The
Clyde River Fire
by Mike Morgan
From News on the DOT 1953
Arctic
Shangri-Lah
Here I am writing from the
Shangri-Lah of Baffin Island, Clyde River. My predecessors also called it
Air-Drop Valley, why they called it that, I'm not too sure because I haven't
seen very much of anything dropping this year. We have some snow here and
a couple of diesel engines which don't seem to want to run the way the
book says they are supposed to. But outside of that, there is not too much
happening around these parts. We have the odd ship come in the spring, and
occasionally a plane lands bringing back one of our men
from medical treatment on the
outside.
The DOT personnel here
consists of the following: Sidney Steinhor R/S. Gerry Wood R/S, Vic Lundin R/S,
Johnny Rogo OIC Radio, Glen Haggerty Radio Op., and Mike Morgan (also known as
Forty Watt Morgan) OIC. The three Americans are as follows: A/IC Roy
Cash, A/2C Doug Xiques, and A/2C Pete Lamberty. We are very happy to say that
we are in possession of the best cook on Baffin Island, in the person of Frank
Bongard.
Incidentally in the
previous paragraph we remarked that there was very little excitement here, but we
neglected to mention that we did have a building burn down, but it was only the
main living quarters. For the interest of the readers of
the DOT News, the fire in the
main living quarters, was first discovered at approximately 5
PM on Feb. 14th, when
the lights in the radio building adjoining went out. The living quarters consisted
of four bedrooms, bath and living-room, also a small radio store room. The
living-room contained the library, radio-phonograph and recreational
equipment.
The fire had made good
progress when discovered and all fire extinguishers on the station were brought
into use. At the time of the fire the wind was blowing from the west, thus blowing
the smoke and flames away from the radio building. Attempts were made to get
into the burning building, but smoke prevented this, and extinguishers were used
from outside the living-room windows. When the men were unable to put out the
fire, they began tearing down the connecting passageway between the main living
quarters and the radio building. Snow drifts piled up
against this passageway made this
difficult and very little progress had been made when the wind shifted to the
south threatening the radio building. Attempts to wreck
the passageway were abandoned,
and the men began removing the equipment out of the radio office, and
anything which could possibly be saved.
After most of the equipment
had been removed, the wind again shifted to the west permitting the men to
recommence tearing down the passageway. This was finally
accomplished.
The three Americans worked
very hard with the DOT men, and at one period of their efforts,ammunition
began exploding in the burning building making their task more hazardous. At
approximately seven o'clock the roof caved in, and about four or five the next
morning danger of flying sparks to the adjoining radio building was
passed.
The men were completely
exhausted and the Clyde River brigade of fire fighters trooped single file to the
Hudson Bay Co. to enjoy, (half heartedly) a swell breakfast
of
ham and
eggs. The personal belongings and arctic gear of Vic Lundin,
Frank Bongaid, Glen Haggerty and
Johnny Rogo, were completely lost, except for the clothes they had been
wearing at that time.
An R.C.A.F. emergency plane
arrived here March4, bringing in much needed bedding and clothing for
the above four men. Temporary sleeping quarters have been arranged in the
American barracks, until mare suitable living quarters can
be built. Contributions of
clothing, co-operation in fighting the fire, and full efforts
in normal operations on being
resumed, by three Americans here, were greatly appreciated by all concerned.
Our roving reporter for the
Clyde River Tropical Tribune sums up his report as follows: quote, On Feb. 14
last, our station was the centre of a special phenomena seldom recorded in these
parts - an isolated heat wave. It was centered in the living quarters adjoining
the kitchen and radio room. So great was the excitement that the antics of the
weather men, dashing around to observe it invoked the time worn comment of some Eskimo
wag "Ikki too nonnee" which being literally translated means "where the
L is the fire". The wit was more accurate than
intended as shortly
afterward all that was left standing of the living
quarters was the bathtub, and it was
teetering dangerously, but the never say die spirit of the DOT shineth through
all adversity.
Another Clyde River
resident Sydney Steinhor when queried on the disaster spoke the following
"Luckily the ration shed and kitchen were saved along with
the radio room. It can now be
reliably reported that there is no truth in the rumour
that the food is so bad here
that even the flames wouldn't touch it".
Says Vic Lundin R/S of the
catastrophe "Too bad about the house, I'll sure miss the bathtub, now there are
twelve of us and we'll have to draw lots to see who's going to use the OIC's tub
next, and nobody wants to be first because whoever's first has to use the
blowtorch to thaw out the pipes. Bathtubs are sure convenient things to have
around''.
Radio Op. Junior Haggerty
quotes "The transmitter (AT3) weighing 630 lbs survived the shock of being
tossed out the window, a tribute to the makers of the bailing wire by which it
was held together".
Jerry Wood R/S reports, "I
guess for many years to come, the Eskies will continue to whisper in awed
tones of seeing the white man hurrying, actually hurrying in broad daylight,
a phenomena equalled only by Haley's Comet or a seven horse
parley''.
OIC Mike Morgan says, "When
they were passing the radios and equipment out the office window to us, WHO,
put the can of spam in my hand?"
Operations are now back to
normal and grateful acknowledgement is extended to the Head Office and the R.
C. A. F for their prompt action regarding our needs, at a most trying time.
Sincere thanks and appreciation is also extended to Len
Brown, Manager of the H.B.C. for
the many courtesies he extended us during and after the fire.
In
closing, I would like to say that the three Americans posted here,
helped us wonderfully during and
after the fire.
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