DAILY DIARY
30 RADIO DETACHMENT - CAPE BAULD, NFLD
February 12, 1943 to December 15 ,1943
12 Feb 43
Seals are beginning to show themselves near the shore, in open water on the cakes of ice. We have difficulty in anchoring our empty oil drums or finding a place where the wind will not roll them about; in fact, anything not secured very strongly is taken by the wind and eventually lands in the sea. Sometimes oil drums may be seen rolling along merrily, even up a steep grade, until they lodge themselves, are rescued or topple over the rocks into the sea. They are continually being salvaged and placed in the best places available. Temperature at 2000 hrs. +24º. Wind 20 mph clear and bright starlight night.
13 Feb 43
Weather: Temperature +14º. Wind West at 30 mph Broken clouds at 3,000 ft. Ceiling unlimited. Visibility 15. The job of laying a cement floor in the power house is in progress. Supt McKean of the Works and Buildings did not finish the job and as a loose stone floor, into which oil had gradually seeped, was a very definite fire hazard, the cement floor is absolutely necessary. Painting and cleaning up in general, is in vogue. Temperature at 1800 hrs. +8º with a very strong wind (30 mph). Temperature at 2300 hrs. +12º. Clear and bright.
14 Feb 43
Weather: Temperature +14º, wind calm. Cloudy. Visibility 10 miles; ceiling 2,000 ft. Blizzard commenced at 1415. Great caution should be exercised when contemplating trips on foot or by dog team in this particular area of Newfoundland. The weather being so erratic in winter and blizzards descend so rapidly that one could be within sight of our unit and get lost, and, consequently might end in disaster either by perishing from cold or falling over steep rocks into the sea. For instance, today, within 10 minutes from the time began to fall, ceiling and visibility were zero, all the snow coming from the air as there as no drift snow on the ground. Temp at 2200 hrs +30º.
15 Feb 43
Temperature at 0800 hrs. +31º. Clear and bright, scattered clouds. Visiblity 15+. Ceiling unlimited. Wind 20 mph Snow at 1630 hrs., mild blizzard. S/L EA Kenny made a trial trip from No 30 Radio Detachment to the emergency oil dump at Sealet by dog team. The time required for the round trip was 2 hrs. not including any rest for the dogs. We have approximately 950 barrels to transport from the above point on Quirpon Harbour at a cost of $1.50 per barrel. Only one barrel can be drawn at a time. Temperature at 2200 hrs. -16º. Clear and calm.
16 Feb 43
Weather: Temperature zero. Wind west 20 mph Visibility 15+. Ceiling unlimited; bright and clear. By 0930 hrs the wind had increased to 35 miles and a blizzard was raging. All work was suspended outside. At 2200 hrs. temperature -12º. Wind 10 mph
1 Mar 43
Weather: Temperature +31º. Wind SW at 45 mph Blizzard with driving snow, turning to rain at 1300 hours. All outside work has been stopped. Snow has drifted over the tops of the Nissen Huts and one can walk up to the roof of the kitchen and mess hall on the snow.
2 Mar 43
Weather: Temperature +20º; wind North-West at 5 miles per hour; visibility 10 miles; ceiling 2000 ft. The surface of the ground is very slippery after the rain and walking is difficult. The strong winds have cleared the sea of slob for a distance of about 6 miles but it is gradually drifting towards the shore again. Rev SR Cooper arrived today to hold service. Three bags of mail arrived by dog team from Deer Lake, a distance of 200 miles.
