Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-22

CONTINUED From Third Pase.)
Of the Coast Guard cutter ALGONQUIN.
had to do with the air voyage of the
four United States Army flyers in the
first world flight ever attempted. We
were ordered to Unalaska to speed
them on their way
Forty-eight hours after our arrival at
Unalaska word was received by radio
that Maj. Frederick l.. Martin, fight
commander had made a forced land
ing at small hamlet in Portage Bay,
which was about 500 miles east of us
It was the middle of April and very
cold in this region. The other three
planes had continued on to Chignic.
The thoroughness of the Army Air
Service was brought to my attention at
this moment. Everything necessary to
help Martin had been shipped to Una
laska, and TO many other isolated parts
of Alaska as we'll
In two hours we had taken on board
Q new Liberty engine, 400 gallons OF
gasoline and 10 boxes of accessories and
were steaming under forced draught to
Martins assistance. For 400 miles we
plowed through a thick Alaskan snow
storm. It was impossible to see 500
yards ahead. I heard the breakers not
far to port as we passed Unga and
changed our course just in time to save
all hands from cold swim. Martins
exact position was not known-he
might be drifting seward for all we
knew, so we encouraged the machinery
In the Algonquin onward to his aid
After SO hours of fighting these try
ing elements we found the unfortunate
aviator's plane in a small creek lead
ing into Portage Bay. an open harbor
to the sea If there ever was one. The
thermometer was lowering just above
zero, and the plane was frozen solid in
the creek. In addition, a northwest
gale was blowing.
Blow Torches Needed.
Four of my officers and men were
aviators or aviators mechanics. They
helped Martin and his mechanic
Harvey install the new Liberty engine
and get the gasoline on board. Blow
torches had to be used to thaw things
out. 1t took flve days to get the motor
started in this freezing climate, but
when 1t finally did sputter and then
start three cheers went up.
Then came the battle to get Martins
plane down to open water. BY pulling,
chopping away the banks of the creek
to let the wings go by, melting the ice
and snow, dragging and enlisting the
forces Of tractor we finally got Mar
III 3 plane IN pOSlLlOn.
He took of and circled around the
ship until he had altitude enough to
cross the mountains. A binding snow
storm came over the Alaskan Peninsula
almost Immediately and he was lost to
view in less time than 1t takes to tell
the story. Westbound he few, heading
for Chignic. never thought we would
see him again.
Behind him the cutter steamed full
speed through the blizzard blowing her
whistle so that If Martin had to make
another forced landing he would know
that we were coming to his assistance.
Nerve, good Judgment and great flying
ability brought him safely into Chignic
Harbor. We arrived few hours after
him and offered our congratulations
After spending three days tuning up his
plane We left him and went half way
back TO ~Unalaska 70 report by radio
when he passed us. He never did, for
that day he crashed against a noun
tain in second binding snowstorm.
Nelson, Smith and Wade continued
around the world to make history for
this country. Martin, when offered a
new plane TO join them in Europe. said:
NO. They deserve the credit" He
was one Of the braveSt men within my
memory.
few years ago she was on her
Arctic cruise, when word came that a
vhaler was crushed in the ice. She
immediately set out to give assistance.
The whalers crew travelled over the
noes OF ice, and at the edge of the pack
they found the Bear. They were taken
on board in starving condition. In
relating their experiences they said they
had been reduced to the necessity of
eating their boots. While Alaskan boots
are made out Of walrus hide, the strings
or lactngs are made from a different
animal. And the mate surprised us by
saying: You know captain, them boots
was mighty tough eating, but the
strings, they was darn good grub"
Preserve Law and Order.
Year after year this famous old
heroine has preserved law and order
above the Arctic Circle.
Each Spring all of the Eskinos living
on King Island, In the Bering Sea, mi
CRATE to Nome in large skin boats,
where they spend the Summer months.
IN the Fall the Bear takes these several
hundred people home King Island is
Iocateo Just south Of the Boring Straits
and is rock not unlike Gibraltar. One
oIten wonders why these people con-
tlnue to live on this little isolated island.
The answer is simple: The Arctic ice
comes down to them In the late Fail.
bringing the walrus seal, duck and polar
bears TO their very doors.
When the Bear arrives at Cape Prince
OF Wales each year, it is the custom of
the United States Bureau of Education
teacher there to hoist the American flag,
One year no flag was flying; trouble
was IN the ofing. The chief came out
to the ship and explained that for some
time bad feeling had existed between
the school teacher and three young Es-
KINDS. One day they shot him. The
captain instructed the chief to bring
these three men on board Two DAYS
later the chief came alongside in a skin
boat and delivered the three offenders
bodies. Yes, the Bear stands for law
and order in the Far North.
Few Of US know anything at all about
the Alaskan native. and still fewer
realize the great love he has for his
deceased parents; so I must tell YOU
Of the eruption a few years ago of
Mount Katmai. on the Alaskan PENN
sula. It's ashes completely covered an
indian village at its base cutter
from Unalaska was rushed to the scene