 1245 we got underway for Egegik Bay,where
we arrived at 1600. Sea conditions were better here so we picked up the entrance
buoy and continued on to Kvichak Bay where we anchored at 1905.
At 0722, Wednesday, 4 October an A to N party departed for Telephone Point Lt.,
on the Kvichak River. The old light structure had been taken out by the ice this
spring & we did not want the same thing to happen again next year. In addition,
the light had been recommended for discontinuance,, so. we thought we might be kill
ing two birds with one stone. At 0828 another party departed for Naknek. Three
men were transferred and we were to pick up Mr. Minard Mill a representative of
the District Engineer. The A to N party returned at noon but the other party got
stranded by the low tide ( 15 foot range ) and couldn*t get back to the ship until
2115. At 2130 we weighed anchor and set course for Nushagak Bay where we anchored
at 0221, Thursday.
(Continued on page 5 )