| Point Barrow Resupply Expedition of 1952
As recalled by Al Askew over 50 years later On the way north for the Point Barrow Resupply Expedition of 1952, a stop off point was Tin City, Alaska. Since there were no docks there, we were to beach the ship in order to load/unload. It so happened that when we arrived, there were some “Army” LST’s beached where we were supposed to beach, so after consultation with our Navigator over a bunch of charts, the Captain decided to choose another spot to beach the ship, rather than wait. Before getting fully beached however, it was apparent that we were in trouble. It turned out that the spot chosen had a very large “uncharted” underwater rock there. The boiler room was flooding, and the water couldn’t be stopped. At first the crew couldn’t get P500 or Handy-Billy pumps to work in order to pump out the boiler room, but later did finally get a few of them to work. We were in company with a few other LST’s which had Navy UDT teams aboard, so they were utilized to swim down under the ship and down into the boiler room to survey the damage. Hearsay has it that the hole was about 1 foot by 4 feet in size. High tide attempts were made by the other LSTS to pull the 1126 off the beach, but it took several attempts to finally get the job done. In the meantime, planning was done to have the material (pillows and mattresses) ready to stuff into the hole to try to slow the water. Pillows and mattresses WERE used and somewhat secured into the hole, and sufficed for the remainder of the trip north to Point Barrow, and all the way back to the shipyards in Bremerton. Pumps were running constantly to pump the water overboard for a period of approximately 40 days. Needless to say, there was no heat for the ship’s quarters, nor was there any hot water for all that time. And since the ship’s fresh water evaporators were located in the boiler room and consequently disabled, we didn’t have any fresh water to spare. Salt water showers were the norm. We were not even able to get a hot meal and we definitely got our fill of cold-cuts and oranges/apples during that period. Showers using ice cold salt water were not very appealing, and talk about the stench! Out of self defense we had to keep our distance from other shipmates for quite some time. And no one was recognizable towards the end, because of the beard growth. The entire experience was not very enjoyable, but it certainly stood out as one of the highlights of my time in the Navy. In spite of all this trouble and the inconveniences, WE DID GET THE JOB DONE! This fits right in with the heading of this ships history "Answering the call and getting the job done every time" when called during the ship's 25 year history of continous Naval service. (ccb) |
| LST 1126 The Artic Adventure Point Barrow, Alaska |
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| The idea was to set up a supply depot of sorts in the area. Of course, Point Barrow was as far north in Alaska as you could get, so it was picked as a spot. The LST 1126 made four (4) trips to the area delivering fuel, oil, gas, and materials of all sorts including machinery and food. The trips were made along with ice breaker ships to ensure a clear the way. Once in the area, the workload really began. There were shifts of 6 hours on and 6 off for days to get the items delivered so the ships could head home before being completely blocked in by ice. When delivering fuel oil, the ship would tie up along side of a tanker and load up with all it could hold. Then it would go in to port and discharge the load. On some trips the load of oil was in barrells lashed to the main and tank decks. A number of LST's were in the group and they each did their job. I have spoken to four shipmates of the LST 1126 who were on the ship during these Alaska Resupply Runs. The first run I have information on was made in 1948. Others were made in 1949, 1951, and 1952 and I have documentation of those runs. I have items furnished to me by Dick Jackson who was on the 1126 during 1951-1952. Another shipmate, Dave Bellmard, has some photos , postcards, and clippings about his Alaskan trips in 1948 and 1949 which will be forwarded to me for the website. As they arrive they will be published. On the last tour to Point Barrow in 1952, the LST 1126 sustained some pretty extensive damages from rocks while beaching. No hot water or heat was available for while they were in Alaska. At a stop in Bremerton, Washington repairs were made amd the ship proceeded on to the Marshall Islands. Read about the trip below. |
| Cold Storage didn't seem to be a problem for items needing refrigeration |
| With the help of icebreakers the LST's were confident they would be able to make it there and back without being frozen in. Well, that's what they were told by the Navy!! |
| It wasn't easy for the equipment to move around in Alaska either. |
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| General Description of Sanitation Facilities at Point Barrow, Alaska. Water is derived from a dam on Isatkoak Lagoon and is stored in a tank. Most residents have piped water, but nearly one-half use honey buckets for sewage disposal. Funds have been requested to serve remaining houses and to construct a second water reservoir. The member-owned Barrow Utilities & Electric Cooperative operates the water and sewage treatment plants, generates and distributes electric power, and distributes piped natural gas for home heating. The North Slope Borough provides all other utilities. Refuse collection services are provided by the North Slope Borough. The Barrow Power Plant is fueled by natural gas. Point Barrow North Slope Census Area Population in 2000: 4,581 White: 1,000 Alaska Native or Amer. Indian: 2,620 Black: 46 Asian: 431 Hawaiian Native: 62 Other Race: 32 Two or More Races: 390 Percent Native*: 64.00% |
| Apparently looking for the most northern place to sail, of course they selected Point Barrow, Alaska. No ships were more appropriate for this type of task than a LST |
Checking out the statistics of the area of Point Barrow, Alaska and comparing the conditions to the LST 1126 after it sustanined damages, one might think the citizens of Point Barrow had the better end of it. At least they could get hot meals and take warm baths in fresh water. |
| Here's the LST 1126 sitting dead in the water after running aground on a sand bar. The ship had just received repairs in a Bremerton dry dock for damages sustained in Alaska. The ship was on a shakedown cruise testing the repairs made. (1952) (Photo R. Buchanan) |
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| Here's the LST 1126 loaded with telephone poles, and Boston Whaler boats enroute to Point Barrow, Alsaka in 1951 |
No extra pay for this very chilly tour of duty, but they did give out certificates for you when you crossed the Artic Circle. Don't that warm the cockles of your heart!! These two certificates on the left weres given to Dick Jackson for his tours in 1951 and 1952 |
| Photo furnished by Dick Jackson |
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