3 Mar 43 Weather: Temperature +8º; wind calm. Clear and bright. Visibility 15+; ceiling unlimited. To most people from Canada, Newfoundland has been known as a land of fog, but this is not so from our experience - at least up until this date. Whether or not the spring and summer will bring fog is not known. Except for numerous rain storms and snow blizzards, the weather has been clear. Three bags of mail arrived at 1600 hrs by dog team. A few straggling barrels of oil are being picked up at Government Island and Sealet Cove and some which were scattered along the dog trail from these points to our unit just left there by men and dogs who could not take them any further. In the construction and operation of this unit there have been some difficult problems, but I think one of the most amazing feats was the transportation of 950 forty-five gallon barrels of oil and gasoline, 425 from Sealet Cove, a distance of 3 1/3 miles and 525 barrels from Government Island, a distance of 4 1/2 miles. This oil was moved by 42 dog teams over a narrow, almost impossible, trail which, in some places, had to be built up over frozen bogs, small lakes, and over very steep rocks. With an average of seven dogs to a team, there were 300 dogs. Some of these dog teams came from a distance of 40 miles. Progress pictures of the construction of No 30 Radio Detachment, including the movement of this oil, are on file at Eastern Air Command, also movie shots of certain phases of same. Appendix "A" attached gives a good idea of the route over which this oil was hauled. It might be stated that all of this oil was moved in six days at an average cost of $1.95 per barrel. Most of the dog teams worked 12 to 15 hrs and sometimes two men to a team. Our own personnel were assisting in the work. The weather remained calm and clear until 1930 hrs when the wind rose to a speed of 15 mph with snow.
31 Mar 43
The old story about March has been sadly wrecked this year or perhaps it was never meant to apply to Quirpon Island, Cape Bauld. It came in like a lion, remained like a roaring lion and is going out like a lion. The ancient adage that dogs are amongst man's most faithful friends has been exemplified more to us since coming to this barren land, where there seems to be very little to live for outside of seal hunting and the fishing industry in season. Out of season, those engaged in this industry move "South" as they call it. The few who remain depend entirely upon the dogs as a means of transportation. They travel long distances without much food, sometimes on the very verge of starvation yet displaying the greatest fondness for their owners who, it is sad to relate, whip them mercilessly with their long rawhide whips which bruises and cuts their hides. The leader of the dog teams, usually a female, seldom takes her eyes off the driver except on the "straight-away". She anticipates his orders, showing a remarkable degree of intelligence in obeying his commands and finding the way in a blizzard when the visibility is zero. These dogs have been very friendly to our airmen who, of course, pet and feed them on every occasion. But we have been repaid for the kindness, which is returned by them in their very manner to us. They draw our mail, water, oil, etc. and, in case of sickness we would depend upon them to draw us to the nearest hospital miles away over a trail which only dogs could find and follow no matter what the weather. They are always ready and willing to "hit the trail" and in most cases the only encouragement they get is a slash from a whip if they lag. In one instance, dogs have transported 959 forty-five gallon drums of oil a distance of 4 1/2 miles over a very difficult snow trail. 300 dogs moved this oil in six days without mishap except to one dog who was beaten to death by a driver. However, in fairness, it may be said there are some driver's who appreciate their value and treat them accordingly. Appendices B and D attached relate to this unit's January Daily Diary which were omitted. (these appendices later transferred to January Diary, App "B" attached as App "C".). Appendix "C" attached is a summary of operations for March, 1943.
HONOURS AND AWARDS - NIL
COMMISSIONS - NIL
ADMINISTRATION - NIL
PROMOTIONS - NIL
POSTINGS - NIL
CHANGE OF COMMAND OF STATION - NIL
AIRCRAFT ON CHARGE - NIL
HEALTH - GOODAVERAGE DAILY TEMPERATURE - 18.7º
AVERAGE WIND VELOCITY - 16 mph
NUMERICAL STRENGTH OF UNIT AS AT 31st March, 1943.
Officers - 2, Airmen - 38
(EA Kenny) Squadron Leader,
Commanding Officer,
No 30 Radio Detachment,
Cape Bauld, Nfld
6 Dec 43
Monday - Temperature 32º, foggy. During the night about 2 inches of snow fell, but the temperature has gone up considerably and the snow is now pretty "slushy". During the afternoon the temperature dropped to slightly below freezing and the wind velocity rose to 35 to 40 mph Rotation of the Array was quite difficult during these conditions. Before installation of the Lower Reflector Screens we were able to operate normally in winds of from 40 to 50 mph Later (approximately 1800 hrs.) the wind velocity rose to about 70 mph and it was necessary to lock the Array. Results for the day were 1 track of 11 plots which was followed for 116 miles. Filter room requested that we pay special attention to this track as it was important.
