SPRING CRUISE OF THE.CLOVER
Greetings, friends, in far off Adak. We have been gone one week at this writing
but only progressed as far as Dutch Harbor. However, this week has been so inters
esting that I thought I would let you know about it ^before we returned.
We left Adak at 2036,.Monday, 16 April, and had on board as working passengers
the following U.S. Marines: LCPL Terrence L. Stewart, PFC Michael A, Herrera, PFC
Lawrence J. Manhart, PFC Harry W. Nigh, PFC Kenneth N. Opp*
Tuesday morning at 0600 we were off North Cape Lt., Atka Island and the Aids to
Navigation (A to N) party went ashore. When it returned one of the Marines was
heard to remark, "Adak was never like this."
We reached Seguam Island at 1430, but couldn*t make 'a landing. Since we had
received word that the CGC BITTERSWEET had reached Dutch Harbor, and we were to
rendezvous, we by-passed two other lights, and continued on. Seas had gotte“n
progressively worse and the wind was 32-38 mph out of the northwest.
At 1322 Wednesday we moored alongside the BITTERSWEET, which is based at Kodiak.
Cargo and a replacement lighted buoy were transferred to us, and spare buoys which
were to be returned to CG Base, Ketchikan, were given' to it.
Weather prevented any A to N work Thursday, the 19th, but at 0943 we received
mword that a ranch hand at the sheep ranch at Chernofski Harbor, Unalaska Island
had been badly injured in a ’fall from a horse. At 1210 we were underway, and
anchored in Mutton Cove at 2035. David Stirewalt, HM2, was immediately sent ashore
and reported the man, Dick McRoberts, did not appear .to have a broken back, as
first feared, but undoubtedly had serious internal injuries. He was brought aboard
& we departed for Umnak Island where Reeves has an emergency landing strip and a
Coast Guard aircraft landed there and the patient was soon on his way to Anchorage.
At noon we started back to Dutch Harbor taking the longer route around the south
side of Unalaska is. to take advantage of the lee. It was well we did for at 1350
we were directed to proceed to Reaver Inlet on the southeast end of the island to
take the FyV Laredo in tow. It had an engine casualty and the F/V Miss Jean had
towed it that far to a safe refuge and stoodby until our arrival. After we anchor
ed the Miss Jean brough the Laredo alongside,and we trailed it astern until day
break. The Laredo was a 75* Halibut Seiner of Canadian registry, at 0630 Saturday
we were underway, the Laredo rode the towline very well and at 1237 we moored to
the Standard Oil dock at Dutch Harbor. After manhauling the Laredo to a safe moor
^ing we shifted berth to Ballyhoo Dock. Since the Laredo was Canadian it was necess
^ary to obtain permission of COMALSEAFRON to enter Dutch Harbor.
Easter Sunday dawned bright and clear, with a slight breeze, so we were underway
at 0800 and worked Iliuliuk Harbor South' Channel buoys 2, 3, 4, & 5 and Iliuliuk
Reef LE 2. At 1444 we had Iliuliuk Bay Entrance LEE2 on board.and went to Ulakta
Head Lt. to drop off an A to N party while we worked the buoy on deck. When the
A to N party went ashore at 1547 they reported a man was shouting it them'from •
the cliff above. It developed later it was George Krestnick, a Canadian crewman
from the Laredo. He had decided, to go beachcombing' and thought he could climb the
cliff, which was 850* high. He got halfway up and' found he could not go up or
down.
We immediately returned to Dutch Harbor* Fortunately there was a road to the
top of the cliff froni World War II, so at 1730 a party of 6 Clover crewmen and
4 Canadians was taken to the top. in a Standard Oil Company truck. They reached
the scene at 1805, Paul Morin, ENC3-P1, was lowered by rope to .the man and.both
brought up together at 1844. Although none the worse for his experience, Krestnick
stated he had learned his lesson and would not go climbing alone again. Vi/hen the
rescue pa'rty returned we got underway a.nd replaced the buoy on station, then moored
at Jallyheo Dock,
I imagine the CLOVER is the only ship that ever rescued a mountain climber. Just
another service of your friendly Coast Guard. , !
* LCDR BATDORF, Commanding Officer
-iX9€G CLOVER