SUMMER *61 CRUISE OF THE CLOVER (CONCLUSION)
Enroute to Cape Prince of Wales we could see the.Diomede Islands, one of which is
U.S. and the other Russian. We arrived at 0645, serviced the light, and departed
for'Shishmaref at 0920. We anchored off the village at 1545. It was necessary to
tow 12 ’drums of fuel ashore for the Eskimo lamplighter. Here we have a unique sit
uation where the lamplighter keeps the batteries in his house to keep them from
freezing, and we furnish the fuel to keep the house warm. Next year the light is
being moved to the top of the community building, and the fuel will no longer be
required.
At 1916 we were underway again, and at 2140 crossed the Arctic Circle, the 1st of
4 times. Since we were busy working, appropriate ceremonies were postponed until
a later date. At 2258 we anchored off Northwest Corner Light. After servicing we
were underway again at 0148, Sunday.
At 0410 we anchored again, this time to service Cape Espenberg Light. When it was
completed at 0635 , we set course for Cape Deceit Light. Arriving there at 0915 the^^,
ship drifted offshore until 1140 when the job was completed. We anchored off Kiwal^^
Ik at 1325 while Ensign Larson took a small boat to inspect the river entrance buoys
When he returned at 1523 we got underway for Cape Blossom Light. An A to N party
was dropped off there at 1855 and we continued on to Kotzebue to inspect the entran
ce buoys there. Upon arriving at 2000 v/e could see the buoys through binoculars, sc
returned to Cape Blossom and picked up the A*to N party at 2127.
We had now completed our northern-most aids, so set sail for home. At 1303,Monda'
24 July, we crossed the International Date Line entering the Realm of the Golden
Dragon and recrossed it five minutes later. Since my birthday is 25 July, I am
probably one of the few persons who was able. to. celebrate it legally on two consec
utive days.
We were unable to follow a direct route home, however, as received a message trom
CCGD17 directing us to investigate a sunken barge marked by a drum buoy in Port Clar
ence. We anchored at 1856, and after determine that it was not a menace to navigat
ion, got underway again at 2048.
At 1300, Tuesday, 25 July, we observed our crossing the line ceremonies.All Blue .
Noses were brought before the Royal.Court of Boreas, and charged with fancied offen
ses, among them the Captain’s contributing to the delinquency■of the crew by grant
ing liberty in Nome. Automatically found guilty without a trial, appropriate sent
ences were awarded, followed by an initiation climaxed with a wetting down by the
buoy deck fire hose. The Marines remained true to the Corps, and refused to admit
the Coast Guard was a better service, thereby receiving a tour of close order drill
on the buoy deck as their reward. Everyone entered in to the spirit of the occasior
good naturedly, and there were no casualties among the new Polar Bears.
At 2345 we anchored off Cape Mohican Light, Nunivak Island, since we were wdown
'’south” again, we had to wait until 0315 to send the work party ashore.. When it
returned at 0615 we were underway for Adak, where we arrived at 0935 Friday, 28 Jul
The Officers and crew would like to thank the Officers* Wives Club who very gener
ously provided us with fresh baked deserts for the early part of our trip. In add
ition, they prepared twenty two boxes of clothing, which we distributed to variou
Eskimo villages.
Since our last report the following men have reported on boards CHBOSN (W-3 )
Raymond R. THIELE, SA Gerald D. EDGAR,. The following_have departed? CHBOSN (W-3)
Earl H. MCDONALD to Base, Seattle, QM1 Lawrence R. FOOSNE.SS to CCGD13 fasdu, SN
Francisco M. REYNA, to CCGD2-fasdu, SNBM Ray W. BRANNEN to CCGD7 fasdu. We would
like to welcome Henrietta Saunders, wife of Sauders, EMC and their children,^Ernest
15 and Johnny 6, who arrived on Reeves 7 July. Also, Lila Simcoe, wife of Simcoe,
EN1, ^nd their children Sally 7, Robert Jr., 5, and Richard 4, who arrived on the
same flight.
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