7 Dec 43
Tuesday - Temperature 24º, strong west winds, clear and sunny. During the night 4 to 5 inches of snow fell and the countryside appears clear and not quite as grim and desolate as usual. Last Sunday evening a request was made to all ranks by the OC for a voluntary collection, proceeds of which would be given to the International Grenfell Association of St. Anthony, in appreciation of their great work in Nfld. and Labrador, and for their kindness and hospitality toward the men at this Unit who have required Medical attention. The reception of the proposal was spontaneous and today a Postal Money Order for $111.50 was mailed to the Association. Antenna Array locked for 14 hours this period due to the very strong winds. Results for the day - 1 track of 7 plots.
8 Dec 43
Wednesday - Temperature 20º, weather clear with moderate south west wind. Beautiful day today. Equipment all working well. One track of 4 plots recorded for this period.
9 Dec 43
Thursday - Temperature 23º, light south east wind. Today was a big day at Cape Bauld - Mail Day. The SS Northern Ranger docked at Quirpon about 1430 hours and some hours later, 21 bags of Mail was being sorted and distributed here on the Station. Mail is undoubtedly the biggest single Moral factor on a Unit of this type. The Mail Service is very poor, as it is 4 to 6 weeks between mails. This has one rather amusing angle, however, as we are constantly receiving signals requesting that we expediate replies to letters that we have not even received, and it is evident that many are not aware of the complete isolation of Cape Bauld. Although this is rather amusing from our point of view it is very inefficient to the operation of this Unit. For example - official mail - dated as far back as October 30 was received today and written replies to these will not likely arrive, say in Halifax, until about the middle of January - two and a half months to receive a reply to a letter. A Strobe Switch was installed in the PPI chassis of the Receiver today. In view of the high winds which constantly blow here it is felt that this Strobe Switch will lengthen the life of the Turning Gear by eliminating the necessity of searching back and forth with the Array to "DF" an echo. Operational results for today - Nil.
10 Dec 43
Friday - Temperature 30º, strong north west wind and snow. We have considerable snow now, drifted in some places to a depth of 6 feet or so. Difficulty was experienced in rotating the Array with a wind of from 30 to 40 mph and it was necessary to lock the Array, for an hour. Equipment working well. Operational results - Nil.
11 Dec 43
Saturday - Temperature 29º. North west wind, velocity 60 mph The Array was locked for 18 hours, from 0600 hrs to 2359 hrs in view of the high winds. During the evening the temperature dropped to 18º and the wind increased to 70 mph It is very difficult to move around outside. Operational results for the day - Nil.
12 Dec 43
Sunday - Temperature 18º, clear and cold, no wind. Shortly after noon an exceptionally high south west gale started and continued for the balance of the day. As a result the Array was locked in position for 7 1/2 hours. Two tracks of 6 plots were recorded today.
13 Dec 43
Monday - Temperature 18º, weather clear - no wind. The first of a series of Debates was held this PM in the Recreation Hall. The subject "Resolved the Benefits that Accrue over a period of one years isolation on a Station of this type make the posting desirable for the average young man." The Speakers had all spent considerable time in the preparation of their arguments and the Debate was very well conducted. The affirmative was declared the Winning Team. The Debate - first of such affairs at Cape Bauld, was well attended and at the conclusion of the debate an open discussion was held, and many additional points were brought out. Again today it was necessary to operate on a fixed azimuth for 5 hours and 40 minutes due to the high winds. Operational results - 2 tracks of 11 plots.
14 Dec 43
Tuesday - Temperature 21º, light north east wind. In the afternoon the wind shifted to south east and reached gale proportions very quickly. Just before the blizzard started, three of the men who were in Quirpon started to walk back to camp. They had gone about half a mile when the Blizzard started and obliterated the trail in a very few minutes. So wild was the storm that visibility was reduced to about 10 feet. Fortunately two of the sled dogs were with the men, and led the party safely back to camp. As soon as the men got off the trail and started in the wrong direction, the dogs would lie down in front of them to block the trail and would repeat this until the airmen turned around and followed the dogs. As this storm lasted abut 15 hours this incident is further proof of the great value of these half wild dogs in this country. The Radio section enjoyed the busiest day in some weeks. Thirty tracks were recorded with a total of 73 plots. The array was locked for appoximately 3 hours.
15 Dec 43
Wednesday - Temperature 6º, exceptionally heavy west gales all day. The velocity at 0900 hours was 70 mph. As a result the Array was locked on a fixed azimuth for 23 hours.
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Updated: April 8, 2003