The Wrangell sentinel., 1941-06-06
By WINIFRED WILLIAMS
Associate Editor of The Sentinel

the thin edge OF wedge, ehlselllng
steadily and relentlessly against
rugged and ages-old mountain peaks
of western Canada, progress and
civilization, begotten by war
thousands of miles distant are at
long last tearing down barriers
which since the beginning of time
have held that country remote In
less time than one likes to think
about, tall steel radio towers will
dwarf the Indians lonely teepee on
banks OF rushing, whitewater
streams and flying fOrtresses will
draw the shadow Of their wings
over valleys and gorges uncharted
and unheard of until now by white
men.
Such is the picture impressed on
the casual tourist as he pushes up
the Stikine River aboard one of the
Darlington transportation Hazel
b river boats and there is. too, be-
mind the scene, a feeling of haste
and drive entirely out of keeping
with the peaceful sIeepiness of the
country stretching languidly ahead
of the bite of the chisel's edge.
A Big Job
Watson Lake is 400 miles north
east of Wrangell, yet the only mode
of transportation reaching it for the
Canadian government is by way of
Vancouver and Wrangell, thence up
the Stikine TO Telegraph, over 70
miles of narrow, winding roadway
rocketing over and around steep
mountain sides to Dease Lake, 200
miles over Dease Lake and Dease
River to Lower Post, a speck OF
civilization in a vast, unknown
country. From Lower Post it is ap
proximately 25 miles to Watson
Lake where the Canadian Govern
ment, with the cooperation of I'm
Gle Sam, is establishing the first of
a series OF defense bases which will
later form a bulWark of protection
for Alaska S and Canadas frontier
shores
Information on, progress or what
is being done at the Watson Lake
base is hard to get. For obvious rea-
sons, although entirely the perfect
English gentleman, 5. {. Ellis, min
ing engineer, in charge OF much OF
the construction OF the airport, was
politely adamant when interviewed
on dimensions OF runWays, hangers
or equipment at the airport. About
all one could gather after an hours
interview was that an airport was
in progress and then was left to
surmise that where there is an air
port there probably will be planes
and hangers and the necessary shop
equipment to keep them flying and
in shape.
Minerals And Defense
A mining engineer, with the De-
partment of Mines and Resources
for Canada, Mr.. Ellis, however, is
enthusiastic over prospects which
are being uncovered in the process
OF this defense construction.
There are Indications" he said,
that in the basin of the Lard
Dease Rivers there will be import
ant mineral discoveries, notably
placer and lode gold. Heretofore,
responsible interests have been dis
couraged from entering the area on
account Of inadequate Transports
ton, but with improved road, water
and air facilities the picture will
De altogether altered and at long
last it will be possible to seriously
consider the development of the
country's natural resources. A sur
Yey of the northwest territories in
dictate that within the area now be-
ing opened by this Watson Lake
project vast mineral development
does not appear far-fetched."
Trying to swing conversation
back onto Watson Lake, Mr.. Ellis
admitted there were As men en-
ployed on the project. Forty at
Dease Lake, building four power
boats and IA barges, and Is at Wat
son Lake working on the airport.
By winter 1t is expected to have one
runway completed but folks around
Telegraph, who have lived in the
country all their lives, smile skep-
tically.
Transportation, The Problem
Transportation is the problem,
one old timer said. Them fellows
down in Victoria who are moving
this stuff through according to a
blueprint on their desks don't know
what they're up against. They're
building twelve-foot barges to go up
a six-foot wide river. They say,
we'll widen the river but no law
of nature is going to let you widen
the banks of river without bring
ing up the bottom and making it
too shallow for travel" He shook
his head obviously and eyed the
mounds of freight being unloaded
from the Hazel B 2. "If they finish
that base in three years they'll be
doing well. Only way can see is to
take the stuff in over the ice next
Winfor -